We choose to begin our plan an hour before the concert, giving us time to recover our rhime and stamina. When it reaches an hour and a half before the event, Yamiso and I start to prepare. Yamiso leaves me to go get a music player from his room, while I choose to search the storage room for some of the antitoxins and, hopefully, a blade.

"Do you want a music player or a recording crystal?" Yamiso asks me before we split up.

"Doesn't matter. Not knowing my rhime type doesn't help with the song selection."

"Ah right... Nevermind."

To get to the storage room, I head towards the lowest level.

"Oren?"

I stop to see Vega-sama leaving the medical room, carrying a few boxes.

"You're still here?"

"I...uh...yes. But I'll be leaving soon. Now, if you don't mind..."

"Wait, please."

(Not now!)

"Sorry, but I'm in a hurry!"

"Please!"

I stop, then turn around to face him.

"Thank you." he says. "First, I want to apologize for being quick to judge your actions at the hospital."

"You had every right to hate me for my actions. It's my fault for not explaining myself."

"Are you in a hurry?"

"Yes, I am. I'm hoping to get a blade for the road as well as some of that hydra antitoxin in case Hunter tries to poison anybody else to get to me."

"I see."

Vega-sama puts down the box on top...and takes out four vials of antitoxin.

"I hope this helps."

"You're just giving them to me?"

"Thanks to the sample you provided, we've been able to quickly mass produce it. The one responsible for this feat deserves at least a few vials."

"I...gracias."

"As for the blade..." Vega-sama continues, removing all other boxes from his shoulder.

Moving boxes to the side to get to the one at the bottom, he removes the cover to show me an object wrapped in cloth with a note attached. He gives me the note while removing the wrapped object from said cloth.

!

(Clarent!?)

"I thought I...!"

"Indeed, you did. Please, read the note."

After calming myself, I follow his instructions.

(Dear Oren Tsurai;

Forgive me for the words I said to you despite not knowing the full truth. While it's unfortunate to learn that you will not become a Keisetsu member like you wanted, I've come to appreciate all the sacrifices you've made for what you believe to be in everyone's best interest. It's thanks to you that Vega is still alive, and that the fear of hydra poisoning can now be countered. It is because of my guilt for accusing you that I cannot take Clarent. While we dwarves value our craftsmanship highly, there is no greater honor for a blacksmith than knowing their creation is in the hands of a worthy warrior. Money may be important, but unlike Hunter, I will not profit from an action I would feel guilty about. I know you'll have many adventures ahead of you, so I want you to wield a worthy blade when the time comes. Forgive me for my actions, and good luck.

Sincerely,

Vorn Crater)

...

"He meant to tell you this directly," Vega-sama continues, "but it would be difficult for him. We dwarves are a proud race who can't admit defeat. I hope you understand."

"I do. And you know I'm in no position to judge."

"True. But nevertheless, thank you, and good luck."

"You too."

"Hey, Oren!" I hear Yamiso yell. "You ready?"

"I'll be right there!"

I wave goodbye to Vega-sama and head towards the main hall.

It's time to start our plan.

"Everyone!" Katsumi says over the loudspeaker. "We have an emergency meeting! Come to the main hall at once!"

(No! Not now!)

Yamiso and I are the first to make it to the main hall. He and I try to leave as planned, but Katsumi continues to tell Yamiso to stay. So, in the end, we wait until everyone is assembled. To my surprise, in spite of their injuries, everyone who participated in the last mission arrives, as well as Crystal. Some are confused, some are tired, and then there's Crystal, who is VERY tired.

"I'll make it brief," Katsumi starts, "We've learned that Hunter is taken the Wave family hostage at the Pira Attis city hall, where Sutoria is putting on a surprise concert. We've also learned that Hunter plans to have her yakuza minions assassinate Ken Wave at this event."

...

"For real!?" Claire yells.

"Guess she doesn't know when to give up." Sigka remarks.

The room gets more tense with anger, as everyone here has hatred for what Hunter did to them.

"Yamiso. Hiromu. Saiya. The four of us will go on ahead to engage the yakuza members, while the rest of you will catch up as fast as you can. Let's show them what happens when they anger the Keisetsu!"

"YEAH!" everyone yells...except for Yamiso and me.

