Epilogue

The young man sat alone on a wooden bench out in the middle of a meticulously cared for garden. Flowers were everywhere, impossibly bright and blooming. The beauty of the landscape was almost unreal.

Aya hesitated, watching the other man, before at last giving a quiet sigh. Stuffing his hands into his pockets, he began to walk down the cobbled path toward the man who had once been almost as dear as a brother.

“Ken’s plane left yesterday, didn’t it?” Omi hadn’t turned around, but his voice rang out quiet and clear.

Aya stopped walking.

“Yes,” he answered at last. “It did.”

“Did you go and see him off?”

“Yes.”

“With Yotan and…and Mastermind?”

“Yes. With Yohji and Schuldig.”

Silence again. Aya continued on his way, and when he reached the bench, he sat down next to his former friend. With his hair flat and unstyled, a blanket wrapped around his legs, he suddenly appeared very frail.

“He didn’t call to tell me he was leaving.” Omi said at last. “I guess you all told him everything. Funny…I always thought he’d take my side.”

“You have eyes on him?”

“He still works for Krittiker. I’ll always be able to find him.”

Aya grunted.

“Did you come to kill me?”

“I thought about it,” Aya answered truthfully. “But no. I’m not going to kill you. Yohji’s not going to kill you, and Schuldig won’t either. As long as you leave us alone.”

“How reassuring.”

Silence settled in once more. The wind blew and birds chirruped happily and Aya searched for words.

“Why are you here?” Omi asked finally.

Aya shook his head.

“I don’t know.”

“It’s a beautiful garden, isn’t it? Nagi had it planted for me because I’m not allowed to leave the manor anymore.” Omi gave a small, sad laugh. “Everyone thinks I’m still in charge, but not a single order can go through anymore without his signature.”

“I think he loves you.”

“I know he does. He told me so himself. He said that he’s trying to protect me – save my soul from these difficult decisions. He promised he wouldn’t let me rip it apart anymore.”

“Do you love him?”

A shrug. Omi continued to stare at the landscape.

“I really was trying to help you, Ayan.”

“I know. That’s what makes it so horrifying.”

“Are you happy?”

Aya closed his eyes.

“Yes,” he answered honestly.

“I hope it lasts.”

“It will.”

“How can you be so sure?”

It was Aya’s turn to shrug.

“I can’t explain something to you when I know you’ll never understand it.”

“You’re so mean to me, Ayan.”

“I came to say goodbye.”

“You won’t be visiting again?”

“We’re leaving Japan. Yohji, Schuldig, and I…between the three of us, we have enough blood money to live comfortably for the rest of our lives. Just the three of us, living and loving and happy.”

“It sounds nice. Where are you going?”

“I won’t tell you that, Omi. But I will promise you one thing – if we ever hear from Krittiker again, I will come back here and I will try to kill you, consequences be damned.”

“Cold you really?” Omi asked at last.

“You know I could. Would. Will.”

Aya rose. Then, reluctantly, looked at Omi.

“Let Nagi love you, Omi,” he advised. “Let yourself love him. He’s a good man, and faithful. Let him heal you.”

“I just wanted to help you, Ayan.”

“Goodbye, Omi.”

He looked so young, so sad. Blinking rapidly, Omi was the first to break their gaze.

Taking a deep breath, Aya walked away.

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Thank you for everything.