A sharp sigh seeped from thinly pursed lips. The computer's monitor buzzed angrily, having been on for a few hours now. Maya leaned back in her chair, pushing slender fingers through her unkept dark hair. She was frustrated. Frustrated with work, with... Life. Her eyes moved to the faded photograph on the end of her desk. The smiling faces taunted her, reminding her why she had to keep up with appearances. She had to smile and tuck memories away so she could perform everyday duties, rather it was with work or helping Ulala in her mission to find the perfect husband. Her hand moved deftly to lay the picture face down. She didn't need these reminders. Everything had turned out okay in the end, hadn't it? They had come face to face with humanity's darkness and won. That was something to feel proud of, so why didn't she?

That's when her thoughts moved to him. The boy who changed everything. The boy who threw himself in danger's way to protect her no matter what. Her eyes began to sting with the promise of tears to come. No, she couldn't cry. He had fought to protect her happiness and her life. She couldn't waste that. Her mind stopped at the memory of his back when he left. He was so strong, yet so young. His shoulders were broad, but sunk with the burden of sin. She remembered the sorrow that flared up in his eyes when she begged him to take her with him. She knew it was wrong of her to do so, but she didn't want him to leave with the only flicker of what she thought was true love. It was her heart's turn to sting. Her eyes moved to the clock on her computer, mentally taking note that she really should finish her story for Mizuno.

She stood abruptly, palms flat on her desk and skin light with strain. She began to pack her things and turned off her computer, moving quickly as the office began to feel as if it were suffocating her. After she was out the door and into the streets of the city, Maya took a much needed deep breath. The welcomed sunlight warmed her skin and she began to feel lighter and much happier. She approached the street corner, waiting for the light to turn green and signal her it was okay to walk as she rummaged through her bag, looking for her keys. She raised her eyes in time to see and hear the familiar motorcycle come to a halt at the light, right in front of the crosswalk.

Surprise hit Maya and washed over her like unwelcome rain on a cold day. Her entire body tensed as she stared at him, wondering if life really just did find these things that amusing. Then she remembered. After the him from the Other Side left, This Side's regained control of his body and... Remembered nothing. Pain began to swell in her chest momentarily before she closed her eyes and mentally chided herself. No, this was good. If he didn't remember, he didn't have that burden. He could be a normal teenager again. The thought made the corners of her lips rise into a small smile as the pedestrian light turned green.

She opened her eyes, took another deep breath and stepped off the curb. She made sure to hold her head high and keep her steps light as she felt the first genuine smile on her features she had managed to have in weeks. Once she passed him, she knew he thought nothing more of her than one of his brother's acquaintances. Though it hurt to think that, she knew it was for the best. If they were meant to be together, they would be eventually. She stopped once she was on the other side of the street and on the sidewalk safely, waiting for the sound of his motorcycle to fade in the distance before she turned around to catch a glimpse of his back. It was still so strong, but the burden was gone.