Tachibana had been reassigned as student council president, meaning the 99% of her subconsciousness ultimately won, not surprising considering the probability of success.
I've… been avoiding Nakamura as of late. I'm clueless as to how I should approach her.
Making friends and enjoying school life, the requirements for satisfaction… and erasure. I can see why she would want to avoid that.
My mind is a scrambling mess. Walking around the school all willy-nilly at 7:30 am isn't helping me mitigate my nerves in the slightest.
I overhear Tachibana's soothing voice.
"So, where will we start?"
"I've been worried about that, too." Yuzuru? "I think we should start with Yui."
I watch as Yuzuru and Tachibana use the trash incinerator.
"It seems like she's pretty fulfilled already. All she needs is a little push. If we can give her that push, she can leave this world." Leave this world?
I don't know what's more awkward, our silent stare down or the fact that I've been standing in front of them this whole time and they hadn't noticed me until now.
"Ah!"
"Oh!"
"Reo!? Hey!... Why are you here?"
"Ah, sorry! I didn't mean to eavesdrop on you, I was just passing by and got curious when I heard Tachibana… Okay maybe I was eavesdropping a little…"
He smiles with dread, "How much did you hear?"
"...About Yui."
Yuzuru and Tachibana wanted to fulfill everyone's wishes so that they could pass on. Turns out, Tachibana hadn't lost herself during the fusion. That was one less worry for me.
"Oh! I thought we lost you! I'm glad you're safe."
"Sorry to worry you."
"Well, I'll leave you two to your salvation. I'll keep my mouth shut about this whole thing so don't worry."
Before I turn to withdraw, Yuzuru grabs me by the shoulder, "Wait! Maybe you can help us with something."
Yuzuru proceeds to explain everything to me.
The first step of their master plan was for the confiscation of Yui's guitar by Tachibana's hand, then Yuzu would "steal" it from her and give it back, that way, it would get the two of them alone without making it seem artificial.
"Alright, but what do I have to do with this?"
"Slow down Yui in case she catches up to Kanade."
Not a bad idea if I do say so myself.
I lay my legs to rest on a grass hill next to the school's connecting path.
If Yuzuru's aim is to push everyone into satisfaction, then Nakamura will surely take notice eventually.
I feel Yuzuru sitting next to me.
"Hey, so… what are we gonna do about Nakamura?"
My vision's focus falls on a different, yet very familiar face.
"ACK!"
"What was that about me?"
"Oh! I was- I mean- No, me and Yuzuru were just talking about how we could support you more! You know, since you seemed really busy recently!"
"Oh, is that so? I appreciate you two doing that for me, but I'm managing just fine."
"Oh, good! That's good!" That was close. I need to pay more attention to my surroundings. I can't let Nakamura bust us. At the same time though, I do feel like I'm betraying her trust by doing so.
"But nevermind that, I need to talk to you about something, will you listen?"
"Yeah, of course, what's on your mind?"
"...It's about what you said the other day before we encountered Angel…"
"Uh ha…"
"...You were right, I have been keeping my distance from everyone, but it's not what you think it is…"
She peers over the greenery.
"Have you ever stopped to consider why Angel is always by herself?"
"Are you gonna say something mean?"
"Of course not! Just… hear me out. Angel isn't exactly the antisocial type, so she never had any trouble making friends. She has this… strange aura that just makes you want to forget about everything… forget about everything and be happy… that's the kind of person she is… and it's the reason why everyone around her inevitably fades away."
An icy numbing tightens my chest.
"It's not like I don't consider you guys my friends… You, Hinata, Otonashi, everyone in the SSS, every single one of you is a precious friend, and I'm so incredibly grateful for every drop of blood you've all shed for me and my cause…
She tenses up.
"...But there's a line I can't cross, even if it hurts not being able to get closer to any of you, I won't do it, I can't…because…this is the only chance I've got to set things right, and I don't wanna waste it."
Set things right… with God? Angel? Her siblings? I don't know, but what I do know is, Nakamura will never stop, not until she reaches her resolution.
"Nakamura, I'm…Sorry, I shouldn't have interrogated you like that."
