Act 2 Vol. 2 Ch. 2 Ep. 19: Things Left Behind

What's the assembly about?

Dunno. They just said it was important.

...They're not gonna drop another bombshell, are they?

You mean the whole "conquer Kivotos" thing.

...

Yeah, that "thing"... It was the weirdest feeling, like I had no other choice.

I felt it too. It's hard to explain, but it was like an urge I couldn't ignore.

But it totally disappeared. Like seriously? Who would want a WAR?

What happened to all of the war preparation stuff anyway? We're just stopping?

Yo! Did they take all of y'all's ammunition too?

Oh, yeah, yeah. I figure they'd give all that back, right? I did get refunded in mileage points, though.

I think that was like a limited-time deal type of thing. Hopefully they address it in the assembly.

Ugh... Look at my arm, I have goosebumps.

Yeah, me too. It's like I have PTSD from that first high-pitched sound we heard.

"..."

Hey, I think something's starting over there.

Hm? Isn't that...?

...Head Prefect Hina.

...

The Head Prefect...?

What's she saying?

...Dear Gehenna students.

To begin, as Head Prefect of the Prefect Team, I, Sorasaki Hina, would like to apologize for the tragic events of the past several days.

Under a spell, I truly believed that the actions I was taking were for the good of Gehenna.

It was these two hands...that trampled upon the free will Gehenna students are entitled to. I raised my gun for ridiculous dreams of conquest.

...

...Hm.

I won't try to hide behind the excuse of being brainwashed.

Because ultimately, I'm the one who has to bear the burden of what I've done. And what I did was follow in the footsteps of my predecessor, the one I firmly stand against: the Tyrant Emperor.

It wasn't my right to wake up one day and decide that the boisterous, free-spirited days we lived here at Gehenna were over.

I'd like to take a moment to address my underclassmen, who stood up for what was right and resisted our tyranny. And to all the students who fought against us.

Head Prefect...

You were right to do what you did. It's thanks to each of you that Gehenna remains on the right path.

I have no intention of hiding from any criticism or resentment you have against me.

Head Prefect...

That is why, as of today, I am stepping down as Head Prefect and...

You are NOT!!

Makoto...?

Hold it right there, Sorasaki Hina! Who do you think you are, resigning from your position as you please?! I, Hanuma Makoto, never approved this!

...Makoto? What are you...?

Ew. You look down in the dumps.

If you try to take responsibility for all this and resign, did you even think about how that would make me look?

Because to the whole world, it's sending a message that the chairman of the Pandemonium Society can't even keep her Head Prefect in check!

Chairman Makoto! The Head Prefect is speaking with complete sincerity!

Silence, Senior Administrator Amau Ako! It is my turn to speak!

Now then, soldiers of Gehenna! Attention!

Chairman of the Pandemonium Society...?

She was the one to start the war cry, wasn't she?

Exactly! It is I! Hanuma Makoto!

This whole Kivotos conquest and all the associated shenanigans...

Allow me to be completely upfront with you! This only happened because I was foolishly deceived by the remnants of the ousted Tyrant Emperor!

W-Wow... She actually just said that out loud?

Makoto...

I am ashamed to admit that your esteemed ruler found herself under the influence of one of the Emperor's old projects! That is why I ordered you to pick up your guns!

It was my fault! I lose! I'm sorry! My bad!

Seriously... What a dramatic apology...

Fufu, I'd expect nothing less from Makoto.

However! Sorasaki Hina here is different!

Despite everything, she gave everything she had to protecting Gehenna until the end!

Yes, the brainwashing caused her to do bad things, but that was because of me! Because of my bad judgment!

Makoto, I did that out of my own...

Shut up! Your responsibility is my responsibility!

In fact, I, Hanuma Makoto, will bear the responsibility of all of Gehenna! So, students...!

Any stone you want to throw at Head Prefect Hina, throw at me instead! I'm happy to be her shield!

...Wow.

She just...goes for it, doesn't she?

As for you, Sorasaki Hina! I never want to hear another pathetic speech about resignation from you again!

You're going to be spending the rest of your life serving under me and cleaning up Gehenna's messes to atone for your sins! Kihehe! Because I say so!

...Geez. Selfish to the very end.

Now! Enough apologies! Everyone, our mission for conquest ends here!

The Pandemonium Society will compensate everyone for the ammunition and other stuff we confiscated!

Now, everyone! By my order, go home and have a blast, Gehenna-style! DISMISSED!!

