"...So that guy already told you everything, huh."
Yahiro Samukawa frowned and muttered in a low voice, then let out a relieved chuckle.
"Heh... yeah, that's how it is. Now that you know the truth, what are you planning to do?"
He picked up the scattered pills from the ground, put them back into the container, and stuffed it into his pocket before asking the girl in front of him—his classmate.
"Yahiro-kun..."
Hare looked at him with a complicated expression, not answering immediately.
What was she supposed to do? She couldn't possibly let Mio hurt him over this.
"Let me make this clear first. Yes, what I did to you was wrong. But! Jun has tried to give up on life multiple times—he's already my only family! For Jun, I can do anything. For my little brother, I can give up everything!"
Yahiro's tone grew more and more intense, losing the calm he had earlier. His hands clenched tightly, as if he were enduring something.
"...This is how I protect my family! It's my responsibility as his older brother! I don't expect anyone to understand me, because none of you ever could!"
Bang!
The boy, venting his emotions, slammed his fist hard against the nearby pole, producing a heavy sound.
"So... Hare, I'm not going to apologize to you. For my family, I had no other choice!"
He gritted his teeth and spoke coldly as he looked at the girl staring at him with sorrowful eyes.
"...Haa, Yahiro-kun, I never asked you to apologize to me... but don't you think you should apologize to Jun?"
Hare placed a hand over her chest, sighed softly, and asked in return.
"—! What do you mean?"
As expected, Yahiro's body stiffened at her words, and his expression turned impatient.
"Didn't you say earlier that Jun had tried to give up on life multiple times?"
Hare asked.
"So what?!"
He snapped.
"Have you ever thought about why? Why Jun would make such a decision?"
Hare pressed on.
"...!"
Yahiro's pupils shrank. His body trembled as he bit his lip in silence. Judging from his pale face, he already understood—but was choosing to avoid the truth.
"Maybe Jun doesn't want to see you like this either. Maybe he doesn't want you to fall into ruin because of him. So, Yahiro-kun... no matter what, you should apologize to Jun."
Of course, this was only Hare's speculation. She had never actually met this so-called 'Jun,' but for the sake of her classmate, she still chose to say it. Because she knew that if things continued like this, something terrible would eventually happen.
"Tch—what do you even know about me?! About Jun?! What I do doesn't need—"
"Ignorant and laughable."
The Shogun, who had been listening from the side, finally lost her patience and coldly cut him off.
"—! What did you say?! What does this have to do with you?!"
Yahiro frowned and glared at her angrily.
"...Heh."
The Shogun simply let out a cold laugh.
"Of course it does!"
However, it was Hare—rarely showing anger—who answered him loudly.
"...!"
Yahiro looked at her in surprise.
"If it weren't for Mio, I would've already... already been used as disposable material for human experiments. So tell me... how is it not related?"
Hare lowered her gaze, turning her eyes toward the dusk outside the window. If Mio hadn't appeared, she would have long since lost her humanity. Even now, recalling it still left her with lingering fear.
"...So it was you?! The one who attacked GHQ."
Yahiro stared at the purple-haired woman in shock. A trace of resentment surfaced in his heart. If it weren't for her, Jun would've already received higher-level treatment—and even had the medical fees waived!
It was supposed to be that way... but everything had been ruined by her! And that damned Funeral Parlor! Now they were forced to run, hunted down. They had been so close to—
"Yahiro Samukawa, is that your name?"
The Shogun saw the way he glared at her and sneered inwardly. His thoughts were obvious—he was blaming them for ruining his plans.
"..."
He didn't answer.
"From everything you've said and done just now, I can already tell—you're nothing more than an arrogant, self-righteous weakling. I won't call you selfish, because humans are inherently selfish. But compared to 'selfishness,' 'arrogance' and 'self-righteousness' are far more detestable."
Her words were merciless.
