Ever since Clear returned to Aoba the days were so much brighter and everything seemed infinitely better. It was an unusual arrangement, that's for sure, but they didn't let it affect them. Aoba didn't know whether it was right or wrong, all he knew was that this was the closest to Heaven he had ever been. Some might have called it crazy, but everyone is in their own way. Clear and Aoba had fallen into some kind of domestic bliss; every morning Aoba would wake up to breakfast and would be greeted with dinner after he returned from work the evenings Clear didn't come to meet him. The house would always be immaculate and Clear's DIY skills manifested themselves every time something needed constructing or maintaining. Clear always did everything he could to make Aoba happy, and Tae barely had to do a thing because of him, so naturally she was glad to have him around. Aoba wasn't entirely sure what she thought of their relationship, but he knew that if she thought it was a problem then she'd make it known.

To the outside world, everything appeared perfectly normal. Dubious whispers of 'two guys' would drift on the wind every now and again, but that was all they ever were, not that it mattered. Aoba and Clear were happy with one another and that's all that was relevant. They would walk together hand in hand, talk for hours on end about everything and nothing. Clear would always ask Aoba questions about life and being human. He had a very real and very passionate interest in what it meant to be human and what makes something truly alive. 'He has more life in him than anyone I know' Aoba would often think to himself whenever Clear began to quiz him. He'd always ask the most philosophical and poignant questions; 'Aoba-san, how people feel?', 'Why do people sleep?', 'What happens to people who don't find love or happiness?' His inquisition was boundless. More often than not Aoba couldn't fully answer his questions because they were just so big and far beyond any answer Aoba could give him. It was Clear's way of trying to be more human; not understand humanity, but to actually become a human being. Aoba had explained to Clear several times that it made no difference to him that Clear was mechanical and that he loved him as much as he could anyone, but Clear would always think that - because he was a machine – he would never be complete, no matter how many times Aoba would iterate the contrary. One day, however, Clear asked a question that knocked Aoba off his feet.

Walking home from work one night, talking as usual, Clear turned the conversation and spoke with solemn intent.

"Aoba-san?"

"Yeah?"

"Can I ask you something?" There was a concentrated look of discomfort on Clear's face.

"As always" Aoba replied with an adolescent smile.

Clear remained silent for a few moments as though he was gathering his thoughts, so Aoba spoke again.

"What is it?" he enquired tentatively.

"What will I do when you die?" Aoba stopped in his tracks.

"What?" Aoba replied, choking on a gasp.

"When you die", Clear repeated, "What will I do?"

To say the question caught him off guard was an understatement. Aoba felt as though he'd just been punched in the heart. He just stared at Clear with a mixture of shock and distress, winded by the sheer gravity of the situation.

"Aoba-san?" Clear said timidly, , "Did I say something wrong?" Clear's expression was clouded with confusion and uncertainty. He didn't want to hurt Aoba – he just wanted to know.

"I..." Aoba murmured hesitantly, "I, erm..."

He couldn't fathom his thoughts into words. He just remained there, gazing at Clear with all the incredulity of an age. Dumbstruck, Aoba looked away from Clear and hung his head and stared the ground. He couldn't give him an answer because he didn't have one. What would Clear do after he's gone? Aoba had never considered it before and thus began feeling an overwhelming sense of guilt because of it. He suddenly felt incredibly selfish and couldn't bring himself to look at Clear again. Engulfed with shame, he fought against the urge to break down and cry at the realisation of his own thoughtlessness.
Clear, understanding Aoba's silence, gently took Aoba's hands into his own. Still not being able to face him, Aoba was surprised and what he heard next; singing. Clear had begun to sing. That beautiful, heartbreaking melody that moved Aoba's soul to dance – it was magical. Clear put his arms around Aoba, embracing him tenderly. Aoba returned the motion, trying so hard not to let any tears escape him. The two stayed that way for a while; Clear singing, holding each other as though the stars were falling around them. When Clear's song had ended, he spoke softly.

"I'm sorry, Aoba-san..."

Aoba, combating his guilt, drew his gaze to look at Clear.

"For what?" Aoba asked, confused.

Clear's expression softened.

"For asking".

Aoba looked away again.

"It's okay. You didn't do anything wrong..." he said, dropping his gaze. He still didn't have an answer, but Clear saved him from that.

"I will remember you".

"What?" Aoba looked back at Clear.

"I will remember you. That's what I'll do. When you die, I will remember you".

Aoba blinked. Clear stared into Aoba's eyes with sincere and heartfelt truth. In that moment, Aoba felt the Earth fall away. There was nothing but him and Clear as time stood still, waiting.

'I will remember you...'