The End

A/N: It's hard to believe my thread here's reached fifty chapters, and I thank you all for your support! XD
Alas, it's coming to an end, and I've had a lot of fun. Maybe I'll start another thread here, not confirmed, but probable. Hope you enjoy!

Seventeen years later...

2039 AD

It was the time of this year's Nippon Akademii-shou, or Japan Academy Film Prize, awarded only to directors of the best films of the year be it drama, documentary or animation.

Dozens of directors were in attendance, you included, along with your families and friends and hundreds of spectators who managed to secure a seat in this annual concert, a once-in-a-lifetime experience for film fanatics nationwide, no matter the walk of life they hail from.

Smiling and waving to the audience as he receives a round of applause, the speaker steps onto the stage, and says, "Welcome, to the Nippon Akademii-shou 2039! It has been over half a century since the award was first created, and I am happy to be tonight's host for the award's winners!"

Another wave of applause greeted him, before he continued, "The Nippon Akademii-shou was first awarded in 1978, as an award of excellence and an aspiration for all filmakers to achieve the same pinnacle of talent and skill as the first award recipient, that they may do the film industry proud and bring great repute to themselves and the industry as a whole. Yet though there are many aspirants, only a small handful can ever receive the award. It is crushing for those who so desire the award to not receive it, but there is always next year, and ample time to hone your talents."

The speaker paused for effect, preparing his next words.

"And to those award recipients, I say to you now," Said the speaker, "Even when you receive the award, don't simply pat yourself on the back for a job well done, but pat yourself for achieving this standard, and strive to continue to uphold excellence in your craft. And now... for the first winner of the Nippon Akademii-shou, Ms. Shiraki Toyoko!"

You as one of the attendees clapped your hands with the rest of the audience, happy for Toyoko as she ascended the stage, dressed in a fine dress of black.

When you first applied for filmmaking in college, she was your diligent instructor and caring mentor, who took the time to show you the ropes with saintly patience. An accomplished filmmaker of ten years in those days, she has since aged gracefully, looking like one of those pretty actresses who meticulously cared for their beauty. This was her third such award, and she was bursting into tears of joy.

"You've a good mentor."

And beside you was your de facto wife Abirit, who came dressed in a tuxedo of black and white. Standard and generic formal wear, but clothes that suited her just fine. At thirty-five years old, she is the proud mother of your twenty-five children. Half were sired from your seed, and the other half by your dad's. Her breasts remained very shapely and never sagged, her figure as sexily curvaceous as her high school days, and her face was similarly unchanging and beautiful.

"It's thanks to her that I came this far," You said.

"She's only half the reason," Abirit stated, "You did the rest yourself."

"I just don't like being boastful..." You weakly countered.

"You're too humble," Said Abirit, "But that's what I like about you."

The rest of the event was spent welcoming and congratulating at least a dozen more award winners as they stepped onto the stage, whether tearfully accepting their long-waited accolades or simply happy at achieving such a monumental milestone in their lives.

"And now, for our next winner, Arashiro Takeru!"

Abirit kissed you on the cheek, uncaring that you were on live camera that night, and you simply smiled as you went on stage.

Shaking the speaker's hand and accepting the award, you turned to address the audience.

"When I first started learning filmmaking in college, I was worried for my wife," You started, "My father was working hard to provide for the five of us, and being an ordinary salaryman, he had to make many sacrifices. My love... we weren't married yet, but she willingly chose to sacrifice any full-time career she had planned, instead becoming a full-fledged housewife. And I... I'm thankful for that."

You pause to wipe tears from your eyes, memories surfacing of how often you returned to a tired but happy Abirit as she embraced you, smelling of food and detergent.

"Not very often do women make such a sacrifice for the family, and it's thanks to her support alongside my dad's that I was able to obtain my college diploma, and from there make my career in the film industry."

You pause and sigh slightly.

"My father passed away not long after I started making a name for myself - two years after college. It was a hard time, and I couldn't muster the strength to pursue my career, so I took a self-imposed sabattical for several months. But once again, it's thanks to my wife's support that I eventually made a comeback, and from there proceeded to cement my name. We married, had children, and as they say, the rest is history."

The audience clapped vigorously, touched at your life story.

"Thank you, Abirit and Dad, for supporting me! Thank you, Toyoko-san, for patiently mentoring me in this prestigious craft! Thank you all, for supporting my films, and I hope you continue to look forward to more! Thank you all!"

You bowed to a rapturous audience, and gently stepped off the stage.

Your home was situated in the idyllic countryside, in a farming town not far from Tokyo. Like most towns and villages in Japan, it was more or less quiet, but still filled with life, and beautifully decorated with Sakura trees whose petals decorate the ground like pink snow.

In recent years, the town of Shinhama was undergoing a renaissance of sorts, foreigners and fellow Japanese alike migrating to here and other remote towns mostly to escape the hustle and bustle of the big city.

Growing tired of the hectic life in Tokyo and wanting more living space for your children, you managed to secure an abandoned house in the town, which had far too few residents and too many empty houses up for grabs. It was expensive but worth it, and the income you earned from your job more than covered all expenses.

Walking along its streets, you breathed in the fresh air - far fresher than in Tokyo - and happily saw the many children running along the pavement and playing around.

"Hey, that's mine!"

"No fair!"

"Last one to get it back has to buy sweets for us all!"

You simply chuckle and shake your head.

"Reminds us of our kids, don't they?" You said.

"Mm," Abirit nodded, "But a lot less well-behaved."

"Kids will be kids," You said.

Eventually, you went off the beaten path and made your way towards a florist, the kindly old woman meticulously wrapping flowers in red paper for the latest visitors.

"Ah, Takeru-kun, Abirit-kun, welcome," Said the old lady, her speech slow and measured, "Would you like some flowers?"

"Yes, please," You said.

"Hai."

The kindly old lady handed you some flowers, their fragrance fresh as day.

"Thanks, ma'am," Said Abirit.

You both made your way inside the complex, the land eerily quiet and abandoned save for the soft chirping of birds, plinths and headstones lining the pathways in neat, orderly rows. Some shone bright in the sun, chiselled only this year. Others were older and more worn, bearing dirt and moss and slightly eroded on the edges.

You made your way towards your father's headstone, buried next to your mother's, and slowly begin to wash the gravestones as your wife places flowers next to them.

"It's been a while, dad," You said.

"Your son won the Japan Academy Film Prize, you know," Said Abirit, "You'd be so proud."

Abirit sniffed slightly, and you place a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"Our kids are doing good for themselves, and Chasidah's performing well in her studies," You said, "And it seems she's planning to pursue a career in Singapore as a DJ. Funny, that. I thought she'd be a filmmaker like me, but I guess it's not for everyone."

"Hope you're well up there," Said Abirit, "And please, watch over us always."

"Bye Dad," You said.

And the two of you left, and from a distance, the smiling figure of your father, invisible to all, smiled at your retreating backs.

"I'm so proud of you, Takeru, and all your kids. Take care."

And with that, the spirit of Shusaku departed, a smile of contentment on his face.