Chapter 7: Final Parting

Yukari slowly opened her eyes and blinked several times to adjust her vision to the illumination of daybreak. Once she could see properly, she realized that she was still lying in bed... and her head was repeatedly being lifted up and then brought back down slowly. Blinking, she sat up partially and looked down. Her cheeks automatically turned a bright shade of crimson when she understood the situation. After experiencing one of the best moments of her life the previous night, she had fallen asleep on top of Ryoji with her head resting on his chest... and both of them were still utterly naked. She swallowed hard while staring down at her partner, but a tiny smile formed on her lips after a moment. He looked so peaceful and adorable when he was sleeping.

Leaning down, she planted a soft kiss on his left cheek. Then, she carefully climbed off of him and took a seat on the bed beside him. Much to her surprise, he opened his eyes just seconds after she had done this. He immediately smiled when the first thing he laid eyes on was the woman he loved with all of his heart.

"Ohayo, Yukari-chan." His voice remained soft as it usually was when he spoke to her.

"Ohayo, Ryoji-kun. Did you sleep well?"

"Indeed. I always sleep well when you're nearby. I also had a lovely dream."

"Oh, what was it about?"

"It was about us... getting married on the beach. All of our friends were there to celebrate with us. You were wearing the most gorgeous white dress I had ever seen in my life, and you also had a white rose in your hair. I was wearing a black tuxedo, of course, and after the reception, we went for a walk by ourselves. I carried you barefoot through the warm sand, and we watched the sunset together." Ryoji closed his eyes again and took in a deep breath. "I remember it all so vividly... the sound of the waves... the smell of your perfume..."

"It sounds like a wonderful dream. If only it were real... I would love to be married to you someday."

"I wish it were real as well. If it were, I'd propose to you right now, and I'd marry you on a beach right after you finished school. I'd stay with you forever, and I'd sing to you... just like I did in the dream."

"You sang to me?"

"I did." Ryoji opened his eyes and sat upright in bed, then slowly wrapped his arms around Yukari. He pulled her close, causing her head to rest right up against his chest again. Her cheeks became that beet red color as she embraced him in return. He started to rock her from side to side slowly as he held her. Opening his mouth, he began to quietly sing the chorus of the song "May I" by Trading Yesterday.

"May I hold you... as you fall to sleep... when the world is closing in, and you can't breathe? May I love you? May I be your shield... when no one can be found? May I lay you down?"

Ryoji actually possessed a very pleasant singing voice, and Yukari closed her eyes, just relaxing in his arms as he continued with the song. She could sense traces of love, joy, longing, and sorrow in his voice. He seemed to pour out all of his emotions into his singing. He even managed to coax a few more droplets of moisture from her tear ducts without realizing it.

Yukari blocked out all of those negative thoughts that had been trying to creep into her mind... those thoughts about what would occur in the very near future. She focused entirely on Ryoji and his singing. They were both together right there and then... that's the only thing that mattered. Pulling Ryoji closer to her, she nuzzled her head softly against his chest and just enjoyed that moment to the fullest.

...

The remainder of the day passed by much more swiftly than Yukari believed it would. When the time approached midnight, she and Ryoji returned to the dorm building. He opened the front doors, holding onto her hand as the two of them stepped inside. All of the other members of S.E.E.S. were gathered out in the lobby.

Ryoji and Yukari both stopped once they were positioned a few feet away from the main set of furniture in the room, and he released her hand slowly before speaking.

"Have you all made your decision?"

"I believe so." Mitsuru nodded as she sat in her usual chair.

"Desicion? Wait... y-you all made your desicion and never informed me about it?!" From the expression on Yukari's face, it was clear that she may become hysterical again soon.

"Yes. I'm sorry, Yukari."

Yukari felt as though she couldn't breathe. From her perspective, it seemed as though all of her closest friends had stabbed her in the back. While she started gasping for air, Ryoji began to walk toward the stairway.

"I'll be waiting in Arisato-kun's room for now. Come find me when you're ready to inform me of your decision."

As he ascended the steps, Yukari's brief mute spell finally ended. "H-how could you, Senpai?!"

"We all decided that it was for the best to keep you out of the loop. We knew that your feelings for Ryoji would just make it harder..."

"Ch-chotto! Y-you don't mean... you're not... you're not actually going to k-kill him, are you?"

