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The Raven Dark Hero 119
🕑 Added 2021-11-25 00:01:04 +0000 UTCChapter 119 : A Maiden’s Resolution
TL:SummerPeanut
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Fuuka's account of what happened with Kouki left all the members of the Hanagekitai speechless.
Two people who love each other met and parted as enemies, as if fate had played a trick on them.
For some reason, or perhaps it was the cause that brought them together, all of the members of the Hanagekitai squadron had more than a little affection for Kouki.
If they had been in Fuuka's position, would they really have been able to endure it?
No matter how much they thought about it, they could never come up with an answer because, in the end, no one except Fuuka could connect their feelings with Kouki.
“……So, why is Kouki in this place, looking so ragged?”
Bright's special body suit had holes all over it, and his mask was so tattered that it was impossible to hide his true face.
And the way Kouki was acting just now was clearly out of character.
“I don’t know. As Bright, Kouki possessed several high-ranked gifts. But in my opinion, none of these gifts are the original gifts that Kouki manifested himself. It's a rare gift, perhaps even one that General Zaizen has to kept it a secret.”
The gift that Zaizen held in such high esteem. If anyone have any of his gifts, they could be one of the best in the NDF……there was only one possible answer.
“I've heard that powerful gifts have some restrictions. Perhaps the phenomenon that's happening to Kouki-sama is also an adverse effect of the gift.”
Yoshida's words got to the heart of the matter, and Azusa, who had been watching Kouki that had longed to be a hero since he was a child, fell to her knees with tears streaming down her face.
“That's... just too cruel. He always wanted to be a hero, and he always said he would join the NDF but because he didn't manifest his gift fast enough, he’s now a member of the filths organization which is the exact opposite of what he wanted……and now, because of that same gift he’s like this. This is just too much!”
In fact, it was because of a combination of various coincidences and timing but even without knowing that, Azusa imagined how much Kouki had suffered and resented the God who she didn't even know if existed.
Each of them had mixed feelings in their hearts and a moment of silence passed. And then……
“Everyone, I have a favour to ask of you all.”
As if she had made up her mind, Fuuka opened her mouth.
“Even if we bring Bright, who is publicly being announced as having been purged, he might actually be killed this time. So… could you all please keep quiet about the fact that we saw Kouki-kun here?"
“I understand how you feel, but we can't just leave Kouki-Sama like this, can we?”
“I…… give me some time.”
Unable to understand the meaning of Fuuka's words, the Hanagekitai members' eyes focused on her.
“Everyone please continue back to the headquarters. And please report that a level 9 phenom has appeared from the black hole but has been repelled. Please report that this area is safe for the time being.”
“No, that’s all good and all, but Fuuka, what are you going to do?”
Fuuka smiled as she stroked Kouki's head, still asleep.
“This is my first and last selfish request. I don't want to be separated from Kouki-kun anymore. I'm going to stay here and live with Kouki-kun.”
Fuuka is the commander of the Hanagekitai and also the lieutenant general of the NDF. If Fuuka were to leave, it would certainly result in the disbanding of the squadron.
But…… none of the girls denied Fuuka's wish.
“……It can’t be helped, you are the general. But there's no way the higher-ups would approve of you being discharged without any reason so you'll just have to apply for a leave of absence for a while.”
“That’s right. Besides, I'm sure the higher-ups are aware that Fuuka has been under a lot of stress lately, and now that the resurgence of phenom is over, they won't be suspicious if we say she's resting.”
Yoshida and Azusa wanted to make Fuuka's wish come true. It was the same for the other members. It was as if they were entrusting Fuuka with something they could not do themselves.
“Thank you so much, everyone. Truly……”
“Wait, don't give off the vibe that you're leaving us for good. We, the Hanagekitai, will always be waiting for you. If you get tired of Kouki, you can always come back.”
When Azusa said that, Fuuka burst into large tears.
Ever since she was a child, she had never had the chance to be with other children of her own age. Hence the first time she met a friend, she thought it was a really wonderful encounter.
The members of the Hanagekitai team descended the mountain.
Fuuka was still thinking about her decision while kneeling with Kouki who was still asleep.
(Ever since I was a child, I've been under my grandpa's gifted education to become a future general of the NDF. I didn't like it at first, but somehow becoming a general in the NDF ended us as my dream. I never thought I'd have to give up my dream like this.)
“…………Urgh, eh? Fuuka?”
It's been an hour since Hanagekitai left. Finally, Kouki woke up.
“Ah……You seem to have been suffering from a terrible headache, are you okay?”
“Fuuka! So it’s not a dream after all! I’ve been missing you SO SO MUCH!”
“Fufufu…Me too-ABUBUH!?”
Suddenly, Kouki touched Fuuka's face with both hands as if to confirm.
“Wai-, Kouki-kun!?”
“The real thingー. It’s the real thingー! Alright, let’s go home!”
After saying that, Kouki forcefully pulled Fuuka's hand and started walking.
After an hour of walking with Kouki's hand in hers, they came to a hut made of trees stacked on top of each other, barely enough to shelter from the wind and rain.
“We arrivedー This, my house!”
“Your house……”
Inside, the room was about six tatami mats in size. As the granddaughter of a hero, Fuuka had grown up in a wealthy environment but this was not a place where people could live. However, that did not shake her resolve.
(So, this is our new home……wait, I'm getting nervous just thinking about it!)
Fuuka's face turned red as she thought of her life alone with Kouki.
However, without caring about Fuuka's condition, Kouki suddenly picked her up in his arms.
“KYAH!?”
“Fuuka, it’s not a dream! It really is Fuuka!”
With his eyes moistening, Kouki happily called Fuuka's name. It was an attitude that directly expressed his honest feelings, which was unimaginable from the usual Kouki.
“Fuuka, let’s live here together forever!”
Fuuka was somewhat relieved by those words. She's been thinking about what she would do if Kouki refused her offer to live with him. ……She was prepared to stay even if he refused.
“Ye……yeah. From now on, we’ll be together forever.”
“Really!? YEUSHー!!”
Changes in Kouki. Advancement and failure in NDF. Her own life.
There were many things to think about, many things to worry about, but at this moment, Fuuka was dominated by a feeling of freedom, a feeling of having decided to forget everything and live as she wanted.
(Eventually, I will have to leave this place, and I may have to live like a fugitive, moving from one place to another. But I won’t regret anything. Because I can be with the most important person in this world……)
Fuuka would later be reminded that these feelings came from her youthful ignorance of the world…….
