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Mus.h.i.+:Vol5 Epilogue 09
Epilogue 09 - The Seven Dwarfs
G.o.d did not give Saibara Mina the kind of special talent that made other people like her.
No one was perfect in this world. Everyone had flaws upon close inspection. She understood this. However, even though she knew she was far from perfect, she was very sensitive to the small flaws and failures of others and easily became upset with them. It was really mental. She was often paranoid and never looked happy. Mina was already thought of as a very abnormal perfectionist when she was still a normal human.
Others certainly noticed this side of Mina's personality too. She reached the same conclusion after she a.n.a.lyzed herself. Mina expected the best of everyone else and she was never satisfied when she spent time with other people. She always spurted complaints and rants that put other people off. She was as a very intolerable bad woman.
Finally, Mina felt unhappy about herself. She started to dislike and fear meeting other people, and almost never left her house.
Why did she hate other people so much? Mina pondered and became frustrated. Finally, Mina realized something. As she came to dislike more and more people, there was no one left who she liked.
She was lost when she realized this. There was truly no one left who she liked. No matter how close they were to her, be they friends or family, or strangers who weren't able to hurt her, she disliked all of them. And though she still interacted with them on intimate terms, she knew each parties despised the other and insulted each other internally.
This kind of knowledge was very, very disgusting.
A world where there was no one you liked would probably be a very lonely and terrifying world.
Mina was very scared and tried her best to like others, but it didn't work. She took a long time. Mina's mind became very strange, and it became almost impossible for her to go back to normal.
Perhaps it was because she hardly interacted with others as a kid and just liked to read on her own. The people in books and manga all had perfect appearances and actions.
But people were not like this in reality. Therefore, she would always feel dissatisfied. She would always be unhappy and she can't like others.
Ahh, Mina reminisced. She had once cried in her cold, sterile room when she was still human, hugging her knees. If she could live all over again, if she could choose a completely different path, if she could go through reincarnation and obtain a different life -
- she would definitely try her best to like someone.
The gluttonous mist ignored all concepts and materials in this world, as it erased everything around it by force. The mist completely deleted the enormous beetle that rushed towards her with all its might. The enemy's huge body was split in half from the middle and rolled along the road, then disappeared completely. Mina panted heavily and ran forwards while keeping up her guard. "Ahhh." She realized her hand was bleeding only when the spray can fell from her hands. She seemed to have been attacked while being completely oblivious. There was also blood dripping from her head. Even now, she still did not have a full grasp of the situation. She just knew that her body did not feel pain. Maybe there wasn't a big wound. The wounds on her wrists would speedily recover anyways. Only the bloodstain would remain. The mark that was a mixture of her blood and the monsters she killed. She chased that b.a.s.t.a.r.d with Mitsuki's appearance and sprinted along the city with no purpose. The small town that was always enveloped by the light of G.o.d was now forever covered in a crimson shade reminiscent of dusk, making the place feel mysterious and terrifying. But it was fine. Neither G.o.d nor the world mattered anymore. The only thing that mattered was finding that b.a.s.t.a.r.d, that most despicable b.a.s.t.a.r.d, and killing her immediately. That was the only way her mind could be at ease. Mitsuki, Mitsuki... Mitsuki was her little sister who had always supported her, both before and after their transformation into immortals. But she was...! "Ahhh!" She roared and tried to chase away the wild thoughts in her head. She didn't want to think about anything right now. She just wanted to find her enemy and kill her. She vented her anger upon everything in the world. Mina was now completely dominated by a powerful desire to destroy. "Type B - Jack JewelFixation Mist." The thin mist that poured out endlessly completely repelled these small-fry monsters. Mina took out another spray can and sprayed more mist towards the large buildings near her. The faint mist poured out slowly and steadily and flew gently between the collapsed floorboards and walls of the buildings. The mist stuck to the structure and fixed them mid-air. Mina then jumped higher and higher on the floorboards she fixed with Jack JewelFixation Mist, and instantly reached the top of the building. She jumped forward without hesitation, seeking any trace of her escaped enemy. Her enemy. The despicable enemy who had taken Mitsuki's form. She wouldn't let her escape. She would capture her even if she had to follow her into the bowels of h.e.l.l itself. She would kill her. Mina suddenly realized that her mind was full of those cold-blooded thoughts, those plain and simple thoughts. Her brain was full of emptiness and rage, but her body still unconsciously chose the most appropriate behavior. She flew into the sky as if she was a bat. The breeze blew Mina's three long braids as they danced in the air like snakes. Jack JewelFixation Mist fixated various spots of air and she leapt up one step at a time, moving forward by stepping on invisible points as if she was walking on nothing. Although the enemy escaping via the road was moving very fast and looked to have unbelievable stamina, Mina would not give up no matter what. Jumping freely between the buildings, Mina seemed to fly as if she was in a movie. She finally landed in front of her opponent and attacked with the spray cans in both hands simultaneously. She gazed at the fake Mitsuki in front of her and her boiling hatred sprayed out with the mist. Mina then gave her opponent a death declaration: "Prepare yourself... I am more cruel than you can imagine." Her endless rage made her short of breath. Mina's face was pale and she moaned in a low voice: "I will kill you - without mercy." Words were meaningless by now, and sounds were not necessary. Mina's was entirely focused on the opponent before her and wanted nothing less than to tear and bite her apart. Right, she should do that. That fake Mitsuki looked at Mina, who was completely expressionless, and still smiled and spoke very leisurely: "Oh? I'm so scared. How can an elder sister treat her own younger sister with such a desire to kill? I can't imagine such a lethal att.i.tude." "... Shut up." She said all this to rile up Mina. Mina saw blood in her eyes and felt extremely anxious. This wouldn't do. She must kill this person, even if she died in the process. She needed to calm herself before she could manage to mercilessly chop up this b.a.s.t.a.r.d. She took a deep breath and looked sideways at the enemy. This other woman only shrugged her shoulders and pointed her hands somewhere else. Mina kept up her guard and looked towards the direction she pointed toward. She saw a nightmarish scene. "..." It was unpredicted. Totally unpredicted, veritably the worst situation possible. That imposter sn.i.g.g.e.red and said words to Mina with a soft, sweet voice, as if to provoke her. "Isn't it awesome? Mmm, it's ok even if you want to kill other people too..." On the ordinary and small rural path between the scattered shops at the end of Mina's gaze were two young people Mina knew very well. "Mitaka! Tatsue!" The boy and girl were lying in a pool of blood and not moving at all. They had probably been attacked by countless monsters. They - they were Mitsuki's friends. They were also Mina's friends, who were just children enjoying their happy and sweet life! Takamikado Mitaka and Kuroki Tatsue. Mina couldn't say anything towards the boy and girl lying on the puddle of blood, who were still holding hands. After giving one look at Mitsuki's imposter - Mina howled in sorrow and ran towards Mitaka and Tatsue. "Hehehehe." That monster's loud laughter, mixed with hidden scorn, echoed behind Mina.
It was just for the blink of an eye, but she was grateful to that b.a.s.t.a.r.d. She didn't dare to think what would happen if it had been too late, and Mina hadn't noticed Tatsue and Mitaka. Mina might have lost someone important to her once again - Once again?