WOOOOO!! She's so COOL!

Now that's MY Gehenna!

"She apologized in true Makoto style."

...What can I even say? It certainly wasn't the worst-case scenario.

...Yeah.

I must say, she did help absolve me of some of my guilt.

Head Prefect.

...I know, Ako.

...

All we can do now is to conduct ourselves with sincerity as we reflect and apologize.

And, as Makoto said, to take our responsibilities head on.

...Yes. Head on.

Let's start with those brave juniors of ours.

Yeah...

...

I can't believe the chairman stood up for the Head Prefect like that...

Well, "stood up" might be generous, but the intent was there.

Caren...

Yeah.

From a certain perspective, aren't we witnessing the moment Gehenna really became one?

...Yaha. You look satisfied, President.

Maybe the glorious Gehenna we dream of...isn't so far-fetched after all.

Precisely. Because we're going to build it together, brick by brick. Yes?

Yup! Because we're the Gehenna Heritage League!

...Do you want to keep that name?

Shouko... It was her idea. And yeah, her motivations were to bring back the Tyrant Emperor's era.

But I don't think the meaning of the name itself is bad, is it? It's about being proud of who we are. It's about rebuilding.

Gehenna is, and always will be, a place where things explode, buildings get demolished, and on and on. It's people like us who have to be there to rebuild it.

So, we focus on building our lives right now, not the glory of an empire long past?

Exactly. Because I don't care what the Tyrant Emperor did or didn't do. I care about this Gehenna, the one we're going to rebuild, piece by piece.

That's what the Gehenna Heritage League will be.

Yahaha! That's my president!

So, um. Your speech really was more than enough, Head Prefect. It's okay...

...Head Prefect, are you feeling unwell?

...Iori. Chinatsu. I still remember how it felt when I attacked you. It's as if that moment is still imprinted onto my hands.

...And I remember the looks on your faces when you stood up to me.

...!

I am your Head Prefect, and your senior. I take that role seriously, and I betrayed it.

I should be the one protecting you. Instead, you had to protect everyone against me.

...I'm sorry. I know pretty words aren't enough to make up for what I've done.

...I want to apologize as well. You came to me with sincerity, and I trampled on it. I don't deserve your forgiveness.

...I-It hurt so much. Not the bullets, I mean, those hurt too, but... You looked at me like I was nothing...!

The bullets were nothing compared to that... Like you'd ripped a hole in my chest...

...

And I screamed and screamed and begged you to come back! Stupid Head Prefect!! You... You stupid Senior Administrator!

I apologize... I'm really so sorry...

...Head Prefect. Senior Administrator Ako... I was scared too.

Everything we believed in and worked for seemed to be crumbling all around me.

But that's also why we were able to pick up our guns again. Because you taught us to follow what's right.

It was our turn to protect our school.

Please stop shouldering so much blame. We're just grateful that you're back.

...What she said. I'm...really happy you're back.

...Thank you. And...

I'm so proud of you. You were the better Prefect Team.

Heehee...

...Fufu.

Now, enough apologies. I'll make up for it with my actions.

Me too. And there's more than enough to do: conducting disciplinary procedures, cataloging lost equipment, estimating damage repair costs...

I know I'm asking a lot, but the situation being what it is... Are you able to return to duty immediately?

HAH?! So these are your true colors, Amau Ako!

Fufu... Consider this her special way of apologizing. Running her statement through my Senior Administrator Translator, she's trying to say, "We'll always need you."

Obviously. How would we ever handle this workload without our capable underclassmen?

So I beg of you, will you uphold the line with me?

Hmph! What am I gonna do, say no?

Thank you, all of you...

An eternal struggle... Maybe that seems too grand of a label.

But that really is what freedom is.

Freedom will never be absolute, and the fight to protect it will never end.

To be "free"...

It means to not shy away from our responsibilities. We must think for ourselves and challenge what's wrong.

My...

...

No.

OUR Gehenna is and always will be a place of FREEDOM!

So go forth, soldiers! Cause a ruckus, enjoy life to your heart's content!

For I, Hanuma Makoto, will shoulder the responsibility of our students!

Wow! A once-in-a-lifetime speech!

But the viewership rating was 0.3%!

WHAT? WHY?!

This is more or less a return to the norm. This, too, is a part of Gehenna's freedom.

I guess I'm glad to see that nothing's changed.

Despite everything, life is moving along.

Tch! To think they missed the grand declaration of my philosophies that's meant to be studied for generations to come!

Oho! Sensei!