"Oh no! It's okay! You don't have to apologize, you were just worried about me, that's all. I appreciate you going out of your way to spend time with me despite my resistence, I know I've been kind of a pain, but I hope you understand where I'm coming from."
"Yeah. Absolutely."
I feel the smooth sensation of her fingers pinching and wobbling my cheeks.
"Hehehe!" Nakamura's perky laughter launches me to high heaven.
"STOOOOP!" The berserking screeches of Yui can be heard from across the building.
"Who was that? Yui?"
Crap! I can't let her find out about Tachibana! "Uah- Hinata's probably messing with her again."
"I swear with those two, who needs a circus."
"Every group needs a lively bunch afterall…"
Wait, I just realized something…
I'm on the wrong side of the courtyard…
Yui… I pray your next life treats you better…
One by one, Yuzuru and Tachibana will dust everyone's wings so that they can finally take flight, that was their desired method, but their ambition paled in comparison to that of God's.
Mysterious shadows began to materialize, numbering in the thousands.
Getting swallowed by one of these things meant absolute conformity.
This world has lost its patience and is no longer waiting for us to leave.
Takamatsu was clear evidence of this phenomenon.
After getting consumed by the shadows, he had no recollection of what happened to him nor sensed anything wrong with his situation.
That's because he had been converted into an NPC by those shadows.
Nakamura gathered everyone in the gym for an emergency meeting, where she opens the stage for Yuzuru to explain his views on the crisis.
I gotta give credit where it's due, nothing gets past that girl.
Ultimately, the decision was ours to make, either heed Yuzuru's advice, or fight a losing battle against the shadows.
"Can I steal a few minutes from you all?" Nakamura drops an unexpected bomb on us. Tachibana has been human this entire time! I almost went for her shoulders to scream at her about withholding so much information, but alas, I settled for a loaded sign instead.
"So Yuri? What will you do?" Yuzuru looks quizzingly at Nakamura.
"There's something I want to confirm."
"Are you going to fight the shadows?"
"That depends."
"It's too dangerous alone."
"I don't have a choice. I told everyone else they were free to choose their path."
"There's people that will stay with you."
"They still need time to think. It's an important choice."
"That's… true, but…"
"If when I return… everyone has disappeared, and safely departed this world… I'll assume it was thanks to you."
"No way. I'll wait for you!"
"Don't be silly. If you wait by yourself the shadows will get you. Before that happens, hurry up and get out of here. Out of this world. Don't worry about me."
"No, we'll worry."
"Hinata?"
"What are you trying to say all of a sudden? Didn't we form this Warfront starting with just the two of us? We've spent a long time together, haven't we? That's why we'll be together in the end, too. I can't just leave you."
"You're the same fool as always. Nothing will be solved with sentimental arguments."
"Enemy attack! It's an enemy attack!" We hear distressed calls from a distance.
"Kanade, I'm counting on you… Then, let's meet again if we can."
"Yurippe!"
Nakamura chuckles, "What a ridiculous nickname. But maybe that's why everyone followed me. Thank you."
Nakamura…
She's so headstrong.
It's why I admire her so much.
You changed my whole outlook on life and opened my eyes to a lot of things I didn't even think were possible for a person like me.
You gave me the courage I so desperately needed.
That I will never forget…
And it's why I can't just leave you alone, I refuse too!
"Reo, what's wrong? Let's move." Yuzuru glimpses back at me.
"I'll catch up with you guys later, I have something I need to do first."
"You be careful, okay?!" Hinata's goofy smile puts my mind at ease.
"Hm, you all should be careful too."
Nakamura, you said we were free to choose our own path. Well, I'll choose to obey my heart's longing to stay by your side.
Frosty air currents enter my nose and mouth as I rapidly gasp for air.
Where could she have gone? Where? Where!?
There has to be somewhere I haven't checked yet!
…Wait, the library!
No show... maybe the computer room?
There!
After what felt like an eternity, a blaring clank diminishes my hysteria. I witness as one of the floor tiles slam shut.
That must've been Nakamura, it had too.
