Chapter 9: You're Better Off Dead Than Alive
The short story "Sakura's Dream" was anything but heartwarming.
From start to finish, every moment exuded a heavy, gloomy sense of negativity.
Pedestrians on the street, a drizzling rainy night, the nightscape stretching endlessly to the horizon.
This signaled the departure of the heroic ideal, existing in this worldline with a probability of merely one in tens of millions.
Shirou, on occasions when he skipped his training or thought of Sakura, would inevitably tread this path.
"On this road devoid of heroic ideals and kindred spirits."
"The boy was far more helpless than on any other path, yet after weighing everything, he abandoned all before him to choose the one irreplaceable part of his ordinary daily life."
"In the beginning of every story, the purple-haired girl who wakes Shirou with a smile is the prologue to it all, yet only in 'Sakura's Dream' does the story conclude by walking alongside her."
As stated.
Everyone noticed.
In this route's Shirou Emiya.
Because his bond with Sakura ran deeper.
He learned the truth of the Fourth Holy Grail War earlier.
And became aware of the misfortunes that had befallen Sakura.
On that rainy night.
As Sakura poured out her heart in a tearful farewell.
Shirou, the embodiment of the "Hero of Justice" in everyone's hearts, remained silent.
"She is the blade I wish to protect."
"The person who matters to me."
I don't want to see Sakura cry anymore.
If no one guides Sakura, leaving her to blame herself endlessly.
Then I will take her hand and lead her to a place bathed in sunlight.
Even if I am not understood by others, I will continue to seek self-forgiveness on Sakura's behalf.
Under the faint glow of streetlights, sheltered by the shadows of the road.
The boy uttered an unprecedented vow.
He would temporarily abandon justice, temporarily forsake the promise he made to Kiritsugu.
"I will become the Hero of Justice who belongs solely to Sakura."
Simultaneously, before anyone could process this.
The scene shifted.
When the conflict between reality and ideals was laid bare.
Born from Sakura's jealousy and competitiveness.
Her negative emotions nourished the Shadow.
In soundless slumber.
She wandered the streets.
Clad entirely in black garments, at first glance, it was unclear what she even was.
She killed Archer, shattered Shirou's arm.
Faintly, it seemed as if the red-clad Servant was shouting her name??
Unclear...
She only felt immense hatred, instinctively accepting the Shadow, driving it to kill Rin.
"This, is corruption."
A voiceover chimed in at just the right moment, dripping with playful sarcasm: "Speaking of which, if any of you have people around you with the potential to turn dark, you'd better watch out~~"
This remark drew amused smiles from the crowd.
But some genuinely fell into thought.
"Sasuke, Naruto..." For a moment, Sakura from the Naruto world suspected that both of them might fit the bill, feeling a bit scared... especially afraid of Naruto. She believed Sasuke would never betray them or do anything to harm the Hidden Leaf Village.
"Jotaro, you look like you could turn dark too." Polnareff, who had already assumed the role of the protagonist, pointed at Kujo Jotaro, whose face was darkening.
"It's over, I'm done for." While the kettle was boiling, Makoto Itou, still focused on the video, didn't notice Sekai Saionji approaching from behind with a knife, using his life to illustrate the classic example of "inspiration comes from real life."
...
Of course, the vast majority of people don't have such individuals around them.
So many continued watching the video intently.
Witnessing the scenes shift one by one.
Until a story as delightful as a fairy tale appeared.
In Sakura's Dream.
She wandered through a dream kingdom.
Filled with tiny dolls.
And delicious candies.
This rare warmth redeemed her and temporarily soothed all who were watching.
The pure, smiling girl strolled through an ocean of candy.
Suddenly, a few candy figures popped out, tugging at her clothes.
The scene was humorous and full of whimsy.
The purple-haired girl raised her slender arm.
With a rustle and a crackle of magical sparkles.
All the fleeing figures instantly turned into a shower of candy, gathered into the arms of the girl in a pink-and-white gown.
Her sweet smile seemed to erase the previous sorrowful scenes.
"So cute..." Sugar from the pirate world chuckled kindly.
"Watching this makes me want to eat cherries," Noriaki Kakyoin quipped.
"Is it really that simple?" In Hueco Mundo, Aizen leaned against his throne and smiled faintly. "Based on past patterns, this editor seems to love sudden plot twists, doesn't they?"
The crowd buzzed with discussion.
And the facts proved it.
Damn!
This editor really has a twisted sense of humor!
Just as everyone was immersed in this childlike wonderland.
Sakura unwrapped an orange candy and was about to pop it into her mouth.
However—
"Finally showing your true nature, huh?"
The whimsical kingdom vanished instantly.
With those words, the screen was dominated by a face wearing a smirk.
Hearing that familiar voice and seeing that familiar attire.
"Gilgamesh!"
"The guy who got soloed by Emiya is here!"
"The oldest fraud in history!"
...
Tokiomi from the Fourth Holy Grail War era twitched at the corner of his eye upon witnessing this. "It can't be..."
His eyes widened.
On the screen.
The tone shifted abruptly.
A gloomy, cold palette returned to reality.
In the crevices of the wall where the light couldn't reach, the man with the flippant tone was none other than the King of Heroes.
His whisper continued.
"This king has always said you should have died back then."
Full of confidence and contempt.
An arrogance that looked down upon all life, the kind that would infuriate anyone who saw it.
"This guy is so full of himself!" Naruto frowned.
"How could he speak to a beautiful girl like that?" Aki Midori also pounded his chest in frustration, wishing he could take on all of Sakura's suffering himself.
The group had already developed a habitual dislike for the self-proclaimed "concerned citizen" Gilgamesh, the professional tormentor of beautiful girls.
However, the twist came so quickly...
The scene stretched out.
There was still a considerable distance between Sakura and Gilgamesh.
The truth about Sakura, who had earlier been wandering through the whimsical kingdom in an evening gown, was now exposed.
She stood trembling in a corner untouched by light. Her pristine nightgown was stained with blood.
The wreckage at her feet and the fingers she clutched seemed to confirm something.
Connecting this to the earlier adorable scenes, countless people's expressions shifted in horror.
Did the crushed figurines symbolize the dead?
Were the candies Sakura had stuffed into her mouth actually human flesh and blood?!
"This is way too dark!"
"Is the author Urobuchi?"
"Oh my god... Why must they be so cruel again and again to someone already treated unfairly by fate!?"
Amidst the disbelief of the crowd, Sakura spoke once more.
Gazing distantly at the glittering figure, she extended her hand and murmured softly, "So golden and shiny... so beautiful..."
[Whoosh—!]
The response to the girl was not words.