This one's tough… but it's here to clear the fog. Onto the main story!
The heat's killing me, so my brain's a bit scrambled—sorry if this feels off!
Mash Burnedead's Words of Forgiveness
"No targets in the vicinity."
"Have they already left this area?"
In a corner of the ruined district, under the dim darkness of night, figures moved cautiously. Clad in white coats and gas masks, they were Arius' disciplinary squad, dispatched to hunt down defectors. Despite their efforts, they hadn't found their targets.
"No traces either. The rain might've washed them away…"
"Should we expand the search radius?"
"Yes. Let's scour the surrounding blocks. Contact the adjacent units and comb this area thoroughly, right up to the boundary."
"Understood."
"We'll split into three-person teams to cover each block. First team—"
As the leader turned to assign roles, a sudden impact struck her head. Her helmet dented, her gas mask cracked, and the shock rattled her brain, knocking her out.
"—!! You're Ma—"
"Triceps Magic: Knockdown Chop, Rush Version."
Mash appeared behind the squad, delivering a swift chop that knocked them unconscious.
"Guh…!"
"Sorry, I'll treat you to something nice later… Here we go."
Mash moved the unconscious students to a sheltered spot, out of the rain. Then, he stepped away and called out.
"Saori-san, sorry for the wait."
"I heard a sound like metal helmets shattering… Are you okay?"
"I'm fine—my arms are sturdy."
"No, I'm worried about them, not you…"
"I went easy on them, don't worry."
(That sound didn't feel reassuring…)
Saori, concerned for the squad, stood slowly and positioned herself to guard Mash's back. After their encounter with Wakamo, both were weighed down by heavy emotions. But Saori, reflecting deeply, realized Mash bore the greatest burden for choosing to part ways with Wakamo. She steeled herself to follow him.
"Hiyori took Misaki and fled this way, so… they're probably hiding somewhere. Hiyori's a skilled sniper with stealth expertise, so finding her will be tough."
"She probably won't come out even if we call her."
"Right. Like me, she's weighed down by guilt. She won't show herself if we call."
"Hmm, that's tricky… I want to get Hiyori-chan to come out somehow…"
"I've got an idea, Sensei. Got any food on you?"
"I've got cream puffs."
"Can I use one? (Why does he have cream puffs in his pocket…?)"
"Go for it."
Saori took a cream puff from Mash, inhaled deeply, and tossed it a short distance away.
"Oh no~ My delicious food slipped from my hand~" deadpan
"Saori-san, what are you—?"
Crash! Swoosh!
"Food!!" chomp!
"There we go—she's out."
"…A dog?"
From the shadows, Hiyori emerged, her clothes tattered. Eyes gleaming, she dove for the cream puff, catching it in her mouth like a dog snatching a frisbee.
"Mmmph! Sooo good!!"
"She's crying."
"Ehehe… lucky me! Once it leaves someone's hand, it's fair game, right? Hehe!"
"She's laughing and super greedy."
"That's Hiyori for you. I'm relieved," Saori said.
"She's always like this? I'm getting a bit worried," Mash added.
"…Huh? Leader…?"
"—Yes… You're safe… Thank goodness!"
Saori rushed to Hiyori, overjoyed to see her family safe. Hiyori's face lit up, sharing the same relief.
"How did you know where I was…?"
"Well, that's—"
"Hey, Hiyori-chan, long time no see."
"—Schale's… Sensei…"
"Hiyori, I know you've got a lot on your mind, but for now—"
In the next moment, Hiyori dropped her weapon, lunged at Mash, and hugged his waist tightly. Caught off guard, Mash and Saori froze, but Hiyori didn't care.
"Waaah! Please help meee!"
"That's… unexpected," Saori said.
"Hiyori…"
"I'm at my limit! I'm starving, the weather's awful, I'm out of ammo, my legs are killing me, and Misaki-san ran off somewhere… I can't take it anymore!"
"Okay, okay, Hiyori-chan… Whoa, my pants are slipping."
"You said to rely on you before, Sensei… So it's okay to rely on you now, right?!"
"Of course. Honestly, thank you for saying that."