"...What did you say?! You don't understand—"
"For the sake of your brother, you're willing to harm innocent people. Did you ever consider that they also have families who care about them? That they also have people who cherish them? Do you think you're the only one in this world who cares about your family? Do you think your suffering makes you special? Or do you actually believe your actions are noble—righteous, even?"
"...!"
Yahiro's face turned pale under her scathing words.
"In that case, let me tell you this—in my eyes, you are neither noble nor righteous. On the contrary, you are nothing but a self-righteous executioner. Someone who disregards all consequences to fulfill his own desires. In some ways, you're no different from GHQ or those beasts from the Anti-Bodies."
Tap...
After finishing, she grabbed Hare's hand and pulled her away from him, then sat down with her in a distant seat, no longer paying him any attention.
"Mio..."
Hare looked at her and gently rubbed her hand, as if to soothe her emotions.
"Haa... you won't let me hit him, so at least I can scold him, right? Don't tell me I'm not even allowed to do that."
She asked, sounding unusually aggrieved.
"Pfft, no... that's fine... as long as you don't use violence—ah, (don't let Yahiro-kun hear that.)"
Hare smiled and whispered softly.
After that, they quietly waited for the train to reach the next station. Throughout the time, Yahiro stood there in a daze without speaking. Occasionally, he would take out an old family photo and look at it, but recalling the woman's harsh words, he stuffed it back into his pocket, gritting his teeth as he endured the pain in his heart.
Perhaps the weight of his current fate had become too much to bear. Finally, tears of bitterness slipped from his eyes. Turning his back, he leaned against the pole and cried silently.
"Yahiro-kun... must be in so much pain. And Jun too... if he knew what his brother has become..."
Hare murmured softly as she watched the boy crying on the other side, her heart softening.
"You're too kind."
Looking at her profile, the Shogun couldn't help but sigh helplessly.
"...Eh?"
Hare blinked and looked at her.
"He almost ruined your life, yet you're still sympathizing with him. You don't even want an apology. So what do you want instead?"
She asked with interest.
"What I want... if I have to say something... well—then I just want both of them to live well. That way, tragedies wouldn't happen, and I wouldn't have been dragged into something like that either, right? Everyone would just... get along peacefully... and be happy—uwaah~!"
Before she could finish, she felt a finger lightly flick her forehead. She let out a cute cry as her head tilted back, her face flushing as she covered her forehead.
"Naive~"
The Shogun said with a hint of indulgence.
"Mm—"
Hare puffed her cheeks like a sulking kitten.
"Nice thought, though..."
She added teasingly. No wonder Kanon said this girl had a strong sense of romantic idealism—she really did love to imagine impossible things. The world wasn't that kind.
"Th-That's exactly why it's just a 'wish.' I know it won't actually happen."
Hare lowered her gaze, blushing as she explained.
"But... I like it."
The Shogun suddenly changed her tone.
"...Eh///?"
Hare's face flushed even deeper. L-Like what?
"I like a heart that's as kind and pure as yours."
And that gentleness too... she liked that as well.
Hare paused for a moment, but no matter what, hearing something like a confession from the person she loved made her feel like she was about to melt.
...
On the other side, Yahiro, who had just been harshly scolded by the Shogun, looked hesitantly at the two of them seated ahead. His steps faltered. The two brothers were being hunted by GHQ, they had no money left, and his brother was gravely ill. He knew he had already reached a dead end. His earlier attitude had only been driven by pride. If he had been just a little more polite, would he have been able to ask for help?
Damn it!
He almost wanted to punch himself. Just like that, he had thrown away his chance to seek help. But then again... would they have helped him at all?
Jun... what should your brother do now?
...
"Hare..."
During the silence, the Shogun called out to the girl sitting beside her, who seemed lost in thought.
"Mm?"
Hare snapped back to her senses and looked at her. Her innocent face appeared slightly hazy under the golden glow of dusk.
"Do you... want to help him?"
