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Reiji: But still, I...I cannot fight.
Sayuki: ...Nii-san...
Sayuki quietly mutters my name in acceptance of my decision.
Her tone sounds relieved, but also a little sad.
Reiji: I'm just not someone who could end someone else's existence like that.
Sakura: Master...
Sakura looks at me anxiously after hearing my decision.
Reiji: Don't worry. I don't plan on dying just yet.
Reiji: ...There must be something I can do. There has to be something that can break the rules of this world and cause it to
collapse without killing anyone.
Sayuki: That is your answer...Nii-san.
Reiji: Ah. Therefore, Sakura, I won't be using you as the strongest sword. Instead, please be the invincible shield and protect me.
Sakura: Ah!
Sakura's face brightens, knowing that I'm not denying her reason to exist. She now knows just what I plan to do.
Sakura: Un! I promise you, Master! I will be your shield, Master!
Reiji: Ah. Please do.
At Sakuras' gentle smile, I close my eyes and think of my next words.
Reiji: ...I love this island. I love everyone who lives here. And...I want to live here with them.
Reiji: Mages are also human, at their core...
I say those last words as I look at Sayuki.
Sayuki: ...Nn.
And Sayuki nods at my words.
Reiji: So, there must be someone else out there who dislikes fighting as much as I.
Sakura: But...you shouldn't expect too many to share that idea.
Reiji: Are you still unconvinced? If we increase the number of allies we have, we'll be able to defend ourselves more effectively.
Sayuki: ...Certainly, some opponents will be less likely to attack us if we can achieve that many allies.
Sakura: But...
Reiji: No 'buts'. I know it's risky, but I still believe in the possibility of others joining us.
Sakura: ...Nn. I understand!
Although she is still hesitant, Sakura now realizes just how serious I am and smiles at me.
Reiji: Well...now we just have to-
Sayuki: Nii-san, look out!!
Reiji: Eh?
Reiji: Na?!
A moment after Sayuki's warning, my vision and hearing is clouded over by white smoke and a roaring sound.
Reiji: What on earth was that?!
Sayuki: This magic is...
Kengo: I finally found you, Yoshi-yan.
Reiji: Kirisaki!
As the smoke clears, I see just who it is on the other side of the large hole that is now in our house.
It is the opponent we least wanted to see right now.
Kengo: Now why did you have to go and hide like that? It took me a while to find you guys.
Reiji: Heh, you've gotta be joking...
Sayuki: Ku...
Sayuki glares at Kirisaki, but judging by her eyes I can tell that she didn't expect him to find us so soon.
Kengo: Well, now that I've found you...it's time to end this chase, Yoshi-yan.
Sayuki: Wrong. The situation is different than the surprise attack you tried a while ago.
We're not going to be taken out so easily.
Sayuki says this to Kirisaki, but doesn't attack him and just waits for his reaction.
...Crap, Sayuki must have used up more magic in her fight with Satomura than I thought.
Kengo: Ha...Of course, it wouldn't be any fun if I were to win that easy.
Sakura: ...Master, be careful!
Sayuki: ...Nii-san, get out of here.
Sayuki says this sternly than steps forward, ready to fight.
Reiji: Idiot! You're the one who should be running away, Sayuki!
As soon as I say that, I grab Sayuki's arm and try to take off running.
Sayuki: Wha?!
Kengo: Oh no, you're not getting away!
Reiji: Keh!
A large number of daggers stabs the ground in front of me, cutting off our escape.
Kengo: I'm running out of patience here, Yoshi-yan.
Sayuki: ...
Sakura: Master! Be careful!
Reiji: Ah. I understand!
The atmosphere around Kirisaki has completely changed, and an uncountable number of blades dance wildly in the air,
as if evidence of his excitement.
If he can hardly contain his excitement like this...than that means he's absolutely confident that he will definitely kill us!
Kengo: With this...I'll end it!
Sakura: ...
Reiji: Sakura?!
Again, those daggers are shot at Sakura like meteors.
Before this many daggers, nothing short of a full-fledged defense will be good enough!
However...
For an invincible shield, such an attack like this is pointless...No, it's still too dangerous!!
Even if she is an invincible shield, I instinctively know that Kirisaki will still turn her into a pincushion.
Reiji: (Gasp)
And I finally realize it.
Even if Sakura is a shield, she is inherently a weapon, and if her defense gets broken,
it will be the same as if she had been destroyed!
Reiji: It's no good, don't do it, Sakura!!
Sakura: Eh?
In a moment, I unconsciously held up my hand and forced Sakura to stop.
Sakura: Kyaaahh?!
Reiji: (Pained grunt)
Because I unconscoiulsly stopped Sakura from defending herself, she got skewered.
Reiji: Sakura!
I had attempted to call Sakura back, but I'm not used to using my power yet, and Sakura is so powerful...
And, this is the end that my decision not to fight has led to...
Out of despair, I continued to call her name in regret...
Sakura: Mas...ter...
Reiji: Just wait, Sakura! I'll use my power to restore you right now!!
While my mind is still floundering in regret, my feet move, and I quickly run towards Sakura.
Sayuki: ! NII-SAN!!
And Kirisaki fires another volley of silvery white daggers at me, having waited for me to do so.
Kengo: Sorry, Yoshi-yan. You're the first, than.
Reiji: Kiri...saki...
Before I could reach Sakura, I turn my eyes to Kirisaki...
Kengo: For you, it's Game Over.
And with that, those daggers heartlessly barrel down on me.
Reiji: Ah...Saku...ra...
I'm pierced in several directions, and I murmur the name of the girl who believed in me until the very end.
I was supposed to protect the thing most important to me...but just what was that?
I'm sure I should have already known...I should have thrown everything else away to protect it...
That is what should have been my decision...But, it's too late now.
Reiji: ...
As my consciousness fades, I quietly apologize to her in my mind.