A/N. Wow. I can't believe it's over. It's done. And, gosh… this took me so long to write, and it's so few words. ;A; But now I can move on. ^^

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Chapter 11

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Redemption

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--One Week Later--

Hanekoma idly traced his fingers over the cover of the notebook chronicling the rises of Shibuya's Composers, opening the last pages to blow on the still-wet ink of the latest addition to the long, tortured history of the keepers of the fallen. The bell over the door caused him to quickly shut the book and slide it into a hidden slot in the bar, safe from prying eyes.

He smiled at the sight of the blonde female, and handed the lady her coffee over the counter at WildKat. "You gonna be ok? "

Rhyme nodded, and forced a smile. "I have to get this over with. " Taking the hot beverages, she wandered outside and sat down across from a black-haired young man with a worried expression.

"Sorry about the wait, Tim. "

Back inside the cafe, Hanekoma sighed as he watched Tim and Rhyme talk, and the latter's expression turn from shock to disbelief, then from suspicion to acceptance. Then the living boy and the dead girl hugged, both wiping a few stray tears from their cheeks. The new Composer watched the man wave down a taxi and drive off, her hands toying with the hem of her shirt stressfully. Then Rhyme pushed open the door to the cafe, and forced a smile to Hanekoma. "It's done. "

"How'd he take it? "

"Better than I thought, " she admitted, taking a seat on a stool across from the cafe barista. "I thought I would feel sadder, you know? Like... my time for love was coming to an end. But it doesn't feel like that at all. It feels like... a beginning of something new and beautiful. I have dreams again. Even if they're not very likely, like saving all the Souls that pass through the UG. Even if they're selfish, like... being with Joshua again. They're still dreams, and they're mine. Even if they never come true. "

Hanekoma smiled. "Yeah... I think I understand. "

The Composer smiled. "Well, I've got a Game to start up. Goodbye, Mr H! "

"Bye, Rhyme. " Once the girl was gone, Sanae spoke calmly to the glass he was wiping clean. "It's been a long time, but I think we've finally found a really good Composer. One who doesn't have to work to show boundless love. Someone who sees the value of every Soul... even if she doesn't pack as much juice in battle as the last one. "

A new, soft voice cut in. "With us to watch over her, she won't need to fight. "

Hanekoma chuckled to the newcomer. "Shouldn't you be up in the Highground, proving you deserve those wings? Remember, you're on probation for the next few months. "

The other Angel sighed. "I waited over four years to see her again. I suppose I can wait a little while longer. "

"Yeah. You do that. I don't want to have to deal with you two playing Romeo-and-Juliet again. For everyone's sake, be a good little boy for once. "

"If you say so, Sanae. " The Angel flicked his silver hair. "I just dropped in to see how she was doing. "

"It's easy for two people who love each other to say they'd die for the other... because their suffering and existence ends then. It takes real courage and stability to be able to live as the one left behind. It's what broke me, you know. But... " he smiled and sighed here, an aura of relief surrounding him. "..she's holding up ok. So... I can wait. See you around, Hanekoma. "

"See you, Josh, " the older Angel murmured to his friend as he returned to the Highground.