Nakamura had achieved a miracle.

By the time we make it out of the guild, the shadows had already been eviscerated, alongside everyone else.

Thankfully, the rest of our friends were able to pass on before the shadows got to them.

We rush Yuri to the infirmary and await her return from unconsciousness.

Our waiting concludes after three days as she awakes one evening.

"Where…am I?"

"The school infirmary." Yuzuru informs her.

"School infirmary? You guys… Why are you still here?"

"Don't push yourself."

"I'm okay, Kanade."

"It looked like it was pretty rough even for you, Yurippe."

"And you call yourself a leader?" Never change Naoi.

"Seriously, you guys. What are you doing here? There shouldn't be any shadows left. There's nothing standing in the way now."

"Yeah, we know." Yuzuru reassures her.

"Well then…"

"But you're still here, aren't you?"

"M-me? Hehe, I see…What should I say to that…"

Wow! Yuri being shy, I never thought I'd see the day.

"What's wrong?" Yuzuru however, found her behavior odd.

"This is just a guess, but… I think the troubles that held Yuri back are fading away." I had the same hunch as Kanade

What!?" Hinata and Yuzuru synergize their shock.

"Oh, so basically, she's not in commander mode anymore, right?" I blurted out.

Yuri shields her face with her blanket.

"Is that true, Yuri?" Yuzuru presses her.

"Huh?" She makes a flustered face while clutching her blanket, "Um… well, that's…

"Alright. Let's just use my hypnotism to find out-"

"Get away from me!" Her blanket consumes Naoi in a flash.

"Judging by that response, it sounds like we got it right."

"Huh? Wait, that's not right at all. I'm the leader after all. If my problems went away that easily I'd be the laughingstock. Right?" Her skittish gestures betrayed her words.

"Is that really something to be embarrassed about or should I be more self-conscious?" I ask, though I wasn't totally serious.

"Of course it is!"

"Then, let's use my hypnotism to-" Now Yuri casts her pillow at Naoi for even more damage.

"You're right! They're all gone now! Is something wrong with that?!"

"Oh, she admitted it." She goes back to her shell like a turtle before dangling her feet in defeat, "Kanade, you're mean."

"You're just antagonistic by nature, Yuri."

"You… good comeback. But… that kinda makes me happy."

"What does?"

"You called me Yuri."

"Why?"

"Because… It makes us seem like friends."

"Friends… you're right." Kanade lights up at her declaration.

"Looks like our preparations weren't wasted, huh?" Hinata looked pleased with himself.

"Right." Yuzuru agrees.

"Preparations? Is something gonna happen?"

"There's something we want to do before the end. Something Kanade's never done before."

"Huh? What is it?"

We exit the infirmary.

Hinata notified Yuri of everyone's department, including Takamatsu's recovery from the NPC plague.

"Oh? That's good."

"You don't seem all that surprised…didn't you say people couldn't return from being NPCs?"

"I guess the program was made so that the strength of one's feelings could return their humanity one day."

Kanade's humming sends us into a trance.

"What song is that? You were humming it to yourself when we were working earlier, too." Asks Yuzuru.

"What was it again…?" Kanade's memory fails her.

"It's that song. The song that Iwasawa sang at the very end. 'My Song.'" Yuri answers.

"Ahh. That song…" Yuzuru's heart warms at the thought.

"That one you guys broadcasted to the whole school, right? Sheesh." Naoi's stubbornness for avoiding praise is almost as impressive as Kanade's humming.

"It's a nice song, huh?" I was unaware of Yuri's appreciation for Iwasawa's music.

"Yeah!" Kanade cheerfully approves.

We reach our destination.

"The Gymnasium?" Asks Yuri.

"Yeah." Says Yuzuru.

Yuri is left in awe at the sight of the inside.

"We made it ourselves. Kanade did the writing."

"Really? Kanade, you've never had a graduation?"

"I was wondering if it might be fun."

"It's not fun at all." Hinata lazily conceals his indifference.

"It looked like you were having fun when you were writing the letters out." Says Yuruzu.

"The girls usually cry."

"Hmph. Girls are always like that." Naoi's attitude is like a fixed point in his psyche.

