nChapter 116: Rain

nTranslator: imperfectluck Editor: vb24

nThe ground surrounding the figure was sunken in and had begun cracking.

nThis showed how huge the impact must have been when this person crashed down from the sky.

nSeiji slowly approached the person.

n‘This person... is probably a girl.’

nHer clothing... resembled that of a knight from an anime, but it was gray rather than white in color. It didn’t expose her cleavage, and there were pieces which appeared to serve as armor strapped on the girl’s waist and shoulders.

nHer armor was engraved with mysterious runes, which Seiji assumed was some sort of magical spell. When he looked closely at her armor, Seiji could make out the outline of a pentagram and a Yin Yang diagram.

nHer skirt reached her knees, and there were slits on both the left and right side. Her shins were also covered in runic plating, and she was wearing white socks and shoes.

nHer clothes were tattered; it seemed as if something sharp had sliced them. Seiji noticed dark red fluid seeping out of a few of the tears...

nA cosplayer?? No, these clothes didn’t seem this simple at all! Besides, she really did fall down from the sky, and she even caused such a large hole to appear in the ground from her impact!!

nThis was... real.

nSeiji took a closer look at her face. It was covered by a white mask, so he couldn’t identify her, but... her hairstyle and overall appearance...

n

"...Shika Kagura?

"

nSeiji felt a cold chill run down his spine.

nHe hurriedly approached her and kneeled on one knee, placing his umbrella in order to shield her from the majority of the raindrops. He adjusted her body into a more comfortable position, before slowly supporting her upper body as he carefully removed the mask.

nShika’s face was indeed the one underneath the mask.

nHer originally beautiful face was now as white as paper. Streams of blood ran down her eyes and mouth. Her eyes were barely open, and her mouth kept opening and closing slightly. It was obvious to see how weak she was.

nSeiji widened his eyes in surprise.

nIt really was her!? How did she become like this!? Was she a Spirit-branded Retainer!? But didn’t Natsuya Yoruhana already investigate her, and eliminate the possibility!?

nA series of questions flashed through his mind.

n

"Urk...

" The girl in his arms struggled to move.

nSeiji instantly came back to his senses.

n

"Shika Kagura! What’s the matter? Hold on! I’ll call an ambulance immediately!

"

nHe placed the mask down on the ground as he scrambled for his cell phone.

n

"Seigo Harano... no need...

" a soft voice rang out.

nShe slowly opened her eyes.

nSeiji’s hands couldn’t help but tremble when he saw her eyes’ appearance.

nBlood red...

nIt was already impossible to see Shika’s eye pupils. Her eyes had turned completely blood red, and the moment she opened them, a fresh trickle of blood poured out of the corners of her eyes.

n

"To hell with that! You need to go to a hospital immediately!!

" Seiji dialed the emergency number on his cell phone using only one hand.

n

"It’s useless... I’m... about to die...

" Shika informed him in a calm voice.

n

"Don’t be stupid! As long as you receive treatment in time, you won’t die!!

"

nHowever, his phone was unable to connect.

n

"What’s going on!? Connect, you bastard!!

" Seiji roared at his phone.

nUntil he noticed that his phone was showing that there was absolutely no cell phone signal whatsoever here.

nNo signal!?

nThis was the middle of a city, not some mountain wilderness or unsettled plains!

n

"What the hell!? What is this...?

" Seiji suddenly thought of a possibility which stifled his tongue.

"Could it be... are you interfering with the cell phone signal?

" He looked at Shika.

nHer face was pitiful to look at, but her expression was calm.

nJust like usual for her.

n

"It’s a... spell...

"

n

"I don’t care what it is! Hurry up and cancel it! Otherwise...

"

n

"It’s too late... My... soul...

"

nShika suddenly revealed a painful expression as she closed her eyes, which were still dripping fresh blood.

n

"There’s enough time! Hurry up and cancel that... spell or whatever!

