The <Kiju> research was progressing at an amazing pace. Among this, he often produced the best results.
Even if Saitou was equipped with the <Kiji>, he could still win– he came to such a conclusion.
"Take out your <Kiju> weapons. You have it anyway, right?"
"No. That is not good for the body."
"Then you came empty-handed?"
"Yeah."
"You were forgetful or careless?"
"Really? I, on the other hand, feel that I could defeat you with my bare fists. The you who cannot give up your weakness."
"I will make you regret for being so pompous!"
Guren raised his sword high.
He stepped forward.
It was so fast that Saitou could not react in time. He swung the sword laterally. Saitou's lower body should be severed.
Yet,
"Hmm?"
It felt as if the cut didn't go through,
Saitou leaped with astounding speed and stood on the ceiling. He had a relaxed smile as he looked at Guren languidly.
His movements today were on a whole different level.
"Aiya, please make me regret."
Guren attacked him.
But his blade still did not hit. It was not just this. Saitou's entire body disappeared.
The only thing he could feel was a killing aura coming his back.
"Damn!"
He turned around to attack. Saitou's neck was at the tip of his blade. Even though he felt that he could finally decapitate him this time, the blow still felt like it did not hit. Saitou backtracked and avoided him.
"Eh, you still could not hit me."
Chains flew from Saitou's chest. 2 of them. The movements remained slow. Guren broke the chains with his blade. Saitou disappeared again.
His movements did not even seem like it was from the same person.
Even though the sounds he made as he kicked the ceiling and the walls could be heard, his movements could not be seen at all.
Something sounded from behind him.
Guren raised his sword again towards the origin of the sound– however, Shigure was positioned where his blade was projected to cut.
"WHAT!?"
Guren used all his might to stop the blade.
But it did not stop.
"NOYA!"
Guren screamed.
Ordered the Oni to stop.
But it still did not stop.
He willed all the muscles in his body to stop the blade. Finally, he managed to change the course of the blade. Despite so, it was only a slight change–
He cut Shigure's left arm. It was sliced off easily and was sent flying. Being in a comatose state, she did not howl in pain.
But the arm went flying.
He, sliced off his friend's arm.
Blood splattered everywhere.
Blood splattered everywhere.
His friend's blood was erupting like a fountain.
Standing in front of all this blood, a smiling Saitou stood.
"Haha, that was good. Move forward step by step. The next time, it will be the neck."
Fury circulated in his body.
Noya devoured this fury.
He gulped down a few mouthfuls.
<Well done Guren, about that. I'll give you more power.>
The amount of power Guren was given was few times that of just now.
On the verge of going berserk.
There was a need to suppress the wrath.
However, it could not be suppressed.
"You bastard...."
After that, Saitou also hang Sayuri up with his chains. Sayuri who was behind Shigure and had lost consciousness too.
"I have 2 shields. Are you able to defeat me?"
"......"
"Well, talking about this, even if I don't have these shields with me, I'm still stronger. Why do you think this is the case? Why is it that I, who is not using the <Kiju>, can defeat you?"
Guren glared at Saitou and said.
"Say whatever you wanted to say."
"Because you haven't approached the truth. But if you become our partner, you can get the same power. Come, make your choice. Cut down the shield and come to my side. I'll bring you to a whole new place."
Guren did not manage to move. His attention was on the blood flowing from Shigure's arm.
Looking at Guren, Saitou smiled.
"Well, this is the aspect Mahiru ojou-san liked, your advantages."
"....."
"The end will not change, yet you waste so much energy struggling. You have to choose in the end, but"
Saitou let go of Shigure and Sayuri. It looked like he was not planning on killing the two.
No, it only seemed so, if it was not Guren the one killing them, then there would be no use.
Guren still could not move.
From the battle just now, he could tell that this guy was undefeatable. After all, his movements were even faster than that vampire noble, Ferid, whom he battled with at Ueno.
"....Who, exactly are you?"
Saitou asked.
"A human."
"You belong with?"
"None, I have said this before? Boring roadblocks and romance will only make one weak."
Indeed, he was not part of the Hyakuya Sect.
Saitou widened his eyes. Things resembling contact lenses dropped down.
His pupils were red.
Blood red.
