Recollection: Various Crossroads | Epilogue

[healingbonds]

Crowd - 8 << | index |


Keito: ...Fufu. Looking back on it again, Sakuma-san was still awful.

And I was inexperienced, stupid, and foolish. I was young and thoughtless; it’ll embarrass me forever.

“Dead Man’s,” huh....

A three-man unit made of me, Ogami, and Sakuma-san; I must have allowed it to continue existing on paper only because of my lingering attachment, because I just couldn’t give up.

Until the very, very end... Did I hope that if all else were lost, I could throw myself at Sakuma-san’s mercy and have him save me? I truly am a fool.


Kuro: ...What’s wrong, danna? You’re weirding me out. Laughing at old memories?


Keito: Yes.... It looks like I’m getting a bit emotional because graduation is just around the corner; it's no surprise that I’m remembering all sorts of things.


Kuro: You’re right. But now’s no time to get lost down memory lane, right? Let’s hurry up and go see Kanzaki.

Looks like that guy’s working hard on his own, after all.


Keito: No, it seems that Hakaze is helping him out, so... Kanzaki isn’t alone. Though I am worried, so I’d like to get to him as soon as possible, but.


Kuro: We shouldn’t be too hasty, though. Don’t move around too dramatically, these “Dead Man’s” outfits were made in a hurry so the seams are loose all over.


Keito: You made these outfits, Kiryu. I trust their durability too.


Kuro: Is that so. Well, I was getting pretty emotional too, you know.

I changed the details of the design, but it’s the same outfit as the one you first requested from me—the “Dead Man’s” outfit.

I recalled a lot of things while sewing them.

Now that I think about it, we sure came a long way. Back then, I didn’t think we’d line up like this...

As comrades following our dreams, you know?


Keito: Is that so... To be honest, I sensed something special about you back then too.


Kuro: Haha, really? Aren’t I just a replacement for Sakuma or something?

I was a weapon you needed to achieve your desired revolution even after parting ways with Sakuma, right?


Keito: Don’t be mean; I won’t say that wasn’t part of my intentions, but.... This is posteriori reasoning, but I’m glad that you were my accomplice.

Thank you for running with me till the end.

Because of that—it might be quite different from what I envisioned, but... we managed to reach a better, more brilliant future.


Kuro: It’s not over yet, danna. Don’t relax now, you’ve always had a habit of flopping at the last minute.


Keito: I’m aware of that. But this time, I'm certain I won’t lose. I’ll make it to the goal without stumbling.


Kuro: Yeah. I’ll kick your ass if you look all pathetic, danna.


Repayment Fes Stage


Rei: (...How much longer will Kaoru-kun take?)

(I wonder if Doggie will be able to make it to me, too.)

(It looks like Adonis-kun is supporting him well as his friend, so I think he’ll be fine, but.)

(Time spent doing nothing but waiting is long and painful.)

(After that.... I distanced myself from Hasumi-kun, as if I were kicking aside a clinging child.)

(Since then, I’ve lived freely, and done whatever I pleased.)

(I enjoyed my youth to the fullest.)

(I traveled all over the world and found huge successes. Then, thanks to being grouped into the “Five Oddballs,” I met friends who harbored the same strength and loneliness I did.)

(With my beloved Doggie, who waited for me, carrying the remnants of “Dead Man’s” without knowing a thing....)

(We bloomed again as “UNDEAD,” and I was able to pass that time feeling fulfilled.)

(This is a blood-and-crime stained glory that I obtained by betraying and hurting my friend.)

(I won’t ask you to forgive me, Hasumi-kun. Even if I bowed my head and apologized to you now, you would simply furrow your brows.)

(Our roads parted, and never met again.)

(By chance, an odd spin of fortune brought us to stand on the same stage once more, but.)

(This must be a small gift—or perhaps a prank—from a whimsical god.)

(Carrying the crime that I must once again face.... I will continue to live as a single selfish and arrogant human.)

(On that day, my soul departed in peace from the singing voices dedicated to the dead, and... I was reborn once more, and began to walk as a human again.)

(I do not know what will happen in the future. Perhaps retribution will come for me, perhaps I will never attain anything that I wished for, and simply rust away.)

(But if my wish could come true.)

(Dear god. Please, just once more, hear out “my¹” selfish desire.)

(...It’s getting loud outside the “auditorium.” Is this voice Doggie’s?)

(Ah, he finally caught me. You’ve grown into a strong man who can make my wish come true.)

(Even though back when we first met, you were nothing but an adorable puppy.)

(This sort of thing is why life is so much fun.)

(Kaoru-kun should also show himself soon. I must properly pull myself together, too.)

(I need to gather up my energy and speak with a clear and strong voice, or else.... I’ll get mistaken for a corpse and be tossed into the coffin.)

(It’s still far too early for me to die, so.... I’ll enjoy my life for a little bit longer.)

(~....♪)

Crowd - 8 << | index |



1. Here he switches back to using “ore,” his first-person pronoun from the past, rather than his current “wagahai”