It was a few days after Kousuke had been announced dead, and now they were all in Ayumu's hospital room; Kanone, Eyes, Rio, Ryoko, and, of course, Ayumu. Ayumu had calmed down and stopped crying his heart out, but he was definitely moody and didn't really say much to the others. He had lost so many people; Kousuke, Hiyono, even Madoka seemed dead to him now. "Why?" He thought, "Why did this happen? Why wouldn't he just listen to me? Why did he have to go to such extremes? I loved him so much, and now he's gone. I can't hope for what Kanone got; I can't expect Kousuke to come back and love me again." Ayumu looked to Eyes and Kanone, thinking how lucky they were, especially Kanone; he had gotten the love of his life back, and Eyes was okay with the baby thing; he had listened calmly to the explanation, not like Kousuke, "He was always so impulsive. I honestly thought he loved me enough to at least let me explain. I guess not." The thought that Kousuke loved Ayumu so much that he was so hurt by the fact that he thought Ayumu had cheated on him never occurred to Ayumu; he was simply to upset to think of anything rational. And so the five of them sat there, their group had diminished in the past few months so drastically. It just didn't seem right.
Other than Ayumu, Ryoko took the news the hardest. She knew that Kousuke would never love her like she did him, but she could always hope. And even if that ran out, they were still friends and it hurt a lot to lose him. She couldn't blame anyone either; and she suddenly felt so guilty for hitting him all those times and calling him an idiot when he was only looking out for her. Next was Rio, who couldn't seem to control the tears that were flowing down her face. She was sitting in between Eyes and Kanone while Ryoko sat in the seat next to Ayumu. They all sat there, each thinking about something different. Ayumu about the loss of his boyfriend, Ryoko about the loss of her best friend and object of affection, Rio about the loss of her friend that she could depend on no matter what. Eyes was thinking only how Kousuke had gotten what he deserved and Kanone was thinking about how pleased he was that Kousuke was gone, so he could never hurt Ayumu again; even though him being gone seemed to leave his ex with a hole in his heart that Kanone wasn't sure could be filled. They were all thinking about one thing though, "Kousuke." Ayumu startled himself and the others when he spoke. He didn't say anything else and neither did the others, they just sat there. None of them really knew what to say.
Finally the silence got to Kanone and he spoke up, trying to lighten the mood, even though he knew it wouldn't be possible, "So, Ayumu, when are you getting out of the hospital?"
Ayumu looked at Kanone and thought about it, "What's today?"
"September 12th." Kanone answered.
Ayumu thought for a second later, "Actually I can leave today."
Kanone brightened up at this, if he could get Ayumu out of this place, then maybe he could take the boy's mind off of his deceased boyfriend, "That's great. So are you just going home? Me and Eyes were thinking about going out later, would you like to join us?"
Ayumu shook his head, "Nah, I've been really tired lately. I think I'll just go home and go to sleep."
Kanone frowned at this and was about to agree when Rio spoke up, "Come on, Ayumu. You don't want to be in that big house all by yourself. Ryoko and I are going with Kanone and Eyes, you have to come. It'll be good for you!"
Ayumu smiled at the girl, at all of them really, "I know what you guys are trying to do; get my mind off of Kousuke. It's really okay, though, I don't need any cheering up. I'm not in the mood right now. And you guys don't have to stay here, if you're going out; I can get home just fine."
Kanone was about to object when Eyes placed a hand on Kanone's shoulder and motioned to his watch. Kanone checked his watch and realized that they had to leave. Kanone smiled and turned to Ayumu and nodded, "Okay, then Ayumu." He stood and turned to the others, "Is everyone ready?" Eyes and Ryoko nodded while Rio just jumped out of her chair and ran to the door; it was her first time going to a club, she was finally old enough. Everyone said bye to Ayumu and Kanone turned to him, "If you need anything you know to call me. Whenever and whatever it is that you need. You understand?" Ayumu nodded and the Blade Child left to catch up with his friends and husband.
About an hour later Ayumu decided that it was no use staying here any longer and got everything that he owned from the room. He then proceeded to check himself out and walk home. On his way home he heard a noise behind him, he ignored it, figuring it was one of the many stray cats that hung around his neighborhood; one of the reasons Ayumu actually liked this place, he had picked up Kanone's fondness of cats during the brief period that they were dating. Ayumu, however, soon heard footsteps behind him and froze when a familiar voice spoke his name, "Hey, Ayumu. Long time, no see."
Ayumu spun around and stared into the face that he had wanted to see for the past few nights, "Oh my god." Was all he could say.