That kind of red pupils, were characteristic of vampires. Fangs were present in his mouth too.
"YOU, are a vampire?!"
Saitou smiled and denied.
"No, I am a human once. Even though that was thousands of years ago....things in the past don't matter anymore. I'll say it again. You are the chosen one. You can become our partner. Kill your friends and take my hand."
Guren glared at the vampire in front of him.
"You want me to become a vampire?"
Saitou shook his head.
"No, no. I don't belong with the vampires. It's been hundreds of years since I was last called the Second Progenitor."
Guren could remember the vampire called Ferid Bathory, whom he met at Ueno, once confessing that he was the Seventh Progenitor. It looked like there was some kind of hierarchy in the vampires' world too. If the lower the number was, the higher the rank, then this bastard must had had a rather high-ranking position.
Guren asked.
"What are you targeting?"
"I'll tell you once we become friends."
"Aren't friends obstacles?"
"Hahaha."
Saitou laughed.
He laughed frivolously.
He laughed in a way that did not seem human.
"Why me? What do I offer?"
"Because you are cute?" [note: HAHA Saitou I agree with you for once.]
"Stop joking."
"At least, Mahiru ojou-san thinks that you are very cute. She chose you as her partner."
"Partner for what?"
"Partner to head to hell with."
"Stop sidestepping my question. Give my question a proper answer!"
Hearing Guren shout, Saitou laughed again.
"I have no obligation to answer. However, well, there's one aspect I can answer."
Saitou looked at Shigure who was lying on the ground. Blood poured out from her arm. If her arm was not reattached by the regenerative powers of the <Kiju>, she might perish from blood loss.
Saitou said.
"What do you plan to do after this? Continue the conversation? After she dies, I'll answer anything."
Guren frowned.
Saitou smiled.
"It's okay. Continue your romance and make no progress. There will be one day when you regret not killing your subordinates to move forward. Because you greedily crave for everything. Because you picked up something boring...... and lost many others."
The chains moved and broke the glass.
Gusts of wind blew in.
This was the 25th storey. A normal person who would escape via the windows.
However, it was not a problem for this bastard.
To top it off, Guren could not stop him.
Despite this, Guren said.
"Then let me ask one thing."
"What?"
"Are you the one who made Mahiru go berserk?"
Saitou shrugged.
"She was crazy from the start."
"...."
He had no idea if this was the truth. Saitou controlled the information. Controlled the people around him, the organizations, the world.
In spite of this, Guren asked.
"Mahiru.......what does she want?"
Saitou replied calmly.
"You. You know that right?"
"......"
"I heard that you guys made a promise when you were kids. She only wanted, you. And she only lived for this one reason. To build a future with you."
Just then, Saitou looked at Shigure again,
"She imagined and waited, for you to wake up, for you to give up these boring women and all this lovey-dovey stuff, and go save her."
He smiled after saying that.
All this while, blood continued to leak from Shigure's arm.
There was no more time left.
No more time left to talk.
"Go away. Disappear from my sight."
Hearing that, Saitou smiled again.
"What an unfaithful lover."
He leaped out of the window.
Guren watched him leave.
"Damn it."
He panicked and hurriedly picked up Shigure's severed arm before placing it at where it was cut. He maintained this posture as he picked Shigure up and carried her to her room.
Shigure's room had pink as the main palette, which was rather surprising for someone who had always been emotionless, witty and quiet. There were also many cloth puppets present. Guren entered the room and took the katana standing beside a table.
The <Kiju> weapon Shigure made a contract with.
Guren placed the weapon on Shigure's chest. The <Kiju> should be able to enhance her regenerative abilities. The closer the katana was.... the closer it was to the heart, the stronger the power of the Oni.
"Oi Shigure, wake up! Activate the <Kiju>. You must reattach the arm!"
But Shigure did not wake up. Guren lightly slapped at her face and pressed down on the acupuncture point which helped to wake one up, trying hard to make her regain her consciousness.
Yet, she did not wake up.
"Damn, damn damn it. Was I stupid? I talked for too long."
Despite this, the arm was starting to reattach. But it was too slow. If this continued, before the arm could completely reattach, she would die from blood loss.
Guren fished his phone from his pocket. She needed a blood transfusion. Was there a need to go to the hospital?
