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Shinya looked around him with an empty gaze, his heart beating painfully in his chest. He was in the love hotel chamber where Guren and his squad had promised to save the world and to stay together years ago.
These memories made him clench his fists. He spent 9 years pursuing the promises Guren made that day but it felt like he was pursuing a ghost. He felt like he was being manipulated by the person he’s the closest to, in addition to everyone else. He was Shinya after all, the forever second choice, the perfect puppet for anyone to lay a hand on. He had to face reality.
The Guren he met when he was 15 was gone, his Guren was gone. The man he left before going to the love hotel was not the man he knew. He was just a man manipulated by his demon. He knew he had to accept the truth that his old best friend wasn’t here anymore. But it just hurt too much.
Shinya shook his head to get all these thoughts out of his mind and focus on the reason why he was here. Guren said he left a note for him in the love hotel. By instinct, Shinya went to that room where everything happened. And he was right. A piece of paper was on the sofa, right where Shinya used to sit. With fear and anticipation, the white haired man grabbed the note.
As he read it, his heart broke in a million pieces. A wave of pain and despair spread throughout his body as he felt his hand tremble. After finishing the note, Shinya stared into the void, not being able to put a single word on how he was feeling. He could perceive that his demon, Byakkomaru, was growing stronger and, honestly, Shinya didn’t have the strength to calm him down. So he just accepted talking to him.
“- You can’t stay like that Shinya, Byakkomaru says with a serious tone. They’re using you. Like they always did.
- Tell me Byakko.. What did I do to the world to deserve that? whispered the white haired man.
-You’re not the problem. They are. Let me take care of everything.
-What will you do?”
Byakkomaru remained silent, which was enough of an answer for Shinya. Maybe it was time for him to give up. His reason to live was running away from him anyway. The white haired man sighed. He trusted Byakkomaru after all.
“-Can you let me in control for a few more minutes? he asked with a voice empty of emotion.
-Of course, reassured Byakkomaru with a gentle voice. Tell me when you’re ready.”
With a slow movement, Shinya put down the note on the sofa and took a few steps back. Then he materialized his rifle, pointing the weapon on the paper which had Guren’s writing on it.
“-Byakkomaru.. burn, Shinya ordered with a trembling voice.”
And his demon listened. His rifle fired a bullet which ignited the note and after, all the sofa. The fire quickly grew in all the room and Shinya looked at it, standing in the middle, a tear rolling down his cheek.
“ -Byakkomaru.. possess me now.., he finally whispered.”
Immediately, he could feel his consciousness fade. He burned it all. All the memories, all the promises, everything that Guren had made. And with that, he burned himself. But he didn’t have to worry, he knew Byakkomaru would take care of everything and maybe he would come back when nothing could hurt him anymore. He looked at the fire one last time, saying goodbye to Guren, and then let his demon take his place as he disappeared into the void.