Chapter 10: Romeo and Juliet
Nyx had appeared. I floated into the Dark Hour sky to find Nyx's core. Swallowed by the being, I levitated inside, finally finding it. I had the hearts of all my friends by my side. And then, I felt it. A heart warmer and more loving than anyone else's.
"Let's do it. Right?" Shinjiro-senpai said encouragingly and held my naginata with me. I felt my stomach get nervous, sad, and relieved all at the same time. My heart fluttered like a migrating bird. Thank you, Shinjiro-senpai. I needed to protect this world where you are still living, no matter what happened to me. I placed the evoker to my head and pulled the trigger. I felt my energy blast away…
Valentines day. A day for lovers. Again. And once again, I sneaked into the hospital room.
"Here, chocolate. I made them." I said cheerfully. Then, my face went serious. "…I think… I'm going to die soon." I said softly. "I think I used my energy to seal Nyx away, and… Well, I don't know… But… Come back soon, OK?" I felt tear suddenly drip down my face. Then, it all broke down. I started sobbing.
"I'm not smiling!" I told him, trying not to yell. "I'm crying, Shinjiro-senpai! I'm crying, so come back here and scold me!" I fell on his bed and sobbed. "Please…! Please…!"
Aegis held my head on the rooftop. I felt so powerless, so tired…
"Shouldn't you go see Minato, too…?" I asked without energy. Minato was feeling the same thing I was. We were going to die of the same thing. We each had a part of Death within us, and now…
"He is waiting for Yukari-san at the observatory roof, correct?" She confirmed. Yes, Minato had made a promise with Yukari. He would be waiting somewhere else for her. It was a place that was important to them. They had spent their lovely Christmas together there. "I shall wait."
"…I see…" I covered my eyes with one of my arms. Was this it…? But the door slammed open. I removed my arm and looked with a bit of the energy I had left. No way…
"Shinjiro-senpai…" I whispered. Aegis politely stood up to leave us alone. She closed the door softly behind her.
"Haah… *cough* *cough*" He panted and coughed at the same time, and ran where I was. He held my body in his arms, so weak and thin. "I can't believe you'd make the sick person do all this…" He smiled jokingly. Shinjiro pulled something out of his jacket. "I got both of your presents. These chocolates from Valentines, and…" He lifted the necklace from underneath his jacket. "This locket with your picture. It's awesome…" He laughed softly and stroked my hair. "When I was asleep… I saw you. Your crying, your smile…" He said to me and stroked my eyes, wiping away the tears. "You're tired, right…? Sleep right here. I'll be with you." I tried to keep my eyes open, but with the warmth of his body and the comfort of his words, I drifted off into sleep. The warm sunlight seemed to kiss my skin as he embraced me. I felt the stone of the rooftop brush against my fingers, and the heat of it absorb into me. His breath gently petted my eyelashes as they closed.
"I'm so glad I met you." I heard him whisper as I lost all vision of his beautiful face.