No, she couldn't make it. Even if she was saved, her arm would not be able to be reattached. Talking about that, even if blood was transfused now, her survival still could not be guaranteed.
There was a need to bring her to a facility which could make her <Kiju> go berserk.
And this—
Guren looked through the contact log. And called a number.
It rang twice. The received picked up.
"What's wrong?"
On the other end of the line, Kureto's voice sounded.
"Please help me this time. My friend is hurt. Let the <Kiju>–"
Kureto interrupted.
"I'll give you a helicopter. Bring her to the lab you commonly use."
The call ended like that. It looked like they would be picked up.
Guren carried Shigure and dashed out of the door.
◆
◆
◆
Outside the labs of <Mikado no Oni>, Guren sat on the chair at the corridors, waiting for Shigure's treatment to end.
When they arrived, Shigure's life was hanging on the line. The speed of blood loss was faster than that of recovery; if he was slightly late, she would have lost her life.
But now, the power of the <Oni> had been forcefully controlled by external equipment and her arm had been successfully reattached.
The person who cut her arm, was none other than he himself.
A mistake made by the arrogant him who thought that Saitou could be defeated.
If he had power, things would not have ended up like this.
If he had more power– father's execution and being forced into a dead end by Mahiru would not have happened.
Power.
"......Power huh?"
Guren muttered softly. His phone rang again.
"It's me."
"Ya, is everything alright?"
"What?"
"Ah, I eavesdropped~"
"Don't eavesdrop on others."
"Who got hurt?"
"Shigure."
"What happened."
"She was preparing to cut a radish, but she saw the wrong the thing and chopped off her arm in the end."
"................What exactly happened?"
Guren replied.
"I'm sure there are others out there who share your bad habit of eavesdropping."
"Alright. Then we'll talk when we meet. I'll head to your house tonight."
He got all lovey-dovey with his friends again. [note: the original translation was really lovey-dovey.]
This was a choice he made.
In spite of it, what exactly lay ahead?
"Yeah. I'll go back once Shigure's situation stabilizes."
The call ended.
The phone rang again. It was Sayuri. It seemed like she woke up.
"GU, GUREN-SAMA!"
"Calm down, it's okay now."
However,
"It's alright. We are being eavesdropped now. Don't say anything."
"Ah...."
"Shinya will go there later. Please clean the room."
The room should be a sea of blood now.
Shigure's blood.
Normally, after losing that much blood, one would not be able to survive.
If the treatment had been slightly later than this.
If Kureto had not dispatched the helicopter.
If Shigure' energy was not preserved.
He would have killed a friend. If he had stopped and given up on the fight after the arm was being chopped off, it would not have been this serious. Yet, he chose this option.
Was that equivalent to leaving his friend to die?
"....."
He could her Sayuri's sobs from the other side of the line.
"I, I was useless..."
In the end, everyone was blaming themselves for his lack of power.
"Calm down, Sayuri. Nothing serious. Let's have curry at night."
"Eh......ah, alright, alright!"
The call ended.
Just then, someone called out to him.
"Oi."
Following the source of the sound, a uniformed Kureto was standing there.
A katana with <Kiju> injected into hang from his belt.
The results of Kureto's <Kiju> training was rather impressive too. However, this was still not enough to defeat that monster from just now.
"What happened?"
Kureto immediately asked what was not revealed over the phone.
He had already pondered what kind of information he would reveal, what kind of information he would share.
The conclusion was, he had to basically reveal everything.
Or he could not catch up with Mahiru.
Guren replied.
".......Was attacked."
"Who?"
"A man called Saitou."
"Who is this person?"
"A man who used to be an assassin from the Hyakuya Sect."
"Oh. We should be allies with the Hyakuya Sect."
"That guy is on the same team with Mahiru. Looks like he already betrayed the Hyakuya Sect."
"Indeed. Right now, the Hyakuya Sect would not want to pick a fight with us. So, are they stupid?"
Guren shook his head.
"So you let him escape?"
This question was on the wrong level. After all, he could not even see his movements clearly.
Guren said.
"He is a vampire."
"Vampire?"
"Yeah. I couldn't even block an attack with my <Kiju> powers. This bastard is said to be the second progenitor. But he seemed to have betrayed the vampires too. So I have no idea where he belonged."
