Jukstapositioned

Okay, so I lost my entire reply to this. *laugh* Let me see if I can remember what I said. Since I was walking into uncertainty towards the end of this story, I actually uploaded one chapter per day. So perhaps it's a good thing that you didn't have to catch with that madness. *laugh* I thought about uploading everything at once, but I worried about AFF and whether it would be killed by me. Now that I am in China, and AFF is working, I sort of regret having rushed everything. If I had more time, I certainly could have editted the chapters a little bit better. Oh well, it is what it is, no one can change the past. In the End indeed does prelude Heaven Far Away after all. Shuusei is a character whom I've been working on for the longest time. I actually wrote Heaven Far Away first as some sort of test, to see if it would work out. And when it did, all I wanted to do was to go back and work on In the End. Shuusei is one of the most interesting characters I have worked on. There is so many layers to him that I feel like I've not properly showed every layer to the readers. At the same time, Chitose and Shuusei are so similar, but Chitose would never reach Shuusei's level. The elder had been through too much to be able to look at this world with kind eyes anymore. With Chitose, there are many things that he does not know, even though he feelsl ike he knows everything; so perhaps there is still salvation for him to get rid of his past and start anew. It is unfortunate that Kirin and Shuusei are in the world they are in, if they weren't, I wonder if things would be different. Perhaps it's because they are in that world that they are attracted to each other. I like to think that both of them genuinely, truly and sincerely love each other, but situational factors deter them. Therefore, to keep their relationship meant keeping distance between them. If Shuusei had stayed, certainly what Shuusei told Subaru would come true and it would truly be a tragic ending. For that world does not allow them any trust, especially now that Kirin has control of Tokyo by himself. Please, stop me. *laugh* I feel like I can write another 40 chapter fiction just explaining Shuusei and Kirin, and each one of them individually. As for Konbayoshi Atsushi, I think he is the most interesting character I have worked with. I really, really want to write his end of the story, but that would mean getting into his head, and I fear that might not be good for my health. *laugh* By writing him, I feel like there will be so many more secrets that would finally see light. However, every story needs a character the readers love to hate, I think he fills this role perfectly. Last but not least, thank you so much for sticking through with this story, even you are so busy already! I really do appreciate your reviews, comments, and feedbacks, they certainly let me know what I am lacking in and what I need to improve upon. I actually had so many ideas for new writing before I came here, but alas, teaching is no easy feat, I don't have much free time. Therefore, I fear they might have to be put in the backseat. As for publishing, I don't think I am good enough yet and I don't think I have a solid story to publish either. Certainly, I would love to publish one day. *laugh* Good luck with everything on your end!

@Gslinger: I'm sorry it made you cry! Eternal love comes in many forms, I'm sure you will find the form you want sooner or later. Thank you for your review!

The last chapter has been posted and thus concludes this story. I want to thank everyone who has clicked, read, and reviewed; I can only hope that it was at least interesting for some of you. I've had this story in my head for a long, long time, even before Heaven Far Away. I'm the type of person who likes to leave the best for last, so perhaps that's why I decided to write this after Heaven Far Away after all. Or perhaps I just wan't quite ready yet at that time. From here on, I'll be going to a different country for work. There, who knows if I'll have reliable internet access. However, writing will never stop, but surely it will be while before I even think about returning to this genre. @Gslinger: I don't think they've ever forgotten that they can't do without each other. Perhaps it's because that knowledge is so strong they can't help but end in such a manner. I've always thought that when something exceeds moderation, love in this case, it just means there is insanity that's bound to follow. Their relationship has been rather unhealthy and detoxification is the best route, no? *laugh* Of course, some would say excess is another way. Thank you for your continued support and reviews!

Chapter forty eight has been posted. One more to go.

Chapter forty seven has been posted. The next chapter is the last chapter, and the one following will be a some sort of interlude/epilogue told from Akira's point of view.

