At the farm.
— I don't care about what you say! Wisedroid killed you, I know you're a fake!
— Tatsuya, calm down! Why are you so angry now? We were laughing together just a few minutes ago.
Haji, startled, shouted:
— Yeah, stop this bullshit! You're the one who wanted to see the starts, now you're yelling at us for no reason?
— Don't you remember anything about the moon? Why isn't it cut?
Both of them confused, Yuto answered:
— What are you yapping about, bro?
— The moon, dammit! Slade was here and... wait. She wasn't supposed to be here at all.
— Slade?! You're losing your mind, Tatsuya.
— Wisedroid killed you, then Slade revenged you! Don't you remember any of that?
— Of course not! I don't even remember fighting Wisedroid, to begin with!
— Wait, were you telling the truth back then?
— You can bet I was saying the truth! I was supposed to fight him with Ria, but the other day he was dead and me too, for some reason!
— But I remember his smile! He was my friend. He died because you died! Why didn't you resist?
— Tatsuya, I think you need some rest.
Tatsuya was holding his head, like he was seeing everyone else as crazy. Yuto approached him with a smile, placing a hand on his shoulder.
— How about we sit on the grass and watch the stars? This could help us.
Out of instinct, Tatsuya punched Yuto to the ground. The impact was so strong he bounced off the grass. Haji, in disbelief, ran towards them and yelled:
— What the hell are you doing?! I thought we were friends!
— You stay right there, brat! This is between me and him!
She stopped, scared.
— Yuto, I'm sorry about punching you, but-
Yuto got up quickly and punched Tatsuya in the face.
— What the hell is wrong with you?! When you said I had a talent in being friends with dangerous people, were you talking about yourself?
— You're right, I'm dangerous. But you're more than I am. I can't you let you live. Slade can't put her hands on you.
Tatsuya somehow teleported behind Yuto and kicked him on the side, sending him a few kilometers away. When he was about to get up, Tatsuya appeared on his side and kicked his stomach up multiple times, until Yuto couldn't move.
He can teleport? Was this power all the time?
— I'm sorry, Yuto, but I'm just doing my job. The world will be doomed if you return to Tokyo.
Yuto used his power to move his body. He used his knee to hit Tatsuya's chin. He was sent to the sky. Yuto flew towards him and punched him towards the farm, destroying the main house. He landed nearby.
— Did I kick some sense into your ass now?
Tatsuya was lying in the rubble. Suddenly, he got startled and looked everywhere.
— Not even a word? Well, I'm gonna beat you until you give up. Don't worry, I won't kill you.
Yuto rushed towards him, about to land a punch in the stomach. But, for some reason, the roles were instantly reversed. Yuto was lying down in the grass, while Tatsuya was standing before him.
What?! This can't be only teleportation! He must have a second power!
— You're the one who should give up. In case you haven't realized yet, I'll tell you who I am.
— No way I'll let you belittle me. I'll discover your power by force, not by pity.
Tatsuya enraged. He teleported again and kicked Yuto to the side. Less than half a second later, he landed another kick. Then, another. A punch to his front. Almost instantly after, another from behind.
My body can't even register the damage before I take another! He's too fast even to a level 7...
Finally, Tatsuya teleported on his back and punched him multiple times. But Yuto felt and heard them all at once. It was superhuman speed. Not even a god could land so many hits at the exact same time.
Yuto was launched towards a mountain, piercing through it. He hit another mountain, stopping the impact. Tatsuya was standing before him again, after less than a second. Who could travel a few kilometers in less than a second and stop like it's nothing? What about the inertia?
Tatsuya touched his watch. A light blue energy sword appeared alongside his arm. It seemed powerful.
— It's time to end this, Yuto. I'm really sorry, but I must do it. It was great having fun with you all.
He's fast. It's not even possible that a human can be this fast. He can literally teleport with his power, but it's not only this. It's like a power that alters reality. He can make multiple things happen at the exact same time...
At the exact same time...
Wait, that's it!
— Goodbye, my friend.
Just as Tatsuya was swinging his energy sword to decapitate his opponent, Yuto forced his power to push him forward, sliding between Tatsuya's legs. He quickly got up and smirked, knowing his secret.