Kureto stood beside Guren. Folding his arms, he looked at the laboratory Shigure was currently being treated in.
"....That kind of bastard, for what kind of merits did he cooperate with Mahiru?"
"Who knows."
"Why did he go to your place?"
"No idea. It looks like Mahiru was looking for me."
"The reason?"
Guren shrugged.
"If you had known, I would not have revealed so many details."
Kureto smiled.
"That troublesome woman is really infatuated with you."
"Isn't she your sister?"
"Same father different mother."
Despite so, there were still a few similarities between Mahiru and Kureto. Kureto asked.
"Well then, how did you deal with that monster?"
"Didn't do anything. He wanted me to kill my subordinates and follow him....got beaten to pulp after I rejected. I was totally not being taken seriously. It ended like this."
"Well, thank you for your hard work. How's the condition of your subordinate?"
"She looks to be recovering."
"So where's my thank you?" [note: Is this Hiragi thing or what?]
Guren replied.
"I hate this aspect of you."
"Hahaha."
"But, just thanking you. That'll be enough?"
Kureto nodded.
"Yeah. That would be enough. I'll try to investigate this Saitou person. If there are serious cases which involve the vampires, we'll need power to change."
"Such power, are we able to get it immediately?"
Kureto looked at him and said.
"Thanks to the <Asuramaru> you brought back, our understanding of the <Kiju> had improved by a significant extent. With that, we should be able to surpass anyone even if it's Mahiru or the vampires."
Really?
Was this no longer under her control?
"We are bringing the power of the <Kiju> to the next level. We'll start mass distribution within a month. Help me with that."
"Haven't I been helping all this while?"
"Indeed. But, help me some more."
It didn't matter anyway. Guren thought. If he could catch up with Mahiru, he would administer as much help as needed. Yet,
"Kureto."
"Hmm?"
"I am serious about catching up with Mahiru."
"......"
Kureto looked at him and said.
"Follow me, you'll be able to catch up."
Guren smiled and looked up.
"Following you who is even slower than Mahiru?"
"Our method of approaching this is different, that's it. I'll be the ultimate winner."
"Eh."
"If you feel that this is not enough, come help me."
Guren nodded.
"I'll do what I can. Anyway, there was a need to surpass Mahiru."
For this, there was a need to utilize the powers of <Mikado no Oni> and the Hykuya Sect. He admitted his current weakness. He admitted that he was a puny ant which could not accomplish anything without these people.
On top of this, he was planning to go beyond Mahiru's imagination.
Kureto said.
"This is how we put it. But this cannot be achieved within the day. So, go have a rest. You must be tired right?"
Indeed, a rather tiring day.
Forced to kneel, head was stomped, being forced to know about father dancing naked and chopping off Shigure's arm.
Kureto glanced at him once and left.
It looked like Shigure had not regained her consciousness yet. But that was because she was under anaesthesia, she would wake up tomorrow.
Even though her arm had been reattached, a scar remained.
Guren stayed by her side for about two hours before deciding to head home.
◆
◆
◆
On the way back home.
He was faced with a troop of armed forces waiting in ambush.
Standing in the middle of it all was Seishirou Hiragi.
"Oi, Ichinose trash, you bastard even dare to underestimate me."
He seemed really angry. It looked like he finally realised Guren's lie. Perhaps, he had been reprimanded by his father.
Everyone had <Kiju> weapons with them.
Ten soldiers slowly surrounded Guren.
It seemed like he would not be able to win this battle on his own. Maybe, he would be killed.
Despite this, Guren sighed at these people. He felt like he was being saved by their naivety– that they merely came after being embarrassed and seeking revenge. At least, it was not a vampire.
"Ah, damn, only if everything is this naive."
"AH?! What are you muttering?"
Seishirou roared.
"A weak Ichinose trash....let me tell you, the consequences of lying to me!"
"....."
"Ha, what kind of attitude is that? You're so scared that you are speechless? If you don't want this then kneel down now!"
Being ordered to kneel. The second time of the day. This bastard was, indeed, Tenri's son.
"Kneel down here, say 'I'm too stupid', apologise to me and be scared witless like a dog!"
Hearing these words, Guren smiled tiredly.
"Haha, you really managed to think of such a long and stupid script."