Chapter forty six has been posted. I cannot believe how close we are to finishing this story! For those of you who read Heaven Far Away, this chapter certainly will give you more insight on Chitose's story. If there had been an interlude on Konbayoshi Atsushi, I like to imagine many truths would be overturned. @Gslinger: Yes, that certainly was the intent. If I could give each arc a title, this one would be named "doubt". After all that they've been through, and after they've been filling out their roles more and more, the jobs become them. I like to think of this as my little homage to the famous Milgram Experiment, in a much simpler fashion, of course. Shuusei has been with so many kumicho and none of them was caring; when a tail is put on you, usually, it's to kill you. His instincts are hard trained and after Kirin's outburst the last time they met, Shuusei's instinct told him it was bad news. Actually, as for how they will be "in the end", there were mentions of it in Heaven Far Away, specifically in Chitose's interlude. Thank you for the review!

Chapter forty five has been posted. Just four more chapters to go.

Chapter forty three has been posted. Konbayoshi Atsushi will see more writing time as the next few chapters unfold. @Miko: I am glad that you are enjoying the story! The story is 49 chapters long, so we're reaching its end steadily. Thank you for your review!

Chapter forty two has been posted.

Chapter forty-one has been posted. I decided that was the right amount of Shuusei's past shared for the sake of this story. I imagine I could write another one with his beginnings and all those other relationships. Ayumi and Subaru would have been tremendously fun to write as well; her personality is one I enjoy very much. However, those are only fleeting thoughts between dreams. This marks the end of this arc, if you will; the next one will be shorter but ties up every loose end. The characters will discover some things about themselves that they've not wanted to admit so far.

Chapter forty has been posted. This is certainly the last stretch.

Chapter thirty nine has been posted. Subaru's and Shuusei's joint past will be touched upon more in the upcoming chapters, but there is no extreme details. After all, this is about Shuusei's present and not his past.

Chapter thirty eight has been posted. It was the first time that Shuusei and Akira have faced each other like that, and it wouldn't be until much later would they have such a conversation again. @Gslinger: Eriko is not a tragic character, in my opinion. Even though she might be stuck in an unfortunate situation, but she is her own woman and she is yakuza, so that only makes her half a woman. (laugh) I've always believed that the truth is always better than a pretty lie as well. Thank you for your review.

Chapter thirty six has been posted. It would appear that I really will be updating on a daily basis. The story will have forty nine chapters, and I'm currently working on the last chapter. Please stay with me a little longer and we will see to the end of this together. @Miko: I imagine that is not a good thing? (laugh) Thank you for your review. @Gslinger: Anything is up for exchange, no? (laugh) Besides, it's been a year's pending for this to happen, I think we should praise Shinya for his patience. Thank you for your review.

Chapter thirty five has been posted.

Chapter thirty four has been posted. It would seem the universal reaction to the previous chapter was "thank God he's back!" *laugh* I am truly flattered that the character is well liked! @Miko: Yes, he is back indeed! *laugh* Thank you for your review! @Gslinger: Yes, it's been a long time indeed. At least he's back now. *laugh* I do want to update one chapter per day, but as of right now, I'm still writing and writing. Perhaps next week, I will be able to update one chapter per day! Thank you for your review!

Chapter thirty three has been posted. It's been a long time, but at least he's finally back. Thank you for waiting!

Chapter thirty two has been posted. I decided to forego all the bloody skirmishes as that will be pointless, repetitive and redundant. So, only the end result was listed for the progress of this story.