"Mmmm." Her younger sister's form took over all of her vision. How was Mitsuki?! A certain part of her brain kept trying its best to discard the terrible thoughts. However, she could not even deceive herself, but was influenced by that worst possible reality. Mitsuki was - Mitsuki was - "Ah - Ahhhhhh!" Mina roared like a beast. Her own roaring rushed past her own ears loudly, as if blood was also going to seep out of her throat. She sank completely into madness. She still needed to fight. She couldn't allow her heart to be frozen over because of her sorrow. She still needed to go kill those people. If tears clouded her eyes and made her blind, then that would be very annoying. Even so, warm liquid ignored Mina's consciousness and flowed out of her eyes, slithering down her cheeks. Tears. Where should she go now? She was full of sorrow, loneliness, anxiety, and hatred. Everything - she wanted everything that was Sterilization Disinfection to disappear. She could not do anything. She was not any different to when she was still a human. Perhaps, no matter what she did, no matter if she was alive or dead, she would make no effect on the world. Maybe that was the kind of woman she was. If that was the case, then if she had stayed in that sterile room and never left, if she had starved herself to death - then maybe she wouldn't be hurting like this anymore. No. "What are you doing!? What are you guys doing!?" It was not over yet! Mina and the world were not done yet. She just had to erase all regret and despair. As long as her wrists could still move, then she would hold on to her spray cans and fight. As long as her fingers could still move, then she would press down on the nozzle and fight. Maybe she wouldn't be able to change the world, but she might be able to help some people after all. Actually, she wasn't someone who was that useless, annoying, or despicable. The person whom Mitsuki adored should be that nurse who helped others, that outstanding older sister. The white mist was dancing and circling in the sky like a dragon. It flew rapidly in all directions and smashed the crowds of monsters apart, scattering and annihilating them. Blood splattered in the air and the sound of roaring echoed, as pieces of meat and dismembered flesh scattered all over. Mina ignored all this and jumped towards Mitaka and Tatsue, who were lying in puddles of blood, and protected them. She held onto the spray cans tightly and sprayed out white mist continuously. The enemy in front of her instantly stiffened and ceased to move. Mina warned them in a low and threatening voice: "Yes - don't just a.s.sume you can just rampage everywhere, that you can eat up humans as if it was a joke, and do whatever you want according to your preferences." She was the cruel and emotionless Digestive Organ, who existed in order to hunt all the evils of this world. Saibara Mina smiled and rapidly slaughtered the remaining monsters. The pristine white mist danced everywhere and touched the monsters' limbs, torso, head, without distinction. It also touched the ground and the buildings. The monsters' resistance seemed so weak and pointless. They could neither attack nor defend. The white torrent of judgment did not allow any resistance to stand before it. It completely erased all matter and concept. "... You've never heard of Sterilization Disinfection, have you?" This was a slaughter. She tore giant wounds on the enormous monsters with their muscles and sinews sticking out. She parried all the flames and bolts of lightning they shot out, and hammered all the flying monsters down onto the ground. She arrogantly sent all the idiots who flew here to their graves. She was crazy. Mina sank completely into madness. She became a monster even more terrifying than the other monsters - she was the Greater Fragment who erased all the evils of this world, Sterilization Disinfection. All the actions of the monsters were meaningless before her. She blew up the enemies on the ground. The frothing blood was cleared out with the torrential wind, and completely disappeared. She had lost count of how long this battle lasted. "..." When Mina came back to, the entire world had been stained blood red, and it was enveloped in a terrifying silence. The monsters were already dismembered and could no longer move. All she could hear was her own heavy sound of breathing. All the lives that flew towards the school were also silent, as if they were trying very hard not to make any sounds and not to draw attention, being merely a background decoration. Mina was standing alone on this dramatic stage, something that only existed in the imagination. The background was very vague. She knelt down and shook Tatsue and Mitaka, who were lying next to her feet. She then started to examine their bodies. They were covered with small wounds - though their wounds didn't seem to be lethal. Perhaps the fatigue and loss of blood and the confusion of where should they go to be safe had overwhelmed their bodies, and caused them to be like this. Humans were this kind of creature, after all. Once they decided on their destination, they would keep marching that way, but they could not persist on a long road without an actual goal. A kind look surfaced on Mina's face and she patted their hair as if she was caressing a kid. Although she had lost a lot of her Fragment's power and was very tired - she still felt very rea.s.sured. "... You've had a tough time, no? Don't worry. It should be all fine now." She expertly instilled vitality into the bodies of the two children. It was Mitaka who jumped up first, then Tatsue also opened her eyes dazedly. Although their eyes still retained a residue of whatever horrors they witnessed, they perked up again after noticing Mina's presence. Looking at their still dazed expressions, Mina lowered her head and spoke as if she was angry. "Come on. You two look like as if you saw a demon." "Mina-san." Tatsue made a surprisingly childish sound, completely different to how she usually appeared. She hugged Mina tightly. Mina looked very confused and didn't respond at all. The two of them were stained with blood, but Tatsue still hugged her tightly. Mina felt her warmth and gradually calmed down. She felt the warmth and softness of the other's body. Tatuse wriggled lightly and made small crying sounds. She was so happy just to feel another person's warmth - it was incredible. Tatsue shook her head and her entire body relaxed as she cried loudly. "It was scary! So scary... They were so big, and they came out one after the other. These monsters!" "Tatsue-san..." Mina petted her Tatsue's head softly. Mina's eyes were full of genuine emotions as she looked at Mitaka, who was next to them. "Mitaka, isn't the knight s.h.i.+rking from his duties if your beloved princess became this terrified?" "Speaking of being a knight... Tatsue is more powerful than me." Mitaka smiled bitterly and his expression relaxed somewhat, replying as he hunched his shoulders. "Compared to that, do you know what is happening right now, Mina? I don't know why, but I feel like some unbelievable and terrible things just happened. I can't stop the chill I keep feeling in my heart..." "Indeed - " The three of them then quickly exchanged the information they had. Mitaka and Tatsue had gone to school after they got up in the morning. While they were on the way, they met the monsters named Nagumo Ame and Minazuki Natsuko on the shopping street. They started fighting with them and gained a victory, then tried to rush towards Mina's apartment. However, they met more and more monsters around the school. Although they took a big loop around the school - it was as if the entire Kannonsakazaki became the nest of monsters. They kept meeting monsters and fighting against them. And in the end, they exhausted their stamina and collapsed - that was what they gathered. Mina was particularly interested in those two named Ame and Natsuko. The monsters the others met were mostly without awareness, carnivores who rampaged in madness. That was to be expected. However, after listening to Mitaka's story, she felt those two women clearly had the power of independent thought. They moved with a clear goal, and were not normal monsters. They seemed very similar to Long-Armed Demon. Compared to ordinary humans, they were existences bestowed with despicable abilities. That Ultimate s.h.i.+eldThe Weakest, who was acting in the shadows - it was very possible that she used her ability to modify the flesh and created these monsters. However, they still did not understand her goal. She seemed to have set up barriers to prevent others from approaching the school. What would be the purpose of that? Tatsue, Mitaka, and Mina conversed with each other and quietly thought over the meaning behind Single Room’s words. The two youngsters soon became anxious and looked over at Mina. “Mina-san… what should we do now?” “Indeed –” Mina nodded gravely as she heard Tatsue’s question. Yes, it wasn’t the time to converse with leisure right now. Even her ability has a limit. Revenge. Or rather, to vent her anger. Mina spoke out loudly in a vicious and terrifying voice: “I am chasing Ultimate s.h.i.+eldThe Weakest. She was probably planning some silly conspiracy. I will capture her and interrogate her, and kill her as soon as possible.” Mina grasped the spray cans rightly and gave a pallid smile to the other two. “As for the two of you, it’s best to hide in my apartment. Perhaps – perhaps Guriko-chan and Single Room would still be there. Although those kids might not be able to push back so many monsters – they can still do more than ordinary humans. Therefore…” She then tightly embraced Tatsue and Mitaka. She had never embraced anyone as tightly as this in her memory. She wanted to seek warmth, and she was terrified to be refused. Mina's own personality was very bad, and she also had a very satirical tongue. She might be despised by others. But these children, these foolish children, had never noticed her own despicable true nature and embraced her without any inhibition. She was so happy. Maybe the 'Mina' that Tatsue and Mitaka saw did not have any of the flaws she actually had. They were very innocent and naive, and only saw a part of her. They trusted this perfect Mina before them, and Mina wanted to maintain it for as long as possible. "If we... go to the apartment..." Tatsue raised a question that might not have any meaning: "Will we see Princess Mitsuki there?" "..." Princess Mitsuki. Mitsuki. Her sister. Her body couldn't stop shaking when she thought of her. Mina didn't answer them and only moaned. She didn't know what they would think. Maybe they had already felt it, and that was why they were being quiet. Mina hugged them greedily for a long time. However, when she realized that Ultimate s.h.i.