The Last Push

*Kiyoko Sasaki's POV*

//July 20, 2040//Friday//

I told everyone what I want to do once Hyakuzawa woke up.

"Oi! Are you serious, Sasaki?! Why do you still want to help the guy after he almost killed you? He was the reason why the four of us are injured in the first place."

It was unexpected that the one who will be making a violent reaction is Raku.

"I understand why you reacted that way, Raku. But I think that this is the best decision that we can do."

Raku might be the one who fools around a lot, but he is the person who deeply cares for us the most.

"But he almost killed Machida, you know? Oi, Machida! Say something about it. You almost died!"

Raku started to focus his attention on Kei so he can convince him to take his side.

"I don't care about it. It's not like he is not allowed to kill me. After all, all of us are participating in a death game. Whatever your decision is, it's fine by me."

"B-But!"

"I don't have time for this. I'll be leaving, and I am going to investigate the Arts Room where Kiyoko, and Hyakuzawa fought."

Kei left the room immediately, and Raku couldn't believe in Kei's response about it. You can't expect Kei to be a part of these kinds of things. He isn't interested in it, and he is not good when it comes to people.

"Sigh… I really don't think that this is the right thing to do. He almost killed us! How can we trust him after what he did? He will probably attack us at some point later on."

The four of us are on the verge of dying on that day, and that is one of the reasons why Raku is acting this way.

"Raku-."

"What are you talking about? What are you getting worked up for?"

As soon as I was about to explain myself to Raku about my decision, Ichika interfered, and talked to him.

"Did you guys hesitate to give me a second chance when I apologized, and confessed that I was the culprit when I tried killing everyone?"

"U-Umm… Well…"

"Yua is right. Raku, when we fought Hyakuzawa together, it seems that he was not in the right mind at that time. Hyakuzawa was probably drugged when we fought him."

"I-I didn't know about that… But still…"

"Kanade, and Machida told us that there were stimulants inside his body when the two of you are fighting him. Just like what Machida said earlier, we are in a death game, and attempting a murder can't be avoided especially if someone doesn't trust us. Hyakuzawa must be suffering just like us because of the situation that we are in, and I want to help Hyakuzawa as well." Megumin said.

"I-I'm scared of Hyakuzawa… But Big Sister, and everyone else is right. I also think that he deserves a second chance."

I smiled as I listen to what everyone had to tell to Raku when he disagreed with my decision. Despite having mixed feelings about helping the man who almost killed us, it seems to be that everyone wants to help each other.

"There is your answer, Raku." I said.

I guess I am worrying for nothing.

"Okay, fine. I guess you guys have a point."

I am glad that we all agreed on one thing in the end.

"But once Hyakuzawa wakes up. Who will talk to him?" Raku asked.

"I will."

Everyone looked at me when I volunteered to talk to Hyakuzawa once he woke up.

"Are you sure, Sasaki? I mean, this is Hyakuzawa that we are talking about." Raku said with an uneasy look on his face.

"When I learned about Ichika's past life from Kei, I also learned Hyakuzawa's as well. Another reason why I went to fight Hyakuzawa three days ago was to prove that I am on an equal standing against him."

I held my chest with my right hand, and looked at them with a face of resolution.

"Let me do it."

And after talking to one another about this topic. We came into an agreement, and I will be the one who will be talking to Hyakuzawa once he wakes up.

//July 22, 2040//Sunday//

"Are you nervous?"

"I-I'm kind of…"

Just like what I told them what I would do, I talked to Hyakuzawa when he woke up. I listened to his past life, and did my best to lend him a hand despite everything that he have been through.

We went straight to the cafeteria, and before I opened the door where everybody else is waiting, I looked at Hyakuzawa one more time to see how he was feeling.

And just like what I thought, he is anxious.

If I was in Hyakuzawa's position, I would be worried as well.

"Why do we need to forgive this guy? He almost killed us. Just let him drown with regret for what he just did. "

I know that you are thinking those kinds of things, Hyakuzawa. But, don't worry about it.

These people are more understanding than you think.

But I am still worried…

"Let's go."

"Y-Yeah…"

As soon as I opened the door, and entered the cafeteria, we saw Raku, and Kanade at a table waiting for us.

"Oh, Sasaki!"

Raku greeted me as soon as we entered the cafeteria, and Kanade waved his hand at us as well.