Seishirou's expression changed.
"What did you just say?"
Guren continued.
"......Talking about this, the fault is on you. You who was tricked."
"AH!?"
"You father said this before. For a useless bastard who isn't worthy of the Hiragi name, even if he is killed, it won't matter one bit."
"WHAT, what, you, father wouldn't say such a thing!"
However, this guy knew his father said something like this. Without his father as the shield, this bastard would collapse at the first blow.
"Impossible. I'm very outstanding."
He was indeed not the lowest-ranked person. He, too, produced rather impressive results for the <Kiju> training experiments.
Even though he was worse than Guren, Kureto, Shinya–
"Bastard. You even dare to look down upon me. You can't possible think that I'll let you off like this?"
Of course not. Whatever he said would not benefit him. So the right choice was to kneel down immediately.
And let his head be stomped once or twice again. This bastard would be satisfied right? He should not increase the number of boring enemies.
However, his mood hit rock bottom today.
Losing to Saitou.
Ordered to kneel twice.
In other words, it was time to take this wrath out on someone. On top of this, this bastard once beat Sayuri up. There was a need for revenge.
Guren looked at Seishirou and said.
"Ah that's enough. Move quickly."
"Ah? Are you stupid or what? Can't you see the manpower I have...."
Guren interrupted.
"I don't care how many people you have. If I kill you, everything will be over right? Seishirou Hiragi."
"Wha....."
Guren placed his hand on the katana on his waist. And called out the power of the <Kiju>. Power flowed through his body.
"Oi, oi, don't you think by doing this you'll...."
"I already have permission to kill useless bastards."
"What nonsense! I, I am a Hiragi!"
"Stop talking. Draw your blade."
"Oi, oi you, protect me...."
Guren had already dashed forward.
There was a need to end this off quickly.
There was a need to suppress Seishirou before troublesome interferences arrived.
He only took a big step forward and had already closed much of the distance between him and Seishirou.
The reaction of those guards were very slow. This was totally incomparable with Saitou. A group of them finally drew their swords. But they could not catch up with Guren anymore.
"Go die."
Guren raised his sword.
Seishirou immediately unsheathed his sword to block the attack.
Indeed, this was a young master of the Hiragi House. His response was totally different from that of the soldiers.
Guren and Seishirou's swords smashed against each other, making high-pitched, metallic noises.
After a few exchanges, Seishirou smiled.
"Ha, haha, you should have killed me at your first blow. Oi, you guys, kill this bastard!"
Guren said.
"I showed mercy. You should feel terror right?"
"Eh."
Just then, Guren swung the sword with all his might. He was aiming at Seishirou's sword this time as well.
If he wanted it to cut, Seishirou's head would have been sent rolling by now. But in order to let the opponent understand the difference in their power, he sliced towards the sword.
A clang rang out; it didn't even sound like metals clashing. An abnormal noise. Seishirou was unable to block the blow, his arm was being tossed backwards and outwards. The blade flew off and spun in the air.
Guren laughed.
"Go die...."
Just then, from the side,
"You can't do this right~"
A voice sounded.
Shinya's voice.
Then, he was forcefully stopped. Guren was being punched and flew to one side. He rolled a few times on the ground and halted. [note: this scene reminds me of Ferid kicking Guren]
As Shinya pinned Guren to the ground,
"Oi Guren. If you really did kill a Hiragi, punishment is unavoidable no matter what."
he said. Guren smiled and said.
"I saw you."
"Eh, so you wanted me to stop you as the prerequisite huh?"
"After this, I'll utilise Hiragi-sama's authority to deal with this."
"Eh~ I felt like I was being massively exploited."
"We are friends right?"
"You always use this word in such situations."
Shinya stood up.
Seeing this, Seishirou shouted.
"Oi, SHINYA! That bastard is a rebel! Kill him!"
Shinya narrowed his eyes at Seishirou.
"Ya, I watched the scene, that was a fight right~? Also, to lose after having a team backing you up, what will father think?"
"That...."
Seishirou frowned.
"You are merely an adopted son, an adopted son. How can you understand father?"
"Even if I cannot understand father, I am still well aware of the situation here among the Hiragis. Because I was forcefully educated this way."
"....."
