The process of going through Heavenly Host must have taken years, Ayumi thought. There had been so many closed spaces to go through, so many spirits in pain, and they had been occasionally derailed when they found live people they had to help out. At first, each appeasing of the ghosts didn't help the dark, all-consuming atmosphere of the school. It had taken awhile for the air to thin, but once it did, everything seemed to happen in an avalanche. It was exhilarating in many ways. She had to wonder if this was the reason she died, so she could help erase this school's existence. There was a humility she gained from the thought, but occasionally she would still have that old bitterness rise up. Yoshiki and her would never have a real, normal relationship where they could actually forge a lifetime together. By the end of this journey, she had to assume their paths would split. You leave this world alone, and the thought would paralyze her at times. She wasn't ready to stop existing, but she had to push through the selfish thoughts of wanting more to her life. She had a duty to each and every person in this school. Including her friends and teacher. They had been difficult to do, considering their minds had been completely clouded in pain as most spirits had been. She had been relieved to finally release them from their chains here, even if she never got a real goodbye or last conversation with them.

The air of the school had changed completely. The closed spaces weren't fueled by so much hatred and agony, and began to collapse into each other until only one reality of Heavenly Host existed. Walking through the hallways, there was still a solemn air. The corpses didn't disappear and the school still was rotten. The spiritual anger had passed on, for the most part. "I think... that may be it," she said quietly, looking out the window to the rain-speckled darkness. After all this time, it felt unreal they had managed to get this far.

Yoshiki stopped next to Ayumi, eyes staring out into the dark sky. Though this had been their ultimate goal, he was a little anxious at the statement 'that may be it'. Honestly, he didn't want it to be 'it', because he and Ayumi would most likely be split apart for eternity, or whatever death was actually like. The selfish part of him wanted them to just stay and this be their own little world, but then Ayumi would never get relief from her pain. Not to mention other students would get sent here... and though the risk of death had greatly decreased with each ghost that was appeased, no one should even have to see all the death that still loitered in the halls. His eyes narrowed and his hand that wasn't around her's tightened into a fist, though it was hidden by his jacket pocket. "Feels like it...," he mentioned, though this victory wasn't as rewarding as he'd like it to be. He wanted to feel better about dismantling this place, but he only felt fear and bitterness as to what a peaceful death probably led to.

Ayumi looked at Yoshiki when he spoke and allowed herself a moment to admire him. She had become fascinated with his eyes since she had returned and fixed them for him. She couldn't recall another person she's met with gray eyes, though in certain lights they almost seemed like a grayish-blue tint. They were really pretty. "Should I... just do it?" she asked in uncertainty. Every moment they let this school continue on, they were running the risks of students falling in. She was still grasping to her existence, though. Even if it was drenched in the pain of being impaled, it was existing. It was also something she had control over, in theory. She was a little scared that the school wouldn't go away until she forced Yoshiki to move on before her, and she didn't want it to happen like that. Or, if getting rid of the school entirely was impossible, and she'd be left guarding these hallways and helping others back to the other world for eternity. They still knew very little about what would happen.

Yoshiki was letting his thoughts run away, imagining up all sorts of things they could do instead of disappearing. But, they had to, right? Ugh... but he didn't want to... He tensed at her question, eyes narrowing at the outside. "I... don't know," he said with a small shake of his head. Uncertainty was clawing at his heart, and it caused his grip on her hand to tighten. If peaceful rest was, in a sense, submitting to nonexistence, he really didn't want to go. Not to mention with the added stress of being without Ayumi. At this point, with years, probably decades or more, of depending on each other, he felt they had sort of become two halves of a whole. He didn't want to tear apart. He very desperately wanted to stay by her side.

Ayumi's hand tightened against his when she felt his grip. She could understand the hesitation. It felt like a type of suicide. Although, there was always the chance they would meet even past the afterlife they've been trapped in, but she wasn't naive enough to believe that wholeheartedly. It was more of a nice thought. She hated that she'd have to pull the trigger to bring their life to an end... She certainly wasn't eager to do it. Even if she was in pain, she had Yoshiki. Her partner through all of this... She turned towards him and pressed her lips against his. Her free hand moved to hold the nape of his neck, tugging him closer to her. She had to let herself indulge in him for the last time, at the very least... Maybe ask him a question that has burned at her mind since they moment the reacquainted in death.