+eldThe Weakest might be trying to runaway at this opportunity, she let go of this familial warmth. "Mitaka. Tatsue." She put her arms on their shoulders and barely managed to push back the tears swelling up her eyes, and lowered her head: "... Thank you so much. You were such good friends with Ki-chan. She was very happy." Mina was no longer a weak human when she lifted up her head. She was the Greater Fragment of G.o.d named Disinfection Sterilization, who would completely erase all the sins of this world. "Mina." ... That was what she wanted. She had already suffocated her heart, and resolved to exist just to kill Ultimate s.h.i.+eldThe Weakest. Her weak nerves wavered when she heard Mitaka's voice. Mina furrowed her brows and looked at him quietly. "Are you looking for Ultimate s.h.i.+eldThe Weakest? I will go with you. Mina, you're still not very good with searching for other existences' auras, are you? It's hard for you to find a shapes.h.i.+fter. I am a snake, so it is very easy for me to feel the existences of monsters and Greater Fragments." "But Mitaka..." It was too dangerous. Mitaka's battle prowess was nothing compared to those monsters. Their opponent was also that cunning Ultimate s.h.i.+eldThe Weakest. Mina had no idea how that woman would deal with them. Mina could not possibly bring Mitaka along onto this dangerous and uneasy battlefield. "It's fine. Let me handle it. It's too heavy to just have Mina carry everything." Mitaka's golden eyes sparkled as he spoke to Mina sincerely. "I am the Snake, the last Snake. I am the descendent of the Snake who tricked the first humans back then, those ancestors of humans - you and Tatsue's ancestors - and betrayed G.o.d. I don't feel the need to apologize. I don't care about what my ancestor did. But if I don't do anything right now, then the clan of Snakes might really remain traitors until the end, and end our days like this." This Snake, who was driven crazy with his ancestor's obsession and stubbornly desired immortality, looked at Mina with seriousness, "I would hate to be like that. I don't want humans - I don't want Tatsue and everyone else - to remember Snakes as villains and traitors. Please let me - let the race of Snakes - atone for our sins. Then I would finally be able to live together with humans without any guilt." He spoke those clumsy words, but his adamant resolve was clear. Mitaka was still thinking about how to openly live with Tatsue, the human whom he loved. He was considering how to make up for the Original Sin that could never be erased, so that he could live equally with humans. "... Mitaka." Nothing she said would make a difference now. Mina sighed. To be fair, Mina would really like Mitaka to help her to search for Ultimate s.h.i.+eldThe Weakest. Tatsue was the only problem remaining. "Tatsue-san." Mina felt pained to say this, but she still spoke to the black-clad girl: "Please head to my apartment." "Huh..." If Mitaka was going there, then she would certainly follow. That was what Tatsue thought originally, but now her face looked very surprised. "W, why? I want to - I want to fight with you as well, Mina-san." "Tatsue-san." Mitsuki's face was still imprinted firmly in Mina's mind. It kept flas.h.i.+ng up, and she could not forget it. Perhaps even if she killed Ultimate s.h.i.+eldThe Weakest and saved the world, her sister's image would forever be imprinted into her mind for the rest of her life. "Please. This is a very selfish request, but please, stay alive." It was indeed very selfish, but those were genuine words Tatsue couldn't argue against. Some sort of emotion flashed past behind Tatsue's eyes. Mina looked at her and said her thoughts out loud. "There are too many monsters. Ultimate s.h.i.+eldThe Weakest is also a very despicable creature. Perhaps, this will be the end of the world. Therefore, Mitaka and I will be fighting under this worst and most malignant condition, and we may well die." Mina spoke out her thoughts somewhat straightforwardly. After some consideration, she chose a way of expressing herself that she deemed most fitting. "You can't die. That may be even harder than fighting. You need to keep living resiliently in this world that is approaching its end, and remember us firmly." Mitsuki should be remembered too. Mitsuki, Mina, Tatsue, and Mitaka; although they had only spent a very short time together, those had been very happy and miraculous days. Please remember all this, Tatsue. Why? Mina hated to remain in other people's memories. She was obsessed with hygiene and pathologically detested other humans. Why would she think like this now? She wanted others to remember her forever. She wanted to keep living in Tatsue’s memories after her own death. She wanted to keep existing in Tatsue’s memories. “Please, Tatsue-san.” Mitaka reverted to his black snake form and curved along Mina’s arm. Mina smiled optimistically: “We’re going, Mitaka.” She then muttered unconsciously:
“I like you two – very much.”
Mina patted Tatsue’s head one last time, then rushed towards the place of battle. “We’ll meet again. If that is impossible in this life, then we can meet again in our happy memories. That would be Heaven, right?” “…” Tatsue did not whine like usual. Instead, her eyes were full of tears, and looked very lonely and sad. Mina couldn’t bear to look at her. Tatsue really didn’t want to keep being covered by blood like this, and wants live quietly instead. “Mina-san… Mitaka.” Tatsue said in a low voice as she sobbed: “… I really don’t want to part with you two.”
A long long time ago, a very beautiful queen lived in this world. “Mirror mirror, who is the fairest of all?” The Mirror of Truth, which would correctly reflect everything on this earth, answered: That person would be you, my Queen. The Queen was very happy. There was a little princess named Snow White living with her. The little princess had skin white as snow, and was astonis.h.i.+ngly beautiful. “Mirror mirror, who is the fairest of all?” The Mirror of Truth started to answer the Queen’s question differently when Snow White was seven years old: “The fairest person of all is Her Highness, Snow White.” The Queen was consumed by jealousy and was full of rage. She immediately commanded the Hunter to kill Snow White. But the Hunter took pity on Snow White, and he let her go. He killed a boar he found in the forest, dug out its heart, and offered that to the Queen. The Hunter told the Queen that was Snow White’s heart. The Queen dipped the heart in salt water with satisfaction, and swallowed it. “Mirror mirror, who is the fairest of all?” The Queen asked this again, but the Mirror of Truth still answered with Snow White’s name. The Queen realized Snow White was still alive. She disguised herself as a peddler and found Snow White, who was living peacefully with the Seven Dwarves. The Queen approached Snow White, and strangled her with a string. “Mirror mirror, who is the fairest of all?” However, the Seven Dwarves undid the thin string tied around Snow White’s neck, and Snow White recovered. The Queen was full of rage and regret. She then put a poisoned comb into Snow White’s hair, and tried to kill her that way. “Mirror mirror, who is the fairest of all?” However, however, the Seven Dwarves pulled out the poisoned comb out of Snow White’s hair, and Snow White recovered again. The Queen could not endure this anymore. She made Snow White eat a poisoned apple in order to finally kill the princess. At the end, that was how Snow White died. The Seven Dwarves placed Snow White’s corpse into a transparent coffin and sat around it sighing. That was when the Prince pa.s.sed by. The Prince was astounded by Snow White’s beauty. He wanted to remain by her side, even if she was a corpse. He therefore commanded to have the transparent coffin transported to his castle. The Prince could not control his admiration of Snow White and kissed her while the coffin was still in transport. Snow White was so startled that she spat out the poison apple stuck in her throat, and woke up once again. Delighted, the Prince married Snow White. They made the evil Queen wear red-hot iron shoes during the wedding banquet, and made her dance until she died. Snow White married the Prince and lived happily ever after.
She kept dreaming of annoying things and could not sleep. Usagawa Rinne was reading a book in her transparent coffin. Snow White. Rinne felt no emotions towards that tale. Such a happy story only existed in fairy tales. Reality was full of coincidences and slaughter. This was a happy end built up from a woman’s jealousy and murderous rage, and actual murder. The s.p.a.ce Rinne occupied became dominated by a dark red light without her realization. She felt incredulous to how this happened, but she still tried very hard to look at the words on the book, so she could feel somewhat rea.s.sured. She felt that she should not exist like this, that she should not think of nothing, that she probably forgot something important she had to do. However, all she now felt was boredom and fatigue. She just wanted to be enveloped numbly by this calming red light, and enjoy all this. She was in pain, but she could not feel it. It was as if someone was bearing this pain for her. She was very sorry. Someone was bleeding for her, giving out dying screams, and dying for her. Even if she slept, this realistic feeling would only cast her into horrifying dreams. This s.p.a.ce was quiet and calm, but there were no changes. Therefore, it felt empty, and it was meaningless. Is this what it feels like to be in Heaven? Or is this what it feels like to die? “…” Rinne closed the book and emitted words from her mouth using her metallic and sharp voice, the voice that Sakaki said he really liked. She mumbled: “Snow White.” The last sentence of the book she read unconsciously tumbled out of her mouth: “She married the Prince and lived happily ever after.” She tilted her head. “And then?” She didn’t know. “And then – ?”
