33 Reconciliation

"Since when did it become like this..."

A movement he had never seen before.

And it was the very technique that Jin had once accused Kou of using as a pretext.

Kou had mastered a motion far beyond the level expected of a trainee.

"I've grown stronger."

"Yes. Somehow, so much—"

"Ten years ago. I made a vow."

Kou repeated the vow he had made back then, before the one he had truly wished to swear to.

"I won't let it happen again. That's why I've grown strong. To protect May, as she is to someone else."

That was Kou's reason for fighting.

The fire of revenge no longer burned.

"I've become strong enough to protect you."

"Kou. That's—"

"I know. It's just a convenient lie, I get it."

"No. I should be the one apologizing. I'm sorry I deceived you until that day."

"I don't think of it as deception anymore... The guilt is mine. I'm sorry."

Kou lowers his head, hands pressed to the ground.

He does not believe he can be forgiven so easily.

Yet he cannot refrain.

"I was wrong to say you weren't May. Wrong to call you a counterfeit. There were other things I—"

"Please, it's enough."

"No, it's not. I—"

"Please. I've already forgiven you."

Kou lifts his face, startled by the unexpectedly calm voice.

"Yuria told me."

"The squad leader?"

"In the end, I never once thought I couldn't forgive you, Kou."

He shrugs, as if burdened by something small.

"You really forgive me...?"

"There's nothing to forgive. I was the one who lied first. Without that, none of this would have happened."

"No, that's not—"

"On the contrary, I should be the one asking for forgiveness. Can you forgive me... for deceiving you ten years ago?"

"I don’t need to forgive or not forgive… I already said it. I never thought I was deceived. Just that there were two childhood friends, and I was too foolish to notice."

Then May, her voice trembling, extends a shaking hand.

"Can we… make up? Will you call my name again… once more?"

Kou takes her hand.

"...Yes. I’m sorry it took ten years. May-chan."

"We’re finally reconciled, Kou-kun."

For this moment, they feel as if they’ve returned to ten years ago. They speak each other’s names.

Afterward, they recall a few memories about the other May.

But neither touches on the body of May.

And then.

"I want to say it again. The thing I couldn’t say ten years ago. I wanted to protect you—how you’d look anxious sometimes, but smile so happily when you saw me. I’ve loved you all this time. For ten years."

Some might laugh.

To still carry the memory of a first love from ten years ago.

But May does not smile. She feels the same way.

"I've loved you all this time. Back then, you were the only ally I had outside the house. How much I relied on you. I've loved you since that moment."

"Then—"

"By the way—"

May says, feigning ignorance.

"Since Kou has won, I can command anything now."

"Wha—?"

What is she suddenly talking about?

Kou stares, bewildered.

"It's the bet from the simulation combat. The winner can command anything the loser does. You know, that one."

It was a past bet.

This time, no such bet was made.

So this is merely an excuse.

May, who hesitates, uses this to avoid retreating.

"Ah. What kind of command might I receive? No matter what you command, I can't escape, can I?"

Kou does not answer.

◆ ◆ ◆

The next day. Just before the morning briefing begins.

"Instructor"

"What is it? Sasamori trainee. And Bellwair trainee as well."

The two approach Jin’s position side by side.

Kou steps forward and bows deeply.

"Thank you."

"What’s this sudden outburst?"

"Thanks to the Instructor stirring things up, we achieved a historical reconciliation after ten years. It was the anniversary of the end of hostilities yesterday. You may make the training academy’s holiday from next year."

"Come back and ask for more leave once you’ve become an ace. But yes— you’ve reconciled then."

To be honest, Jin did nothing.

He simply stuck his head in— truly stirred the pot—and the resolution came from the individuals themselves.

Still, Jin thinks.

An Instructor need not guide every step.

The task of an Instructor is not to lead from start to finish.

It is to provide the catalyst.

"But if the Instructor hadn’t acted, we’d still be stuck in that state."

"Then thank you. I'll mediate if we ever fight again, Mio."

"We're close enough that I'll just take the sentiment."

Is she embarrassed? Or is this just her usual self? May interjects with her usual flair. Jin ignores it entirely.

"Belval trainee. Why do you fight? Has anything changed?"

"...Honestly, not much has changed. But—"

His gaze shifts to Kou.

Recalling yesterday's wish.

‘Stay alive. I know time is limited. Still, I wish for just a little more. I want to be with you.’

"I've thought about pushing a little harder, for as long as I can."

"There's also a skilled physician I know. You should see them sometime."

Whether it will resolve anything remains uncertain. But there is a possibility.

"With this, the Belval trainee won't be late anymore."

"Ah, my old tremor—"

He deliberately shifted the topic. Since you're not late today, I'd like to keep it that way.

"By the way, where's Nastin, the trainee?"

"Come to think of it..."

"I haven't seen them yet."

Just then, the chime rang.

"Sorry—sorry, I'm late!"

"Unusual, Nastin. Late on your own for once."

"Hmph. Getting soft, Yuriya. You scold others for being late, yet you're the one who's late now."

"Why are you so smug over just one late arrival? Let's settle this by total count."

"Still, I decline."

"Besides, I was so worried about you two I couldn't sleep last night—got here late because of it."

And as always, class began.

With just a slight shift in the relationship.

"Hey, May. Where did you end up going yesterday, anyway?"

"Hmph. Places Yuriya couldn't even imagine."

to the training school's simulator room.

"So, that... could it be...?"

"Alright, you lot—lecture begins now!"

"Let's go, May!"

"Yes, let's show them the strength of our new unit!"

Regardless, it was mercilessly crushed.

The grudge dissolving didn't suddenly boost their power, nor improve their coordination.

During debriefing, then in the squad's post-exercise reflection session.

As usual, they berated each other thoroughly.

"You, May! What the hell are you doing? Don't come in front of me like that!"

"What are you talking about, you pig! You charged in without even checking your position!"

"Both of you are equally reckless, you two."

But just a little less restraint in their distance.

Jin murmured, watching them grow a step as a team.

"An instructor can't afford to lose to their student, now can they?"

◆ ◆ ◆

That weekend.

Jin's form stood once more within Memorial Park.

He resolved himself and began to walk.

His steps were heavy. Still, he marked each one with deliberate motion.

Facing what awaited ahead.

Staring at the evidence that had moved on without him.

Seconds passed. No words came. His right hand clenched the ring. Fingers whitened.

"Two years. I'm sorry."

He offered the bouquet. Jin apologized to Rei.

"My students looked back and pushed forward. Then the instructor must do more."

He had faced ten years of silence. He could not afford to fall behind.

Washing away two years of grime. Surprisingly little remained. Someone had cleaned it, perhaps.

"...I have a daughter now. She's just like you. I want her to be happy—more than you ever were. That's how I feel now."

His voice faltered.

"Strange. I don't know what to say."

He gave a dry laugh and shook his head.

There is so much I want to say.

Jin speaks to the gravestone, recounting two years of events without direction.

When thirst began to register, awareness of time’s passage prompted a rise to standing.

I'll be back. Next time, I'll think of something more worth talking about.

Saying that, Jin departs from before the gravestone. No reply comes, of course.

Several days passed.

When the bouquet offered had lost its moisture and dried out.

The bouquet was crushed underfoot.

With stubborn persistence.

As if the mere existence of such a thing were unacceptable.

"Shōgo, Jin...!"

A low, cursed voice was spat into Memorial Park.