Yoshiki didn't feel better, since the contact only reminded him of what he'd be leaving behind. His chest tightened, and his eyes stung a little, but he was unwilling to cry. His eyes widened slightly when she came in front of him, a little uncertain of what she intended to do. Was it... goodbyes? When she neared him and met his lips, the warmth easily soothed him, but the affection could still be translated as a more romantic goodbye. His head was easily led down by her tug, and the kiss was returned very eagerly. He wanted this to last, and since they didn't need air, they could actually take as long as need be.

Ayumi knew what it would take to shut Heavenly Host down. If she just willed it, at this point it was such a weak shell of its former self, it would collapse. She could do it in a moment, and let their existence end like this. She couldn't so easily do it, though. She let the kiss continue, soaking in the feeling of comfort and affection that would soon be torn from underneath them. She had to break it at some point, though. So, after an indeterminate amount of time, she tugged back a little bit but kept close to him. "I still don't feel ready for this..." she admitted with a nervous glance aside.

Yoshiki savored the contact as much as he could before Ayumi pulled away. He didn't open his eyes until a small moment later, and then shortly after leaned his forehead against hers. His eyes were on her's, though they were slightly covered by shadow. "I don't either...," he replied solemnly, shutting his eyes again. He didn't want to disappear. He didn't want to be separated from Ayumi. Everything about this was turning him away from what they had worked for this whole time. His hand tightened over her's, and he began to feel his selfish desires blow up. "Maybe... we could just stay, and send back anyone who comes. Nothing is actively trying to kill anyone anymore... We could stay...," he muttered nervously, his voice a little shaky. He didn't think it could actually be that way, but the desires within were being magnified by fear.

Ayumi watched as his scared thoughts came pouring out. He gave a voice to her thoughts, but she knew that neither of them truly thought of it as an option. Even though it was, given she was the one with her finger on the trigger. There was nothing making them rush, but they couldn't go on like this forever. She wanted more time with him, though. Tears began to well in the corner of her eyes. "We can't, Yoshiki. We're dead... this isn't the right order of things. Plus, people could still end up dead... Fall down a hole and end up impaled. The ghosts weren't the only source of death, after all. Its been our purpose to deconstruct this place. To come this far and not take the final step wouldn't be right..." she said, voice beginning to choke as tears slipped out. "Though... even if I know all of that... I don't want to leave you," she said, a sob slipping out at the end. She knew what was right, but she wanted to just be selfish. Her hand's grip never felt tight enough, and the thought of him being ripped away from her was too much to bear.

Yoshiki knew she was right. He hadn't thought they could in the first place. He had only been desperate when saying all that, even though he knew it wouldn't be the right choice. His eyes opened halfway to look at her, a small frown on his face. "Ayumi... I don't either... I... I'm... scared," he admitted, probably for the first time in his life. His eyes gave another burst of stinging, but he still held back any urge to let loose.

Ayumi looked up, her vision a little cloudy from tears. Hearing him admit his fear made her chest tighten even more. Yoshiki didn't admit things like that and hearing it just solidified in her mind what a terrifying thing this was. "It can't be bad, though... E-even if we don't know what it is, it has to be better than this school..." she said, trying to convince him and herself that they were anxious over nothing. Who the hell knew what was waiting for them. Their souls trapped in this dimension was probably a much different afterlife than those who died in the natural world. She moved the hand that wasn't gripping his to move to his face, cupping the side of it gently. "Even if it is scary, it'll be for the best. I won't be injured, and you won't be dehydrated anymore..."

Yoshiki wasn't fully convinced. Besides, it wasn't the fear of it being worse than this... Of course that wouldn't be the case. His eyes centered on hers a moment after she cupped his face before they glanced down. His hand lifted up, covering hers. "I don't care about that... or even what a 'peaceful rest' actually is, even though it is intimidating... It's... us. There's no doubt in either of us, is there? That... we'll be separated," he mentioned in a lower tone, his eyes squeezing shut again to push back the tears.