Seeing that the girl seemed preoccupied, she asked with a hint of concern.
"...Eh? I... no, that's not it..."
Hare's eyes flickered, and she instinctively shook her head.
"...Really?"
The Shogun didn't quite believe her. Narrowing her eyes slightly, she asked again in a tone laced with faint amusement.
"Mm... yes, really."
Hare smiled at her.
"Haa... if you're worried about my feelings, then there's no need."
She saw right through the girl's little thoughts at a glance. She understood her personality all too well.
"N-No, that's not it... Mio."
"You actually want to help him, but... because of me, you didn't say it out loud. You know doing so would trouble me, don't you?"
She asked.
"..."
Hare didn't deny it. Instead, she looked surprised—clearly having been seen through.
She really did think that way. But just as the other girl said, she wouldn't say it out loud. If it meant troubling someone else because of her own wishes, she wouldn't do it... especially when that 'someone' was Mio.
But—
Thinking back on everything that had happened, she couldn't help but feel guilty. She never wanted to trouble anyone, yet she always seemed to end up causing Mio problems.
"Haa... you really are too kind."
Seeing her remain silent, the Shogun sighed, her tone carrying a hint of indulgence as she lightly tapped the girl's nose again.
"S-Sorry..."
Hare apologized instinctively.
Tap... tap...
At that moment, they heard approaching footsteps. Hare instinctively looked up, while the Shogun simply glanced toward the window.
"Um... I know what I said earlier was awful. I also know you can't forgive me, but... haa... could you please come with me for a moment?"
Yahiro stood before the two girls, his hands clenched nervously, bowing his head as he pleaded.
"..."
The Shogun said nothing. Hare glanced at her expression and wisely chose to remain silent as well.
"Raiden... I—"
"Talk to her. Beg her."
The Shogun interrupted him, telling him to speak to Hare instead. He should know very well who he had wronged.
"...Hare, I... we have nowhere left to go. Could you please help us?"
Yahiro's voice trembled as he spoke to her.
"Yahiro-kun... I... um..."
Hare instinctively looked at the woman beside her again. The Shogun still stood there with her arms crossed, not even looking at him. Hare couldn't make such a decision on her own.
The Shogun glanced at Hare, who was clearly conflicted, and sighed inwardly.
"Where?"
She looked at Yahiro coldly.
"—! The next stop, it's at—"
"Lead the way."
She cut him off and gave a direct command, effectively agreeing to his request.
"I understand..."
Yahiro let out a breath of relief, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, silently grateful for their kindness.
"Mio..."
Hare was stunned by her response.
"I don't want to see you looking troubled. This is an exception."
She turned her gaze away and replied in a slightly sulky tone, carrying a hint of tsundere pride.
"...Pfft."
Hare smiled knowingly.
Clearly... the kindest one was Mio.
Beep—!
With the electronic chime of the train arriving, the doors slid open. The three of them stepped out and followed Yahiro along a somewhat secluded path, eventually arriving at an abandoned factory.
The sky had already sunk into dusk. Inside the factory, towering steel structures rose like a forest around them. Occasionally, the sound of heavy objects falling echoed through the space, creating an eerie, oppressive atmosphere. Hare frowned slightly at the surroundings, while the Shogun remained as calm as ever.
"After what happened with Funeral Parlor, they said they were going to dispose of Jun. So we escaped during the chaos."
Yahiro explained what had happened as he led the two girls.
"..." ×2
Neither of them responded. They simply followed behind him.
"Go ahead and laugh at me. I deserve it..."
He let out a self-deprecating chuckle.
"Yahiro-kun..."
Hare looked at his back, her lips pressed together.
"Don't assume we're that shallow."
The Shogun replied coldly.
"...You're right. Sorry."
If they were shallow, they wouldn't have said those things to him earlier.
...