The instant those words left her lips, Minato stood up from his seat and started to walk off after Ryoji. When Yukari noticed this, she shrieked and rushed off in the same direction. She stopped just a few inches in front of the blue-haired male, obstructing his path.

"Arisato-kun, onegai! Don't kill him! I don't wanna forget everything!" Yukari looked up at him with pleading eyes, which were becoming watery again. "Even though we all suffered, I don't want to forget the times I fought with all of you in Tartarus and elsewhere. It was the suffering and hardships that brought us all closer together... and made us a family. Likewise, I don't want to forget about falling in love with Ryoji-kun either. Even though loving him has been painful sometimes, it's also the most wonderful feeling I've ever felt in my entire life... and I know I'll never meet another man like him for as long as I live. So please... please don't kill him."

Minato stood there in complete silence, gazing at Yukari with the one grey eye that wasn't concealed by his bangs. For a brief moment, it almost seemed to show emotion... sympathy perhaps. However, it may have just been a trick of the lighting in the room. Once about half a minute had passed, Minato reached out with both hands and softly placed them over Yukari's shoulders. Then, he gently pushed her out of his way and began to walk up the steps.

"Arisato-kun..." Yukari's head drooped whilst another teardrop was released.

"Yukari, calm down. You didn't let me finish." Mitsuru continued, standing up out of her chair next.

"H-huh?" Yukari blinked and turned her head to face her senpai once again.

"We all decided that we would spare Ryoji's life."

"H-honto?"

"Yes. None of us want to forget about anything that happened either. We've been through too much together. We won't just throw it all away."

"Exactly. Besides, if I'm going to die either way, I'd rather go out fighting." Akihiko remarked, cracking the knuckles on both of his hands.

Yukari released another sigh of relief and started walking over to one of the empty chairs in the room. As she took a seat in it, Mitsuru spoke again.

"I believe Arisato is sticking to this decision as firmly as any of us, but I'm also positive that Ryoji will do his utmost to persuade him to take the alternate course of action. Let's just hope that his attempts at persuasion will fail."

Yukari slowly nodded, closing her eyes as she waited in the chair quietly. When over ten minutes had passed, the sound of footsteps descending the stairway caused all of the S.E.E.S. members to glance in that direction. Minato stepped down there and entered the lobby with his hands hidden inside of his pockets as usual. A short time later, a second set of footsteps sounded... and Ryoji entered the lobby as well. He wore a disappointed expression and shook his head before releasing a deep sigh.

"Your decision is regrettable, but I won't force you to take an action that you aren't inclined to do. Since this is the path you've chosen, I'll tell you where to confront Nyx. She'll appear at the top floor of Tartarus on January thirty-first. That is the day when all life shall end."

"Understood." Mitsuru nodded, wearing the same serious expression as all of the other youth who occupied the lobby.

"Well, I guess I'll take my leave now. Midnight is closing in, and when that time arrives, you won't recognize me anymore. I want to leave you all while I'm still in my human form. Farewell, and best wishes to you in the coming year." A bittersweet smile formed on Ryoji's lips as he glanced at each of the S.E.E.S. members one last time. Then, he turned and finally left the building.

"Ryoji-kun, matte!" Yukari cried out as she shot up from her seat, and she swiftly trailed after him. After stepping out from the lobby doors and closing them behind her, she glanced over at the sole figure standing a few feet before her.

Ryoji's back was facing Yukari since he had just stopped in his tracks. After slowly turning around, he cocked his head slightly to the left.

"Did you need something, Yukari-chan?"

"I just... just... I don't want you to leave..." Her lower lip began to quiver, and her eyes were becoming glossy with tears again.

"Yukari-chan, we've discussed this already. You and I both know that this fate cannot be avoided."

"Wakatta, but... y-you didn't even give me a chance to say good-bye!" She suddenly rushed forward and quickly wrapped her arms around Ryoji's body, pressing her lips against his own.

Ryoji's eyes widened in surprise, but he soon returned the kiss and wrapped his arms back around Yukari's figure. She pulled away after approximately fifteen seconds, unable to hold her tears back any longer.

"H-how could you do that?"

"Gomenasai, Yukari-chan. I just thought it might be easier for both of us if we didn't say good-bye..."

"Easier? After everything we've been through, you use that excuse?"

"You're right, it's pathetic. I'm sorry." Ryoji held onto Yukari still, looking away from her in an ashamed manner.