Yuto started creating a huge gravitational field where he would increase his power thousands of times, crushing everything inside of it. It was the supreme gravity he always used, but at a different scale this time. It would make a crater the size of a mountain.
He could do it anytime he wanted, but the destruction was so big that it would leave a scar on the terrain. In addition, it would cost him a little more time to make it work. But he obviously didn't want to kill his friend, only scare him.
What is he doing? I can dodge this attack easily. Does he want to die with me? Wait, what if his power ignores him? Is he testing me?
As Tatsuya pondered about Yuto's plan, he felt the ground shaking a bit. A few purple particles started levitating, indicating it was about to hit. Scared, he "teleported" back to the farm, where he wouldn't be hit.
Yuto stopped the attack and flew right towards him at top speed. He arrived there in less than 3 seconds. Smiling mischievously, he said:
— So you're Stopwatch, the 3rd level 7.
— Tch. I was just about to say that to you, but you refused my mercy and tried to figure it out on your own. You almost died for a stupid reason.
— Really? You're too defensive about that. Seems like I won.
— How does this give you an advantage? You can't match my speed anyway.
— I know. But what happens if I cover the whole country with my power? You would need to leave it as soon as possible. Stopping time and running towards an exit every time seems exhausting.
— Don't think you have won this, kid. Now I know how to use my power a little better. When you met me in the tournament for the first time, I didn't even remember who I was.
— So your power can damage your memories?
— Only temporarily. That's why I now remember about the moon, Slade marrying you and Wisedroid being killed by her!
— So you think I'm the root of all the problems? You must have gone back in time many times to reach that conclusion. Did you say you met me the first time in that arena?
— Of course! I was scared of you, so I never talked to you in other timelines!
— You went back in time and couldn't even remember who you were. What if you returned only to meet me?
— What? But why would I risk going back so far and lose all my memories?
— That's the reason, maybe you wanted to approach me. If you went back a little less, you could have a negative impression of me and try to kill me again.
— No, this can't be right!
Tatsuya remembered another core memory that was supressed by his power.
Winter, night. In the woods, Tatsuya was running aimlessly. He looked like he was done with life. Messy hair, broken glasses, untied suit.
Akari-chan, Koharu-chan... How could all this happen? I thought I could live a happy life in this timeline, even if I sacrificed the world!
His watch showed not only the hour, but also the year. 2054, July 7th. It could have stopped working before and he wouldn't care, but the watch produced its own energy, even if it was a bit shattered.
I'm in 2054 now... Why is everything happening right now? Wait, today is the Boss's 77th anniversary! Did he wait all this time to start his plan to conquer the world? I know 7 is his lucky number, but this is too much!
While he was running, a katana pierced his heart.
I'm gonna die again! This isn't fair, I just wanted a peaceful life! There must have been a convergence point in time where everything can be changed! One where the Boss can be defeated! Think, who can change the world by themselves if I only help them? Who was powerful enough to kill the Boss? Wait, that boy who died seven years ago!
— Ishikawa Yuto? Why is he so dangerous?
— Just like his sister, he threatens the association's integrity. I may know about almost anything, but I'm really bad at deciding things. So, could you help me, Tatsuya?
— Well, I understand why you're conflicted. Even if you are a super advanced android, you still have to consider the emotional side. Why not follow your heart? If you feel like he can cause a disaster, I think you should kill him.
— What if he's a good person?
— Everyone who has too much power turns into a twisted person, sooner or later. Look at Slade, she was a normal and innocent girl. Now she can do anything she wants, that's why she changed into a psycopath.
— I see, but it's not really her fault. She's not the same she used to be, literally.
— I know you want to protect her, but she'll just kill you if you approach her. She has no salvation.
— Yeah, you're right, friend. Thank you so much! I'll kill Ishikawa Yuto in the blink of an eye!
— Just don't force yourself too much. If he discovers your weakness, you could die, just like any of us.
— Don't worry, I got this! I won't give him any chance.
Wisedroid took off his black mask to show his smile to Tatsuya. He also did a thumbs up.
— Whoa, I didn't know you could just take off your mask like that!
— What, you thought it was part of my head? I'm just like you humans, but made with electronic parts!
