Vol. 5 Ch. 2 Ep. 27: The Hem Held at Last

You made it, Nagusa.

Ayame, I...

You need not explain yourself.

I've watched and heard all with my Hitotsume.

And all I heard were lies. All this talk of "understanding"...

Use whatever pretty words you want, I'll never understand you.

And I don't want to. Not you, not anyone.

Ayame. I did not come all this way for some feeble attempt at understanding.

Then?

I've come to secure the last of the burdens you shoulder.

...President of the Hyakkaryouran Resolution Council, Nanakado Ayame.

For shirking the duties of the Hyakkaryouran and endangering the students you were meant to protect, you relinquish your claim to the Authority of the Presidency.

I challenge you to a succession contest.

For a renowned crybaby, you've certainly grown a spine.

Whoa, whoa. Hold up. You're going to take her on all by yourself?

I-I must protest as well! For an opponent as formidable as Ayame, we should attack as one...!

Whether it's one or four of us, the result will remain the same.

Renge and Yukari, please protect Sensei.

Then... There are certain conditions to hold a Hyakkaryouran succession contest, yes?

It requires one witness from outside the Hyakkaryouran to ensure the match is conducted impartially...

And one officer from the Hyakkaryouran to certify that it's done according to tradition.

Kikyou, Sensei. Please act as our witnesses.

...Understood.

"Of course. I'm here until the end."

Still so adherent to pointless procedure...

All right, I understand. There's a significance to order and tradition.

I, president of the Hyakkaryouran Resolution Council, Nanakado Ayame...

...accept challenger Goryou Nagusa's request for a succession contest.

Ugh!

...

This is crazy! She's totally on equal footing with President Ayame?

It is still a close match, but if she maintains this pressure...she may emerge victorious!

(Why...? Why can't I overwhelm her?)

(Of all people...her? Me...to someone like Nagusa?)

...Why are you so desperate?

Desperate...?

You're the one fighting with everything you've got. Don't go acting high and mighty on me now.

No... Your every movement, your breath, your expression... I can feel it all.

You've lost your edge. Your desperation to avoid defeat seems to be screaming at me.

If you really thought I had no intention to win, you never would have challenged me to begin with.

My real question is...what is your attachment to the president's seat?

If you're so desperate to keep it, leave this all behind, and come back.

Leave it...behind?

You want me to leave behind my status? My desires and resolve? And what would I have left?

If no one can understand me, if no one accepts me... What am I even alive for?!

...But why must you have a reason?

Can you not simply...be alive?

Can it be because the skies are clear, and the sun is warm, or because of the delectable smells wafting from the night market stalls...?

Are these not reasons enough to usher in a new tomorrow? Living doesn't call for this desperate search for "reason."

For me, having you by my side was reason enough.

I...

...You've grown since I last saw you, Nagusa. To think that you of all people would get under my skin with flowery words.

Well, it won't work on me.

I'll prove my worth and my reason for being alive, here and now.

Haaah... It's all over now.

Congratulations, Nagusa. You're the president now.

After hundreds of failed challenges, you've finally beaten me.

You deserve to be proud. Hold your head high, and smile.

So tell me why...

...are you still crying your heart out?

...I'm sorry, Ayame.

I'm truly sorry, Ayame.

This is all because I failed to look you in the eye. I plugged my ears to your cries again and again.

I'm sorry I failed to take hold of your hand when you needed me.

I'm sorry I failed to notice your own suffering, all while you nursed mine.

I'm painfully aware of all that I still lack, of how incompetent I am compared to you...but I swear I'll never let go of your hand again.

No matter how low you fall, I will fall with you. Always.

I am truly, utterly, hopelessly sorry, Ayame...

...I really did...

...always hate that crying face of yours.