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When it starts to get late, I leave Sakura to take care of Ryuichi while I walk Satomura back home.
Momiji: Ryuichi...he kept calling for Nagisa...
Satomura divulges that while walking beside me.
Reiji: Yeah. He's been doing that every now and than since he fell unconscious.
Momiji: I guess...Ryuichi is blaming himself for not being able to protect Nagisa.
Reiji: Probably. If he were a normal person he would have died by now, but it's not surprising that he's like that...
Suzushiro, she literally gave up her life in order to protect him.
Momiji: Nn...I don't blame Ryuichi for what happened.
Momiji: When I was attacked by that idiotic muscle guy, Nagisa protected me than as well...
It was mortifying, and painful to accept...
Satomura murmurs quietly with a mixed expression of sadness and chagrin as she recalls that time.
Reiji: ...Seems so. Now both of you have been in my bed like that.
Momiji: About that time, um...Thank you, for helping me.
Reiji: Nn.
At that time, Satomura and I were still enemies.
I never would have imagined back then that we'd now be walking side by side like this.
That kind of heart-felt feeling causes her to dazzle in the red light of the fading sun.
Momiji: ...Hey, Reiji.
After walking in silence for a bit, Satomura quietly calls me.
Momiji: Do we truly have a chance of defeating Odin...?
Satomura looks up at me with a fragile expression that could break at any moment.
Reiji: ---I have to believe so, no matter what. If we want to regain our "Normal lives"---
Reiji: We were defeated at that time, but there's no way we'll lose next time.
Momiji: Nn...Yeah, you're right.
Reiji: ......
While I was hoping to console her with those words...Satomura's reply is not with her normally cheerful tone.
Reiji: ...Of course, we'll rescue Suzushiro---We'll defeat Arizuka, than Odin when he appears, and regain our "Normal lives".
Reiji: We've overcome a number of battles up until now---Those two...
After we overcome them it's over. We'll have finally reached the end of this war---
Momiji: ......
Reiji: While Sayuki and Amamiya aren't here anymore, we're certainly still here...It's up to us to shoulder their desires.
Reiji: We may only be five in number, but we'll confront them with the desires of seven.
No...Not only that---But also Kajiura and Kirisaki who have already disappeared, and everyone else...We have no choice but to fight.
That's why I can never lose...No matter how powerful the enemy is---!
Momiji: ...Reiji.
Momiji: I can't do it...The moment I knew Nagisa was gone, I immediately...
Momiji: Even though it hurts, you're truly the most important person to me, Reiji...All I want to do is depend on you because I'm so weak.
Momiji: And in the end, I've become exactly as I imagined.
Satomura takes a couple steps forward, than turns around and faces me with her back illuminated against the setting sun.
Momiji: ---That guy had a reason to kidnap Nagisa.
Reiji: Eh...?
Momiji: Rather than kill her, he took her hostage...Nnn, I'm sure that he's aiming for me.
Momiji: But rather than defeat me, it's as if he has some other purpose------
Reiji: ......
I don't know what to say in return, and am at a loss for words.
Because I had also already thought about that.
Though I never expected that Arizuka's idea would have been to take Suzushiro...
There's no doubt that he's scheming something.
Momiji: ......
With her head down, I'm unable to see the look on Satomura's face.
Momiji: If you truly think so...I will fight.
And, as if she were asking herself for her own answer------
Momiji: I won't allow that guy to do whatever he wants any more...He killed the Prez, and taking Nagisa hostage only added to his crimes...!
Momiji: While I don't want Nagisa to end up like everyone else...If he stands in front of me, I'll annihilate him---
That is the result I seek...
She lifts her head, her eyes full of strength.
Momiji: Even if it costs me Nagisa, I will defeat Odin and Arizuka.
Momiji: I'll absolutely never forgive either of them. I will absolutely judge them for their crimes---!
Satomura declared so strongly.
Her declaration of war was not just aimed to tell me, but perhaps for those two who might be lurking somewhere and watching us.
Momiji: ...Therefore, do not worry.
Momiji: I'll pull my own weight and fight with you, Reiji. I won't drag us down.
And, on the other side of the orange light, she smiles lonesomely.
With Suzushiro taken hostage, Satomura is desperately worried that she's nothing but a bother to me.
Even at such a time, Satomura is giving priority to other people's wishes and sacrificing her own---
I can't tolerate seeing her in such a sad and painful state...
My heart tightens in my chest so much it hurts...
Reiji: What are you talking about, Satomura.
Momiji: Eh...?
Reiji: Don't talk about pushing yourself so much. You're not your usual self, Satomura.
Reiji: The one I fell in love with would follow her path regardless of how difficult it was and never waver...That's who you are.
Momiji: Haa...
Reiji: Since this Ragnarok began, you kept fighting to protect your normal life because of the "Decision" you made, right Satomura?
Reiji: I know that surely no one else could have done so...Everyone else became worried and started to throw away part of their normal life---
But not you, Satomura.
Reiji: Rather than be like Suzushiro who wanted to escape from reality...
You looked firmly ahead, and still chose the very difficult path of protecting both you and her.
Momiji: That's...
Reiji: The path you chose was one where you could protect everyone, wasn't it...? Anyone who stood in your way was an enemy---
Than, you would defeat them all yourself...Isn't that how you've fought up until now?
Momiji: ......
Reiji: Besides, you don't have to try and bluff me...I don't mind you leaning on me for support, you know?
Feeling empty for not being relied on, I perhaps overdo it and suggest such a thing inadvertently.
Momiji: Reiji...
Reiji: We'll get her back without sacrificing anyone or anything...
We'll continue to enjoy our "Normal lives", rescue Suzushiro, and defeat both of those guys, Satomura!
Momiji: Hehe, you really are naive, Reiji...
Momiji: But, that's part of the reason I like you so much, Reiji.
This time, Satomura raises a warmer smile.
Momiji: Strength, though...That is something I don't have.
Momiji: If I were strong, than I would surely---I admire the "Strength" you have, Reiji...
Momiji: You shine brilliantly and illuminate my path, Reiji...That's the only reason I've been able to seem "Strong"---
Reiji: Hm? What is it, Satomura?
Momiji: Nnn, it's nothing. ...Thank you, Reiji.
Momiji: Let's work hard, Reiji. No matter what happens, we'll absolutely...defeat those guys!
Reiji: Yeah, of course!
I take a couple steps forward, and stand next to Satomura again.
No matter how harshly reality attacks us, we'll challenge and overcome it with our overwhelming ideals.
Through our strength and unshakable resolve, we'll create the path of hope that we desire most------
That is the best "Decision" that the two of us can come up with today.
Momiji: ---Even if I cannot be forgiven for my sins.
Momiji: I will fight...No matter the cost---I'll walk together with Reiji, in order to obtain such a future...
When we reach the intersection where we'll separate, Satomura suddenly murmurs something.
Reiji: Satomura...?
Momiji: Nnn, it's nothing. Well bye-bye than, Reiji.
While she seemed to have been saying something important, Satomura runs off after saying that, waving her hand in the air back at me.
Reiji: ......
As always, she's trying to do too much all on her own...And her appearance was full of uneasiness and fear.
Reiji: Satomura...
It would be alright if her fears were groundless...
Still, it seems that part of Satomura's heart cracked when she found out Suzushiro had been kidnapped.
Reiji: I......
Since I've decided to support her, I continue to stand and watch her retreat until her small form disappears completely.