Hello?

Does anyone still read this?

It's been almost half a decade since I last updated this. Time sure goes by quickly.

First, I must apologize to everyone who was looking forward to an update. I noticed that many people PM'd me, asking me to continue this story. To be honest, I didn't really know where to go with this so I just kind of "abandoned" it. Don't get me wrong, TTGL is still in my top 3 favorite animes and I re-watch it yearly (currently re-watching it again), which is why I'm updating this again.

I don't know if I'm still bitter that Simon and Yoko didn't end up with each other. Yoko's ending was fine since she was surrounded by people she cared about, but Simon, I was sad watching him end up alone, with the possibility of never seeing his comrades again. I would've been completely fine if they showed Simon and Yoko hanging out as old friends, even if not as a couple.

So, during this year's re-watch I've decided to reboot this. After reading this again, I can tell that it could be greatly improved upon, so I'll start the story over again.

I'm not going to make any promises whether this will be updated regularly or not, or if I'll even ever update it again. I'm also kind of rusty as I haven't updated a fanfic in over a year.

Also, if you had read this in the past, please leave a review saying you were one of them. It'll boost my motivation for greater chances of continuing as it proves to me that people are still looking out for this fanfic.

Thank you.

It has been almost six days since Dai-Gunzan was successfully captured from the enemies. Six days since the defeat of Thymilph, one of the Big Four that worked under Lordgenome.

And it has been exactly six days since he passed.

The Dai-Gurren was an unstoppable weapon with a fully functional living environment where the brigade currently resides in. The plan to take over the Dai-Gunzan was his idea, but in the end, he wasn't the one to command it.

The moving fortress had a kitchen, dorms to sleep in, and heavy artilleries to defend against upcoming attacks. Many members thought that it was a major progress and stepping stone for humans after obtaining such a powerful flagship to repel the beastmen with. It's like giving them a taste of their own medicine.

But, some thought that the sacrifice required to obtain such power was not an equivalent exchange, therefore wasn't worth it.

Rain poured down from the sky with grey clouds denying any sort of light from radiating the sky, causing the atmosphere to turn dull.

It was also the same for the crew.

The last few days felt like an eternity. Time had stopped for them and the mood was gloomy and filled with silence as everyone mourned for their beloved leader. Even the usually loud Kittan kept quiet out of respect. Some took it harder than others, and some were just recovering.

The one who was affected the most was Yoko.

She wanted to be with him and he returned her feelings. His courage and confidence to reach his dream made her fall in love with him. She really thought that he could change the world, so she decided that she would stay by his side, to protect him.

She really thought that she had a future with him.

She didn't even get a chance to say a proper farewell. It all happened too quick.

The moment she heard his blood-curdling screams in the intercom was when her heart sank to the bottom of a deep abyss.

"It can't be…"

His injuries were fatal and there was nothing she could've done to help him. The only thing Yoko could do was watch from afar as he uses his last minutes to protect his brother.

The battle was won but the aftermath was rough.

Rain poured through the battlefield as if the sky was grieving with them.

Yoko tearfully gave him a proper farewell by lowering him into his grave. That was the only thing she could do for him.

She couldn't protect him.

"WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU DOING YOU COWARD?!"

Yoko and the others turned to see Kittan grabbing Simon by the collar. He was angry, yet trying his best to hold in his tears,

The blonde's sisters had to pull him away before he could get more violent.

"WHY DIDN'T YOU FIGHT?! HE WOULDN'T HAVE DIED!" Kittan yelled as he was being dragged away.

Simon didn't answer. He couldn't answer.

He stood in the rain emotionlessly and stared at the tombstone of his brother.

With deadpan eyes, he slowly turned his gaze towards Yoko and looked her in the eyes. He could see her distraught state and how she avoided his gaze as if he was a plague.

He knew it was his fault.

Six days had passed since the unfortunate event. The crew were slowly healing through their pain of losing such a capable leader. Kittan stepped up as a temporary leader until they decide who would take command.

Yoko was preparing the ingredients for dinner as it was her turn to cook. Dayakka entered the kitchen and told Yoko to take it easy and that he'll prepare dinner if she needed rest.

She stopped chopping, lowered her knife and calmly shook her head.