"Therefore, whatever happened here, let's not disclose it. This is the best choice. Also, Seishirou-nii."
"What?"
"To take revenge on the Ichinose dreg and things like that, this can't do. This is unbecoming for a Hiragi. After all, Seishirou-nii and I, who is the adopted son, is different. You are the true Hiragi here."
"...."
"Also, Guren is the type of person who gets really out of hand once he gets angry. Therefore, I'll convince him. Could you leave first?" [note: Guren becoming angry = Oni going berserk]
Seishirou stared for a while. Traces of fear still lingered on his face.
That was enough.
Seishirou glared at Guren.
"Oi, you guys, I'm going."
He left.
After watching him take his leave, Shinya looked at Guren and said.
"What kind of irritating things came your way again?"
Guren replied.
"A whole bunch."
"Wanna tell me?"
"After a bath when I get home"
In the end, the blood from the wound on his forehead earlier this afternoon was still not properly cleaned off. Even though he did wipe it with a wet towel.
Shinya extended a hand and said.
"Come on, take my hand."
Guren took that hand and stood up.
"Ha."
Guren sighed and Shinya laughed.
"Such a rare sight."
"What?"
"Just now, your attitude towards Seishirou-nii. Usually, you're very rational under such situations."
Yeah. But he was tired. Being subservient. Hiding his power, waiting for the time to expose his fangs– Even though he worked hard as he thought of this, Mahiru disappeared during this time. Father was killed. Shigure's arm was severed. She still had not regained consciousness yet.
Then, when exactly could he expose his fangs?
"A little, empty."
Shinya gave a bitter smile.
"Despite so, you still made sure that I was present before you attacked right? "
"Yeah."
"If I did not interfere, what will you do?"
"You'll butt in."
"Stop acting like a spoiled child~, it's a little overbearing."
Indeed, I was acting like a spoiled child.
Or could it be that he was thinking things won't matter even if he abandoned himself to despair. If he had killed Seishirou, things would change immediately. Guren would be sentenced to death and he would be on the run.
After that, he would be forced to give everything up. There would be a need to rely on Saitou and Mahiru.
Mahiru wanted me to do this.
Saitou wanted me to do this.
They wanted him to give up all the boring obstacles surrounding him.
They said that this was the way to become strong,
"....."
Despite so, he only proceeded after he made sure Shinya arrived.
He wanted help from his friends.
I probably find value in moving forward without giving up anything.
"Boring, friendships huh?"
Guren said. Shinya laughed again.
"Yeah. But I don't really hate this."
Guren looked at Shinya.
He continued.
"If not, there will be no value in living. If there's no friendships, then what's the point of living?"
"...."
"I, had always been told to become as strong as the Hiragi name suggests. I grew up competing. Strength was justice. However, no matter how strong I become, I could not become so inhumanly outstanding, and become a god."
"....."
"Then, if I could not become a god, I could at least become the Head of the Hiragi House right? That is impossible too. Afterall, I am the trashy adopted son. Furthermore, I don't have that much of a motivation to become the Head of the Hiragi House."
"...."
"Then, what am I living for? My objective is gone. No matter how strong I become, the answer could not be found. Then, what am I living for?"
Shinya asked.
For a brain that had been through a tiring day, this is a rather legarthic question.
Guren did not answer.
"Hey Guren."
"Hmm?"
"I used to set my target as meeting you. After all, you were my love rival competing for my fiancee. What kind of man does Mahiru like~? Mahiru, who didn't even spare a glance at me. I thought, and anticipated. I thought that if I had seen that guy, I might just find a goal to work towards."
Guren looked at Shinya and asked.
"After that? What happened?"
Shinya smiled.
"That guy is a bastard who only knows how to tolerate and has no power~"
"Ah?"
"In this world, it is clear that putting in effort will make one lose out. But you continued to work hard like an idiot. Hiding your strength with all your might."
"....."
".....However, this aspect looks a little charismatic. I immediately realised why Mahiru like you. Because you never give up on anything. Different from me, you still have a goal."
"What goal?"
"A goal to protect someone. You wanted to become stronger and protect everyone right?"
"......"
"In the end, you still became strong to make friends. You are only interested in protecting others. Then, how about you make this a limitless goal?"
"...... So your point is, you want our relationship become more intimate?"