Ayumi's eyes widened a little when it came down to the fear of not what was awaiting them, but that they were afraid to cut apart after all this time. She didn't even know if she could consider the rest she'd get after this 'peaceful' if she wasn't with him. "I don't know," she mumbled quietly. "I mean... realistically... I guess the chance of us being able to stay together in any capacity is slim..." she said, talking around the fact of what was most likely going to happen. She wanted to pretend there was that chance that they'd be granted some real sort of life together, though. Somewhere to build their relationship that wasn't a haunted school filled with death and hatred.

Yoshiki went silent at her answer, keeping his head against her and eyes closed. He didn't want to face such a reality... After being together for years, no matter in what circumstance, he wasn't ready to be torn away. Though, it was the right thing to do... He wished Ayumi hadn't asked, and just did it without his knowledge. At least then he wouldn't have so long to dread it. Now, he didn't even want to let her do it. This was all making him incredibly nervous and scared. He didn't want to say goodbye... ever.

Ayumi kept her eyes on him, even if now he closed his eyes. It made her wish they had the ability to sleep. She had always wanted to curl up in a bed with him and just drift off, and then be able to wake up to him in the morning. Although, since romantic feelings have developed, she found herself wishing that they could have had a life together. To go on dates, get married, have a kid, and be able to have everything they couldn't in this school. She guessed she would just have to do it at some point, just accept that all they've had together is as much of a relationship as they could in this situation. It made her mind flicker back to the beginning of the end, though. "Can I ask you something that's... sort of off-topic?" she asked, watching him with a small frown.

Yoshiki was stuck in his own thoughts of festering fears. His eyes opened slowly when he heard her voice rising once more. His hand grabbed hers instead of simply laying on it, bringing it back down to their sides. He was highly curious about what she had to ask that she hadn't spoke up before. "Sure... I'll tell you anything," he said with a small shrug. There wasn't anything he wouldn't disclose, since this was most likely the last time they'd ever get to talk. Best to get everything out she had questions about, even if he wasn't entirely sure on what she wanted. It had to be important for her to wait this long to ask him...

Ayumi nodded lightly when he gave her the okay. She glanced aside for a moment, brow furrowing in thought. She hoped this question didn't lead into any sort of argument, not that she thought it might, but it was a sensitive topic that she normally became easily frustrated with. She released a small sigh before looking at him. "When we first met up, I was almost positive you would hate me and attack me, but... instead you hugged me. I was so relieved to have a companion and friend, I didn't give it much thought. But then Mizuki pointed out you had dehydrated. After I died... you spent days alone, slowly wearing away because of what happened to me. You had days to succumb to the darkness and hatred of this school. To think about the fact that no matter which way you looked at the situation, it's my fault you were put here. I'm the one who introduced the charm to the group, and I berated you to come back and even if you didn't listen initially, you eventually followed, and my injury is what kept you from making it back again. After everything, how do you not hate me?" she asked, eyes slowly moving away from his face to look downwards as her speech went on.

Yoshiki quietly listened to her long explanation. The dehydration thing... It hadn't come up since Mizuki had mentioned it. It may have been days of deteriorating... but in Heavenly Host, time didn't play much of a role. He blinked, eyes adverting to the side as he tried to think of a way to word his answer in a way that she could at least begin to understand. He owed her that much, and he didn't want their maybe last conversation turn into an argument. So, he wanted to avoid making Ayumi upset, even though his feelings were generally just confusing. Probably because he didn't know how to put them into words at all... but he'd try. "First of all... Never blame yourself for bringing out the charm. You can't bear the responsibility with something so unpredictable, especially when it had been out of purely good intentions. And why I don't hate you... is the same reason I came back and stayed with you. They were my choices, because I cared about you. I didn't want you coming back to Heavenly Host alone, and that little fight also gave me a little insight of how much of a bastard I was being... And when you got hurt, I couldn't just turn away. So... I told Satoshi everything was fine and to go on, because I thought that's what you would've wanted. I knew you'd tell me to go too... but I chose not to, because even then, you... you were literally my world, even as just a friend. I know it's hard to understand, because I don't completely get it either, but I know for certain that it's not just an 'in-the-moment' kind of thing. Losing you, especially abandoning you to die alone... was never going to be something I could 'get over'," he answered as clearly as possible, somewhere in the middle returning his gaze to her. It was all true. Despite not understanding his emotions, he could feel it in his gut that doing what she had wanted him to do would've left a hollowness that could never be gained back. Perhaps even... swallow him whole.