"I… I said awful things to you, caused trouble for so many people… And things will probably stay tough from now on…"
"That's…"
"But… if you keep me by your side, Sensei, maybe those tough days won't feel so bad… That's what I think."
"Hiyori…"
"You, Leader, Misaki-san, Atsuko-chan… all of Arius! If we stay with Sensei, maybe we won't have to cry anymore! So… please, Sensei… help us…"
Clinging to his waist, Hiyori pleaded desperately. She was bold, shameless even, but utterly sincere. She genuinely wanted to rely on Mash, to keep her family from crying. In a situation where no one else could ask for help, she was the first to speak up.
"Of course I'll help."
"Sensei…!"
"When this is over, we'll eat tons of delicious food."
"Yes! I want more of these cream puffs, and meat, rice, bread—soft stuff, not hard! Oh, and I want to soak in a hot bath until I'm dizzy… Ehehe…"
"Hiyori, show some restraint," Saori said.
"How about warm bedding too?" Mash offered.
"Absolutely!!"
"You're… really the same as ever," Saori said with a chuckle.
Hiyori's shamelessness was, in that moment, a salvation for Mash.
Trinity Autonomous District – Outskirts of the Ruined Area, Abandoned Iron Bridge
Deep within the ruined district, a large canal separated the areas, spanned by a rusted industrial bridge long abandoned. Mash and the others stood there.
"…Is Misaki this way?"
"Y-Yes… Misaki-san was trembling the whole time. Even when I tried to comfort her or talk to her, she kept… apologizing to you, Sensei."
"Let's find her quick. I've got a bad feeling."
"Right."
They pressed forward.
Misaki Kaiya, the one who'd hurled especially harsh words at Mash. Though he didn't mind, her cruel and disrespectful outburst was undeniable, no matter what others said.
"She felt the weight of that guilt, and then… the magic hit her."
"…Can just saying 'I forgive you' really save her?"
"That student, Wakamo, is a good example. Even if you forgive us, Sensei, to those who care deeply for you… we're unforgivable. They'd think, 'Don't mess around.' And they're right to feel that way."
"…Is that normal? I just want everyone to be happy."
"…"
Despite the heavy conversation, they searched for Misaki. Then, Hiyori spotted something ahead.
"You two, is that…?"
"—Misaki… What is she—?!"
"—Trouble!" dash!
Hiyori had seen Misaki standing on the bridge's railing, about to jump into the river below. Mash and the others sprinted to stop her.
"Misaki!! Don't do something stupid!!"
"…Leader… I'm sorry… I can't anymore…" step
"Misaki-san!!"
Weighed down by something heavy in her clothes, Misaki plunged toward the river. Neither Hiyori nor Saori could catch up. As she hit the water—
Grab! Flap-flap-flap-flap-flap!
"…?!"
"That was close… Really close."
"Why…?"
"No reason. I just didn't want you to die. That's all."
"…"
Mash was walking on water, rapidly moving his feet to stay afloat. With a powerful leap, he returned to the bridge.
"Misaki-san, Sensei!!"
"Misaki-chan's okay."
"Thank goodness… Really, thank goodness…"
"…"
"Sensei's ridiculous strength saved—Misaki-san!! Your arm's bleeding!!"
"It's bad… I'll stop the bleeding now."
"—No…!!"
As Mash reached to treat Misaki's arm, covered in fresh cuts, she stopped him.
"No… You'll get dirty… No…"
"This isn't the time for that! Forget the clothes—'No way!!' …Wait?!"
"You'll get dirty because of me… Someone filthy like me, my dirty blood will stain you… I'll ruin you again…!"
"Misaki-san… You're still…"
"Get a grip, Misaki!! Snap out of it!"
"I am in my right mind, Leader…! —Sensei… Mash…!"
Clutching her head with bloodied hands, Misaki writhed. Guilt and fear, amplified by mental corruption from Beatrice's forbidden magic, tormented her.
Her suppressed weaknesses and anxieties flooded out. Sobbing violently, she covered her eyes and screamed.
