Midnight struck for the association.
His hands trembled as he folded the last of his clothes and stuffed the notebook he used to sketch his creations, along with a few essentials, into his side pocket.
Every movement felt slow, like being trapped in a bad dream.
Kouji stood in his room, staring at the half-packed bag on his bed.
The last thing he took with him was the spear he built during his suspension.
He zipped up the bag.
His mind was set.
Without another look into the room, he slung his bag over his shoulder and walked out, through the quiet corridors to the main exit of the association.
His footsteps echoed and the sound was much louder in his ears than it should have been.
At the door, he froze.
Someone stood there.
Yumi.
Her small figure seemed fragile in front of the massive doors.
Her eyes wide open as if she had been waiting for him.
Kouji stiffened, but then forced himself to move on.
With a hard face, he walked past her.
But when he brushed her shoulder, Yumi's voice broke. "Don't go..."
Kouji stopped.
His heart clenched as he turned his back on her and walked on.
"Don't leave me," she said, tears streaming down her cheeks. Her voice trembled, almost breaking. "Stay here, with me. Please."
Kouji clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms.
He turned slightly, just enough to see her trembling figure.
For the first time, he saw her truly cry—and it ached his chest. His eyes burned.
"I can't," he whispered. "I can't lose anyone else. I have to get stronger. If I stay here... if I just sit around... Shinji will come, and more people will die. I can't allow that."
Yumi looked at him.
Finally, he uttered the words: "The enemy has taken away my ability."
"I am useless now."
His voice was quiet, almost ashamed. "But he only took my curse. My analysis... it's still there. I've scoured Akechi's research. And I found out about it."
"The gate."
Yumi's eyes widened.
"I'll go there," Kouji continued. "I'll learn more. I'll become strong enough to face Shinji. If I don't... then neither of us stands a chance. I have to do this."
"But why you?!" Yumi suddenly cried, her voice sharp with desperation.
"Why does it always have to be you?"
Kouji flinched.
She took a step forward, her tears flowing faster. "Do you think I don't see that? You overdo it every time. You take everything on yourself. But Kouji... if you leave me here alone, if you die out there—" Her voice broke, her hands trembled. "—then it's the same as killing me."
Kouji's throat tightened.
For a moment, silence reigned in the hall.
Only Yumi's irregular breathing could be heard.
Then her voice came, quiet but determined. "Then I'll come with you."
Kouji turned to her in shock. "No. That's too dangerous."
"I don't care." Yumi's voice trembled, but her gaze was calm and still burning with determination.
"I don't care where we go or what happens. I want to be by your side. Forever. Even if it kills me. I don't want to lose you, Kouji... not like this."
Her words struck deeper than any blade.
Kouji's body froze, his breath caught.
For a long moment he just stared at her, unable to speak.
And then his lips slowly curled into a very faint, tortured smile.
"…You're stubborn," he said softly.
Her tears didn't stop, but she managed a small nod.
Kouji let out a shaky breath, turned around and looked up at the sky. "Then I'm counting on you."
Yumi's tears broke out again, but this time she laughed through them—a weak, broken laugh.
She ran straight towards him, jumped on him and hugged him.
Kouji reached out, brushing the back of his fingers across her cheek.
Only today did his firm resolve waver and tears streamed down his face too.
They stood there in silence, holding each other tight, in front of the main entrance of the association, as if the rest of the world did not exist.
Then they stepped out into the night hand in hand.