Episode 408: Signs Worth Noticing

"Sorry," she said.

Amane Mizuki said those words.

For the first time, she clearly acknowledged her own fault.

What was it?

I had waited so long for the day she'd be honest with herself—yet, at that moment, all I felt was my heart being gripped tightly.

"Why... why...?"

I asked, but she scratched her cheek slightly.

"Well, you'll understand soon enough."

And I mutter words that hardly qualify as an answer.

Then I pull the knife from Reika's body and toss it aside like trash, letting it roll onto the floor.

"Guh... ghaaah..."

A sound like a crushed frog.

Even decayed, Reika still seems to be a "player"—she's still breathing, barely.

"You... you can't... it's wrong... if you kill that person..."

I'm not entirely sure myself why I said those words.

I was simply considering the possibility that Miharu might have gone off the rails due to some miscommunication.

Logically, that shouldn't have been possible under the circumstances.

"………………ッ"

Still, from what I could see, the girl with messy hair still held a faint trace of hesitation.

Naturally. Even someone as brusque as her couldn't be entirely devoid of human emotion.

And I had, on various occasions, already touched upon that emotion of hers.

Miyako, as if answering my silent wish, said.

"Promise..."

"Huh?"

"I made a promise. The fake Nya-kky is not dead. I defeated it, but I didn't kill it. It's still alive."

"That's..."

I started to say something, but the next words wouldn't come to mind.

Why?

Why is that?

I could just ask her, but I knew she wouldn't answer.

"Then, bye-bye."

She says it and runs over to the robot in question.

There were about six instances when I had the chance to eliminate both of them at once, but I could do nothing except silently watch.

Because both hands have started throbbing painfully now, or something like that.

Even if it meant risking the "Soul Restoration Machine" being caught in the crossfire, I wanted to minimize that possibility.

Those are all just excuses.

I just missed seeing the two of them.

I didn’t want to hurt myself by hurting Miyan, that’s why.

The robot subtly raised its guard and took a few steps back.

Perched on its shoulder, Miyan looked down at me.

She’s sharp—she must have noticed I was deliberately avoiding attack. She gave me a slight nod,

“…Since it’s the last one, I’ll say it.”

“Huh?”

“I had fun.”

The memory that came to mind was of playing together with her.

That odd, twisted little pig's game.

And also,...

The next to speak was the pilot of the headless robot.

She spoke with the dignified tone of an elder, in contrast to the youthful charm of Miharu-chan.

As a thank-you for all your help, I'll give you one piece of advice.

"Huh?"

Probably, something bad is going to happen to you, big sis.

...

"Maybe it'd be better to run away."

Those were the last words she left behind.

Migumi had, unnoticed, clung to the back of the robot,

"Rui. Position secured. Let's move."

"I know! — Wait, don't call me that, idiot!"

...Rui?

Only then did something finally click into place in her mind.

Mizutani, Rui.

The surviving member of a family she had once failed to save.

"Ah…………!"

I tried to say something, but the two of them clearly had no intention of continuing the conversation, quickly turning their backs on me.

Then, the robot—despite its bulky appearance—moved with astonishing speed toward the wall, punching a hole through it just as it had when it first appeared.

For a brief moment, it glanced back at us,

'……………'

And then, with a lurch, toppled backward and fell.

After that, it jetted high-power energy from its back and departed, leaving behind the "kingdom."

The "enemy"—ah yes, that's right. Now, Misato-chan is an enemy!—had undoubtedly gone.

Having firmly convinced myself of this, I hurried toward Reika.

She lay motionless on the floor, staring at her abdomen soaked in blood.

At that moment, I felt a slight sense of confusion.

Reika was a "miracle worker."

Healing magic should be a piece of cake... yet...

"Ah... damn it..."

For some reason, she didn't even pretend to heal her own wounds.

What's wrong? Surely not... running out of magic power...?

Then, I'm out. Do you think I'm stupid or something?

"No…………"

I've been caught. That knife was coated with "zombie" blood.

"Wait..."

"Either that, or the blood of the 'Hungering One.' Either way, it's the same."

I finally understand the meaning of those words... now more than ever.

There's no saving them.

She can't be saved anymore.

S-...such a thing...!

I froze, my breath caught in my throat, at the sight of Misato-chan—those two's methods sent a chill down my spine.

Still, why? How come?

Only questions swirl in my mind.

There was just one thing that was certain.

Somewhere along the way, I took a wrong turn.

I hadn’t noticed the unmistakable warning signs along the way—completely missed them.

“Ugh… the absolute worst… His thoughts… that bastard’s… are flowing into me… I can feel myself… losing myself… not me anymore…”

“L-… Reika-san…?”

“Hey, ‘Nameless’ girl. We talked about a few things earlier, about what comes next… But please, forget all of it.”

For a moment, a gush of blood surged up from her esophagus, staining her lips.

The blood was already beginning to darken, turning a murky black.

Rika looked at it as if it were someone else's affair,

"Right now, my only wish is this. Cut my throat. Immediately, now."