Just as the legends recount, the G.o.d who created mankind bestowed upon them the capacity to love others. That was precisely the cruelty of G.o.d. Humans will love others, but humans will one day die. No matter how much two people are in love with each other, death will always part them. If they treasure these memories of their love, then they would not feel very sad when parting. Such words were powerless before people who were watching warmth depart from them. Parting was sorrow itself, a very strong sorrow. Then, was the sentiment of 'love' the trap of a G.o.d who hated mankind? We feel lonely without love. We feel sad when we do love. Then what should mankind do? Breaksun Hanselmine was currently considering this. Parting had always been so sudden, so senseless, so unbearable, no matter when it struck. Even if her heart was prepared, all her expectations would be completely shattered when something unexpected popped up. It was like this when her dad died. It was also like this when her mom died. It was the same when her family and friends left her one by one due to PoisonCatastrophe’s corrosion of cause and effect. Breaksun became somewhat numb with that. Even if she did nothing, there were many things that would naturally disappear before her eyes. At the end, she was still all alone. There were countless people who lived alone, and always felt lonely or sad. There was no sense behind such things. It was very cruel. Breaksun prayed. If this was punishment, then she wanted to be forgiven. If this was destiny, then she wanted to be saved from it. However, G.o.d was all huddled up in the dark red school and couldn’t see anything at all. Perhaps even G.o.d was powerless towards this, and He was alone too. What a lonely world. “Kajiri.” The red-haired boy was barely breathing as he lay on Breaksun’s knees. In order to protect the others from the enemy’s sudden attack, his carotid artery had been cut open and he had lost a large amount of blood. Using Single Room’s ability would severely drain Kajiri’s life. And once he was weakened and wounded enough, his life would reach its end. Kajiri’s sense of existence started to crumble from his fingertips as he gradually approached death. “Kajiri. Kajiri.” She called out his name endlessly without any purpose. The songs of the witch, the Fragments of G.o.d – none of those worked. They were all powerless. None of those could stop Kajiri from gradually dying. It hurt. Her chest hurt. Eguriko stood at the wide open door before the blood-stained apartment. Breaksun was still endlessly calling for Kajiri, as if she was trying to wake him up. Eguriko was worried about Mina, who went to chase the enemy. She also felt very uneasy and could not calm down, but she still dutifully stayed next to door. Crack. Crack. As if he was an ancient bronze statue that gradually cracked apart, Kajiri’s body began to gradually break down. It was very slow, but it was definitely irreversible. If he could manage to consume some other immortal’s flesh or blood, then he could hold on for a while longer. However, he did not want to keep what little was left of his life through eating the flesh of others, and he refused to do so. “Breaksun.” Rarely, he p.r.o.nounce her name correctly. As if he was a shy young boy, Kajiri said with a straightforward face: “Thank you.” “I don’t remember having done anything worth of your thanks.” Tears swelled out of her eyes and scattered down. All Breaksun could do now was to let Kajiri put his head on her knees and quietly caress his hair. “That’s not true.” Kajiri’s voice was very weak. It softly brushed past her ears, but echoed clearly in her heart. “I don’t remember anything from when I was still a normal human.” Breaksun still remembered when she was still a normal human, when she was someone ordinary before she inherited the Greater Fragment of G.o.d, when she was neither an immortal nor someone with supernatural abilities. She remembered her parents in her native country, her school, and the scenes and scents she experienced. If those were merely memories, then these precious things buried in her heart would definitely be lost one day. Doesn’t Kajiri remember these? “The humans who receive a Greater Fragment will have their personalities distorted based on the roles they shoulder. Unpleasant Counter-Current, with her double personalities, was a good example. I – Single Room, who created the world with Genesis, can change anything in the world according to my wishes. I can make the entire world how I want to. However, I don’t want to world to be remade completely according to my own needs. I wanted to have my ‘self’ completely destroyed.” Completely destroyed? She still did not understand what he said. It was probably something terrifying, like death. Breaksun lowered her head and sank into silence. Her gaze crossed with that of Kajiri’s, who lifted his head and looked up. “I don’t have anything anymore. I have lost my family and homeland. I’m even confused about my name and ethnicity. I only listened to others’ wishes, and lived as the contraption that could fulfil such wishes. It was such a meaningless life. d.a.m.n it.” Then he showed his cute canine teeth and smiled sweetly. “But Breaksun… I was very happy to spend time with you. Although the name Nikuyama Kajiri was very weird, and I’d think ‘idiot’ whenever I hear it, it was the first time I had lived like a normal person. So – thank you.” “…” Kajiri wanted to say lines that were more beautiful and magnificent, but he could not remember them anymore. He originally wanted the atmosphere to be calmer and more rea.s.suring. “It was the same for me.” Breaksun was very happy when she heard Kajiri say that he felt happy even though they only lived together for a little while. She also recalled those scenes – when she casually took him out of that dark forest, gave him a name, took him around to places where she liked to hang out, and told stupid stories to him. “I’m very happy too…” Even if she didn’t look very happy. Even if she could only say these silly words powerlessly. “But please don’t die. I'd hate to end everything now. I hate it. Kajiri – I will think up a better-sounding and more awesome name. I will make Kajiri feel comfortable and happy… we can go eat delicious things again, go to the movies, watch TV… we can go to so many different places, Kajiri, ok? So you can’t die. Kajiri, don’t die…” Then Breaksun sank into an incomprehensible confusion, and started to speak in other languages as well as j.a.panese. However, Kajiri’s face was full of smiles as if he understood it and felt it was very fun. “It was great to have met you, Breaksun.” However, his gaze s.h.i.+fted to Eguriko, who was standing next to the door and gave out no hint of her presence. Kajiri shook all over his body, and his expression became very serious. “…” Kajiri had always called the girl using nicknames such as Eguriko or Guriko, but now he spoke the name ‘Gankyū Eguriko’. He wanted to say something to Eguriko with great seriousness. Breaksun wiped away her tears and looked towards Eguriko, but the latter only leaned against the wall in silence. Kajiri’s eyes were a gentle shade of red slightly lighter than the crimson around him. He looked at Eguriko. “I thought just now that I might be able to survive. I endured this and didn’t speak out, and I felt I still can’t p.r.o.nounce such cringy words…” The black eyes and the red eyes crossed their gazes in the air. Kajiri questioned in a low voice, as if he was threatening her: “Do you – have enough courage to face the truth?” Kajiri kept repeating the same thing as if he was only repeating gossip. It was as if he did not notice Eguriko at all, who was completely expressionless. “The truth of this world. This meaningless construction. These phenomenon happening right now. Do you want to know the truth behind these arrangements? You might be able to save the world if you knew this. However, after you learn this, you will become very unfortunate. Do you want to know it even then? It won’t matter if no one knew of this truth. I didn’t know anything about this myself before I used Single Room’s ability to a.n.a.lyse this light. If no one knew this, the world would actually have kept working as per normal. But right now – it is an emergency.” Kajiri closed his eyes and said in a voice that was almost too low to hear: “Please. I am powerless, except for my prayers. Please go save this world after knowing the truth. The world is currently about to completely crumble. No one else can do this apart from you, Gankyū Eguriko. I don’t feel happy about it – but I have no choice except to trust you with this. Please.” The existence closest to G.o.d in this world had sank into the position where he could do nothing but pray, but Eguriko’s expression did not change at all. Breaksun had no idea what was going on in Eguriko’s brain. For some reason, an ominous premonition swelled up in Breaksun’s heart. Perhaps Kajiri was walking along a terrifying and dangerous bridge. She felt that instinctively. Bequeathing Gankyū Eguriko with the heavy duty of saving the world – the possibility of succeeding with this kind almost made him despair. It was a gamble. “Please don’t let this world – please don’t let us – disappear completely. Please don’t let everything disappear – please preserve the fact that we are existing here, the fact that we were truly alive on this world.” “… I can’t understand anything you’re saying right now.” Eguriko suddenly parted her lips. Her voice was very calm. “Guriko asked this same question to someone very important to Guriko before. I asked if she had the courage to see the truth. That person replied immediately.” It was a voice that shattered all evil omens, a sound full of hope and power. “Rather than feeling horrified from not knowing the truth, it would be better to feel sad after understanding it. That person was a very strong girl. Guriko’s answer would be the same as her. If I am not stronger than her…” Eguriko then smiled towards Kajiri for the first time. She called out Kajiri’s full name: “Tell me, Nikuyama Kajiri.” Eguriko’s expression was full of spite. She narrowed her eyes, as if she was about to vomit out something: “Eguriko is also about to reach the point of flying into a rage if I don’t get some answers soon.”
