Can't erase, so I'll take blame.
But I can't accept that we're estranged, without you, without you.
I can't quit now, this can't be right.
I can't take one more sleepless night, without you, without you.

Without You by Usher


Baba's Penthouse

Baba had never seen Yui in such a state. The pain and anguish on her face. The guilt that played out in every movement she made since he had gotten home from an eight month job. She sobbed uncontrollably while she confessed she had betrayed him with Takahiro, her supervisor. Shock coursed through Baba's veins like ice, he felt as though he would be sick with pain.

In a situation like this, his head told him to be hurt and angry towards her. Yui had betrayed his trust and the love they two shared. But he couldn't get those feelings out. Seeing her curled into the fetal position on the couch before him made him feel immense guilt for leaving her alone for so long. The scenarios of her being lonely and sad in her apartment, the tears she must have shed when he didn't call to check in. He couldn't blame her for what she had done. The disgust and anger he felt toward himself became too much to bear.

Yui's eyes stayed glued to the ground as she waited for Baba to do or say anything to make things right again.

In what seemed like eternity to her, Baba finally spoke in a faint whisper, "I'm sorry."

The guilty girl's head jerked up in shock. She gazed at Baba's face, and her heart clenched painfully. His face was so lost and childlike.

"I'm so sorry, Yui." He swallowed hard as tears escaped his eyes. Before she could say anything more, Baba stood and walked out of the room without another word.


Yui's Apartment

It had been weeks since Yui had seen Baba. She was a wreck. She couldn't keep her thoughts straight, she were inconsolable whenever she would think about the pain sh caused Baba, both her work and personal life had plummeted.

Yui still didn't know if Baba had forgiven her, and she still didn't know why he had apologized the way he did. Baba had never made complete sense to her, but his behavior had confused her even more.

One night, while she brushing her teeth for bed, she heard her window open and a cool breeze come through her quickly rinse and dash to her bedroom to seen Baba sitting on her windowsill.

"Baba…" Yui's throat clenched tightly keeping her from speaking further.

"Hello, Yui."

Seeing her again made Baba's heart sore. He wanted nothing more than to grab her, kiss her, and make love to her to wash all the pain away. But he hadn't come for that. He knew what needed to do to ensure her happiness.

He leaned away from the window and walked to stand no more than a foot away from her. His eyes were gentle, and his was expression soft, but his emotions were hidden. He surprises her by reaching out at holding her in a tight embrace.

"Baba…" she croaks, her eyes hot with fresh tears.

"You need to know that I forgive you." He says, and she feels as though she was able to breath again with those words.

He pulls away from her slightly to gaze directly into her eyes, "And that I love you, so very much."

His words make her heart flutter with happiness until his next phrase.

"And that's why I am able to let you go."

Yui freezes in an instant, "What are you saying?"

Baba smiles and kisses her forehead gingerly before pulling away from her completely and turning his back on her.

The hot tears spill down her cheeks like rivers, "No! Baba, please! This isn't what I wanted! I'm so sorry, please!"

He acts as if he doesn't hear her and continues toward the window he entered through.

Yui follows him and desperately clutch onto his sleeve, "Please, Baba! I love you!"

Baba turns to her slightly, his eyes gentle and affectionate, "Goodbye, Yui."

She gasps, and releases his takes the chance to walk away and hoist himself out the window and out of her life.

Yui falls to her knees, sobbing and calling his name in vain.

You knew it was over.