Of course you understand my noble values! You once again prove your worth, Sensei.

Actually, perhaps it's a bit forward of me, but I have yet to meet a leader more noble than I. The only contender is the fearsome president who rules over the icy lands of Red Winter.

Now is not the time for modesty, Sensei. Surely you have realized that the time is nigh.

By my roaring rebuke, the past's evil hand that has long tried to be the puppet master to Gehenna's future has been smitten from this earth.

Gehenna's legacy will continue long into Kivotos' future, a blazing path of glory and freedom.

In this moment of triumph, it's only natural that we forge the foundation of our eternal alliance!

"Thank you, Makoto."

"It was thanks to you we overcame this crisis."

"As your teacher and guardian, thank you."

...Ugh.

S-Sensei... You're not playing fair... Looking at me like that...

I caused you quite a bit of trouble.

...To come clean, I tried to put on my usual bravado because I was avoiding the topic...

But this time... I don't know if there's a way to make up for the damage, physical and emotional, I caused.

How can I make up for threatening you, detaining you, causing you trouble...and a number of other crimes?

...What do I need to do?

What do I need to do for my apology to be enough?

...?!

What...do you mean?

That's it? You mean exactly what you said? I'm saying I don't get it!

"Figure out what that means to you."

...

If I stay true to myself...that would be enough?

You want me to reflect...on who I am?

...It never is easy with you. You're always challenging me to "self-reflect."

I will cherish this homework assignment with all my heart and soul.

And I must make a declaration, as Gehenna's Hanuma Makoto.

I will never let this happen again.

I will protect Gehenna.

...Understood.

I will exceed your expectations.

...

Makoto, please stop making me feel bad with all your moping.

Are you speaking to ME right now, Iroha?

Yes. You. Gehenna's Hanuma Makoto: stubborn to the core and arrogant enough to reach for the skies.

I'm...moping?

All over the place.

You haven't been sleeping much since what happened, huh?

...

Yeah, you did something bad. Everyone knows, boohoo. It doesn't matter if it's your fault, if it was a mistake, or if it was unavoidable happenstance, stop punishing yourself for it.

Don't waste any more time on that Tyrant Emperor nonsense. Life's too short to be scared about what you may or may not do in the future.

This anxious, scared Makoto isn't the real you.

So just do what you've always done. Go all out.

Be the obnoxious, arrogant, confident president who always bosses me around.

You can just be yourself, Makoto.

...

...

...It seems I've been severely underestimated.

I've received your insolent, honest words loud and clear, Iroha. Kihehe.

Did you think it would be so easy to discourage me, the Great Hanuma Makoto?

Do you truly believe that the Great Makoto "worries" or "gets scared" like an ordinary student?

Then you're wrong! Utterly WRONG!

If I can't fall asleep, it means I've had too much coffee!

If I seem laden with guilt, it can only be that I accidentally ate Ibuki's pudding!

Makoto ate Ibuki's pudding...again?

No! No I did not! That's not what I meant! You can check the fridge right now!

Ugh, here we go again.

...Well, better than yesterday.

Makoto has always been Makoto.

So no matter what path we take, that's who she'll always be.

...Yeah, you get it.

Wait! More importantly, Makoto! Oh my gosh, you were sooo cool, though!

We all saw the moment you went SNAP and broke free from the brainwashing! With sheer will!

I'm so mad! I accidentally froze in shock when I saw it happen so I forgot to take a picture!

...

Well... Although admittedly impressive, my will wasn't all that did it.

Huh?

I was helped...by something. Some kind of presence gathered all around me when it happened.

I wouldn't have succeeded without it.

Perhaps it was Gehenna's power, the one we've been building towards all this time.

Hm? What do you mean by that, Satsuki?

For the past two years, we've fought for a Gehenna that embodied freedom.

Maybe it was that freedom that you created and spread to all of us.

...

Perhaps it's the result of all our efforts combined with the strong will of our underclassmen who stood their ground against the Tyrant Emperor... Fufu.

...We can hardly verify that or say for certain.

But let's just say that all the work you've done until now meant something.

Fufu, and it will continue to.

...Kihehe. This is MY work after all. That it's meaningful should be a given.

Makoto looks super-duper happy right now!

A picture-perfect moment! Everyone, say "cheese"!

Huh! Really?

Let's take them up on the offer, since everyone's here together.

Yay! With everyone!

It's like a Pandemonium Society reunion!

...Not bad.

Kihehe, everyone, squeeze in close!