— Speaking of that, how's your daughter doing?
— Ah, Genesis is just a maid. She's really close to Exwind, but Ria doesn't like her too much.
— I see. You don't want her to leave your protection, right?
— Naturally! If she leaves the area of effect of my power, she will be in trouble.
— You haven't changed, friend. You're much more human than that trash of a hero who calls herself a godess.
— Haha, I guess you're right. Thank you again, Tatsuya. I'll get going to meet the boy.
— Alright, good luck!
— I hope I don't need any luck, but thank you!
Wisedroid waved while looking at his friend and left the room.
The other day.
Tatsuya was in his room. He woke up and turned on the TV to watch the news while he ate something.
— This morning, a fight between two level 7's happened, destroying a major part of the city. Wisedroid is found dead. The suspect for murdering him is Slade. The reasons are still unknown.
Tatsuya froze. He looked at the TV, thinking about the conversation he had the day before. Obiously, it had something to do with Yuto. He still didn't know about his connection with Slade.
— Yesterday, a long-time enemy of the association was found dead. It's likely that both incidents are related.
The present.
— So I went back in time just to save you? This can't be right. How can you be that important?
— I honestly don't know. But now that you remember what happened, it's probably the truth.
— What if my memories are deceiving me?
— Then we can fight again. I won't let you kill me, anyway.
— Alright, that's fair. Let's return to Tokyo, we can reorganize our thoughts there.
— Haha, I think this whole trip was a little more destructive than we predicted...
— Ah, don't worry about the house. My uncle can repair it whenever he comes back.
— What about the hole in the mountain?
— Well, I guess that'll become a touristic spot. Like, turn left after you see the giant hole in the mountain.
— Haha, you're right. What's important is that no one died today, so this will be engraved in our memories. Actually, I enjoyed our fight.
— Really? You're kinda masochistic if you ask me. I owned the fight from the beginning. Go before me, I'll look at the stars one last time.
Tatsuya threw his car's keys to Yuto. He caught them in the air.
— Are you kidding me? If I knew your power before, I could win the fight. And I'm not even hurt, look!
Yuto lifted his shirt and showed his slowly healing injuries.
— So your 7-Up is already working? Good, now I can punch you a few more times for being so stubborn.
— Not if I do it first!
Yuto smiled brightly at his friend and went to meet Haji. Tatsuya looked at the stars. The wind blew through his hair. He was finally at peace, knowing the truth he had been searching for so long.
I could never see a clean sky like this in the city, because of the light pollution. People always say that the stars can calm your mind. It's cliché, but it's true.
Tatsuya looked at the moon once again, not afraid this time.
And the moon is as beautiful as ever. It's strange to remember what happened to it in the other timelines.
Tatsuya looked at his friends. They were walking towards the car, smiling to each other.
It's weird seeing Haji smile, but she's just a kid after all. Even if she's worried about Yuto's well-being, she may consider this all just a fight between friends. I'm glad she forgave me so quickly.
Tatsuya felt a shiver run down his spine. It wasn't the wind this time.
Wait, something is off. I don't know if it's my 7-Up's danger perception or my instinct, but I feel like something big is coming.
Just as he predicted, a red slash flew towards him from behind. It was aiming for his head. He quickly crouched down, dodging it.
Suddenly, an explosion could be heard. Tatsuya immediately looked at the car, it was gone. Yuto and Haji were alright, because they didn't enter it yet.
As he turned his head, another slash came. But Tatsuya was too focused in his friends, so he didn't see it coming.
Huh? How did I not notice it? Was it so fast that my brain couldn't register it? Why can't I move my body?
Tatsuya moved his eyes to see his body. It was no longer connected to his head. He was instantly decapitaded by the slash.
Those red slashes, it can only be Slade! How she knew we were here? Maybe the fight caught her attention? But we're so far from Tokyo!
Like pure instinct, Tatsuya traveled back in time. He couldn't fight with only his head, so he didn't stand a chance.
— ... Actually, I enjoyed our fight.
Tatsuya froze, noticing something strange. He had a déjà vu, but not only that. His memories from a few minutes later were missing. Knowing something would happen soon, he rushed towards the car.