"So much for the head start." Yamiso whispers.

"I'm coming too!" Hisao proclaims.

"No, you're not!" retorts Katsumi.

"This is more than just some rescue mission." Hisao states. "Like you, I want some payback. But from a tactical standpoint, you think you can take her on with everyone injured like this?"

"We'll manage."

(We're running out of time!) I think. (Ooooohhh... Screw it!)

"I'm coming too!" I yell.

Everyone looks at me in astonishment, including Yamiso.

(This wasn't part of the plan!) Yamiso thinks. (What the fuck are you doing!?)

"Didn't you hear our decision, Oren?" Katsumi asks. "Your motives are understandable, as we all feel the same now, but you're too weak. Don't get in our way!"

"Oren..." Crystal starts, "just let it go. You've done enough. You've endured enough."

(Showtime!)

"I...you're right. Sorry, Crystal."

I turn back to Katsumi.

"I'm sorry for everything. For not telling you the truth about me for so long. For not following orders. I've made everyone suffer so much. But, I'm still thankful for my time here. So...thank you."

And I turn to Crystal.

"And, Crystal, thank you most of all."

"Huh?"

"I can't explain the 'healing subtone' you think I have, and you and Yamiso are the ones responsible for helping me be part of the Keisetsu. But you are the only one who defended me with this subtone assumption. Only you put faith in me when no one else did."

"Um...thanks?"

"I'm not finished. It was an absolute honor to be defended by someone as special as you."

I start to slowly walk towards her, much to her confusion and discomfort.

"After all, you're strong, kind, and wise. A true inspiration."

"Oren?" Crystal asks. "What're you doing?"

Everyone, except for Yamiso, looks at me in confusion. Eventually, Crystal's back is to the wall. I stop close to her and put one hand on the wall above her shoulder.

"And it's because of these qualities that I've fallen for you."

...

"WHAT!?" Crystal yells. For the first time, she seems so energetic, her face flushed completely red.

"Though we may never meet again," I continue, "I couldn't bear the thought of leaving without telling you how I feel."

I begin to sense a threatening aura approaching behind me. Right on queue.

"May you find the one you deserve in the future, but never forget that there is someone you've known that loves you. Honestly, I don't do well with sorrowful partings, so let's make this final meeting a pleasant memory."

I slowly inch towards her...preparing to kiss her.

"I! What? Oren? What're you? This is! I mean!"

Crystal starts to ramble in a panic.

"Cccccccrrrrrrrrryyyyyyyyysssssssssssssttttttttttttaaaaaaaaaaaaaaallllllllllllllllllllll..........."

(Sorry Crystal, but it's the best distraction I've got.)

Crystal looks over my shoulder...

To see an enraged Sueka, wielding her two chuí. The dark aura of hatred surrounding her is so thick that everyone can see it.

"Ppppppppllllllllllllleeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaassssssssssseeeeeeeeeeeeeee eeeeeeeexxxxxxxxxppppppppppllllllaaaaaaaaaaaaaiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnnnn............"

"I swear, it's not what you think! I didn't do anything! Honest!"

"YOU'RE DEAD!!!!"

BATAN! BATAN! BATAN! BATAN! BATAN! BATAN!

With that, Sueka starts to go on a rampage, destroying everything in her path to get to Crystal.

"Sueka, calm down!" Claire yells.

"STOP HER!!!" Katsumi roars.

If I know Sueka, she will be difficult to stop in this state. Unless Crystal uses her strongest ice, weakening herself before the big mission, no ice will stop my sister. And nobody else is in good condition to fight her or waste their precious rhime either.

That was the plan.

I nod to Yamiso, who nods back, and we sprint for the door.

"Yamiso! Oren! What're you doing!?" Katsumi yells.

Yamiso runs out ahead of me. I turn around and simply say "Adios!"

"DAMN YOU TWO!!!"

BATAN! BATAN! BATAN! BATAN!

DoDoDo... DDDDDDDDDDOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

With that, we take off on Yamiso's motorcycle.

"Nice work!" Yamiso laughs into the wind.

"Hope Sueka won't hate me!" I yell, holding back my sudden regret.

"You'll be fine! I'm impressed you went through with my recommendation! LET'S DO THIS SHIT!!!"

DDDDDDOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!