"Alright, shall we begin?" Yuzuru was eager to engage in the ceremonial activities.

"Huh? Right now?" Yuri though, not so much.

"What do you think you changed for?"

"No, I just… I was wondering if we'll really disappear. I'm not sure my heart is ready for this yet." She bashfully plays with her fingers.

"What? And you call yourself a leader?"

"What's with you?!"

"You know… Now that everyone's gone, you kinda lost your leader aura." Yuzuru brings up a good point.

"R-really?"

"Yeah, something's definitely changed." Hinata is left speculating as well.

"Huh? How?"

Oh, I know, "It's probably cause you seem girlier now."

"…Yeah, I guess you've become more girly." Yuzuru concurs.

Ah! Well… Should I be happy about that? Or should I be mad?" She asks in a cutesy way.

"Now that the fighting's over, you're an innocent and naive little girl again. So Yurippe has a cute side too."

She springs with a flush, "Cu-" She jolts and roughs up Hinata in retaliation for his remark.

Kanade giggles, "Yuri sure is interesting."

"Alright, let's start!"

I walk up to Yuri's and Hinata's quarrel, "Hey, Yuri?"

"Huh? What's up?" She sets up Hinata for headlock. "Aaah!"

"I really need to tell you something before, you know… we pass on, so after this, if you're able to, can you lend me your ear?"

"...Uh, sure. We can talk."

"Hm, thank you."

She frees Hinata from her claws.

"Augh, give me a break!"

"Hm! Serves you right!"

Our graduation ceremony is underway!

We go about signing the school hymn, but with Kanade's own version based on the Afterlife Battlefront's hymn.

The program then heads to the awarding of the diplomas, and one by one, we're called to the podium, with Hinata acting as our principal.

The award ceremony comes to an end, and Yuzuru stands to give the address as the representative from the graduating class, recalling all the moments we shared.

Yuzuru then asks us to stand and sing "Aogeba Toutoshi". Naoi complained about Hinata's lack of rhythm, but alas, we sang it the best we could.

And before we knew it, we bid farewell to Hinata and Naoi.

"Why don't we four go for a little walk?"

Yuzuru was left disoriented by Yuri's suggestion, "...Sure, but is there something wrong?"

"No, I just wanted to see the school one last time."

That's most likely a lie, she's probably still holding out because of my request.

"Hm, let's do it."

The setting rays of the sun flow through our eyes as we take in the fresh evening air. Our feet jam with the passing of students and faculty while we reminisced about each area we coursed in and out of.

"I think this is a good place to split."

"My bad guys, I asked her to talk before the ceremony."

"Ah, I see. It's cool. We're not bothered by it or anything."

With a hug, me and Yururu pat ourselves on the back, "Till we meet again, I suppose."

"I bet we will! So you better take care of yourself before then, you hear?"

"Right back at ya!"

"Kanade."

"Hm?"

Yuri goes for her shoulders, "I'm sorry I always fought against you. I wonder why we weren't friends sooner, I'm really sorry."

"It's okay."

"You know, as the eldest daughter, I always had to take care of my rambunctious siblings for my parents. I learned a lot of things from you, Kanade. You seemed so ignorant about the ways of the world. So I was really worried about you. We could've done… so much more. We could've done so much more, and had so much more fun. If only we had more time… But… this is goodbye, isn't it?" Her eyes swell up with tears.

"Yeah…" Kanade's lips spring up with reassurance.

Yuri then pulls her closer for a consoling embrace, "Goodbye. Kanade."

"Yeah."

"See ya."

"Yeah. Thanks, Yuri. You really helped me a lot."

"Alright. We'll meet somewhere again."

"Kanade." A miniscule laugh flees from me thinking about our interactions, "Thank you for giving me the time of day when I was being pushy, it means a lot."

She shakes her head, "I will always cherish the time I've spent with you and Yuzu, so never apologize for bothering me."

I exhale in glee, "That's good to hear!"

"Hehe!"

We turn and wave in farewell.

"U-um…"

"Let's stop by the rooftop." Yuri suggests.

"Y-yeah, sure."

We rose towards the top of the school where we're greeted by a bird's eye view.

