Shou and Miyu join Manabu, blocking Mikoto's way. She is surprised by the weapon and steps back.
"My machine gun? You stole it?" Ailiss clenches her fists, glaring at me with an intimidating expression.
This was bound to anger her, but there are no easy paths to resolve this matter. A false peace is not what I want so that I will touch on our deepest wounds.
"Yes. I was forced to do this to restrain you," I reply.
"Even unarmed, you wouldn't stand a chance against me. If you know so much about me, you must know I could kill you easily," she says, glaring at Manabu.
"Not so fast. Do you think I'll let you harm them?" I step in front of her.
"And what do you plan to do, Mistkerl? You know you're worthless. What strength do you think you have to stop me?"
"We both know I cannot beat you in direct combat. I may be a complete idiot, but I'm not stupid enough to deny that fact. So, all I have left is to convince you with words."
Communication has always been one of my weaknesses. Whether in my native language or any other, I've never been able to explain myself adequately. However, I believe you two were the first to understand this clumsy side of me.
So, Mikoto and Ailiss, please accept my confused words again.
"Don't you see this won't work? I was already irritated by this farce, but you've lost any chance of mercy after your theft. I need to vent this anger somewhere."
"Fine. I understand your point; you have every reason to be mad at me. Still, I ask that if you need to vent, do it solely on me. Hit me as much as you need, and once you've cooled down, we can talk about our alliance."
"Oh, turning the other cheek to the enemy? How brave of you. What do you plan to prove with this? Determination is not the same as stupidity," Mikoto comments with an ironic smile.
"Think what you will, but I would never do something so foolish for an enemy—only for you two. And if you feel the need, you can also vent your anger at me. Perhaps collaborating to beat me up would be a good way for you to bond."
"Very funny, but I would rather spare myself the trouble."
"Well, I'll gladly do it," Ailiss suddenly punches my face.
I stagger backward from the intense blow but manage to stay on my feet. Under normal circumstances, such a precise hit would have knocked me out. However, I've gained some resilience from all the beatings I've taken from her.
Before I even have time to breathe, she approaches again and lands a punch in my stomach. I can't maintain my balance this time, so I drop to my knees on the ground.
I cover my mouth with one hand, holding back the urge to vomit.
Then she gains momentum and kicks me on my right side, knocking me to the floor completely.
While I'm lying there, she sits on my chest, pinning me down, and continues hitting me.
A punch from the left.
A punch from the right.
The force behind her fists increases with every blow I receive.
My consciousness seems to waver between strikes, but I can still hear the others talking in the background.
"He'll end up dying if this continues. Even if he agreed to this, can't you believe that Jocchi is being sincere?" Manabu asks.
"He is the one who suggested this act to her. I have nothing to do with it. Everyone handles their problems in their own way. If he dies, she will die along with him, and I will be free. I see no better outcome for me," Mikoto replies with disdain.
"You can't be serious!" Shou exclaims.
"Kaichou," Miyu sighs, "even if you have no direct involvement if you can't feel anything while watching him get beaten like this, I truly regret ever admiring you."
Hearing their support makes my wounds burn more than Ailiss's punches. I hurt them so much in those repetitions, and now they're the ones helping me save her. If only I had chosen this path from the beginning…
"I'm not holding your arms. Why don't you fight back?" Ailiss stops and asks.
"Continue," I look at her and respond.
"I'm done with this..." she looks at her blood-stained hands. "I'll end up killing you if I keep going."
My conversation with Ailiss is suddenly interrupted by Manabu's shout.
"Hey, stop!"
I turn my head and see Mikoto has grabbed the machine gun. Taking advantage of Manabu's distraction, she's almost wrested it from him.
"Let go of it now!" Shou tries to help him. "Damn it!"
Shou takes an elbow to the face and recoils in pain.
Then Mikoto sweeps Manabu's legs, causing him to fall, and finally takes possession of the machine gun.
"No more games. I believe our matters are settled here," Mikoto says, aiming in our direction.
Ailiss quickly stands and points her revolver at her.
"Getting rid of fools like them isn't an achievement. Why do you think you've already won? I can easily shoot your hands and disarm you," Ailiss retorts.
"I do not deny your skills. However, now our confrontation is a bit more balanced, is it not?" she smirks sarcastically.
Damn it, my consciousness is fading, but I need to move!
In an instant before the gunfire erupts, I gather the last of my energy to overcome the dizziness and stand.
With Ailiss nearby, I block her shot with my left arm. Meanwhile, Mikoto's bullet, meant for Ailiss's leg, tears through my right leg.
Damn it!
I stifle a scream but immediately lose balance on the injured leg and collapse to one side.
"Johann-kun!" Miyu screams and tries to help me.
"Wait, Miyucchi," Manabu holds her back. "It's dangerous, and Jocchi asked us not to interfere beyond this."
Good call, Manabu. You've already shown me the path I must take; you've helped me enough. From here, I'll handle this myself.
"How? I thought you could not move anymore... What did you hope to achieve by doing something so reckless?" Mikoto asks.
"Isn't it clear? My only goal here is to protect you both."
"Idiot, now you really can't move... What's stopping me from shooting her again?" Ailiss asks, still aiming.
"You're right," I smile bitterly. "The only thing I can do is beg you both to lower your weapons. Didn't I say? My only weapon against you is my words."
I hear the machine gun drop to the floor.
"Very well, I have honored your request. And now? I have put myself at a disadvantage against my assassin. What will you do if she shoots me or finds a way to kill me indirectly?" Mikoto speaks, crossing her arms calmly.
That's a risk I've been aware of from the beginning.
"If she does that, it means I've failed," I close my eyes. "It wouldn't be the first time I've seen one of you die; I've witnessed it countless times." I open my eyes and struggle to stand. "That's why I'll do everything to make the next repetition different."
As my blood drips from my wounds, I force myself to stand once more. However, I quickly collapse again in the most pathetic way possible.
"Mistkerl, look at your state, yet you insist on spouting this nonsense? Tsk," Ailiss says.
I rise again, putting all my strength on my left knee and managing to stand.
Slowly, I lift my hand to Ailiss's unarmed hand and hold it. She looks confused but doesn't resist.
"As long as I'm conscious of my actions, I'll fight to my last drop of blood to save you both. I know you'll eventually forget these words, but I still want to say them," I say, holding Ailiss's hand as I limp toward Mikoto.
I also take her hand and, placing one next to the other, intertwine their fingers.
Seeing us in this tragicomic situation, a self-deprecating smile forms on my face.
With wide eyes, they both just stare at me in surprise.
"No matter how many repetitions pass in this endless hell, no matter how much I hurt myself in the process, I'll never stop loving you both."
...
Their images begin to blur, and once again, everything goes dark.