It wasn't supposed to end like this. Aya wasn't supposed to die on the other side of the world, victim of a random mugging. Yohji… None of us even know what happened to him. His body was never found, but he hasn't contacted any of us. And Ken shouldn't be here. I shouldn't be here. I'm here because of him.

I'm not making any sense. Perhaps I should backtrack. It doesn't really matter. This will be destroyed as soon as it's written. Or perhaps buried with Ken. That's where it all really ends up, doesn't it?

I was Persia. I still am, I suppose, but in the same way I'm still Omi Tsukiyono. Both Omi and Persia are dead. Metaphorically dead. It doesn't change reality. And the reality of my past is that I was responsible for Weiss. Was responsible. There isn't anything left to be responsible for, now.

Kyou committed suicide; none of us know why. We found him with Toudou. He wasn't a member of Weiss for very long. I should have prevented his death. I should have done something… but that's true for each and every one of them.

Sena didn't last long either; like so many of us, his family – someone he loved – was involved in the work he did as a member of Weiss. On the opposite side. He wasn't ready. None of us were really ready; but Ken, Yohji, and I all carried out the mission. Sena failed. Not that it got any of us anywhere in the end.

I haven't looked for Yohji. Part of me wants to think that he survived and healed and is happy. That he hasn't contacted me – us – because he wants out of this life and that by not searching for him I can give him his freedom. I know how unlikely that is. If I find him, though, I have to bring him back. I can't afford any kind of breach in security. But as long as he stays dead to me, he's safe.

Aya left us. He went to America; I think that losing Yohji and Sena at the same time was too much. Too many memories in Japan. I wanted to let him go, too. I tried. Ken almost convinced him to stay; if anyone could have done it, it would have been Ken. The last member of Weiss. But since Ken failed, I had no choice.

It might have been easier on Ken if Aya had succeeded in convincing him to go to America. At least there he would have … he wouldn't be here. And I wouldn't be watching him. Watching, and waiting. It's funny, but Christmas is this week. A Western holiday; symbols of peace and love are promoted by greed and waste. How ironic. It applies so well to… Well. There are decorations in the hallways, lights in the windows. It seems almost sacrilegious to have them here, when there's nothing in this place but endings.

Ken's waking up, I think…

…no. I don't think he's going to open his eyes again. To be honest, I'd be really surprised if he did. His systems are shutting down slowly now, and there's nothing anyone can do. He wouldn't want us to if we could; he said as much to me. He was frightened, when he spoke to me. He never used to be afraid; hotheaded, rash, impetuous, caring… but never afraid. He didn't want to hurt anyone; he didn't think he could stop himself. I told him we'd get him straightened out. He couldn't wait, it seems. I wasn't even the one who found him; empty bottle, syringe, smiling.

I wonder if he waited until today on purpose. He's twenty-two today… or is it twenty-three… I don't remember. That's something I should know. It's not really important.

He miscalculated; ever so slightly, and so he's not quite gone yet. It won't be long, now. Once he's gone, Weiss will truly be dead. And so I sit, in a time that should symbolize new beginnings, and wait for the end.