But a secret passage in the computer room? Where does it travel to? Only one way to acquire that knowledge.
I attentively raise the lid, only to be blown away by how far underground it goes.
There's hardly any lighting, but I could barely make out a flashlight descending the stairs.
And with that knowledge, I go about my decline.
My feet come down to press against the hardened ground.
I jumped from joy after picking out Nakamura's presence.
She went by herself for a reason, so I should respect that. I'll just stick by with enough of a gap for her to not notice me in case she gets overwhelmed.
The shadows are still increasing their numbers.
Nakamura was running low on ammo and I considered blowing my cover until Chaa came in and gave her more ammunition.
I'll continue to stay put for now.
She reaches the old guild and lays down to take a breather. Her face relaxes completely as if she were a zombie.
I never thought I'd see Nakamura spacing out like that. I wonder what she's thinking about. Whatever it is, she seems kinda depressed and regretful about it…
This leisurely restfulness doesn't last as more shadows surround the facility.
Nakamura initiates fire right away, but…
"Disappear. Disappear. Disappear. Disappear! Disappear! Disappear! Disappeeear!"
Her wrathful tunnel vision prevents her from noticing an upcoming shadow behind her.
That's my cue!
I elevate my gun to rain metal down our shadowy nemesis.
It disperses into nonexistence.
"Goto!? Why are you here!?"
"I thought you'd want some backup!"
"I'm fine!"
"Don't be stupid! There's too many of these things for you to take out!"
An improvised coordination and combination of our attacks was enough to grant us a brief victory.
"I can't believe you! We only have so much time left to stay in this world, you shouldn't have wasted it on me."
"Your safety is way more important than whatever time I have left."
"I can take care of myself. Stop concerning yourself with me and place more focus on yourself."
My hands clench.
"I can't do that knowing my friend might be in danger! I'm not gonna leave without you."
"…Goto?"
"Quit acting like you don't have anything to do with my life. I've only come this far because of you, because you went out of your way to guide me when you could've just left to disappear."
"...No… I'm just... a selfish person that does what she wants, and you all just happen to go along with it, nothing to it."
"That's not what I see. What I see in front of me is someone courageous and loving enough to inspire and lift those around her, including me, and I'm sure the others feel the same."
"...But-"
"No buts! I'm going with you whether you like it or not so stop trying to convince me otherwise!"
Uuh... I think I ended up upsetting her judging by the way she's advancing towards me…
She clasps one of my ears, "You're so… Infuriating! You know that?!"
"Oow! Sheesh, I get it! But discipline me later!"
She finishes my ear torture in exchange for a simper.
"...Let's move!"
"Right behind you!"
The ladder squeaks beneath our weight.
"You better not look!"
"I-I won't!"
Once we outstretch the peak, the guild's passageway darkens within its approaching tunnels.
"Ugh! What a pain."
"Got any grenades on you?"
From out of nowhere, a bright flash blinds us as it combusts everything around it, demolishing the shadows.
"Hey, sorry for the delay!" It's Yuzuru!
"Did you miss us?" Hinata too!
"Otonashi and… Hinata?"
"I'm here too, but…" And of course, Naoi is here with them.
"Kanade was worried and brought us here."
"Kanade?"
A familiar silver and gold emerges from the smoke.
"Heh, I see… But, you guys, why are you down here?"
"We left it up to them. The others, they're carrying on our wills for us."
"And that's why you came?"
"We all fought together."
"Hum! Isn't that the same as always?"
"I suppose it is. We can't help but worry about you, Yurippe."
"Hey… Down there… Doesn't it seem like they were protecting something?" Otonashi points at the tunnel below.
"Why, what a coincidence. I was thinking the same thing!"
"Damn it. There's even more!" We brace ourselves for the impending confrontation.
"Yuri, you go ahead. We'll take care of these guys."
"Okay, I'm counting on you."
"Yeah, leave it to us."
Dealing with these shadows was certainly unpleasant, they just kept spawning one after the other, but we still persevered through our wills and our bullets.
After clearing most of the pathway of these pests, we led towards where Nakamura had gone off to... only to be met with her unconscious body and a room full of shattered computers.