“Do you think we’re closer to the world Arima wanted?” Yusa’s back remains to Ui, but Ui hears the defeat in his voice.
And it breaks him.
Arima, Hairu, Shio, Rikai, Hairu, Hairu, Hairu, Sakai, Hairu…
Ui gasps. He hasn’t let himself cry in so long.
And suddenly the tears won’t stop.
Furuta looks terrified. “Bye!”
Yusa knees a fleeing Furuta between his thighs. The former director falls over, howling.
But Ui howls louder. “Fuck you! Fuck you, Furuta Nimura!”
“What if I told you that wasn’t my full name?”
“Shut up!” Ui throws a chunk of collapsed concrete at him. He misses by about two meters.
“Fuck me! I allowed this.” Ui grabs his hair. These dead kids – he let them die! “What have I done?”
“Allowed this?”
“Shut up,” Hirako barks at Furuta.
“I miss her. I miss her so – so much and I – and Arima – he was the one one – who understood me – and now – I’ve lost everything!” Ui sobs. “I should have died, not Hairu. Not Arima.”
Yusa and Hirako exchange glances.
“Go on and tell him,” Furuta mutters. He should hate Ui – Ui’s everything he despised – but Ui showed him one moment of encouragement months ago, so for some reason he can’t hate him.
He can’t make it up to Ui. He doesn’t even care to.
But he might as well let the boy know the truth.
“Ui, Arima – Arima was dying anyways. So was Hairu.” Hirako swallows.
“Huh?” Ui’s face pinches. Hairu, who giggled every night with him, who fed him melon pan, who laughed at everything he did. Hairu who revitalized his life? No, never.
He just wants another second with her. Just enough time to tell her he loves her. Please, God.
“Listen to me.” Hirako sighs. “But this is gonna take a long time to explain.”
Mercy and Magic 