Even if I lost temptation again and hurt you?

–

No matter what happens, I'll always be right beside you!

It's absurd and he knew it now, he finally figured it out and, yeah, it's ridiculous.

Ridiculous how easily he accepted being reversed, ridiculous, how he convinced himself it was okay to sacrifice everything important just for the sake of getting stronger, and absurd how Aichi never gave up on him, although he acted like anything but a good friend and obviously lost every right to ever call Aichi his friend again.

Still, Aichi stood there, facing him once again, although he has lost before, although fighting in his state might kill him, he was still here, fighting the person responsible for all of this. He hated the way Aichi's eyes softened when he looked at him, when out of all the people Aichi could have chosen, Kai was the one that deserved his forgiveness the least –

– but still –

This time, I'll become you leader!

Fighting was easy now, there was nothing holding him back any more, no need to worry about his powers fading away, no fear of losing at all, because it's just the two of them here and there was nothing to lose, not now. Even if he lost the fight, it'd just be another proof to the fact that Aichi kept getting better and better and another reason to train even harder to keep up with him.

Kai's tensed shoulders relaxed a bit and he closed his eyes for a moment. He felt the powers that have stained his body for far too long leaving him. Even if he lost here, he could still keep going, keep getting stronger, but this time not all alone, but with Aichi by his side.

If I get stronger, you'll get stronger, too.

He kept bringing out all he got, because letting Aichi win easily wasn't an option and in the end, it was one of the best fights he ever had. He couldn't remember ever fighting like this before, he felt free and content and things seemed to be okay again. Even after the fight was over, he still felt the need to smile, felt the need to stay with Aichi.

He didn't understand why he never realized how nice it was to be with someone else.

Yeah, this fight is a new start!

The ring burst into thousands of pieces and both of them hurried out. Outside the building, Aichi's friends were waiting. They greeted Aichi cheerfully, glad to see that he was okay, but when they saw Kai, they flinched and Kai understood.

After everything, he could understand that they didn't want him around. He hurt everyone and didn't expect any of them to just forgive him thoughtlessly.

But then Aichi grabbed his wrist, held his hand tightly, and smiled at him, as if it was the most natural thing to do, as if nothing ever happened since the high school tournament – as if everything still was alright.

And somehow it was.

Can you feel it, because everything I'll think about tonight is you.