Hello, here's the second-to-last chapter, enjoy.

Disclaimer: RahXephon and its characters are the rightful property of their respective owners.  This piece is not for profitable purposes.

Chapter 5: -2, 18:30

"Thanks for the meal," I say as I lay my chopsticks on my rice bowl.  I pick up my dishes and carry them to the sink.  Megumi follows and waits while I wash mine.  After I finish, I look to her and then to Ojii-san as I say, "I'm off to my room.  I'm leaving tomorrow, so I'll need to pack."

Ojii-san nods his head, while, surprisingly, Megumi does not seem to acknowledge my comment.  Somewhat confused, I decide that she felt a response was not necessary, so I brush aside any concern and walk towards my room.

I turn on my stereo, programming it so that it plays Katun no Sadame.

I remain still for a few moments, listening to the bars of the song.  At last, hearing it does not fill me with conflicting emotions of joyful remembrance and painful reality.  Now it gives me hope, and reminds me of what soon may be.

I am startled from my thoughts as I hear, "That's my Onee-chan, always listening to old music."

I turn to her and smile as I say, "You'd think something was wrong if I weren't, wouldn't you?"

I expect her to start laughing, but am shocked as I see her eyes fill with tears and her body tremor as she cries.

Concerned, I run towards her and take hold of her hand as I say, "Megumi, Megumi, what's the matter?"

She hugs me as she continues to cry.

I hold her close, but say nothing, waiting for her to speak.

"Don't go, Onee-chan, you can't!"

"Megumi."

"It's stupid, doing something like this.  You might not come back, those monsters."

She moves away from me and looks to me with an expression that is a mixture of despair and anger.

"How can you do this to me?  I know you volunteered for this, don't you care about me at all?"

I start to cry as I answer, "Of course I do, you're my little sister!"
"Then why, why, Onee-chan?"

"This is something I must do, I've waited for this day for so many years."

"Even if you won't stay for me, what about him?  I know you've thought of him all along, but if you do this, you might never see him again, you'll never be able to give him your gift."

My tears stop and I feel an inner strength as I answer, "I believe more than anything else that I will see him again, Megumi."

She stops crying and displays an expression of awe as she says, "Onee-chan."

I hug her once more and say, "I promise I'll be back."

The moments pass, filled with silence and her intermittent cries.

She steps away with a determined motion and wipes her eyes.

She looks to me and smiles as she says, "I know you can do it, Onee-chan."

"Thank you, Megumi."

She gives me the thumbs up sign and I smile in return before she leaves.

I look at the clock expectantly, 18:30, the promised time.  I sit at the table, the food prepared and served, and listen intently for the door.  The room is so silent that I find myself only hearing the incessant ticking of a clock.  Slowly, as time passes, the steam from the food fades as it grows cold.  Frustrated with waiting, I roughly push out my chair and walk to my room.  I decide to wait longer before I give up and eat alone, and to study for tomorrow's exam in the mean time.  I sit down and take out my notebook and the study guide.  I pick up my pencil and open the guide to a practice exam that I haven't yet tried.  After I finish some of the questions, I stop and listen once more, but hear nothing.  Anxious, I glance at my watch, 19:15.  Angry, I throw the pencil on the desk, get up from my chair, and walk back to the table.  I pick up my plate, and heat it in the microwave.  When it finishes, I bring it to my room and eat while I review material.  As I eat, I hear the front door open, and see my mother when she enters my room.

"Ayato."

I avoid her gaze as I say, "Kaa-san."

"I'm sorry I couldn't be home until now."

"It's fine, don't worry about it.  Your dinner is on the table.  You'll need to heat it up."

"Thank you for making dinner, Ayato.  Did you see, I made breakfast for you this morning."

"I saw it.  You shouldn't do that anymore, I don't eat breakfast."

Knowing she most likely wants me to look towards her, I intentionally continue to look at the papers on my desk.

"I see your studying for your exam, good luck tomorrow."

I remain silent for a moment, realizing that I was probably being too harsh.

I turn towards her direction and am about to say something, when I see that she is no longer there.  I consider getting up and looking for her, but my lingering anger makes me decide that I will have plenty of opportunities to apologize.  Having made this choice, I return to studying.