"No, I'm fine." Yoko forced a smile. "This keeps my mind off things."

In the past few days, she forced herself to swallow her food. There was no way that she could've enjoyed her meals. The pain was just too much.

Yet, she acted selflessly by pretending to be okay to boost the morale of everyone. She had to keep the image of the tough girl. It wasn't like anyone knew that she liked him, so she had to take on a leader role to bring everyone back on their feet.

Simon sat emotionlessly in a corner of his room.

He was like that ever since they buried him. He locked himself in his room for days and hasn't left.

He just couldn't show himself to anyone.

He knew that everyone blamed him for his death.

He knew that it was his fault and it hurt him, more than anyone could ever imagine.

Simon had lived his entire life with his bro, doing everything together. Simon wouldn't even be here right now if it weren't for him.

He loved him more than anything.

And now he's gone.

And it was his fault.

During the time he had locked himself in the room, no one had approached him, as if they isolated him. No one asked him to come to dinner when everyone was gathered, nor did anyone check up on him to see if he was okay.

Even through closed doors, he could faintly hear them talking behind his back.

'It was Simon. He killed Kamina'

'Why did he go and protect a weakling like him?'

'Why couldn't it be him instead?'

He felt his chest tighten hearing those words, yet he couldn't blame them.

If only he hadn't seen them. If only he paid his own mind and didn't follow her.

Why did he have to end up liking her?

Simon slowly reached for the door handle and gripped it tightly.

He knew he didn't belong here anymore. Not in this world, where his bro didn't exist.

He decided that it was his time to leave, but he knew he owed everyone an apology. Even if they berate him, beat him, or even kill him, he'll gladly accept it.

He truly thought that he deserved it all.

Simon forced his feet to move, even though deep down he was still afraid.

He had to face everyone no matter what.

Making his way through the corridors, Simon could head chatter within the kitchen. Looking at the clock, it was close to dinner time. He hadn't eaten for days, yet he hasn't felt a bit of hunger.

"Could you be careful with the knife?" Yoko sighed as she looked at the cutting board.

"Would you calm down? I got this!" Kittan yelled as he slammed the knife on the board, almost missing the carrots he was chopping.

The Black siblings decided to help Yoko with dinner as they had nothing better to do. They were done early with their training while everyone else was still going at it, so they had time to kill.

"I think I'll do the cutting…" Kiyal sighed as she took the knife from her brother.

"But I'm the leader! You think I can't cut mere vegetables?!" Kittan crossed his arms as he yelled at his younger sister.

"Just let Kiyal do it." Kinon sighed.

"You suck at cooking!" Kiyoh cheerfully shouted.

"Why you brats!" Kittan yelled.

Yoko giggled slightly at the sibling's banter. She took the ingredients that Kiyal had cut and threw them into a boiling pot of water. Soup was a great remedy for the cold weather they were having. It warms the body and soul.

"You siblings can head on out now. I'll finish the rest." Yoko said as she seasoned the soup.

Speaking of siblings, she wondered how he was doing.

When she had heard no response, she said it again. "You guys can go relax, I'll finish the rest."

Hearing no response again, the girl got irritated and turned to face them to see Kittan giving a nasty glare. Following his gaze, she had met his eyes for the first time in days.

She had dropped everything she was doing to look at him. She could tell that he hadn't slept in days. His hair was disheveled and his clothes wrinkly. There were clear dark circles under his eyes which emphasized his deadpan eyes.

"What are you doing out here?" Kittan spat angrily.

Simon looked at Kittan before taking a step forward. The man reactively punched him in the face, effectively knocking him to the ground as well as drawing blood from the boy's mouth.

He was about to punch him again before his sisters pulled him back.

"Stop onii-chan!" Kiyal cried as she held her brother by the waist.

The sisters weren't happy to see him as well, but they had to drag their brother out before he commits a crime. They all gave Simon a glare before passing by him.

Looking at Simon's pitiful self, Yoko didn't know what to think so she looked away. She knew that everyone blamed him for their leader's death. She knew, yet she didn't do anything.

She knew Simon was just a scapegoat for everyone to direct their anger towards as it was the easiest way to cope.

Did she blame him as well?

