CH 5.35

「This can be called retribution for getting a lot of innocent people involved….cough….」

Sugita fell down and coughed up blood.

「I guess so」

There are probably a lot of humans who were eaten by variants because of Sugita’s drug distribution.

I’m not inclined to defend this guy in that regard.

Even if Kagutsuchi had deceived him, it was Sugita himself who chose to do it as a means of revenge.

It was also Sugita who guided me and Yui to the drug party.

In other words, Sugita used me and Yui as baits to lure out his revenge target.

-0-

Still, I cast healing spell on Sugita.

The wound was healed but my healing magic could not regenerate organs of others who had completely lost theirs.

「You healed me……thanks. However, I’m going to die, right?」

「Yes」

He seemed to know what was happening to his body.

「I don’t want to apologize but, I’m sorry.」

「Sorry for what?」

Even if those are the words of a dying man, I will not accept any unclear apology.

Yui could have died because of him.

「I used you as baits. I’m sorry.」

「……I have no plan of forgiving you. Me aside, you put Yui in danger. The drug investigation was something we jumped into on our own. I was prepared to deal with variants. However….we were tricked by a fellow “human” which made the story different.」

「Human……right」

Sugita glanced at his own left arm, blood foaming from the corner of his mouth as he muttered to himself.

When I looked at Yui and asked “Do you want to say something?”, she shook her head with a sad look on her face.

Finally, I turned to Sugita.

「Do you have any last words?」

It won’t be long because he leaves this world.

I had seen this scene countless of times in the other world.

「Let Susanoo eat me….」

「Why? Is it to atone for attempting to kill him?」

「Nonsense….cough….it doesn’t changed the fact that if variants like him don’t exist, Machiko wouldn’t have died…」

Hearing Sugita’s words, Susanoo’s, who’s only a head, eyebrow twitched.

I don’t know how he feels after hearing that.

「Then, why?」

「No one remembers Machiko. Even I can’t remember how she looks. I want to be just like her. She must have been happy with me. If anyone remembers me, she will really be alone. That’s why….I ask….」

I honestly don’t know how Sugita feels.

But….

「I refuse」

「Is that….so……」

I guess he didn’t expect me to do him a favor.

Sugita slowly closed his eyes without changing his expression.

「I will remember that you and Machiko existed.」

I wonder if my blunt words reached Sugita.

A single tear flowed from his closed eyes and his body relaxed.

I don’t know if Machiko really existed.

No, in all probability, she never existed.

-0-

Yui gently held my hand.

I have seen this scene many times. It’s nothing for me.

I just kind of remembered a comrade who had his memory manipulated by a demon and I had to kill him with my own hands.