Life.  Without it, the human race would be lost forever.  But with life, comes its partner death.

Death destroys all that is good, and true – yet erases those who have taken the lives of others.

As I stand here, by the graveside, I think of how ironic the subject ‘life and death’ is – today, on the nineteenth celebration of my birth, the life of one I treasured most is taken away from me.

Though he never told me, I know he loved me – and I loved him in return – though, as I often told myself, it would never work out.  Myself, a pacifist and him…

…an ex-Gundam pilot.

Even he himself said it, after the wedding of Quatre and Catherine.  But, as he said it, tears formed in his eyes…

I am confused.  It would be a lie if I said I was not.  But I do not know the solution to this puzzle.  Perhaps this is a puzzle that should never be solved.

Rain is starting to fall, now.  I feel it on my lips.  It messes with my hair.

My hair…  He always said he thought my hair was wonderful and never to change it, and just before he died he touched my hair fondly and almost said, ‘I love you-’

But he never got to.  Just at that moment, Wufei told him it was time to go.  I bet Wufei regrets that now.

‘Miss Relena!’  I hear Pagen cry.  ‘You should be getting back into the car, now!  You are soaked!’

‘In a moment!’  I reply.  ‘In a moment…’

Pagen returns to the car, shaking his head.  He thinks me a fool, though…

…he would not have.  He would have lent me his shoulder to cry on.

Why can’t I say his name?  Why…?

I think I can now.  Yes, I can.

Duo.  That is the name of the man I love, yet who will never be able to tell me so and hear me say it in return.

Duo, rest in peace, my love.  Rest in peace.

Duo Maxwell, AC 180-199

Treasured friend

Courageous soldier

Loving man

We shall miss him