— Yuto, let's go! We have no time!
— Huh? Why so suddenly?
— It doesn't matter! Just get in the car!
— A-Alright!
The three quickly got into the car. Haji, however, hit her hand in the car's door, dropping her cell phone inside of the vehicle. She closed the door and Yuto offered to take it, since it was closer to him.
Maybe the problem is Yuto, but since we're inside a closed space, I can kill him if he tries anything.
Immediately after he crouched down, another red slash sliced through the car, decapitating Tatsuya again. As Haji was shorter, her head was cut in two.
Huh? But it was supposed to happen in a few minutes...
Tatsuya went back in time again.
— Did I kick some sense into your ass now?
Tatsuya was lying in the rubble. Suddenly, he got startled and looked everywhere.
— Not even a word-
— Wait a minute! This is urgent!
— Huh? You're not trying to lower my guard, right?
— Let's go back to the car! We can discuss everything when we're back!
— What car? It's broken, remember?
— What? It's right there!
Tatsuya pointed to the car. Smoke was coming out of it.
Huh?! How did that happen? Wait, I remember! As soon as we got here, it stopped working! Why did I forget it?
Tatsuya touched his watch, releasing the energy sword.
— Yuto, get out of here, please.
— What is that?! Did you have a sword this whole time?
— Take Haji and go back to Tokyo. I want to test something.
— I don't understand, but alright.
— Thank you.
Yuto flew with Haji to the sky. Tatsuya felt an attack coming from behind.
So Yuto was not the attacker...
Tatsuya tried to defend it with the sword.
A red slash?! This must be Slade!
After a few seconds, the slash won the match and cut trough the sword. Since it was made of energy, it did not break, but Tatsuya was hit. Beheaded, again.
He could also go forward in time, but the collateral effect was the same: memory loss between the two points. This condition would heal after some time, but the enemy wouldn't wait. Some traces remained in déjà vu, the rest came back slowly. However, a few things could change between timelines. It was out of Tatsuya's control.
— It's time to end this, Yuto. I'm really sorry, but- wait, something happened a few minutes ago.
— What? Of course, you were kicking me a few minutes ago!
— No, I mean...
If I am still alive, it means that Yuto didn't kill me. I'm in the future because something happened before it should have.
— ... my power is time. I'm the 3rd level 7.
— I knew it! You shouldn't have said it, dammit!
— I probably died a few minutes ago, but not by you. Do you know who else could be watching us from afar?
— N-No, I don't have a clue.
— If they haven't attacked yet, it's probably because you're with me. Try crouching for a second.
— Like this?
As soon as Yuto crouched down, a red slash came towards Tatsuya's nape. He quickly touched the watch and defended the attack with his energy sword. Seeing that it would collapse, he arched his back to dodge it.
I knew it!
— Slade is the only one I know of who attacks using red slashes.
— Whoa! Slade? Wait, from behind!
Another slash was thrown towards Tatsuya's back.
How?! She really got around me from afar in a few seconds? But I can dodge this!
Just as Tatsuya crouched down, Yuto rushed towards his front with no second thought. He was sliced in two, but Tatsuya survived.
What was he thinking?! I'll have to go back again just because of this!
— Whoa! Slade? Wait, from behind!
— Don't worry, I got this.
Tatsuya didn't turn around, knowing about the attack. After reassuring he would dodge it, Yuto didn't move. But Tatsuya was sliced in two. Vertically, this time.
He couldn't even think about what just happened, because his brain was damaged. As a natural reaction from his body, he went back again.
— If they haven't attacked yet, it's probably because you're with me- wait, don't move. They probably have a large-scale attack. We're safe because we are close enough-
Beheaded again. The slash was small enough to hit only Tatsuya.
— I don't care about what you say- Haji, can you come here, please?
— Huh? Why the sudden emotion shift?
— It doesn't matter. Yuto, get in the car, please. It's urgent.
— A-Alright, I guess...
Tatsuya threw his keys to Yuto and approached Haji.
— What do you want with me?
— Come here.
Tatsuya squatted down and lifted Haji's body to eye level. Since Yuto already got in the car, a slash came to kill Tatsuya. But they both dodged. Another one, but he stopped time.
