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;Plot Summary
Hoid muses about the nature of stories, and apologizes to his audience for having to share this sad ending with them. He says that Nikaro refused to accept this ending, and sochose pickedto pick up painthis brushpaintbrush and ink, and beganbegin painting on the blank wall that had been reserved for his capstone painting. The sun begins to shineshining through the shroud, causing the people to panic. Ignoring the sun, Nikaro paints the scene of Yumi as they flew on the tree together. He paints calmly as the shroud continues to evaporateevaporates, andthen feels a touch on his arm. Smoke from the shroud clings to him, though nobody notices amid everything else happening. Nikaro finishes his painting and then turns to the vortex of smoke, with a dark shape inside reaching outward him. He drops his brush and, takes herYumi's hand, and urges her to believe that she deserves to live on for herself. He reminds and encourages her, "''Our world, Yumi. Our rules.''" She finally says, "''I... deserve to choose. I deserve love.''" Yumi emerges fully and they cling to one another as the shroud vanishes completely. Life gave birth to art, and art gave birth to life.. because ultimately, people choose what is meaningful to them.
{{anchor|Another Epilogue}}
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