The gluttonous mist ignored all concepts and materials in this world, as it erased everything around it by force. The mist completely deleted the enormous beetle that rushed towards her with all its might. The enemy's huge body was split in half from the middle and rolled along the road, then disappeared completely. Mina panted heavily and ran forwards while keeping up her guard. "Ahhh." She realized her hand was bleeding only when the spray can fell from her hands. She seemed to have been attacked while being completely oblivious. There was also blood dripping from her head. Even now, she still did not have a full grasp of the situation. She just knew that her body did not feel pain. Maybe there wasn't a big wound. The wounds on her wrists would speedily recover anyways. Only the bloodstain would remain. The mark that was a mixture of her blood and the monsters she killed. She chased that b.a.s.t.a.r.d with Mitsuki's appearance and sprinted along the city with no purpose. The small town that was always enveloped by the light of G.o.d was now forever covered in a crimson shade reminiscent of dusk, making the place feel mysterious and terrifying. But it was fine. Neither G.o.d nor the world mattered anymore. The only thing that mattered was finding that b.a.s.t.a.r.d, that most despicable b.a.s.t.a.r.d, and killing her immediately. That was the only way her mind could be at ease. Mitsuki, Mitsuki... Mitsuki was her little sister who had always supported her, both before and after their transformation into immortals. But she was...! "Ahhh!" She roared and tried to chase away the wild thoughts in her head. She didn't want to think about anything right now. She just wanted to find her enemy and kill her. She vented her anger upon everything in the world. Mina was now completely dominated by a powerful desire to destroy. "Type B - Jack JewelFixation Mist." The thin mist that poured out endlessly completely repelled these small-fry monsters. Mina took out another spray can and sprayed more mist towards the large buildings near her. The faint mist poured out slowly and steadily and flew gently between the collapsed floorboards and walls of the buildings. The mist stuck to the structure and fixed them mid-air. Mina then jumped higher and higher on the floorboards she fixed with Jack JewelFixation Mist, and instantly reached the top of the building. She jumped forward without hesitation, seeking any trace of her escaped enemy. Her enemy. The despicable enemy who had taken Mitsuki's form. She wouldn't let her escape. She would capture her even if she had to follow her into the bowels of h.e.l.l itself. She would kill her. Mina suddenly realized that her mind was full of those cold-blooded thoughts, those plain and simple thoughts. Her brain was full of emptiness and rage, but her body still unconsciously chose the most appropriate behavior. She flew into the sky as if she was a bat. The breeze blew Mina's three long braids as they danced in the air like snakes. Jack JewelFixation Mist fixated various spots of air and she leapt up one step at a time, moving forward by stepping on invisible points as if she was walking on nothing. Although the enemy escaping via the road was moving very fast and looked to have unbelievable stamina, Mina would not give up no matter what. Jumping freely between the buildings, Mina seemed to fly as if she was in a movie. She finally landed in front of her opponent and attacked with the spray cans in both hands simultaneously. She gazed at the fake Mitsuki in front of her and her boiling hatred sprayed out with the mist. Mina then gave her opponent a death declaration: "Prepare yourself... I am more cruel than you can imagine." Her endless rage made her short of breath. Mina's face was pale and she moaned in a low voice: "I will kill you - without mercy." Words were meaningless by now, and sounds were not necessary. Mina's was entirely focused on the opponent before her and wanted nothing less than to tear and bite her apart. Right, she should do that. That fake Mitsuki looked at Mina, who was completely expressionless, and still smiled and spoke very leisurely: "Oh? I'm so scared. How can an elder sister treat her own younger sister with such a desire to kill? I can't imagine such a lethal att.i.tude." "... Shut up." She said all this to rile up Mina. Mina saw blood in her eyes and felt extremely anxious. This wouldn't do. She must kill this person, even if she died in the process. She needed to calm herself before she could manage to mercilessly chop up this b.a.s.t.a.r.d. She took a deep breath and looked sideways at the enemy. This other woman only shrugged her shoulders and pointed her hands somewhere else. Mina kept up her guard and looked towards the direction she pointed toward. She saw a nightmarish scene. "..." It was unpredicted. Totally unpredicted, veritably the worst situation possible. That imposter sn.i.g.g.e.red and said words to Mina with a soft, sweet voice, as if to provoke her. "Isn't it awesome? Mmm, it's ok even if you want to kill other people too..." On the ordinary and small rural path between the scattered shops at the end of Mina's gaze were two young people Mina knew very well. "Mitaka! Tatsue!" The boy and girl were lying in a pool of blood and not moving at all. They had probably been attacked by countless monsters. They - they were Mitsuki's friends. They were also Mina's friends, who were just children enjoying their happy and sweet life! Takamikado Mitaka and Kuroki Tatsue. Mina couldn't say anything towards the boy and girl lying on the puddle of blood, who were still holding hands. After giving one look at Mitsuki's imposter - Mina howled in sorrow and ran towards Mitaka and Tatsue. "Hehehehe." That monster's loud laughter, mixed with hidden scorn, echoed behind Mina.
It was just for the blink of an eye, but she was grateful to that b.a.s.t.a.r.d. She didn't dare to think what would happen if it had been too late, and Mina hadn't noticed Tatsue and Mitaka. Mina might have lost someone important to her once again - Once again?