Chapter thirty one has been posted. Shuusei's return shouldn't be too far away now. It seems like the big climax of the story when the end isn't near yet. (laugh) @Miko: Shuusei shouldn't take much longer to return. The dates are growing closer, and the next couple of chapters should move ahead faster in terms of time period as well. I hope it won't disappoint when he does return then. Thank you for your review! @Gslinger: You don't say. I certainly would not react well to severed heads on my front door either. However, being yakuza would mean getting used to that? Now, at least, Akira is aware of competition? I'm not sure what that does for anyone. Thank you for your review! @Nekoii-desu: It's part of the growing that I was talking about in regards to Kirin? (laugh) I am glad that my intent of him changing had been conveyed successfully. It was nice when there were people to shelter him and take on the burden for him, but after Yoozan's death, he was certainly solely in charge. For those who holds the ultimate power in their hands, I believe it does change them, whether it's for good or for bad. Shinya's presence is a foreshadow for later, he will be much needed in the future of the story. As for yakuza activity right now, I cannot say I know everything, but they have turned more underground in terms of killing, or so it would appear. Yet, they are everywhere, even in some influential, international organizations. Especially in unions, for some peculiar reason. For the sake of drama, I've decided to heighten the prospect of blood shed and enmity. Thank you for your reviews and I wish you all the best with your paper.

Chapter thirty has been posted. The next couple of chapters will be sped up a little, in terms of time line, that is.

Chapter twenty nine has been posted. I got a new computer, so everything is new to me. Hopefully, I have not messed anything up by mistake. Please let me know if I have! @Miko: Shuusei will be back within the next few chapters. I can't give you an exact number yet, but the date is getting closer. Shinya is the assassin who Shuusei ran into earlier on in the story. I would believe that their meeting should be within the first 7-ish chapters. Thank you for your review!

Chapter twenty eight has been posted. @Gslinger: The cat is (in Kirin's words) as bitchy as ever; it's a hard fight each time they are together. (laugh) I reckon that between Shuusei and Akira, the latter would be more prone to jealousy than the former. Outwardly at least. Thank you for your review!

Chapter twenty seven has been posted. Due to work, I will be going to a different country at the end of August. There, I'm not sure if I will have Internet access. Therefore, I am determined to try and finish this story before I have to leave. Just in case. Expect more frequent updates. Perhaps. @Nobunaga: Akira is the contradiction in this story, in my opinion. And Shuusei will come back, but when is another question. Thank you for your review! @Miko: If you are referring to the black swan necklace, Akira did not take it. He only wanted to take a look at it. I apologize if it was ambiguous. I will not misplace your trust in me! Thank you for your review!

Chapter twenty six has been uploaded. I should have been writing this week, but one book was enough to reawaken my old dreams. There are obssessions that have an expiration date, but then there are life long loves to oppose those. It successfully brought back one of mine and I was reminded once again why I still love them so much. @Miko I think that is the million dollar question. (laugh) He will return at a most opportune moment to make things more special. However, for now, I can only ask your patience in that matter. Thank you for your review. @Gslinger Your description of a cat sounds like Shuusei somehow. (laugh) Akira indeed is someone different from everyone else. However, the world is a big bucket of taints, when he gets tainted will be another story. Perhaps he won't get tainted at all, but when you are in the heart of a yakuza clan, somehow, it seems improbable. We'll see what happens as things progress. Thank you for the review! @Nekoii-desu It seems everyone's more interested in Shuusei than with Kirin's problems. (laugh) He will retur, it's only a matter of time. The star lights are actually inspired by what I've seen before. I do not do justice to their beauty with my words alone, for it was absolutely beautiful when I saw it in person. Good luck with your school, thank you for the review!

Chapter twenty five has been posted. Even though many things may seem pointless and almost out of place, please bear with me, I promise that every scene has its purpose; even if it's way into the future. I cannot claim to be a person of extreme details, but I have to say each conversation and almost to the degree of each word was chosen with precision to impact the story in a whole. I like foreshadows and subtlity; or more precisely, they are probably memory games to exercise one's brain. @Gslinger: Request received, I certainly will ruffle Mikage's fur a little in the future chapters. However, come to think of it, isn't it rather sad that the main character's serious relationship is with a cat that doesn't even like him? (laugh) I'm almost beginning to wonder where I'm going with this story. Thank you for your review!