A gentle breeze ruffles our clothing, "it's so windy today."

Streams of light glimmer her figure, "Are you ready to tell me?"

"Erm, yes, I am, I really appreciate you staying longer to listen to me."

"Don't worry about it. You've done a lot for me so this is the least I can do."

"Heehee... Thanks..."

I brace myself to spill my heart out.

"...This place is pretty cool, don't you think? A world specifically designed for our happiness, It's crazy to think about… but I feel like we haven't really had the chance to truly enjoy it. I've experienced so many exciting things with you guys, moments I'd never thought I'd ever have… and through that time, I've gotten more comfortable breaking out of my shell and opening up to everyone, especially you..."

My heart begins to fluctuate, begging me to finish my confession.

"...I've grown to really like you Yuri, everything about you. Your energy, your directness, your boldness… your compassion and… especially… your strength."

Her eager eyes await for clarification.

"Sorry! I'm not being clear enough. I'll just say it directly so I won't ever have to regret it…"

Come on! You can do it!

"Yuri…"

Deep breaths… Deep breaths… You've got this!

"...I love you!"

She mildly gasps at my words.

Then silence...

A silence so heavy, I'd wish she just said anything! Anything!

But instead, her lips grow wider.

"Anything else you wanna say?"

What…? Anything else…?

"Huh? Anything else? To say?"

…Anything else…?

"W-well, I… really wish we had more time to spend together, I guess… Since we can't die and all, maybe we could've tried some risk heavy stuff like climbing or skydiving, you know, stuff like that."

"Anything else?"

"Uh...That's right! I've always wanted to try hiking… and maybe even make a campfire when it gets dark… Yeah… Just sit around the fire and admire the stars with everyone."

"Anything else?"

"...I've… always wanted to invite you to walk with me in the mornings, it's like a daily routine of mine, but I was too afraid to ask you… Haha, it probably sounds weird coming from me, but walking around aimlessly helps me organize my thoughts, and you've sometimes seemed lost in yours, so..."

"…Anything else?"

I never registered how much my cheeks were soaked in tears. I bury my head and shelter my face in an attempt to camouflage my crying.

"…A-and… and… I'm gonna miss you, Yuri!"

I feel her arms wrap around me before I could ascertain her steps.

"Thank you for sharing your feelings. It makes me so happy to know how you feel about me."

Her squeeze tightens.

"...I'm gonna miss you, too…"

I wipe the last of my tears before facing her once more.

"Hey, can you do one last thing for me?"

"Sure, anything."

"I know this might sound childish, but can I sit on your shoulders?"

She wants me to hold her on my shoulders? Huh… a compelling favor if you ask me, so I don't see why not.

I slump and help her get on.

An arousing stimulation detonates like a grenade within my stomach when I sense her grip engulf my shoulders as she balances her legs onto them.

I get a tingling tenderness stabilizing her.

"Wow! Haahaa…! Hey, get closer to the rail!"

"Hm!"

She spreads and stretches her arms, "Daaamn! Yep! This definitely feels weird!"

We stare vacantly at the harmonious scenery.

"I used to do this a lot for my siblings, so I've always wanted to know how It'd feel like."

"Your wish has been granted!"

She titters at my poor joke.

Unexpectedly, I hear her inhaling with all her might.

"I LOVE REO!"

An exhilarating bliss I was never exposed to wildly flicker my heartbeats.

Yuri…

"Teehee, I think that's enough, you can put me down now."

"A-ah! Yeah!"

Her weight lessens as I bend down.

We avoid each other's gaze while we observe the trees and people below.

"...I guess this is the end… The end of our journeys…"

"...Yeah…"

"Even if it was short, I'll always treasure the time I've spent with you."

"...Me too…"

"Reo." Her slithering fingers seize my cheek and I turn to meet her eyes once more.

Her spellbinding, emerald eyes magnetize my sight.

Her other hand skates around my other cheek, sucking me in completely.

Her fragile, soft lips nuzzle against mine.

She tugs away like she tugged away at my heart.

I caress her hands with mine and I see her enchanting smile for one last time.

"Goodbye, Reo."

An empty void numbs my touch.

"Goodbye, Yuri."