Blue Archive story · Volume 5, Chapter 2, Episode 26
Vol. 5 Ch. 2 Ep. 26: True Intentions within the Darkness
1 scenes, 86 lines
1. Part 1
86 linesThe Hundred Ghost Stories originate from a series of age-old tales.
Long, long ago, Hyakkaryouran members would gather round at midnight, whispering ghost stories in the dark. Each storyteller would blow out a candle at the end of their tale.
With each story uttered, the candles' flames dwindled, one by one. Until, at last, the darkness would settle over them like a heavy blanket.
As one's vision dims, their inner self shines all the more clearly.
Just like this strange story, the human heart is an incomprehensible force.
Rumors, stories, ghost tales, and myths can be summed up as reflections of the speaker's desires.
Face the darkness and speak.
What lie doth thou protect thyself with?
What empty desires doth thou harbor?
What is it thou doth avert thy gaze from?
I...
The characters in romantic manga always seemed so happy.
As I slaved away, training to uphold the Hyakkaryouran's justice, I couldn't help but feel uneasy.
Time passed can never be reclaimed. What if I were wasting my youth?
...You knew the answer to that already, didn't you?
That your life, drenched in gun smoke and sweat, was a far, far cry from the shining youth you'd once imagined.
I...
As the Hyakkaryouran's operations officer, I believed I had a responsibility to uphold order.
I spat vitriol I didn't mean, in the name of maintaining discipline.
I placed blame upon the seniors who'd abandoned us, resented the reality that I could not shape to my liking.
The truth is...it was I who brought about the Hyakkaryouran's downfall.
I...
They claimed I was needed, but I have always been a placeholder.
Neither truly the daughter of the Kadenokouji, nor a member of the Hyakkaryouran.
Always living for a role, never as a cherished friend.
...Being born as a doll would have been better than this.
"...What did you do to the children?"
Even the power of the tome is rendered useless before Schale's Sensei, then.
...Lay to rest that accusatory glare.
I simply averted the vision inwards, so they may reflect upon themselves.
It is fascinating, however, how simple introspection can rip a person apart.
For matters of the heart are impossible for humans to comprehend.
Even their own.
"Who cares if they can't? How is that a problem?"
"With enough curiosity and communication, they figure it out."
"That's why people coexist with one another."
"That's how people are always learning from one another."
I see. You are the one who has bolstered their confidence with vain hopes.
Go on, observe the results of your teachings.
See what comes of this "hope" you've planted within them.
...I...
I'm inadequate in every way. I'm hopelessly unable to achieve anything with my own strength.
I strove to protect all I cared about, and failed. Everything crumbled in my hands.
Despite all my efforts, I could never be Ayame.
...Because I am Goryou Nagusa.
I am pathetic, incompetent, and weak. My lies are all I've ever possessed.
None of that is justification to falter.
Try as you may, Kokuriko, no reality of yours can shatter mine.
I am Goryou Nagusa.
I care not for what anyone else may say or think...because I am Ayame's best friend!
...I see. You've known from the start.
You're well aware of your own fragility, how futile this misguided desire to save your peers truly is.
And yet your resolve to alter reality itself is unwavering. Thus, you closed the tome and rose of your own accord.
Incomprehensible... You are truly incomprehensible.
...This is what you did to Ayame, didn't you?
You trapped her in that pitch black darkness. The shadows whispered their vitriol at her, tearing her down.
That's what made Ayame run away.
Precisely. That Hyakkaryouran president everyone admired so folded before it. So what in the world do you think you can do?
You, sniveling and inferior, believe you can save Ayame?
No. I cannot, for I am not her. Only Ayame can save herself.
However... What I can do is extend this hand of mine, and take hold of her until she rises on her own.
Her arm...returned from the spirit realm?!
Liar! You cannot disgrace us tome wielders with petty sleight of hand...
H-How can this be?
Just as a dead branch cannot bloom, that which has fallen to the spirit realm cannot return to this reality...
K-Kokuriko, what is this?
Necessity provides a story its inevitability, but coincidence sparks its interest.
You ripped from the tome's spirit realm not only your own shadow, but also the hand you once sacrificed. You, in particular, have always had a penchant for rather fascinating plot twists.
Perhaps you, too, have the makings of a storyteller.
Ayame resides on the top floor of the Tenshukaku. Even as we speak, she is watching.
In the event you do save your precious Ayame...
...I shall consider an amended direction for our next story.
"...Wait!"
She got away...
W-Whoa...?! Wh-What was that?!
I feel as if I awoke from a horrible, terrible dream...
Kokuriko... What of Nature's Beauty?
She escaped... We were unable to stop her.
It doesn't matter. Right now, finding Ayame is our only priority.
Sensei... May I ask one, final favor of you?
I cannot ensure your safety, but I want to ask that you see through my fight with Ayame to the very end.
"No matter what happens, I won't look away."