"I'm sorry… I said awful things, I'm sorry… I knew nothing, I'm worthless, acting all high and mighty… I'm sorry…"
"Misaki-chan…"
"I won't ask for forgiveness… Whatever you do to me, I won't complain… Death's the only way I can atone…"
"Stop that nonsense, Misaki!"
"Then what should I do?! How else can I make it up to Sensei?! This world… it's nothing but pain…!"
"…"
Beatrice's forbidden magic had shattered Misaki's mind. Already resigned to despair, she'd been pushed over the edge, her sanity broken by Beatrice's final blow. She wanted to atone—wanted to be made to atone, even if it meant death. For Misaki, death was the only way she knew to make amends.
"I don't understand anymore…!! I'm not me anymore. Those words I said keep echoing in my head… 'I tried to kill Sensei,' over and over!!"
"Misaki…"
"—Sensei… crush me… With your strength… Do whatever you want to me…"
"No way."
"If you don't, I won't be satisfied. I don't want to suffer anymore… How am I supposed to live like this…?"
"All the pain, all the sadness… Let's end it all."
"It won't end… It's impossible…"
"No—I'll make it end. Got any disinfectant?"
"I-I do!"
"Stop, stop…! I don't deserve it, I have no right, no purpose—"
"—Listen, Misaki-chan… I forgive you."
"…Huh?"
As he treated her arm, Mash spoke firmly. He forgave all of Arius' sins, everything directed at him. Misaki couldn't believe it.
"It's normal not to know about my world. No one can know everything about another person."
"No, no… If you forgive me here, I can't atone—please, let me atone…!"
"My wish is for you to laugh, play, and live a normal life. I'm not great with fancy words or proverbs, but… I want you to live."
"In a world full of nothing but suffering…?"
"Then I'll wipe out that suffering. If the world makes you suffer, I'll make you a thousand billion times happier."
After treating her arm, Mash gently took her hand, swearing from the depths of his soul.
"…Happy…?"
"I'll make you feel happiness, by force if I have to. Even if you refuse, I'll keep bringing it to you."
"Why go that far?"
"I can't ignore someone in trouble. My brain's just too simple for that."
"…Weird… guy…"
"Yup, everyone calls me a weirdo."
"No matter what I say… it's pointless… I'm so tired…"
"Then, excuse me."
Mash stood slowly, hoisting Misaki onto his back and picking up her belongings. Too exhausted to resist or argue, she let him carry her.
"…Warm…"
"See, Misaki? Sensei's back is warm and strong… It'll protect us. A reliable back," Saori said.
"Misaki-san… I want to eat tons of food with you, dress up together, take baths together—with Atsuko-chan and Saori-san too!" Hiyori added.
"Hiyori…"
"So, please, live for my selfish wishes!! I won't forgive you if you die on your own!!"
"Let's live together, Misaki. We won't leave you alone… We'll always be together," Saori said.
"…!"
"We'll always be together, Misaki!! I won't let you be alone!!"
Misaki remembered—words Saori had said to her countless times in the past. Even in death, she wouldn't be left alone. A promise from their childhood.
"…Saying the same thing… as back then…"
"For now, rest. We'll talk after," Mash said.
"…Why are you so strong? How can you fight your fate like that…?"
"I'm a musclehead, so I don't get complicated stuff. But no one should dictate someone else's life. If you're suffering for no reason, that fate's the one that's wrong. So I'll twist it to save you."
"No matter what I say… it's pointless… You're such… an idiot…"
With that, Misaki let go of consciousness and fell asleep. Relieved, Saori thanked Mash.
"Let's move while she's out, Sensei. We'll talk more once Misaki wakes up."
"Yeah… I'm done with all this seriousness."
"S-Seriousness?"
"Let's go."
Carrying Misaki, Mash headed to their next destination, with Saori and Hiyori following. Seeing Misaki sleep, exhausted from crying and lamenting, Mash made a vow.
"I won't forgive you, Beatrice."
He'd beat her down—absolutely, decisively—and free everyone from this pain.
Sorry, I hit my limit, so please forgive the heavy gloom! I'm dying here…
On a brighter note, I've released a side story, separate from this main arc. Please check it out if you can!
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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]