Warning: Brace for emotional whiplash and dramatic drops!
I was pretty down after losing a bunch of favorites, but I'm bouncing back! Why? Because it's almost time for Beatrice vs. Mash-kun!
Here we go—onto the main story!
Mash Burnedead and the Hand of Salvation
"—Sensei… how did—wait, the door's broken again?!"
"Sorry, I heard you groaning and got carried away."
"…I see. Okay."
Seia had woken up to warn Mash about the Gematria meeting, but the first thing she saw was him peering at her, cream puff in hand.
"You were groaning in your sleep… Another dream?"
"…Sensei, I've learned Beatrice's… purpose."
"!"
"What she's planning, why she's targeting you… I finally understand."
"Seia-san… you saw her in your dream?"
"This concerns your life. Listen carefully."
"…Okay."
Seia recounted everything she knew: the Gematria meeting, Beatrice's goals and motives, and the possibility she'd gained magical powers. But she deliberately omitted any mention of Innocent Zero.
How could she tell him? If Mash learned his real father was an irredeemable monster, that his blood carried that legacy, it could shatter even his resilient heart. Seia chose to keep his secret buried, fearing the damage it might cause.
"—Got it, Sensei? Your life and body are being targeted. It must feel awful to be treated like an object, but please…"
"—"
"You… fainted?!"
"—Hah! Sorry, the info overload knocked me out."
"You handled it fine last time!"
"That was in teacher mode."
"Teacher mode? What's that? Can you really change how you process things just by switching mindsets?"
"Honestly, right now, I'm not built for deep thinking."
"Please, just for now, take this seriously…"
Mash could be exasperatingly oblivious, making Seia wish he'd return her concern. Yet, part of her wondered if she could tell him about his father. But no—that truth, that man, was too much for him to bear.
"Anyway, I kinda get it," Mash said. "Beatrice… she's basically—"
"A true villain, an egoist—"
"A creepy shotacon who's after my body."
"Creepy… shotacon?! I mean… is that… right? No, no, that's not it!"
Until now, Mash saw Beatrice as "the villain who oppressed Arius" and "the one who hurt everyone." After Seia's intel, he added "creepy shotacon" to the list.
"Also, a grown adult obsessing over a 'perfect lifeform' is kinda… Look, dream what you want, but using us for it is a huge pain."
"That's… a fair point."
"And whoever filled her head with those ideas? I'm gonna give them a piece of my mind if we ever meet."
(I'd rather you just punch them…)
"Thanks for telling me all this, Seia-san. My resolve's locked in."
Mash's expression turned serious. He set his cream puff on a small plate and handed it to Seia. Without a word, she took it, understanding what he was about to do.
"You're going after Beatrice, aren't you?"
"After some prep, yeah. I'll head out today."
"She's likely insanely strong—way beyond Kivotos' weapons."
"Probably."
"This time, it's really dangerous. You could die. And you're still going?"
Seia's shoulders trembled as she spoke. She'd heard Beatrice boast about Innocent Zero's overwhelming power, and how he'd taught her magic, skills, and knowledge. Facing such a monster, could Mash really win?
Seia was terrified. This time, she feared Mash might not come back. Her premonitions screamed danger.
"Seia-san."
"…I won't stop you, Sensei. I've decided to trust your choices, your path. So… please…"
"I'll do a one-man skit."
"…Huh?"
"BGM, c'mon!" *1
"You're doing this now?!"
"Please, Arona-chan, it's for Seia-san."
"Don't blame me if this goes south!"
Suddenly, Mash activated the Sistine Box, playing a song from its playlist. It was rock with a pop-like rhythm. To Seia's bewilderment, he started striking muscle poses in front of her.
"???????"
In her cosmic fox state, Seia scrambled to process this. He was probably trying to cheer her up, sensing her despair. But why a skit? And what was this BGM? The more she thought, the deeper her confusion grew.
Then, as the song hit its chorus—
"YAH!"
"—PFFT!"
Mash struck a front lat spread, flexing his lats dramatically. Seia couldn't help but burst out laughing.
"Sen… sei… pfft… haha… what… what is that?!"
"It's my ultimate gag to cheer up a tired Rin-san. She's collapsed laughing at least ten times already."
"That… was hilarious… but… pfft… why now?"
"Even in a serious moment like this, I can do something like this. Do you really think someone like me could die?"
Seia laughed until her sides hurt, collapsing as his words sank in. For Mash, "serious" moments—dark realities that stood in his way—weren't his enemy.
He could turn grim darkness into light-hearted gags, brightening everyone's hearts. Who could kill someone like that?