"Mmmm." Her younger sister's form took over all of her vision. How was Mitsuki?! A certain part of her brain kept trying its best to discard the terrible thoughts. However, she could not even deceive herself, but was influenced by that worst possible reality. Mitsuki was - Mitsuki was - "Ah - Ahhhhhh!" Mina roared like a beast. Her own roaring rushed past her own ears loudly, as if blood was also going to seep out of her throat. She sank completely into madness. She still needed to fight. She couldn't allow her heart to be frozen over because of her sorrow. She still needed to go kill those people. If tears clouded her eyes and made her blind, then that would be very annoying. Even so, warm liquid ignored Mina's consciousness and flowed out of her eyes, slithering down her cheeks. Tears. Where should she go now? She was full of sorrow, loneliness, anxiety, and hatred. Everything - she wanted everything that was Sterilization Disinfection to disappear. She could not do anything. She was not any different to when she was still a human. Perhaps, no matter what she did, no matter if she was alive or dead, she would make no effect on the world. Maybe that was the kind of woman she was. If that was the case, then if she had stayed in that sterile room and never left, if she had starved herself to death - then maybe she wouldn't be hurting like this anymore. No. "What are you doing!? What are you guys doing!?" It was not over yet! Mina and the world were not done yet. She just had to erase all regret and despair. As long as her wrists could still move, then she would hold on to her spray cans and fight. As long as her fingers could still move, then she would press down on the nozzle and fight. Maybe she wouldn't be able to change the world, but she might be able to help some people after all. Actually, she wasn't someone who was that useless, annoying, or despicable. The person whom Mitsuki adored should be that nurse who helped others, that outstanding older sister. The white mist was dancing and circling in the sky like a dragon. It flew rapidly in all directions and smashed the crowds of monsters apart, scattering and annihilating them. Blood splattered in the air and the sound of roaring echoed, as pieces of meat and dismembered flesh scattered all over. Mina ignored all this and jumped towards Mitaka and Tatsue, who were lying in puddles of blood, and protected them. She held onto the spray cans tightly and sprayed out white mist continuously. The enemy in front of her instantly stiffened and ceased to move. Mina warned them in a low and threatening voice: "Yes - don't just a.s.sume you can just rampage everywhere, that you can eat up humans as if it was a joke, and do whatever you want according to your preferences." She was the cruel and emotionless Digestive Organ, who existed in order to hunt all the evils of this world. Saibara Mina smiled and rapidly slaughtered the remaining monsters. The pristine white mist danced everywhere and touched the monsters' limbs, torso, head, without distinction. It also touched the ground and the buildings. The monsters' resistance seemed so weak and pointless. They could neither attack nor defend. The white torrent of judgment did not allow any resistance to stand before it. It completely erased all matter and concept. "... You've never heard of Sterilization Disinfection, have you?" This was a slaughter. She tore giant wounds on the enormous monsters with their muscles and sinews sticking out. She parried all the flames and bolts of lightning they shot out, and hammered all the flying monsters down onto the ground. She arrogantly sent all the idiots who flew here to their graves. She was crazy. Mina sank completely into madness. She became a monster even more terrifying than the other monsters - she was the Greater Fragment who erased all the evils of this world, Sterilization Disinfection. All the actions of the monsters were meaningless before her. She blew up the enemies on the ground. The frothing blood was cleared out with the torrential wind, and completely disappeared. She had lost count of how long this battle lasted. "..." When Mina came back to, the entire world had been stained blood red, and it was enveloped in a terrifying silence. The monsters were already dismembered and could no longer move. All she could hear was her own heavy sound of breathing. All the lives that flew towards the school were also silent, as if they were trying very hard not to make any sounds and not to draw attention, being merely a background decoration. Mina was standing alone on this dramatic stage, something that only existed in the imagination. The background was very vague. She knelt down and shook Tatsue and Mitaka, who were lying next to her feet. She then started to examine their bodies. They were covered with small wounds - though their wounds didn't seem to be lethal. Perhaps the fatigue and loss of blood and the confusion of where should they go to be safe had overwhelmed their bodies, and caused them to be like this. Humans were this kind of creature, after all. Once they decided on their destination, they would keep marching that way, but they could not persist on a long road without an actual goal. A kind look surfaced on Mina's face and she patted their hair as if she was caressing a kid. Although she had lost a lot of her Fragment's power and was very tired - she still felt very rea.s.sured. "... You've had a tough time, no? Don't worry. It should be all fine now." She expertly instilled vitality into the bodies of the two children. It was Mitaka who jumped up first, then Tatsue also opened her eyes dazedly. Although their eyes still retained a residue of whatever horrors they witnessed, they perked up again after noticing Mina's presence. Looking at their still dazed expressions, Mina lowered her head and spoke as if she was angry. "Come on. You two look like as if you saw a demon." "Mina-san." Tatsue made a surprisingly childish sound, completely different to how she usually appeared. She hugged Mina tightly. Mina looked very confused and didn't respond at all. The two of them were stained with blood, but Tatsue still hugged her tightly. Mina felt her warmth and gradually calmed down. She felt the warmth and softness of the other's body. Tatuse wriggled lightly and made small crying sounds. She was so happy just to feel another person's warmth - it was incredible. Tatsue shook her head and her entire body relaxed as she cried loudly. "It was scary! So scary... They were so big, and they came out one after the other. These monsters!" "Tatsue-san..." Mina petted her Tatsue's head softly. Mina's eyes were full of genuine emotions as she looked at Mitaka, who was next to them. "Mitaka, isn't the knight s.h.i.+rking from his duties if your beloved princess became this terrified?" "Speaking of being a knight... Tatsue is more powerful than me." Mitaka smiled bitterly and his expression relaxed somewhat, replying as he hunched his shoulders. "Compared to that, do you know what is happening right now, Mina? I don't know why, but I feel like some unbelievable and terrible things just happened. I can't stop the chill I keep feeling in my heart..." "Indeed - " The three of them then quickly exchanged the information they had. Mitaka and Tatsue had gone to school after they got up in the morning. While they were on the way, they met the monsters named Nagumo Ame and Minazuki Natsuko on the shopping street. They started fighting with them and gained a victory, then tried to rush towards Mina's apartment. However, they met more and more monsters around the school. Although they took a big loop around the school - it was as if the entire Kannonsakazaki became the nest of monsters. They kept meeting monsters and fighting against them. And in the end, they exhausted their stamina and collapsed - that was what they gathered. Mina was particularly interested in those two named Ame and Natsuko. The monsters the others met were mostly without awareness, carnivores who rampaged in madness. That was to be expected. However, after listening to Mitaka's story, she felt those two women clearly had the power of independent thought. They moved with a clear goal, and were not normal monsters. They seemed very similar to Long-Armed Demon. Compared to ordinary humans, they were existences bestowed with despicable abilities. That Ultimate s.h.i.+eldThe Weakest, who was acting in the shadows - it was very possible that she used her ability to modify the flesh and created these monsters. However, they still did not understand her goal. She seemed to have set up barriers to prevent others from approaching the school. What would be the purpose of that? Tatsue, Mitaka, and Mina conversed with each other and quietly thought over the meaning behind Single Room’s words. The two youngsters soon became anxious and looked over at Mina. “Mina-san… what should we do now?” “Indeed –” Mina nodded gravely as she heard Tatsue’s question. Yes, it wasn’t the time to converse with leisure right now. Even her ability has a limit. Revenge. Or rather, to vent her anger. Mina spoke out loudly in a vicious and terrifying voice: “I am chasing Ultimate s.h.i.+eldThe Weakest. She was probably planning some silly conspiracy. I will capture her and interrogate her, and kill her as soon as possible.” Mina grasped the spray cans rightly and gave a pallid smile to the other two. “As for the two of you, it’s best to hide in my apartment. Perhaps – perhaps Guriko-chan and Single Room would still be there. Although those kids might not be able to push back so many monsters – they can still do more than ordinary humans. Therefore…” She then tightly embraced Tatsue and Mitaka. She had never embraced anyone as tightly as this in her memory. She wanted to seek warmth, and she was terrified to be refused. Mina's own personality was very bad, and she also had a very satirical tongue. She might be despised by others. But these children, these foolish children, had never noticed her own despicable true nature and embraced her without any inhibition. She was so happy. Maybe the 'Mina' that Tatsue and Mitaka saw did not have any of the flaws she actually had. They were very innocent and naive, and only saw a part of her. They trusted this perfect Mina before them, and Mina wanted to maintain it for as long as possible. "If we... go to the apartment..." Tatsue raised a question that might not have any meaning: "Will we see Princess Mitsuki there?" "..." Princess Mitsuki. Mitsuki. Her sister. Her body couldn't stop shaking when she thought of her. Mina didn't answer them and only moaned. She didn't know what they would think. Maybe they had already felt it, and that was why they were being quiet. Mina hugged them greedily for a long time. However, when she realized that Ultimate s.h.i.