Ayumi listened carefully, trying to digest each word and its meaning. She wanted to finally come to some understanding of this, instead of always seeing Yoshiki and his feelings like some enigma. When he came to the end of it, her thoughts were running. He cared about her so much, even back then. For her existence to mean so much to his own that he couldn't imagine continuing his life without her was overwhelming. But... it had to be true. Along with the fact he stayed when anyone else would've left, he never grew to hate her. He made his decision, and he stuck by it... That's why even in this awful, darkening place, he never became angry at her. He loved her that much, even before she had shown any affection in return. "Yoshiki..." she said with a quiver in her voice, her emotions sloshing around in her head like a storm. Her grip on him tightened, the desire to stay with him only increasing. "I don't deserve you... I definitely didn't deserve you then, either..." she said, amazed by his loyalty and dedication to her. It had always been so easy to ignore in the moment, but reexamining it as she was now made it so clear. She couldn't doubt his feelings towards her for a second. He has proved himself time and time again to her, and she was finally able to figure out why, in the midst of dehydration and little ghost hands ripping him apart, he didn't hate her. He had said something before she died... That her encouraging speech to tell him to graduate was what attracted him to her firstly. Most people wouldn't be driven to such a strong attachment from such a small gesture, but Yoshiki wasn't most people.

Yoshiki's look softened when it seemed she at least understood a little bit of his feelings. His hand moved around her waist to bring her closer as his head lifted to lightly kiss her forehead. He held it for a moment, indulging in her before lifting away slightly. He made eye contact again, wanting her to understand this feeling too. "I don't... honestly think I deserved you in the first place," he admitted with a small smile. He had been so lethargic and uncaring about school. With his attitude, he hadn't expected anyone to believe in him or tell him he could do anything. He didn't think he deserved anyone's trust either... He didn't know why she had stepped in, or what she had seen in him that no one else noticed until his Junior year.

Ayumi followed his gesture to bring her closer easily, melting into him. Her eyes shut when she felt his lips against her forehead, her stomach bubbling in warmth. It was a little unbelievable how their relationship had managed to evolve after all of this time. When he moved his head back a bit, her eyes opened and looked up into his. At his admittance, a soft smile made its way onto her lips. She never would have thought that that one interference she made between Yoshiki and Tsubota would impact her life this much. "I wish... we had gotten a real shot at this," she confessed. Even if their deaths ending up serving a great purpose, to get rid of Heavenly Host, she wanted a real life with Yoshiki. Instead... their relationship was confined into this place, that she would soon be destroying with her own hands.

Yoshiki felt another sting in his eyes at her comment. Yeah, to be given a chance to live with Ayumi how he always imagined... It was selfish, since it meant many more would die here, but it was also simply human nature. His hand moved away from hers to intertwine into her hair, to bring her head closer against him. He leaned his head on hers, shutting his eyes. "If only we could," he muttered, his grip on her shirt tightening. This hurt a lot, and he felt that Ayumi had the same turmoil inside her, but they both knew it had to be done. It was best... to get it over with, right? Now that they had a little bit of closure and dreams to imagine that may make it hurt less. Just to focus on the image of a family in his head instead of thinking how it wouldn't be possible. "Ayumi... Get rid of this place once and for all. Our final stand, right?"

Ayumi nestled comfortably against him when he drew her closer. A sad smile crossed her face at his reply, tears slipping out onto his jacket. If only she would have gotten the chance to wear a wedding dress and see Yoshiki in a suit. If only she could have his child, which she hoped would have his pretty, sharp gray eyes. If only so many things could happen, but alas, it wasn't written in the stars. This is as much of a life that they could forge together, but for what it was worth, it was pretty good. Along the way, they had been able to save their friends from unending torture, along with so many others. They made sure Mizuki got home to Satoshi and Naomi. They would stop this place's cycle of evil. She held onto Yoshiki tightly, prepared for the ground to fall from under her. Their final stand... "Right." With that, she willed the school away, and white came crashing down.