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Her face was the first thing he ever saw.
He had not existed before this minute, yet he also held memories of a time before it.
He remembered his childhood — how he saw every human around him as monstrous figures and spent most of his days with the company of books that taught him all about their dark history. He remembered waking up in Last Defense Academy and being told he was fighting for humanity's sake, and how he was dead set on sabotaging it.
He remembered seeing Darumi just like any other human — ugly, monstrous, hideous. And then one day, she just changed. One day, she was the most beautiful person he had ever seen. And he remembered dying after the bomb inside him exploded, his final thoughts being filled with relief from the fact that he could save the most important person to him.
And now the last thing he ever imagined before death was looking down at him at his birth with her brilliant pink eyes.
It was an odd feeling, and Eito was unable to put it into words. Was he even Eito in the first place?
"Darumi..." he muttered, still lying on her bed in the darkness of her room. "What am I?"
"Hmm?" Darumi tilted her head. "You're Eito, of course!"
Eito closed his eyes. "That's a lie. I'm a part of you, and you're a part of me. I can tell."
"Mm, I guess there's no way around the truth, huh? Ahaha..." Darumi scratched her head. "But as far as you remember, you're Eito, aren't you? Is there even a difference?"
Eyelids fluttering open again, his gaze met hers. "Please just be honest with me. If you do, I'll be whatever you wish."
"Whatever I wish?"
"That's right. If you want me to be the Eito you always knew, that's who I'll be."
"Honestly, it's a little awkward hearing you talk like that. It's hard to imagine the real Eito would say those things... Though I guess he did sacrifice his life for me, or so I heard. I was still recovering when you— he did."
"Should I talk about how ugly humanity is then? About how much I want to destroy all of you?"
"No, that's fine. Just... be yourself!"
Be himself. Eito wondered what that meant. Ever since he'd seen Darumi sneaking out on those late nights, he'd been questioning his beliefs. Humanity deserved to be wiped out. They were grotesque inside and out, warped by their own evil deeds. And he was sent with righteous eyes to punish them.
And yet...
She was beautiful, inside and out. Eito saw the way she was in so much pain and hid it from everyone else, all to protect them. What did it mean for his eyes to see a human in such tender light? How could she throw her life away for them, not even knowing how this would all end for her? How could an angel suffer all for those vile, disgusting creatures?
All for Takumi Sumino?
The thought of it made him feel strange — a mixture of hurt and anger. Was it jealousy?
"Darumi."
"Yeah?"
"I'm curious. Why are you doing all this for Takumi?"
"Haha... I wonder, huh?" She smiled, but there was a hint of loneliness in her eyes. Or was it longing? "Well... At first I was just thankful he saved my life. No one really went out of their way to help me like that before, you know?"
Darumi's hand had somehow found its way to his head, and was now combing through his silver hair. He let himself sink into her comfort and wondered if this was Darumi's way of calming herself down as well.
"But later on... it turned into something else. Something more important than returning a favor."
"Do you love him?"
"Love...?" Her hand paused for a second as she mused upon the question, before returning to its rhythm.
"Maybe I do. But who knows? All I know is I want Takumi to be happy. If this is what it takes... If bringing everyone back in this way is what will make him happy, then... I'll do it."
"...I see."
"Why did you ask?"
Eito chuckled — a light, airy laugh. "It's nothing. Just curious."
"I don't exactly buy it, but okay."
"Can I ask you a favor, then?"
"Hmm? What is it?"
"If things go wrong, can you choose to save yourself over me or Takumi?"
A beat of silence. And then, the intruder alarm blared, and Darumi withdrew her hand.
"I'm sorry... The others need you now. I can't fight anymore, but do your best out there, ‘kay?"
She smiled brightly, but Eito could tell it was one of her many masks. Another act.
He wished to see her genuine smile one day.
Eito stood to head to the War Room and reintroduce himself to everyone. Perhaps he already knew what her apology meant. In that case, all he could do was enjoy these brief, fleeting moments, glimpses of a happy ending for everyone that might never come to pass.
For once, he hoped he was wrong.
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The pink flames enveloped the room, and the sickening smell of burnt flesh permeated the air, forcing its way into his lungs.
Eito coughed violently, the undying flames already snaking up his legs and he could feel the tingling heat around his whole body. How funny and cruel it was that he should die twice.
Takumi had made his choice. In the end, he rejected Darumi's offer. And she pushed him away at the last minute to save his life.
Eito knew she would. Of course he was right. Darumi was too selfless, too kind for her own good.
"Darumi!" Eito yelled out, desperately crawling towards her with his remaining strength and noticed a red droplet in front of her. Darumi never elaborated on what it was, but he knew it was the Ruby Tear.
Even until the end, she chose humanity.
They couldn't have been more different. But still, if that was her choice, he would stay by her side.
"Eito..." she mumbled in a weak voice. She was him, and he was her, and he could feel her life slowly fading away at that moment. "Did I do it? Did I... help Takumi and everyone?"
"Mm," he assured her, his scorched hand reaching out to hold hers. "You did a good job."
"Really? Thank you. I'm glad... I could be useful to someone..."
Her eyes closed, and Eito saw a gentle smile on her face — maybe the first and last genuine one he’d ever see. He hoped he had given her a semblance of comfort in her last moments, like she did for him.
A happy ending might still be awaiting Takumi and his friends, one that the two of them wouldn't live to see.
No, this was a more fitting ending for them.
Eito never thought he belonged in this world anyway, but at that moment, holding Darumi's hand as the flames consumed them, he thought they belonged together, and that was enough.