Vol. 3 Ch. 3 Ep. 13: A Side Beyond Reach

...

Interesting.

Hanako is a smart girl. She was able to discern the truth with what little information she had.

She understood the circumstances, the culprit, and the fact that she has no means to stop it.

It's tragic. Hanako realized all of this just as she was growing to appreciate Trinity.

...

She's not the only one who has arrived at the truth.

Hifumi received a message while searching for Azusa.

It was a text that only contained coordinates, a time, and an animal name as a code word. Peculiar, but Hifumi must have realized who the sender was.

Azusa?

It's me. Where are you? I came like you told me to.

Are you there, Azusa? Please answer me...

Azusa?

Hifumi.

Where have you been? The entire district is in a panic right now!

I know.

Azusa...?

Someone has to put a stop to this.

What do you mean? What's wrong?

Azusa?

Don't come any closer!

...!

...

Thank you, Hifumi.

But this is goodbye. You mustn't come any closer.

One more step. One more step, and you'll be somewhere students don't belong.

This is where I belong, not you.

Azusa? I'm not sure what you're talking about.

Are you saying that I'm not good enough? Is that what you mean?

This place isn't for a normal girl like you, Hifumi.

But, Azusa...!

A murderer.

...!

Can you be friends with a murderer?

What are you saying...?

M-Murder? You wouldn't do something like that...

It's my fault.

I'm responsible for what happened to Sensei. Everyone is suffering because of me.

The Justice Task Force, the Tea Party, the Sisterhood, even the students from Gehenna.

Seia is comatose, the city is being destroyed...and it's all my fault.

It's only a matter of time before you, Hanako, and Koharu will be in danger too.

D-Don't say that. It's not your fault.

Everything will be okay.

Sensei is going to wake up soon. I just know it...

Hifumi.

The real world isn't full of happy endings.

...

I have to go now. I must destroy Saori's halo.

There's no other way to end this.

Y-You can't be serious. There must be another way.

I'm a killer.

That is what I was trained to be. I was taught to kill as though it were as natural as breathing.

This is the real me.

I don't belong in the world you're from, Hifumi.

That...isn't true.

Thank you for being my friend.

Thank you for treating me so kindly.

Thank you for the gift you gave me.

Thank you for taking me to the beach and for the memories we made that day.

Thank you for showing me there's beauty in the world.

I'm happy I could learn and grow...

...alongside you and the Make-Up Work Club.

I had no idea learning could be so fun.

I'll never forget those days we spent together and the things we learned.

I'm grateful I had the opportunity to be a real student.

Goodbye, Hifumi. Take care.

Azusa?

Please, don't go...

There has to be another way. I'm sure Sensei and the others will...

Azusa...

We promised we'd all go to the beach together next time. We still need to see the debut of Peroro's new anime.

I...

You can't leave me like this...

Azusa!!!