Simon slowly got back on his feet as he pushed himself off the floor. He wiped the blood off his face with his sleeves. Taking a few more steps forward, he was directly in front of Yoko.

She could feel his gaze, and she hesitantly turned back to face him.

He was emotionless.

"Yoko." Simon spoke.

The girl did not answer.

"Yoko." He continued.

She looked away again.

There was no way she could have a conversation with him right now.

Simon reminded her of him. She could feel her chest tighten and ache.

"Yoko. Do you hate me?" Simon asked directly.

There was no sugarcoating. He asked her straightforward.

Hearing the question, Yoko turned slowly towards him and froze.

She didn't know what to say. She didn't have an answer.

Thinking about it, flashbacks of the event played back in her head. The way that Simon stood frozen during battle, the way he looked so cowardly and weak, the way he got protected. The way he got stabbed.

She didn't want to say it.

She couldn't.

…

"I hate you." Yoko replied, emotionlessly.

Simon's expression didn't change as he got his reply, as if he already knew the answer.

Snapping back to reality, Yoko's eyes widened as she realized what she had just said. Her mouth said what her heart didn't want to say.

"SIMON I—"

"I understand. Thank you." Simon cut her off before she could finish.

He turned around and began to walk away. Yoko wanted to call out to him, but she couldn't. It's as if her voice couldn't come out. She stood frozen as she watched his silhouette disappear.

The Black siblings returned to the kitchen after they saw him leave. They were eavesdropping on the two, just in case if Yoko managed to forgive him, Kittan would've came rushing in immediately. He didn't deserve sympathy from him.

"Good on you Yoko!" Kittan grinned.

The girl faked a smile in response.

She felt horrible.

Yoko could feel her chest ache. She knew they blamed him for the cause of his death. Even she knew that it was his fault. But deep down, she couldn't truly blame him.

After all, he was the one who saved him.

She knew that Kamina loved Simon more than anyone, even above her and she knew and accepted that. The bond the two shared were inseparable and if time could re-wind, he would save him again.

Blaming Simon would just be spitting on his grave after he sacrificed his life for him.

She knew that.

Yoko began to remember the time when Kamina spoke greatly of Simon, as if without Simon, he wouldn't be where he was today.

Kamina respected Simon as a brother, as well as a person. He knew what he was capable of, and that was why he risked his life to save him.

She now understood what she had to do.

Smiling to herself, Yoko came back to reality.

She started to stir her soup with a ladle before it burned.

'He hasn't eaten in days. Maybe I'll eat with him.'

"Has anyone seen my knife? I left it here before leaving the room, but now it's gone." Kiyal asked as she searched for her missing knife.

"I haven't seen it." Yoko replied plainly as she continued to stir her soup.

"That's weird it was here a moment ago." Kiyal scratched her head in confusion.

Yoko dropped her ladle and ran.

"YOKO! WHERE ARE YOU GOING?!" Kittan shouted as the girl in question dashed off as quickly as possible.

'It can't be! There is no way!'

Yoko quickly ran through the corridors and into the sleeping halls. Running into a room, she found it empty and her heart sank.

"No… No… It can't be!" Yoko shouted at herself.

The girl began to panic as time was running out. She searched through the entire sleeping dorm to no avail. The only room she hadn't checked was the bathroom.

The door was locked.

Pressing her head against the door, she could hear the bath running. She knew that everyone was out training, so it had to be him inside.

"SIMON!" Yoko shouted.

No answer.

"SIMON IF YOU'RE IN THERE PLEASE REPLY TO ME!" She shouted again, this time banging on the door as well.

No answer again.

She couldn't wait any longer.

Yoko took a step back from the door and kicked it open.

Her eyes widened at the scene in front of her. She felt her heart stop and time had frozen.

In the tub was Simon with his clothes still on, submerged in dark pink water.

Yoko quickly rushed to his side.

"SIMON! SIMON!" Yoko shouted as she grabbed his face.

There was no response.

Yoko reached into the tub, using all her strength, she dragged him out of the tub as fast as she could.

She didn't care if people hated him or wants him gone. The only thing on her mind was to save him.

There was no way in hell that she was going to let him die after all they've been through.

A/N: This is as much as I could write for now! Once again, I cannot promise anything, but I'll try my best to somehow write more.