Disclaimer: I do not own Norn9 or the video game this series of oneshots are based upon. I am also not making money with any of these. The ratings will vary, as will the pairings. And there will be many spoilers so if you have not finished a route, do not read!

He smelled like fire, burning her nostrils with the pungent scent. It was like a blazing inferno that swept everything in its wake, a decaying corpse set ablaze. Nanami could have sworn Ron did not smell like that; all she could remember was the feel of warm skin pressed tightly against her own, a wrinkled white dress shirt slightly scratchy on her cheek.

She should have known better. She should not have grown attached to the man who would end up breaking her more than anyone ever had, even more than her parents or her powers. She might be a monster, but he was Hell personified.

He hurt Koharu, stole her powers. The smell worsened, nearly sending the violet-haired esper to the hills. But the fire in her nose was nothing compared to the inferno swirling around in her heart. It should not surprise her anymore what Ron was capable of, but her heart and her mind were clearly at odds. He did not care for her, how could he? Nanami could feel the darkness in his heart, see it in his eyes when he took of his glasses.

But, she always hoped. Hoped that Ron would be able to fight his dark side, that her love for him was brighter than any darkness. What a fool she was, and now the world was paying the price.

"This is your chance to wipe my mind, the chance to save the world and stop this…this madness growing inside me. I am giving you just this one opportunity. You could finally be the hero. You could finally have me."

And yet she could not part him from his memories. She swore to never use her powers like that again, not after Senri and definitely not after using it on Mikoto, one of her only true friends. But honestly…she was also scared. She was scared Ron would forget about her, that his darkness was too powerful for even her magic.

It was a costly mistake. Before the Reset could happen, Ron had destroyed Aion and with it any chance of redemption. True, Ron had refused to kill any of the espers, to which Nanami was grateful, but the fact was he was still the enemy. She should have killed him; she even had her kunai out and ready to do it. Ron would have let her, she was sure of it.

But instead, she granted him one last wish, one last hold over her. His memories were gone and with it any feelings he may have held for her. Deep in her heart, she knew he would never love her again, if it was ever present. Nanami liked to think so.

Facing down the barrel of a gun was both terrifying and liberating. She knew in an instant when he finally woke up that she had failed. His own good eye was full of swirling darkness, a malevolent smirk on his too handsome face. His hand was steady of the gun, no hesitation and no shaking of hands. Ron was gone; perhaps she never truly had him at all.

She made no move to take the gun. It was useless anyway as he was too strong for her. Living was no longer an option, not when she failed to save the only person she truly loved. Slowly, her eyes closed as she committed one last look of his face. At least she would go to her Maker with a smile. A tear slowly trickled down her face, hands clasped around her heart.

There was a loud bang, and then silence.

She had loved, and she had lost.