" Seiji furrowed his brows.

nSoul? What happened to her soul?

nIf Shika’s injuries weren’t something that a normal hospital could take care of, then even sending her to emergency care would be useless...

n‘Idiot! I can only know if it’s useless after I try it!’

n

"Seigo Harano...

" she called out his name in a soft voice while closing her eyes.

"You’re... a good person...

"

n

"That’s my third time hearing that from you! You... you can call me that as many times as you want, as long as you get better. That’s why...

"

n

"I don’t want to... harm good people...

" Shika continued talking with many pauses.

"But... I always... harm...

"

nSeiji couldn’t find anything to say at this.

n

"Seeing... those... that care... about me... in pain... pains me... So that’s why... I don’t need... anyone... to care about me... It’s fine... if... I’m alone...

"

nSeiji chest throbbed with pain.

nWhat was this...? He was naïve enough to believe being isolated could still bring her happiness...

nWhat was all this about isolation not equaling misfortune, and thinking that having a hobby which you enjoyed was all that was needed!?

nSuch thoughts were ridiculous!

n‘I... I’m such an idiot!!’

n

"Being by yourself... isn’t good at all!

" he said forcefully.

"When you’re sad, nobody will console you; when you’re happy, you can’t share it with anyone; when you’re angry, nobody will coax you; when you’re scared, there’s nobody to rely on...

"

n

"Humans... need family and friends... So... don’t say that it’s fine to be by yourself. Don’t... leave this world all by your lonesome...

" Seiji paused mid-speech.

"Live! Live!! Find friends!!!

"

nHe was basically roaring at this point.

nShika widened her eyes ever so slightly.

n

"Friends... Impossible...

"

n

"There will be! Right now... right in front of you, there’s one right now!

"

nSeiji put down his cell phone as he grabbed her tiny hands.

nThey were icy cold and startlingly soft...

n

"I’ll be your friend! I am your friend!! That’s why you must live! We... still need to do so many things together!!

"

n

"We can chat together, read books together, browse manga together, go shopping together, watch movies together, play games together... There are so many fun things we can do together!!

"

nHis shouting seemed to echo in the cold rain.

nThe girl whose body was turning ice cold felt a sliver of warmth.

nShika slowly began to smile.

n

"Friends... are so nice...

" she rasped.

"Can I... really... have one?

"

n

"Of course! I’m right here, aren’t I!?

" Seiji looked directly at her wan yet still beautiful and moving smile.

"So don’t be in a rush to die; tell me how to save you! I’ll absolutely do it!!

"

n

"...Sorry... It’s impossible...

"

nShika’s voice became almost imperceptible.

n

"My older brother’s... coming for me...

"

nOlder brother?

n

"I’m... going to leave together with him...

"

nSeiji felt a chill over his entire body.

nThe girl in his arms was rapidly losing all warmth from her body.

n

"Don’t go! You can do it!! You can live!!!

"

n

"...Thank you...

"

nShika’s smile seemed to become even softer and more brilliant.

nIt was almost as if she were showing off her pure untainted soul in her final moments.

n

"Farewell... My only...

"

n

"...Friend...

"

nHer body turned into nothing but pure iciness.

nSeiji’s expression froze over.

nThe rain pounded down with increased intensity.

nHowever, he could barely hear the sound of raindrops right now.

nHe closed his eyes and lifted his face up towards the sky.

n

"DAMN IT ALL!!!

"

nHe couldn’t do anything but vent the indescribable emotions bursting from his chest.

nHe didn’t know what just happened, or what he should do.

nHe could load, but how was he supposed to save this girl in front of him?

n‘Someone... tell me!!’

n*Boom!!!*

nAlmost as if in answer to his shouting, another loud sound resounded from a place nearly adjacent to Seiji.

nHe turned around to look at the new arrival.

nHe saw a red-haired girl who was wearing clothing similar to Shika Kagura’s.

nBut her appearance... something seemed unsettling about it.

nSeiji recognized her.

nShe was Hitaka Shuho, Natsuya Yoruhana’s Spirit-branded Retainer.

n