While keeping her left arm around him still, Yukari lifted her right one and placed her palm over his cheek softly. "I know you just didn't want to cause me any more pain... but honestly, you'd be causing me more pain if you didn't let me at least say good-bye to you like this."

Ryoji turned his head to face her again, and then he nodded in acknowledgement. "I understand that now. I hope you can forgive me, Yukari-chan."

"I'll always forgive you, Ryoji-kun. I love you... I love you so much!" She joined their lips again once those words were spoken. This time, however, she shut her eyes and caused the kiss to become even deeper. Ryoji closed his eyes as well, and a few tears slipped down his cheeks for once as he kissed Yukari. The couple was locked in that passionate kiss for over a minute, and when they finally separated their lips, they were both gasping for air.

Once he caught his breath, Ryoji finally continued the conversation. "You allowed me to experience so many wonderful things that I never thought I could experience, and I'm so thankful that I met you. After everything that's happened, I never thought it would come to this... but I need you to do something for me..."

"I'd do anything for you, Ryoji-kun. What is it?"

"The next time you meet me, I won't be myself anymore. I need you to promise me that you'll fight me with your full ability. Don't provide me with any leniency because I will not provide you with any."

"I... I don't know if I can do that."

"You have to, Yukari-chan. You have to be strong. Your life as well as the lives of every other person in the world will be at stake. You must try your best to defeat me right up until the end, even if it means casting your own personal feelings aside. Promise me that you will fight me without showing any mercy." Ryoji's tone became firm and serious for once, along with his facial expression.

After a few moments of hesitation, Yukari finally gave her response. "I promise, Ryoji-kun... I promise to do my very best to defeat you."

"Thank-you. I wish you and the other S.E.E.S. members the best of luck." Ryoji unwrapped his right arm from around Yukari and lifted his hand up to her cheeks. This time, it was he who wiped away her fresh tears. "Stay strong, Yukari-chan. No matter what happens, don't give up hope."

Yukari slowly nodded, caressing Ryoji's cheek gently as she kept her vision focused on his sapphire eyes. His serious expression soon returned to being soft and affectionate once more, and so did his voice.

"I love you with all of my heart, Yukari-chan. The human part of me will always love you, and that will never change. Even though we'll be apart, I'll forever be with you in your heart... just as you will be in mine." Ryoji planted one more soft kiss on her forehead before he finally released her slowly. "I must leave now. I want you to remember me as I was in my human form. Farewell, my dear Yukari-chan. Take care." A faint smile appeared on his lips while he kept his eyes locked with hers still.

Yukari reluctantly released him from her embrace as well, and she managed to conjure up a small smile of her own. "S-sayonara, my sweet Ryoji-kun."

With that said, Ryoji slowly turned around again, and he began to walk off in the direction of the school. Her smile instantly faded away once his back was turned, and she watched silently as his figure grew smaller and smaller in the distance. Eventually, the last glimpses of her beloved Ryoji vanished into the darkness of the night.

Now completely alone, Yukari stood under the pale moonlight and did not move a single muscle.

...

The sky was dark, and there was an eerie atmosphere possessing the top floor of Tartarus. All of the S.E.E.S. members had just arrived at the designated meeting point. They glanced around the area for a few moments before Fuuka finally spoke up.

"I sense something!"

Before long, everyone noticed a large, malevolent creature descending from above. It landed merely a few feet from their position. Yukari noticed something familiar about this creature, and she recognized what it was shortly.

"Ryoji-kun!"

"That was my name for a time. I didn't mind it then... but that is no longer who I am." The creature's deep, intimidating voice boomed in response. It then went on to explain that it had become one with Nyx and that any form of resistance would prove to be utterly futile.

Of course, this speech did not weaken the resolve of even a single member. Each of them were determined to defeat Nyx and her followers, and they would all fight until their last breath if they had to. As the creature prepared to attack, they all pulled out their weapons and evokers.

Yukari grasped her bow firmly in one hand and used the other to retrieve an arrow from a pouch on her back. Then, she set the arrow correctly into place and lifted the bow, closing one eye as she carefully aimed for Nyx's body and pulled back on the bowstring.

"I'll keep my promise to you, Ryoji-kun. I'll fight you with everything I have. I won't let this world come to ruin." She whispered under her breath and released the bowstring, ejecting the arrow in the enormous monstrosity's direction.

Thus began one of the most challenging and epic battles each of the S.E.E.S. members would ever engage in...

~FIN~