(LEO'S POV)

The gunshot paralyzes my body just as I am about to finish Miura off. The loud noise completely shatters the almost ritualistic atmosphere of our struggle, causing us both to freeze. No longer gripped by my fingers, the large army knife slips away from my hand and falls on the floor. I fail to comprehend the events that have just transpired.

Miura is just as confused. The light in her eyes is quickly fading, yet they succeed in expressing her surprise. My chest starts hurting terribly. It is pulsating, like a black hole sucking everything around it. I feel a sudden tightness, which causes me to lean forward and start coughing involuntarily. A red liquid drops from my mouth and splashes onto the ground in front of me.

There is no doubt about it – this is blood. There is more on my shirt, and on my hands. There is no doubt about it – I have been shot, most likely through my left lung.

My body is shaking. It is involuntary. I do not feel scared or in any way compelled to display weakness, yet my muscles move on their own. I grip the exit wound with my hand and cough up some more blood. This isn't good. Normally, death by pierced lungs takes hours, but I'm bleeding quite profusely. It will probably only take me minutes to die.

Is this what it feels like to die? Weird...

I do not feel anything.

I sense physical discomfort. Soreness. Tension. Loss of breath. A lot of pain. But I do not FEEL anything. I am not scared. I am not in despair. I am not happy, or sad. Nothing.

What a shame.

I throw up some more blood. I am no longer able to keep my body stable, so it simply falls back awkwardly. My vision begins to fade. I suppose I must be going into shock. The pain is getting duller and duller every second. It is probably the endorphins released by my brain. I contemplate closing my eyes and simply letting myself go. That is what dying people are supposed to do, right?

Shizune Hakamichi struggled a lot before she died. I lost my respect for her because of that. I thought it was a sign of weakness. Of fear. Though fear of what, exactly? Was it death? Or perhaps failure? Maybe it was simply a natural reaction of her survival instinct acting on a subconscious level? I do not feel fear. And I do not value my survival. There is no reason for me to lower myself to her level. Even though I regret not being able to feel a true emotion, I will not struggle against death.

I swallow some of the blood climbing up my throat, then close my eyes. Yes... It would have been really nice if I was able to feel anything at all. If I could simply prove to myself that I was a real human being, with fears, hopes and emotions, instead of the manufactured perfection that my father and uncle turned me into. That was my only wish...

'Leo? Hey, Leo!'

A familiar female voice causes me to open my eyes suddenly. I see someone in front of me, yet I can not determine their features. I rise up. My body is unnaturally light, and I do not feel any pain at all. I look at the person standing in front of me. Her long, blond hair, beautiful blue eyes and long dress are unmistakable. She is the girl from my dreams. The one calling out to me every night, and the one whose face I forgot every morning.

Who is she... I know her... I am sure that I have met her before...

My heart skips a beat when my memory suddenly comes back to me.

Of course... They made me forget... They tried to convince me I was nothing but a machine created to run their corporation. But it was not always this way! I was a normal child once, and I was loved!

Tears begin running down my cheeks. Yes... I was loved... And, in turn, I loved... I can feel that very same love right now! It's the purest form of love – the unconditional adoration a young child feels towards the only person who would show him kindness. How could I ever forget this wonderful feeling? How could I not recall what love felt like?

I truly am a monster, aren't I...

I wipe my face with the sleeve of my uniform in a futile attempt to halt my tears. The girl smiles gently at me. I remember that smile! Even in my worst moments, then I felt overwhelmed by the world, this smile gave me the strength to move on! She was my support. My light. My anchor. And then she was taken away from me.

But she is back now! She is just as I remember her, and she loves me!

The girl gives me her hand. My own is trembling. I wipe my tears once more, then smile back at her before standing up and walking towards her.

You were the only person who ever made me happy... I am never letting you go again!

STUDENT #6: LEO HARWAY – DEAD

3 REMAIN