+eldThe Weakest might be trying to runaway at this opportunity, she let go of this familial warmth. "Mitaka. Tatsue." She put her arms on their shoulders and barely managed to push back the tears swelling up her eyes, and lowered her head: "... Thank you so much. You were such good friends with Ki-chan. She was very happy." Mina was no longer a weak human when she lifted up her head. She was the Greater Fragment of G.o.d named Disinfection Sterilization, who would completely erase all the sins of this world. "Mina." ... That was what she wanted. She had already suffocated her heart, and resolved to exist just to kill Ultimate s.h.i.+eldThe Weakest. Her weak nerves wavered when she heard Mitaka's voice. Mina furrowed her brows and looked at him quietly. "Are you looking for Ultimate s.h.i.+eldThe Weakest? I will go with you. Mina, you're still not very good with searching for other existences' auras, are you? It's hard for you to find a shapes.h.i.+fter. I am a snake, so it is very easy for me to feel the existences of monsters and Greater Fragments." "But Mitaka..." It was too dangerous. Mitaka's battle prowess was nothing compared to those monsters. Their opponent was also that cunning Ultimate s.h.i.+eldThe Weakest. Mina had no idea how that woman would deal with them. Mina could not possibly bring Mitaka along onto this dangerous and uneasy battlefield. "It's fine. Let me handle it. It's too heavy to just have Mina carry everything." Mitaka's golden eyes sparkled as he spoke to Mina sincerely. "I am the Snake, the last Snake. I am the descendent of the Snake who tricked the first humans back then, those ancestors of humans - you and Tatsue's ancestors - and betrayed G.o.d. I don't feel the need to apologize. I don't care about what my ancestor did. But if I don't do anything right now, then the clan of Snakes might really remain traitors until the end, and end our days like this." This Snake, who was driven crazy with his ancestor's obsession and stubbornly desired immortality, looked at Mina with seriousness, "I would hate to be like that. I don't want humans - I don't want Tatsue and everyone else - to remember Snakes as villains and traitors. Please let me - let the race of Snakes - atone for our sins. Then I would finally be able to live together with humans without any guilt." He spoke those clumsy words, but his adamant resolve was clear. Mitaka was still thinking about how to openly live with Tatsue, the human whom he loved. He was considering how to make up for the Original Sin that could never be erased, so that he could live equally with humans. "... Mitaka." Nothing she said would make a difference now. Mina sighed. To be fair, Mina would really like Mitaka to help her to search for Ultimate s.h.i.+eldThe Weakest. Tatsue was the only problem remaining. "Tatsue-san." Mina felt pained to say this, but she still spoke to the black-clad girl: "Please head to my apartment." "Huh..." If Mitaka was going there, then she would certainly follow. That was what Tatsue thought originally, but now her face looked very surprised. "W, why? I want to - I want to fight with you as well, Mina-san." "Tatsue-san." Mitsuki's face was still imprinted firmly in Mina's mind. It kept flas.h.i.+ng up, and she could not forget it. Perhaps even if she killed Ultimate s.h.i.+eldThe Weakest and saved the world, her sister's image would forever be imprinted into her mind for the rest of her life. "Please. This is a very selfish request, but please, stay alive." It was indeed very selfish, but those were genuine words Tatsue couldn't argue against. Some sort of emotion flashed past behind Tatsue's eyes. Mina looked at her and said her thoughts out loud. "There are too many monsters. Ultimate s.h.i.+eldThe Weakest is also a very despicable creature. Perhaps, this will be the end of the world. Therefore, Mitaka and I will be fighting under this worst and most malignant condition, and we may well die." Mina spoke out her thoughts somewhat straightforwardly. After some consideration, she chose a way of expressing herself that she deemed most fitting. "You can't die. That may be even harder than fighting. You need to keep living resiliently in this world that is approaching its end, and remember us firmly." Mitsuki should be remembered too. Mitsuki, Mina, Tatsue, and Mitaka; although they had only spent a very short time together, those had been very happy and miraculous days. Please remember all this, Tatsue. Why? Mina hated to remain in other people's memories. She was obsessed with hygiene and pathologically detested other humans. Why would she think like this now? She wanted others to remember her forever. She wanted to keep living in Tatsue’s memories after her own death. She wanted to keep existing in Tatsue’s memories. “Please, Tatsue-san.” Mitaka reverted to his black snake form and curved along Mina’s arm. Mina smiled optimistically: “We’re going, Mitaka.” She then muttered unconsciously:
“I like you two – very much.”
Mina patted Tatsue’s head one last time, then rushed towards the place of battle. “We’ll meet again. If that is impossible in this life, then we can meet again in our happy memories. That would be Heaven, right?” “…” Tatsue did not whine like usual. Instead, her eyes were full of tears, and looked very lonely and sad. Mina couldn’t bear to look at her. Tatsue really didn’t want to keep being covered by blood like this, and wants live quietly instead. “Mina-san… Mitaka.” Tatsue said in a low voice as she sobbed: “… I really don’t want to part with you two.”
A long long time ago, a very beautiful queen lived in this world. “Mirror mirror, who is the fairest of all?” The Mirror of Truth, which would correctly reflect everything on this earth, answered: That person would be you, my Queen. The Queen was very happy. There was a little princess named Snow White living with her. The little princess had skin white as snow, and was astonis.h.i.+ngly beautiful. “Mirror mirror, who is the fairest of all?” The Mirror of Truth started to answer the Queen’s question differently when Snow White was seven years old: “The fairest person of all is Her Highness, Snow White.” The Queen was consumed by jealousy and was full of rage. She immediately commanded the Hunter to kill Snow White. But the Hunter took pity on Snow White, and he let her go. He killed a boar he found in the forest, dug out its heart, and offered that to the Queen. The Hunter told the Queen that was Snow White’s heart. The Queen dipped the heart in salt water with satisfaction, and swallowed it. “Mirror mirror, who is the fairest of all?” The Queen asked this again, but the Mirror of Truth still answered with Snow White’s name. The Queen realized Snow White was still alive. She disguised herself as a peddler and found Snow White, who was living peacefully with the Seven Dwarves. The Queen approached Snow White, and strangled her with a string. “Mirror mirror, who is the fairest of all?” However, the Seven Dwarves undid the thin string tied around Snow White’s neck, and Snow White recovered. The Queen was full of rage and regret. She then put a poisoned comb into Snow White’s hair, and tried to kill her that way. “Mirror mirror, who is the fairest of all?” However, however, the Seven Dwarves pulled out the poisoned comb out of Snow White’s hair, and Snow White recovered again. The Queen could not endure this anymore. She made Snow White eat a poisoned apple in order to finally kill the princess. At the end, that was how Snow White died. The Seven Dwarves placed Snow White’s corpse into a transparent coffin and sat around it sighing. That was when the Prince pa.s.sed by. The Prince was astounded by Snow White’s beauty. He wanted to remain by her side, even if she was a corpse. He therefore commanded to have the transparent coffin transported to his castle. The Prince could not control his admiration of Snow White and kissed her while the coffin was still in transport. Snow White was so startled that she spat out the poison apple stuck in her throat, and woke up once again. Delighted, the Prince married Snow White. They made the evil Queen wear red-hot iron shoes during the wedding banquet, and made her dance until she died. Snow White married the Prince and lived happily ever after.
She kept dreaming of annoying things and could not sleep. Usagawa Rinne was reading a book in her transparent coffin. Snow White. Rinne felt no emotions towards that tale. Such a happy story only existed in fairy tales. Reality was full of coincidences and slaughter. This was a happy end built up from a woman’s jealousy and murderous rage, and actual murder. The s.p.a.ce Rinne occupied became dominated by a dark red light without her realization. She felt incredulous to how this happened, but she still tried very hard to look at the words on the book, so she could feel somewhat rea.s.sured. She felt that she should not exist like this, that she should not think of nothing, that she probably forgot something important she had to do. However, all she now felt was boredom and fatigue. She just wanted to be enveloped numbly by this calming red light, and enjoy all this. She was in pain, but she could not feel it. It was as if someone was bearing this pain for her. She was very sorry. Someone was bleeding for her, giving out dying screams, and dying for her. Even if she slept, this realistic feeling would only cast her into horrifying dreams. This s.p.a.ce was quiet and calm, but there were no changes. Therefore, it felt empty, and it was meaningless. Is this what it feels like to be in Heaven? Or is this what it feels like to die? “…” Rinne closed the book and emitted words from her mouth using her metallic and sharp voice, the voice that Sakaki said he really liked. She mumbled: “Snow White.” The last sentence of the book she read unconsciously tumbled out of her mouth: “She married the Prince and lived happily ever after.” She tilted her head. “And then?” She didn’t know. “And then – ?”
