The Guy with the Scar (
Summary[]
Moku greets Iori and Ro as they arrive on the rooftop, asking about Chihiro. Ro replies that with Sengoku dead, Chihiro was retrieving the key. He turns to Iori, stating they will activate the seal and return Iori to her regular life as soon as Chihiro arrives with the key. Internally, while Iori stated earlier that she wished to return, she still grapples with the decision and is wracked with guilt because of the damage that had been caused because of her.
One of the elevators then opens, Kuguri stepping out and Ro quickly locking blades with him. Sumi and Moku escort Iori away quickly, and Moku turns to see more yakuza emerging from the constructions, as well as yakuza hotel guests from the elevators. Moku notices the former group, recruited by the Hishaku, seem to be acting on instinct or as if they were brainwashed, and he suspects it to be the handiwork of the Hishaku. While these yakuza were weaker than the ones at Senkutsuji, their number was far larger.
Ro mockingly states the Hishaku's financial state must be poor if they are hiring yakuza of little renown, and Kuguri brushes off the remark, commenting the Masumi would be in trouble. The abnormally-behaving yakuza scream that they will reach Samura's daughter, and Sumi is quick to fend them off and console a terrified Iori. Hands on her head and tears welling up in her eyes, Iori internally realises that if she were to retain her memories, people will get injured and risk their lives for her. Believing her to do nothing but bring harm to both the worlds she knows, she shuts her eyes and falls into despair.
The day before, after Kuguri and Toto left the school to chase Sumi and Iori, Ikura introduces himself to Chihiro, frantically asking about Iori. Chihiro responds that a gang is after her, and he and his allies are protecting her, instructing Ikura not to follow. Ikura does not do so, entering the criminal areas of Kyoto that night. Eventually, Ikura sees Toto, recognising her from the attack and following her to the Kyoto Bloodshed Hotel, where he hides from Hiruhiko's massacre of the hotel staff. After hearing the Hishaku are headed upwards to Iori, Ikura is frozen in fear.
Ikura recalls when he had visited the school infirmary later to get his hand bandaged, the nurse telling him another student had heard the attackers say they were looking for something, and thus Iori must be involved with something dangerous, advising Ikura stay out of the situation and leave it to the authorities. Ikura then remembers the start of the school term, when Iori was assigned to sit next to him. While he expected her to ignore or insult him like most others did, Iori greeted him cordially, surprising him. The two later became friends.
Back in the hotel, Ikura clenches his bandage hand, blood seeping from the wound, thinking back to Iori's kind words that had great meaning to him. He stops shaking and his panic disappears as he rubs blood on the side of his head identically to Chihiro's scar. Ikura proceeds to where Chihiro and Hiruhiko are, announcing his desire to rescue Iori regardless of any scars he incurs. Hiruhiko strikes forward but Chihiro blocks him, and gives Ikura the key upon realising his determination, instructing him to head to the roof and give it to Ro while simultaneously hoping his presence can help bolster Iori's mental state.
Ikura ascends the elevator and shouts out to Iori, screaming his appreciation for her friendship with him and declaring she had to come back from the dangerous situation she was in. As the enemy yakuza gradually take notice of Ikura, Iori's resolve crystallises as she realises who she should be; someone capable of protecting the ordinary life of people like Ikura. The seal on Iori's memories disintegrates completely as Iori fully recalls her life as Seiichi Samura's daughter; including a masterful level of sword skill. Dashing forward and stealing a katana from a yakuza member, she unsheathes the blade in time to block a slash aimed at Ikura, the boy shocked to see her prowess.
Quick References[]
Chapter Notes[]
- Iori and Ro arrive at the rooftop. Iori is still hesitant in regards to making a decision, guilt rising that her school had been attacked because of her presence.
- Kuguri arrives at the rooftop through the elevator, clashing with Ro. More yakuza appear from the construction around the rooftop, appearing almost brainwashed much like the sorcerers at Senkutsuji.
- Iori breaks down in guilt, believing no matter what life she chooses, she will always brings injury and death to those around her.
- The day before, Ikura asks what has happened to Iori and Chihiro tells him a gang is after him.
- That evening, Ikura searches through the Kyoto underworld throughout the night and finds Toto, following her to the Kyoto Bloodshed Hotel.
- After hiding from Hiruhiko's massacre and consolidating his resolve through thoughts of how Iori was the only person to treat him normally and not ignore or insult him, Ikura charges towards the elevators.
- He comes across Chihiro and Hiruhiko, and upon seeing his determination Chihiro gives Ikura the key and sends him upstairs.
- Ikura makes it upstairs and shouts to Iori how much her presence matters to him, adding she had to return safely.
- The seal on Iori's memories fully disintegrates as she realises she wishes to protect the ordinary life of people like Ikura, and Iori recalls memories of sword fighting, rushing forward and expertly grabbing a sword to block an attack aimed at Ikura.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
Author's Comment[]
| Author Comment | |
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Takeru Hokazono |
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