He had to close both his eyes to stop time indefinitely. That's why he walked a bit faster than Haji a few days ago in the city: each blink stopped everything for a fraction of a second.
After taking a deep breath, he opened his eyes and started to blink repeatedly to slow down the slash. As soon as he saw it, he started running towards the car. When it arrived, he had more than enough time to dodge it.
Haji saw all that, because Tatsuya could bring anyone to his stopped time by physical contact. But she didn't have to close her eyes. She soon understood his power. When they were close enough to the car, Tatsuya closed his eyes.
— Haji, hold my hand until you're inside the car, okay? No need to rush.
— Alright, I understand.
She got into the backseat. Tatsuya got into the car and took the keys from Yuto's hand. He turned the car on, because he could interact with the world inside stopped time. After everything was right, he opened his eyes and looked at the rear view to predict the slash.
— Whoa! Tatsuya, when did you get here?
— It's my power. I told you I would reveal it.
— I'm not sure if it makes sense, but okay. Are you alright? You look pretty tired.
Tatsuya was indeed looking tired. His power could exhaust him if he used it too much, just like any power. But his exhaustion could travel in time, so he couldn't avoid it by returning a few seconds.
— I'm okay, don't worry.
— If you say so...
Yuto realized that he had stepped in a turd. He lifted his shoe and arched his back to look at the car's floor to see if it was dirty. Tatsuya only realized it at the last second.
— Get down, Haji!
— Huh?
Tatsuya dodged the slash in time.
— Haji, are you okay?
Tatsuya looked back. Haji was using her phone, so she couldn't react in time. Her head was sliced into two again.
No, this can't be happening! What should I do? I am alive, Yuto's alive! I shouldn't waste this chance! Yeah, this is the best course of action!
As the car was still moving, Tatsuya accelerated it. He couldn't look back, because he would hesitate. As soon as Yuto looked at Haji's corpse, he couldn't say anything. He just stared at it in disbelief.
— Wait, Yuto, I can explain-
While he was distracted talking, a vertical slash sliced the car in two. Before he could even close his eyes to stop time, he was hit again.
Beheaded again...
Sliced into two...
Haji died...
Yuto died protecting him...
The car was broken even before arriving...
All them died at once...
Too tired to plan anything...
This is my limit. How many times did I use my power? A few thousand? I can't even predict the slashes anymore...
— Tatsuya, are you okay? You look pretty tired.
I'm more than pretty tired. You know what? I don't regret anything. I already accomplished my mission. Slade won't kill Yuto, nor Haji. Genesis is still alive in Russia, I hope. This is the best timeline, for sure...
— Take Haji and go to the car. You can go without me. I can stop time, so I'll be there in a minute.
Tatsuya threw the car keys again.
How many times did I throw these keys? At least the car isn't broken in this timeline...
— Are you sure? Wait, you can stop time?
How many times did I explain my power?
— Yeah, I'm Stopwatch, the 3rd level 7.
— Really? Wow, I didn't think I could be friends with a level 7! This makes things easier, now there are only two remaining!
— Yeah, you're right. We'll plan everything there, now go.
— Did something happen? We can wait for you.
— Nothing, really... I just wanted to explore the farm a last time before going back. It's nostalgic, and we don't come here often.
— Oh, I'm sorry... I didn't know you were so attached to this place.
— It's okay, don't worry...
Tatsuya forced a smile.
Yeah, it's okay... Everything's okay now... I did what I had to do, now I can rest...
— Okay, then! Bye for now, Tatsuya!
Haji also smiled at him.
— Don't force yourself too much, Tatsuya! Bye, for now!
Bye, Tatsuya! You tried hard enough! Thank you, Tatsuya! You saved us! You did the right choice!
Yeah, this was the best course of action, Tatsuya, you did right. It's okay, you tried. At least your friends are alive.
— Goodbye, friends!
A tear ran down his face after they turned their back to face the car. They started it and waved one last time to Tatsuya. Since they were too far, they couldn't see his face.
— Bye bye, Tatsuya!
Tatsuya smiled at them one last time.
Yeah, bye bye, Tatsuya...
They disappeared over the horizon.
Beheaded one last time.