AN: Okay, so, today, the most wonderful thing in the world happened: the last scanlated chapter of Spiral was finally released! And, after reading it, I can honestly say that I do not regret waiting all the years that I have for all the chapters to be scanlated. The last chapter was simply beautiful.

So, I wrote this. It's really short, but... well...

And, this won't be understood unless the last chapter has been read, so...

I might write something with Hiyono and Ayumu in it later, but for now...

Hizumi finds Ayumu at the piano, as he always seems to be now. It disturbs him, to see Ayumu so focused, so intent on a goal. It reminds Hizumi of himself before he realized—before he came face to face with true despair.

But, there is a difference.

Ayumu had already met with despair and yet, even so...

"Hey," Hizumi greets, cheerfully. It is more of habit now than otherwise—being cheerful, that is. "How're you doing?"

Ayumu doesn't stop playing, as if he had not heard. Of course, Hizumi knows better. They had been through this before; Ayumu never began talking until he finished the song.

Finally, "Nothing has changed since the last time you asked me that." A light smirk. "I should be asking you that question."

Hizumi returns the smirk with a smile. "I'm as well as I can be. The experiments are progressing pretty well, though. We're getting close, Ayumu. Really close. I can just feel it."

Ayumu nods in understanding. (This is one of the times when Hizumi finds himself glad that he has Ayumu as a friend; Ayumu understands and there is never any need to accept empty pity or distant words of comfort.) He presses a note on the piano, letting it ring out loud and clear.

"I still can't believe this is the path that you chose," Hizumi comments.

Another smirk. "I can't quite believe it either."

If it had been anyone else, Hizumi would've pestered them for an answer—a reason why—but, with Ayumu, he already knows—though he doesn't quite understand.

Yet another difference between them—Hizumi knows but Ayumu is the one that truly understands.

"How about you? Do you like the path that you have chosen?"

Without hesitation, he answers with, "Yeah, I do," and a smile. Then, "I— this'll probably be the last time I will be able to visit you, Ayumu." Hizumi does not give the reason why.

Ayumu does not ask for it. He already understands.

And, similarly, Hizumi finds that he is beginning to understand too. So, he merely smiles in his usual way and lets himself out. He does not ask for the words that he knows Ayumu wants to say. It is something unspoken between them—an agreement, a promise.

Thank you and Farewell