"Yeah. You see, there are so many melancholic things that happened recently. It's fine if you want to act like a spoiled kid in front of me. You want me to treat you to a cup of coffee?"
"What nonsense?"
"Hahaha."
"Also, I want coke."
Shinya smiled.
He took out his wallet and walked towards a vending machine nearby. It seemed like he really wanted to treat Guren.
Looking at his back, Guren asked.
"So have you found your target?"
Shinya answered.
"Not at all. But I want to try and protect my friends for now."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
"Oh and do you even have friends?"
"Haha, I'll beat you up?"
Shinya smiled and took out the coke, tossing it to Guren.
The coke was chilled pretty well by the machine. Gulping down a mouthful, he relaxed a little.
"Being good friends with others huh?"
He was only chasing after this. It was already so clear.
A weak and puny him chased after this.
But was this truly a weakness?
"Shinya?"
"Hmm?"
"But ain't Mahiru prepare to become, the kind of inhumanly powerful god you said just now?"
Shinya took a sip of the coke and smiled.
"Indeed~ Therefore it is very tough to make good friends while trying to catch up with her. But despite so, this could be achieved with practice. After all, Mito-chan says that she has managed to go past the extremely difficult stages and even completed the extra stages."
"You talking about that game?"
"Bomberman."
"That fellow is still playing this?"
He always thought that she would continue the professional wrestling they played together the last time.
Shinya said.
"You can do it if you practice incessantly. Even if it is the extra stages."
"Your point is, if I tolerate it and maintain my friendship with everyone, I will be able to do it one day?"
Hearing that, Shinya looked like he was thinking hard.
"So what exactly is it?
"What?"
"However, if you don't maintain these friendships, then there would be no point in living. Guren is like this too right? Are you only interested in becoming strong?"
"....."
"I think that real value lies in protecting someone, or supporting someone.....why is this so? You couldn't bring yourself to do selfish things like those."
An opinion totally different from that of Saitou's and Mahiru's.
Merely becoming strong was meaningless.
He could understand this point too. He, himself, was also more attracted to this side. This was exactly why he maintained his human form and stagnated at this spot.
When they got home, Goshi and Mito had already arrived.
The entire room was cleaned; the broken glass on the window was replaced as well. All of these were done by Sayuri.
As they had curry, Guren revealed everything that happened that day.
A strong vampire of unknown identity.
Mahiru cooperating with the vampire, preparing to do something.
There weren't anymore topics they could talk about.
He wanted catch up with Mahiru, but he had no idea where she was. Even though they had information from the side of the vampire queen, the memory of the fight with the monster from just now was enough to convince them that even if they found the vampires' settlements, they could not approach too.
As of now, just capturing a normal vampire who was not even nobility required everyone to place their lives on the line.
They could not battle with a few vampires or the vampire nobles.
There was a need to become even stronger.
Just like what Kureto said, the <Kiju> experiments and training would continue from tomorrow. Even though it was unknown how powerful the <Kiju> could be–
Guren developed a certain amount of determination after that talk with Shinya just now.
At the very end, he wanted power to build friendships.
Power to protect.
Power to at least resist the tears when he witnessed the people in his inner circle– his relatives, friends and subordinates, being executed.
And after that, in the long run, if he could obtain power beyond the amount Mahiru imagined–
"....."
Were there good things that were so easily obtained?
After having curry, everyone played games.
The moment Mito said 'Let me take a look at the Bomberman game', she exhibited unbelievable skills. No one could even understand how she controlled the avatar.
God.
Monster.
She had, at least, in the bomberman game no one played anymore, surpassed the skills of a human.
"This, this is nothing. As long as you practice, everyone can do it."
Mito, who heard that, was unable to hide her pride. That was a little cute.
Looking at her being so happy, he thought, from the depths of his heart, that he wanted to protect her.
He wanted to protect Goshi, Shinya, Sayuri and Shigure.
Was this equivalent to walking on the spot to Mahiru?
If this was the case, then he just walked on the spot for another day today.
This world would come to an end this Christmas.
So, days like these, were probably very very precious.
But Guren would not regret spending time like this.
The dates changed.
Guren continued to play games. Professional wrestling.
He spared a casual glance at the window.
It was the sight of a breath-taking new moon.