Is being aware of someone else, and doing things for their sake, what it means to be alive?

He had never seen that kind of expression before. A small smile, as though he was laughing at himself, even though his eyes were as flat as they always were. As he held out Yoite's hat, Miharu had made a face like that. For the kira user, it was something that he didn't know how to deal with.

They were both broken, they were both empty. So how was it that Miharu seemed to wrapped in light? This person, who was so fragile and yet immovable, was the one who would destroy his existence. Somehow, that was perfect… and yet at the same time it seemed impossible.

As though looking at his own reflection, Yoite found himself wondering if he had the same dead look in his eyes as Miharu. I am not alive, and so I'm not afraid to die. When the boy, not much younger than himself, gave that smile, without his eyes changing, the ninja felt the sudden desire to place this person above anyone else. He had grabbed him by the shoulders before he realized it, and felt a frantic tightness in his chest as he swore, I'll do anything for you until you erase my existence. I will make you the King of Nabari!

He had never felt that way before. As they parted ways that day, and he realized what he had said and done, Yoite entered a haze. Am I… alive? He had never believed so. But if having a purpose meant that one was alive, then perhaps he had begun to live, if only for the sake of destroying everything.

They were both shattered beings, monsters in their own rights. It was a fine match that they made. Yoite realized, before it quite settled in his mind, that he meant what he had said. He would give everything for Miharu, until there was nothing to give. In the last months that he could wring from this pathetic, crumbling body before it wasted away, he would do whatever it took to protect Miharu, and grant his desires. So that finally, his own would also be granted.

And then the thoughts that had been so frantic since their promise was made paused for a moment. When… he wondered, did I stop thinking of him as the Shinrabansho?