The Samukawa brothers were currently hiding in an abandoned dormitory once used by factory workers. When the two girls followed him into the room, they saw a young boy lying unconscious on the sofa—Yahiro Samukawa's younger brother, Jun.
Outside the window, the night had already fallen. Perhaps for the sake of concealment, no lights were turned on inside. The only illumination came from the silver-white glow of moonlight, which happened to shine directly onto the sofa where Jun lay.
After entering, the Shogun casually closed and locked the door. Yahiro crouched beside Jun as if by habit, taking care of him and wiping the sweat from his forehead.
"...This is—!"
Hare stepped closer to Jun and realized that his condition was even worse than before. Half of his face—and even parts of his body—had already been overtaken by crystal-like growths, leaving him almost unrecognizable. If this continued... she didn't dare imagine the outcome.
"There are no outsiders here. Say whatever you want to say. I'm listening."
The Shogun stood behind him and spoke coldly.
"...I want to ask you... could you lend me some money?"
Without turning around, Yahiro stared at Jun on the sofa, his voice trembling. The earlier agitation had completely vanished, leaving only a broken, fragile, and exhausted shell of a boy.
"..." ×2
Neither of them responded.
"Please... anything is fine. We need money to keep running and even just to eat. I have nothing left."
Fatigue lingered at the corners of his eyes. His hair was messy, his voice hoarse. Only now did they realize the state he was truly in.
Yahiro slowly turned around and knelt before them, pressing his forehead to the ground as he begged.
"Yahiro-kun..."
Hare bit her lip as she looked at the kneeling boy and the nearly unrecognizable Jun. Without hesitation, she reached for her bag to take out money—but the next moment, her wrist was gently grasped.
"...Mio?"
Hare paused, not struggling.
"Before that, I want to hear you apologize to her."
The Shogun spoke coldly.
"I'm sorry, Hare... I was wrong. After this, you can hate me, curse me, mock me—I deserve all of it. I'm sorry. Please save us... save Jun... please."
Tsk...
A tear slid from the corner of his eye. One, then another—until he broke down crying, abandoning even his dignity.
"Mio..."
Hare looked at him, her heart aching, her hand resting on the Shogun's wrist.
"..."
Seeing her expression, the Shogun didn't insist any further. She released her grip, allowing Hare to quickly step forward. Kneeling beside him, Hare took out all the money she had and stuffed it into his coat pocket.
"This is all I brought today. I don't know if it's enough, but please take it first."
She explained apologetically.
"Mm... it's enough. It really is. Thank you, Hare."
Yahiro wiped his tears and bowed deeply to her again.
"It's nothing... Jun is what matters."
She waved her hand.
"Are you planning to keep running like this forever?"
The Shogun asked deliberately.
"...I don't know. But in this situation, if we don't run, we'll die. I'll just take it one step at a time."
Yahiro answered.
Hare returned to the Shogun's side, her eyes filled with sorrow as she looked at the two brothers.
The Shogun lowered her gaze, thinking... She recalled the manpower and resources of Funeral Parlor. Perhaps they could get involved—or at least provide the two with a safe place to stay.
In that case, she would need to inform Gai, their leader... no—she would contact Inori instead. After all, she only had Inori's contact information.
Click...
She opened her terminal and initiated a call.
The screen displayed: connecting...
Beep—
In just a few seconds, the call connected.
"...Mio?"
On the other side, Inori had already changed into a dark evening gown for a banquet. Her previously tied braid was now loosened, her hair cascading down, adorned with delicate accessories. Combined with her light makeup, she looked even more stunning and graceful.
"Inori... there's something I need to talk to you about."
Hare also leaned in, looking at the screen.
"What is it? Wait—where are you right now?"
Inori quickly noticed the dim and unfamiliar background behind them. Her brows furrowed slightly, her tone turning serious—though concern clearly showed.
"We'll talk about that later. Right now, it's about Yahiro Samukawa... also known as 'Sugar.'"