It was a difficult battle and even a single strike from Rajas’ fist was deadly. But he didn’t appear pitiable. As if he was saying that red hot resolve in his heart was the source of his energy, his back was sturdy like they were embedded with metal implants. His appearance of never bending and standing straight was stronger than anyone here.
Every time the mazoku’s qi brushed by his skin and clothes, small gashes increased on Suimei’s face and body. But he didn’t stop. The boy’s courageous roars dispelled oncoming tide of fear. All atmosphere that discouraged my heart, he repelled and penetrated through them.
… While he was fighting a heated battle with his wounded body, while he was soaked in the heat of battle, I came to my sense.
― Just what am I doing.
While he was fighting, I abandoned everything, denied all his words and just knelt there. I was simply watching. I decided that there was nothing I could do and just watched. I didn’t know for how long, but I watched.
“..............”
What was visible was his back. That single minded back. That determined heart of a boy who wants everyone who cries at this unjust world to be happy. That shining back.
Save those who cannot be saved. His determination to say such a thing. Is it fine to be fascinated by him yet do nothing―?
Suimei’s body bounced off Rajas’ fist and flew back in front of me. He was hurt all over. But his strength to get back up, nor his determination did not diminish one bit. He stood up strong as if he was saying he didn’t lose yet.
I didn’t realize when but I was talking to him when I realized.
“Suimei…. Why do you go so far…..”
What drives you to go so far? When I asked that, he spoke curtly while still facing forward.
“Because I want to protect you.”
“―”
When I listened his words, something revived within me. The heated heart lying at the center of the broken heart.
“You know how it feels, right? You have someone you want to protect as well. You came here because you had someone you wanted to protect even if it cost your life, right?”
“Ah―”
I wanted to protect. That was right. His thoughts and beliefs were the same as mine. That was why he was standing tall here no matter how much he was hurt.
Was it alright for me to give up like this? No, it wasn’t alright. I didn’t want that kind of an end. I never wanted that kind of an end. I wanted to run towards my dream once more. Never stopping, just like that boy with the same thought as me.
….. That boy charged towards the gigantic enemy once more. To push forward his belief.
When I realized it, I couldn’t sit by any longer.
“I―”
So once more. One more time. Give me the strength to fight once more. I prayed dearly with my bloodied, pain-filled and unsightly figure.
“Our goddess, Alshuna. For me, who couldn’t change anything on my own. For me, who couldn’t change on my own. Please give me the courage to change myself just once. I implore you, just once. Just one more chance for me―”
It was a sincere wish and dearly prayed words. To encourage myself and blessing of revival to be able to grab the sword once more. But the goddess would never help. I already knew it. Because she didn’t exist in this world. She simply watched on. So all these words were to help myself change.
Then when I opened my eyes, my body was filled with strength that was not there before. As if the time I knelt and gave up was a lie, the weakness that occupied my heart did not exist anywhere now.
The one who gave me this strength, this courage, was that boy standing in front. He taught me to push forward with my belief. He showed me physically, he awoke me, so I could stand again.