Disclaimer: Code Geass belongs to the brilliant people in Sunrise

I came to say goodbye.

Goodbye to the mask I've worn the longest: Lelouch Lamperouge. That mask of mine made his friends here a promise: to someday watch fireworks with everyone. He won't be keeping that promise, I'm afraid, because he is no more.

I disembark from the imperial private jet, to the cheers of thanks from the people of Japan - formerly Area 11. I wave to them as any foreign delegate should, and my attention fell towards one attempting to climb the fence.

Rivalz Cardemonde. Lelouch Lamperouge's partner-in-crime. He calls out to me, believing he is speaking to his friend. He is mistaken. He is restrained by those tasked to control the crowds, and I look away towards the Black Knight assigned to guide me towards the delegation.

Kallen. I wonder which one I'm talking to, now? Lelouch Lamperouge's classmate? Or personal guard to my most powerful mask, Zero? Ah, she calls me by my given name. She has mistaken me for someone else.

"Pleased to meet you," I reply. Indeed, this is the first time I speak to her as my true self. I refer to her by her official title within the organization of the Black Knights. She understands and responds promptly, formally, as expected when dealing with official guests. Well done.

I ask that we take a roundabout route, citing nervousness. That, of course, is partially true. It is, after all, Lelouch vi Britannia's first foreign visit. The real reason? Maybe Lelouch Lamperouge is being nostalgic. Maybe because this way, Kallen would "return to Ashford with me," like Zero asked a lifetime ago. Maybe Lelouch vi Britannia has some plan up his sleeve and needs to check the grounds thoroughly to see if it could be pulled off without a hitch. Take your pick. I'll never tell.

She walks ahead of me at a slow, steady pace and I follow. Having worn the mask of student the longest, his memories slowly, surely, begin to surface: Serving in the student council as vice-president. Skipping class to read a book. Riding the sidecar in Rivalz's motorbike to all those chess gambling sessions. Getting told off by Shirley for participating in them. Helping organize all those silly events for Milly. Running around campus to catch the cat that almost got Zero exposed...

"It brings back memories, doesn't it?"

I wasn't supposed to say that out loud. Apparently Lelouch Lamperouge doesn't want to stay dead. I thought I had him buried when I took the throne. My mistake. It won't happen again.

Kallen took it as a cue to speak freely. Luckily we're already out of hearing range of the media. She's, thanking me? No. She's thanking Zero. Why, though? She was there when Zero "died". Why speak to a dead man? One that she and her comrades killed, at that.

Oh, no. I let Lamperouge surface a bit earlier, but you're not coming out, Zero. Lelouch vi Britannia never makes the same mistake twice.

I manage to continuue listening to Kallen's words as if I have no idea what she's talking about - or who she's talking to. She's asking questions, now. Does she think I have the answer to them? She is mistaken.

My eyes widen momentarily when I felt her lips on mine. They're soft, warm, full of passion...

NO! Stay dead! She may be everything to both of you, but she is nothing to me! NOTHING! You had your chances. There's no turning back now!

There is no way back.

Not anymore.

The kiss ended almost as quickly as it started. I open my eyes (when did I close them?) to see hers full of emotion. She searches my eyes for... something, but is disappointed. She would be. She's looking at the wrong place.

"Goodbye, Lelouch," she says, just before she resumes her formal tone, telling me that the rest of the delegates are in the gymnasium. I nod in understanding and she turns to walk away.

I came to say goodbye. Or, rather, I came to let my masks say it. Go ahead, it's alright now.

"Goodbye, Kallen."

Now stay dead.