"She's a monstrous villain, which means I can go all out, pay her back for everyone."
"You're not afraid anymore, are you?"
"Not a millimeter of me plans to lose or make anyone unhappy. Not as Schale's teacher, but as everyone's friend, I'll stop her no matter what."
"There's no future where you lose, is there, Mash?"
Sitting on the bed, Seia extended her arm, making a fist within her oversized sleeve.
"Crush her completely."
"Leave it to me, Seia-san."
"…Hehe."
They bumped fists lightly. Seia didn't believe in a future where Mash lost—only in his victory. As his friend, she trusted and cheered for him.
"…Sorry, I underestimated my own weakness."
"No… I'm really sorry."
The light fist bump injured Seia's arm, but her resolve to believe in Mash held firm.
"I got scolded by Mine-san… Gotta reflect."
After their talk, Mash dashed back to Schale alone to prepare equipment and contacts.
"It's raining, huh… Doesn't matter."
Running through the rain, knowing it wasn't great for his body, Mash hurried back. But suddenly, he stopped.
"…"
Glancing around, he took in the alley surrounded by dilapidated buildings, their graffiti-covered walls. Turning back, he spoke.
"You're there, aren't you, Saori-san?"
"…You're not on guard?"
"We're not enemies anymore."
"I could pull the trigger right now."
"Even if you shot me, I could deflect a bullet."
"…Right. You're… strong. Too strong… But I…"
There stood Saori, gripping a worn pistol loaded with special rounds, a bomb in her other hand. Yet Mash didn't flinch, certain she wouldn't attack.
"Mash… Burnedead…"
"!"
"Atsuko… was taken."
"For Beatrice's plan?"
"Yes… Hiyori took Misaki and fled somewhere. I don't know if they're alive."
Saori suddenly dropped to her knees, collapsing into a dogeza. Trembling with guilt, she voiced her final plea.
"Do whatever you want with me. I deserve it. I hurt you, Sensei, without knowing anything about you… over and over!"
"Saori-san…"
"I swear on my life—I'll pay any price, follow any order. I have nothing, but I'll give everything I can! I swear!"
She reached into her coat, tossing several objects before Mash—halo-destroying bombs, akin to claymore mines. Staring at them, she continued.
"She told me, 'Even if you have to blow yourself up, take him out.' But…"
"…"
"I can't… I'm done. I don't want to hurt you anymore!"
Crying, Saori begged, her voice trembling as she clenched her teeth, casting aside her past and screaming desperately.
"Take these halo-destroying bombs. Hold my life in your hands. Use me, discard me, destroy me if you don't trust me—I won't resist! Just please… save Atsuko… my family!"
She pressed her head to the muddy ground. Then, a warm touch enveloped her cheek.
"Raise your face, Saori-san."
"I don't… have the right to look at you, Sensei…"
"Saori-san."
"Stop, please! I don't deserve to look at you or speak to you!"
"—Hmph."
"!"
Mash gently forced her face up, meeting her eyes. His expression held no anger, no disappointment, no shadow—only a kind, caring smile.
"You don't need to do this. These halo-destroying bombs? Unnecessary."
"I… I hurt you without understanding your pain, judging you, envying you, wounding your heart and body…!"
"I told you, I've already forgiven you. You don't need to do this."
"You might think I'm just clinging to you now, but the fact I tried to take your life won't vanish. How can you forgive so easily, without even cursing me?!"
"No matter what she did to you, I'll keep saying it—as many times as it takes."
Mash spoke softly, his attitude warm, as if filling her emptiness, warming her cold body. He wrapped his arms around her neck, pulling her into a strong embrace.
"Let's make up… and—you did great, enduring all that."
"—Ugh… uhh…"
"Sorry for making you cry so much. But I won't anymore. I won't let you suffer or get hurt."
"…Ah… ugh…!"
"It's okay now…
Because you have me."
"Mash… uhh… UWAHHH!"
Sobbing uncontrollably, Saori clung to him, crying harder than she ever had in her life. Her wails drowned out the rain, releasing all the tears she'd held back in his chest.
*1: A nod to Kinya Nakayama's iconic routine.
Bad news: my AC broke down… It's the worst. We're all crammed in one room with two fans running just to survive. Don't worry, we've got plenty of water, and repairs are scheduled for tomorrow.
Next time, brace for a bit of a (serious) storm!
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Hey everyone, thanks a ton for following my story till now. If you wanna read ahead, I've already uploaded about 30–40 extra chapters on Patreon. Your support really keeps me going and helps me bring you more cool stories!
[patreon.com/Greyhounds]