Vol. 3 Ch. 4 Ep. 8: Squad Reunion

Huh...?! H-Hey!

EEEEEK!

Hiyori! Are you injured?

L-Leader...

Thank goodness. H-How did you find me?

...

.........

HUUUH? WHAT?!

Why are Leader and Sensei together?

That's...

I-Is it time for my suffering and punishment? My miserable time on this planet is coming to an end!

I see... You saved me so you could capture and torture me yourself!

That's why you arrived when you did! You're gonna throw us into that underground prison! I was told that place is full of the screams of students who rebelled against Schale...

Waaah! I'm finished. I'm totally finished. If I knew my life would end so early, I would have tried to enjoy it more! I would've finished all the magazines I wanted to!

...

But that doesn't explain why you're with Sensei, Leader. What is happening? Oh, I see now...

Hiyori...

Is Sensei threatening you, Leader? Oh no! Leader's life is a long series of suffering, just like me! Look at the pain on her face! I'm so sorry for existing!

...

Huh?! Me? Did you get the wrong person?

Did you get hit on the head? Do you not remember who we are? I might cry with relief if you're actually rescuing me...but are you? I don't know what's happening...

It's true, Hiyori. Sensei decided to help us.

...??

Hime... Atsuko...

Do...Do you really think we can save Hime from Madame?

Um...

She offered to let me go back to the Arius district if I sold out Leader's location.

...!

She said, seeing as I was just following orders, she would be lenient...

I see.

I think you should do it, Hiyori.

...H-Huh?

Tell her where I am, so she'll let you return to the district. Keep yourself safe.

It won't stop me from trying to save Atsuko. You've done enough.

Wh-What?! But I...

I've always understood this day would come. Thank you for meeting my demands all this time.

But... You see... I turned it down...

Wh-What is this change in mood? Why do you look like you're relieved you could forgive a traitor! Am I a traitor to you?! Waaaah! This is the worst!

I mean... She could've been lying. And...we've been doing this together this whole time... I don't wanna go back without you...

And...what about Atsuko?

I can't just leave Atsuko behind and run away by myself.

You feel the same, don't you, Leader? That's why you came to get me.

Yeah. We have to save her, no matter what.

We'll find Misaki and figure out a plan.

...Right. We need her... Let's go!

I...I think I know where she might be.

I think I'm thinking of the same place...

O-Okay...!

...

This place...

Yes, and the river flowing below is at least five meters deep.

Because the current is fast, if you lose consciousness upon hitting the water, you'll be swept away in the blink of an eye.

Misaki.

M-Misaki...!

Leader, Hiyori...and even Sensei...

Ah, I see. That's the decision you made, Leader.

I'm surprised you proposed it, and even more so that Sensei accepted.

I'll admit, I didn't think this scenario was possible. I never thought you two would join forces.

But did you hear, Sensei?

I was offered a chance to return to Arius if I just killed you.

Hiyori and Leader likely received the same offer.

A-Along the same lines, more or less.

Yes, I did. Eliminate Sensei and earn her forgiveness.

You trust your back to someone who wants to shoot it, Sensei?

Not only that, but to someone who's already shot you once?

...

I see.

Regardless, the situation doesn't change.

"Misaki? You're a little too close to the railing for comfort..."

M-Misaki...?!

This rescue mission is a lost cause.

Infiltrate the Arius district, fight all their troops, and reach the basilica where Hime is being held?

Not only is that impossible, Madame is in possession of technology I'm sure we couldn't even dream of.

Even with Sensei's help, the three of us stand no chance.

And if by some miracle we do rescue Atsuko, what then?

It's simply a stay of execution.

...

Hime's life has been nothing but pain. Why do you insist on prolonging it for her?

Vanitas vanitatum... That's the only truth we can understand.

Don't you agree, Leader?

...

No? Do you have an answer, Sensei?

You can shut the hell up, Misaki.

...

You think this pathetic display will finally bring you peace? End your suffering? You think I would humor this?

...

Listen, Misaki. If you jump, here's what I'm gonna do.

I'm gonna take off my coat and jump off the bridge after you. You know I'll catch up to you.

I'm sure you've put rocks in your coat, but it doesn't matter. I'll tear it off you and drag you out of the water.

That'll take me about twenty seconds. If you're unconscious, I'll give you CPR until you wake up.

You can't pull one over on me like that, Misaki.

I've never let you get away with it before. What makes you think I'll start now?

...

*shiver*

It was worth a shot.

So. You really intend on rescuing Hime.

I've followed you blindly until now. If our fates are predetermined, it doesn't matter what I choose.

Lead the way, Saori.

As usual, I leave my back to you.

Phew... Everything worked out...

Leader, we only have ninety minutes left. If we don't make it to the entrance by then, none of our plans will matter.

We have to move fast, Sensei. The clock is ticking.

I'll explain as we go. Let's leave.

...

Okay, th-then, this way!

"Let's save Atsuko."