That's the ending? That's like a standard beta af harem manga ending. How can a manga where the protag does many girls end up with such a wimpy non-ending?.

Chapter 357

The chapter opens up with a color page of Kaoruko's childhood, showing an interest in the "The Tale of Genji" and the character's exploits with other women. (Kaoruko was quite the cheerful child compared to the stoic person she is today.) As she gushes about this, her older brother (Terumi's father), watches over her. She then cheerfully declares that one day she wants to become his wife. Both smile happily at each other...before it smash cuts to Kaoruko sitting by the bay, screaming in anger that her older brother is an idiot! "I can't marry my little sister. It's taboo." she recalls. Of course she knows something like that! Plus she's angry at the fact that he already has someone he's looking forward to marrying in the future, Kirino (Terumi's mother). She then declares that from then on, she will hate her older brother and men in general for breaking her heart.

*Little Kaoruko was quite similar to how Terumi is now. Both even go at the same bay to scream about their problems:

https://twitter.com/anoma_kuma/statu...84844322414593

A few years pass and Kaoruko is now at Kirino's funeral. She was killed by a drunk driver. People lament that it was too soon for someone that young, beautiful and bright to die like that. Before her death, however, she gave birth to baby Terumi, who's sleeping inside his carriage. A slightly older Kaoruko, a little Asahi and Asahi's mother are watching over him, with Asahi's mother commenting how pretty he is, almost like a girl. Kaoruko, feeling guilt for how she treated her brother and lamenting that Terumi will never know his mother, notes that she's Terumi's aunt now. She then makes her resolve clear: to give Terumi happiness and introduce him to all sorts of women, similar to how Genji met the women in his life. This will contribute to Terumi's growth as a person, as a final gift to Kirino's memory.

The flashback ends as Kaoruko muses about her past. As this goes on, Terumi has taken the initiative and has gone right on to sucking on her breasts. She notes why he is doing such a thing. Terumi replies right back that "it's the usual for today, isn't it?" Kaoruko then just tells him to continue, with Terumi happily doing so. After a few minutes pass, Kaoruko then declares that she plans to move on from Shiun University to another university, surprising her nephew. It was the reason she was gone for a few days (why she suddenly went missing) since she was filling out the necessary paperwork. One of the reasons for doing so is because she can't advance her research and career due the influence of Professor Konoe being too strong.

But more importantly, she wants Terumi to inherit her apartment and continuing growing as a person. She likens living with Terumi in the beginning was the "prologue" and influencing his growth was "Chapter 1". So now, "Chapter 2" of "Minamoto's Story" can now begin. (She title drops the name of the manga here) Kaoruko smiles happily at Terumi.

A year has passed since that day. At a library, we see a baby who looks like Terumi playing with Tsukiko, with Asahi, now the librarian, noting how the baby basically looks like Terumi. She questions where he is, with Tsukiko stating that he's using the bathroom. She then tells her best friend to wait for her, as her shift ends in 30 minutes. Tsukiko replies affirmatively, as the baby lays on her lap, a book titled "Japanese Princesses" being held in the toddler's hands.

FINAL chapter (358)

- Terumi thanks Tsukiko for taking care of his younger half-brother, with Tsukiko saying she doesn't mind as it felt nostalgic taking care of a child, like she did with Nagiko. Terumi notes how his father suddenly dumped his half-brother on him out of the blue, with Tsukiko noting how troublesome Terumi's father is. Asahi finishes her shift and they walk around the university.

- Asahi notes that Tsukiko's skill as an erotic novelist has increased, especially the part where the protagonists are having intercourse with one another on the hotel's bed and bathroom. It's almost like Tsukiko has some real life experience with this. Both Terumi and Tsukiko blush heavily at this, with Asahi smiling in puzzlement at the silence. (She STILL doesn't know that her best friend had sex with her cousin).

- The targets have moved on with their lives:

1. Akashi meets Yuu and they hit it off, Yuu asking Akashi if she wants to join the gym.

2. Aoi is still following Rokujou around, no doubt keeping her and her Yandere tendecies around Terumi in check.

3. Semi now works at the dentist office with Gennai as her secretary.

4. Hanada is seen at her workplace happily talking with Ruri and Nagiko, who are both on summer break.

5. Shian and Otome are playing together, while watching a television program of four voice actors promoting a product. One of the voice actors is Hana.

- Tsukiko notes she saw that Murakami is walking with Otome's older sister. Rumors are that they are dating.

- Kaoruko is teaching at another university. All males are once again, gawking at her.

- Asahi questions what Terumi plans to do once he graduates from the University. Tsukiko notes that he plans on becoming a researcher, with his topic on, what else, the Tale of Genji. Asahi is surprised at this but notes that it makes sense since he's been living two years with Kaoruko, who's research revolves around the topic. Tsukiko's imagination goes into overdrive, thinking that the "real" reason Terumi is pursuing this is because maybe he and Kaoruko engaged in some "forbidden" love. Terumi notes how scary Tsukiko looks.

- Asahi and Tsukiko then leave to get drinks from a vending machine. Asahi asks if Terumi has a girlfirend. Tsukiko states no and Asahi then states happily "Is that so?" Tsukiko thinks that Asahi should be more honest with herself. In her clumsiness, Asahi accidentally gets milk. She apologizes profusely but Terumi states he doesn't mind.

- The final page of the final chapter then shows Terumi hesitating slightly, with the bully's image appearing clearly in a dark background, smiling smugly as always. Terumi then starts to drink, noting that he doesn't feel any fear or discomfort anymore around milk. As this happens, Tsukasa's image slowly fades away, like a curse or burden finally being lifted from Terumi. Terumi then looks up and smiles happily to himself, "overcoming" his trauma at long last...