I could hear Megumin cooking inside the kitchen, but when I looked around the area, I couldn't see where Ichika, Asahi, and Kei are.

"Where's Kei, and the others?" I asked.

"Aah! Machida asked Asahi to investigate together with him then Ichika tagged along."

"Seriously!"

I placed my hand on my face and shook my head.

When Kanade told me today that Hyakuzawa might wake up, I messaged all of them to wait at the cafeteria.

Seriously! Why would Kei start investigating as soon as Hyakuzawa woke up? Sigh… This guy is seriously giving me a headache!

"But why would Asahi, and Ichika agree on tagging along with Kei?"

"Machida said that it was important, and he needs Asahi with him." Raku said.

Seriously! You can at least do that at another time, Kei!

"Yo, Hyakuzawa! How are you?"

Raku greeted Hyakuzawa, and patted his shoulders.

"Woaah! You really are taller than me! How can you have a body like this? Tell me your secrets!"

"Umm… I was just working out…"

"Ohhh! That's good to hear!"

Raku was the one who opposes the idea to help Hyakuzawa at first, but I am surprised that he is the most outgoing one now today when he was talking to him.

"Hey, come join us you two!"

Raku pulled our hands, and the three of us walked together to where Kanade is sitting at.

"H-Hello…"

Kanade looked nervous, but I can see that she is trying her best to keep her composure.

"Ummm… H-Hi… Nice to meet you."

Surprisingly, Hyakuzawa reached his hand to Kanade when he greeted her.

Based on what Hyakuzawa told me earlier about his past life, he was an outgoing student, and he was pretty popular with everyone.

So it seems to be that this is the first step for him to change back to his usual self.

But… It's easier said than done.

Just like how I was surprised by what Hyakuzawa just did, Kanade was also shocked as well.

But in a negative way.

"N-Nice to meet-."

When Kanade was trying to reach his hand, she was shaking a lot, and her eyes were lifeless. It's like Kanade was about to pass out any moment now.

"I knew it…"

Hyakuzawa put down his hand when he saw Kanada shaking.

"You're scared of me aren't you? No, I think everyone is. What I did must be so hard to forget, and that is why you can't act naturally around me. I get it, I know that I will just get in your way."

"Hyakuzawa, it's not like that-."

"No, Sasaki. I can understand. It would be better if I don't show myself to all of you. You don't need a person like me to help you find a way out of this place. You guys can do it by yourselves."

"Hyakuzawa!"

"I'm sorry, Sasaki. But thank you for trying."

This is what I am worrying about before we entered the cafeteria.

Hyakuzawa is still doubting if they can really forgive him for everything that he had done.

"B-Big Sis… I'm sorry…"

Kanade held me, and I could feel her hands shaking. She was regretting it because she was unable to hide her true feelings. She was terrified, and nervous in front of him.

"No, it's not your fault."

That's right. If I was in Hyakuzawa's place, my voice alone wouldn't help him that much.

He might be thinking…

"You may forgive me for all the things that I have done. But what about the rest who I have also wronged?"

"Don't leave, Hyakuzawa!" I yelled.

He ignored me, and started walking towards the exit leaving the three of us behind.

It feels like there was this unbreakable barrier that he couldn't pass through between him, and us.

Just one person, one person other than me who can show, and convince that anyone can forgive him in spite of what he has done.

If I am not enough to reach out to him, maybe someone, someone who he has hurt the most.

If that person can forgive him, then maybe not only will that help us when talking to Hyakuzawa, but it will also him as well.

If that person can still accept him despite what he had done then probably…

"Lunch is ready everyone!"

He would be able to apologize.

"Megumin…"

I realized it as soon as I saw Megumin walking out of the kitchen with the Curry Katsu dishes that she is carrying.

She placed the dishes that she made and noticed Hyakuzawa who was about to leave the room.

That's right.

Hyakuzawa has intimidated, and hurt all of us, but everyone knows who he has hurt the most.

This person is the one who kept on trying to reach out to Hyakuzawa from the start despite the treatment that she received from him

"Hey…"

Megumin approached Hyakuzawa and held his hand to stop him from going away.

"Where are you going?"

Yes, she is the person who can give the last push Hyakuzawa needed.

The last push that can make Hyakuzawa open his heart, and connect to us.

******** TO BE CONTINUED ********