Just as the legends recount, the G.o.d who created mankind bestowed upon them the capacity to love others. That was precisely the cruelty of G.o.d. Humans will love others, but humans will one day die. No matter how much two people are in love with each other, death will always part them. If they treasure these memories of their love, then they would not feel very sad when parting. Such words were powerless before people who were watching warmth depart from them. Parting was sorrow itself, a very strong sorrow. Then, was the sentiment of 'love' the trap of a G.o.d who hated mankind? We feel lonely without love. We feel sad when we do love. Then what should mankind do? Breaksun Hanselmine was currently considering this. Parting had always been so sudden, so senseless, so unbearable, no matter when it struck. Even if her heart was prepared, all her expectations would be completely shattered when something unexpected popped up. It was like this when her dad died. It was also like this when her mom died. It was the same when her family and friends left her one by one due to PoisonCatastrophe’s corrosion of cause and effect. Breaksun became somewhat numb with that. Even if she did nothing, there were many things that would naturally disappear before her eyes. At the end, she was still all alone. There were countless people who lived alone, and always felt lonely or sad. There was no sense behind such things. It was very cruel. Breaksun prayed. If this was punishment, then she wanted to be forgiven. If this was destiny, then she wanted to be saved from it. However, G.o.d was all huddled up in the dark red school and couldn’t see anything at all. Perhaps even G.o.d was powerless towards this, and He was alone too. What a lonely world. “Kajiri.” The red-haired boy was barely breathing as he lay on Breaksun’s knees. In order to protect the others from the enemy’s sudden attack, his carotid artery had been cut open and he had lost a large amount of blood. Using Single Room’s ability would severely drain Kajiri’s life. And once he was weakened and wounded enough, his life would reach its end. Kajiri’s sense of existence started to crumble from his fingertips as he gradually approached death. “Kajiri. Kajiri.” She called out his name endlessly without any purpose. The songs of the witch, the Fragments of G.o.d – none of those worked. They were all powerless. None of those could stop Kajiri from gradually dying. It hurt. Her chest hurt. Eguriko stood at the wide open door before the blood-stained apartment. Breaksun was still endlessly calling for Kajiri, as if she was trying to wake him up. Eguriko was worried about Mina, who went to chase the enemy. She also felt very uneasy and could not calm down, but she still dutifully stayed next to door. Crack. Crack. As if he was an ancient bronze statue that gradually cracked apart, Kajiri’s body began to gradually break down. It was very slow, but it was definitely irreversible. If he could manage to consume some other immortal’s flesh or blood, then he could hold on for a while longer. However, he did not want to keep what little was left of his life through eating the flesh of others, and he refused to do so. “Breaksun.” Rarely, he p.r.o.nounce her name correctly. As if he was a shy young boy, Kajiri said with a straightforward face: “Thank you.” “I don’t remember having done anything worth of your thanks.” Tears swelled out of her eyes and scattered down. All Breaksun could do now was to let Kajiri put his head on her knees and quietly caress his hair. “That’s not true.” Kajiri’s voice was very weak. It softly brushed past her ears, but echoed clearly in her heart. “I don’t remember anything from when I was still a normal human.” Breaksun still remembered when she was still a normal human, when she was someone ordinary before she inherited the Greater Fragment of G.o.d, when she was neither an immortal nor someone with supernatural abilities. She remembered her parents in her native country, her school, and the scenes and scents she experienced. If those were merely memories, then these precious things buried in her heart would definitely be lost one day. Doesn’t Kajiri remember these? “The humans who receive a Greater Fragment will have their personalities distorted based on the roles they shoulder. Unpleasant Counter-Current, with her double personalities, was a good example. I – Single Room, who created the world with Genesis, can change anything in the world according to my wishes. I can make the entire world how I want to. However, I don’t want to world to be remade completely according to my own needs. I wanted to have my ‘self’ completely destroyed.” Completely destroyed? She still did not understand what he said. It was probably something terrifying, like death. Breaksun lowered her head and sank into silence. Her gaze crossed with that of Kajiri’s, who lifted his head and looked up. “I don’t have anything anymore. I have lost my family and homeland. I’m even confused about my name and ethnicity. I only listened to others’ wishes, and lived as the contraption that could fulfil such wishes. It was such a meaningless life. d.a.m.n it.” Then he showed his cute canine teeth and smiled sweetly. “But Breaksun… I was very happy to spend time with you. Although the name Nikuyama Kajiri was very weird, and I’d think ‘idiot’ whenever I hear it, it was the first time I had lived like a normal person. So – thank you.” “…” Kajiri wanted to say lines that were more beautiful and magnificent, but he could not remember them anymore. He originally wanted the atmosphere to be calmer and more rea.s.suring. “It was the same for me.” Breaksun was very happy when she heard Kajiri say that he felt happy even though they only lived together for a little while. She also recalled those scenes – when she casually took him out of that dark forest, gave him a name, took him around to places where she liked to hang out, and told stupid stories to him. “I’m very happy too…” Even if she didn’t look very happy. Even if she could only say these silly words powerlessly. “But please don’t die. I'd hate to end everything now. I hate it. Kajiri – I will think up a better-sounding and more awesome name. I will make Kajiri feel comfortable and happy… we can go eat delicious things again, go to the movies, watch TV… we can go to so many different places, Kajiri, ok? So you can’t die. Kajiri, don’t die…” Then Breaksun sank into an incomprehensible confusion, and started to speak in other languages as well as j.a.panese. However, Kajiri’s face was full of smiles as if he understood it and felt it was very fun. “It was great to have met you, Breaksun.” However, his gaze s.h.i.+fted to Eguriko, who was standing next to the door and gave out no hint of her presence. Kajiri shook all over his body, and his expression became very serious. “…” Kajiri had always called the girl using nicknames such as Eguriko or Guriko, but now he spoke the name ‘Gankyū Eguriko’. He wanted to say something to Eguriko with great seriousness. Breaksun wiped away her tears and looked towards Eguriko, but the latter only leaned against the wall in silence. Kajiri’s eyes were a gentle shade of red slightly lighter than the crimson around him. He looked at Eguriko. “I thought just now that I might be able to survive. I endured this and didn’t speak out, and I felt I still can’t p.r.o.nounce such cringy words…” The black eyes and the red eyes crossed their gazes in the air. Kajiri questioned in a low voice, as if he was threatening her: “Do you – have enough courage to face the truth?” Kajiri kept repeating the same thing as if he was only repeating gossip. It was as if he did not notice Eguriko at all, who was completely expressionless. “The truth of this world. This meaningless construction. These phenomenon happening right now. Do you want to know the truth behind these arrangements? You might be able to save the world if you knew this. However, after you learn this, you will become very unfortunate. Do you want to know it even then? It won’t matter if no one knew of this truth. I didn’t know anything about this myself before I used Single Room’s ability to a.n.a.lyse this light. If no one knew this, the world would actually have kept working as per normal. But right now – it is an emergency.” Kajiri closed his eyes and said in a voice that was almost too low to hear: “Please. I am powerless, except for my prayers. Please go save this world after knowing the truth. The world is currently about to completely crumble. No one else can do this apart from you, Gankyū Eguriko. I don’t feel happy about it – but I have no choice except to trust you with this. Please.” The existence closest to G.o.d in this world had sank into the position where he could do nothing but pray, but Eguriko’s expression did not change at all. Breaksun had no idea what was going on in Eguriko’s brain. For some reason, an ominous premonition swelled up in Breaksun’s heart. Perhaps Kajiri was walking along a terrifying and dangerous bridge. She felt that instinctively. Bequeathing Gankyū Eguriko with the heavy duty of saving the world – the possibility of succeeding with this kind almost made him despair. It was a gamble. “Please don’t let this world – please don’t let us – disappear completely. Please don’t let everything disappear – please preserve the fact that we are existing here, the fact that we were truly alive on this world.” “… I can’t understand anything you’re saying right now.” Eguriko suddenly parted her lips. Her voice was very calm. “Guriko asked this same question to someone very important to Guriko before. I asked if she had the courage to see the truth. That person replied immediately.” It was a voice that shattered all evil omens, a sound full of hope and power. “Rather than feeling horrified from not knowing the truth, it would be better to feel sad after understanding it. That person was a very strong girl. Guriko’s answer would be the same as her. If I am not stronger than her…” Eguriko then smiled towards Kajiri for the first time. She called out Kajiri’s full name: “Tell me, Nikuyama Kajiri.” Eguriko’s expression was full of spite. She narrowed her eyes, as if she was about to vomit out something: “Eguriko is also about to reach the point of flying into a rage if I don’t get some answers soon.”
