RABBIT 16: Shared Trait

At that time, why did he risk his life? If he had kept quiet alongside me, the rabbit likely wouldn't have noticed us. And if it did encounter Daikubara-san and the others, it might have lost against them - considering it wasn't that strong to begin with. So why did he distract it, when he knew it could cost him so much? Why was he fighting to live, when he was so eager to give up his own life for the sake of others?

It's not like I have any room to talk, but… it irked me.

How far do you plan on making it with will like that?

…

Standing still and silent in front of the metal gate, Ishimasu-san pushed and pulled at the blunt bars, while Konsako-san looked for any indication as to how to open it.

Konsako Akihi: "Ghh… it's no use. What else do we have to do?"

Ishimasu Kanana: "I cut my finger on the sharp stuff…"

Kuro: "She didn't mention we could climb the gate."

Konsako Akihi: "...I don't think I could, with this leg. And it's too dangerous for Ishimasu-chan too."

Kuro-san stared endlessly at the gate, Konsako-san's message not getting across the way he intended.

Konsako Akihi: "Besides, we have to escape with everyone, right? Even if you could, you'd only be leaving the rest of us behind."

Running his fingers against the pickets' edges, Kuro-san stared past the gate, towards the tall building barely visible through the thick darkness. Ishimasu-san pressed her face through the gaps next to him.

Ishimasu Kanana: "It looks really far away… it'll take forever to walk there."

Konsako Akihi: "You're right… that's why we'll need as many people as possible, since some of us can't even walk straight."

Konsako Akihi: "So let's get going."

Ishimasu Kanana: "Where?"

Konsako-san walked from the gate, reflecting on the plans previously made.

The agreement was, that if the gate still refused to open, that the three would wait inside of the rabbit's apartment, given Kuro-san's possession of the keycard.

However…

Kuro: "Ten minutes."

Konsako Akihi: "What?"

Kuro: "If the gate was open, we would only need to wait ten minutes before leaving."

Kuro: "I'm willing to leave now."

Ishimasu Kanana: "But… the gate isn't open…"

Kuro: "We can climb it."

Konsako Akihi: "I already told you, I can't–"

Kuro: "We're next to the factory. We could probably find something to help lift you up."

Konsako Akihi: "But the barbed wire–"

Kuro-san raised his right hand, which held on to the bolt cutter.

Konsako Akihi: "..."

And with that, he began scaling the likely fifteen-foot tall gate with little effort, the tips of his black shoes fitting through the pickets' gaps. Having reached the barbed wire, Kuro-san used his teeth to grip the handles of the bolt cutter, and wrapped his gakuran around his waist and to a picket of the gate, before slicing through the barbed wire in front of him. He had cleared a path for himself to make it through without risk. Quickly jumping down and redressing, he began making his way to the factory. Ishimasu-san and Konsako-san had yet to speak up, uncertain if they could convince the unusually determined boy.

Konsako Akihi: "Kuro-san, wait. Do you really think this is the best idea?"

Kuro: "We can wait the ten minutes if you want, but I'd rather get sorted first."

Konsako Akihi: "No, I mean - I don't think we should leave anyone behind, even if the gate was open."

Kuro: "Why?"

Surprised by his lack of understanding, Konsako-san struggled to answer.

Ishimasu Kanana: "We have to open it… right? So everyone can get through…"

Kuro: "They should be able to climb it."

Ishimasu Kanana: "But what if they can't?"

Kuro: "Then they can open it themselves."

Ishimasu Kanana: "That's…"

Konsako-san stepped between the two.

Konsako Akihi: "Why can't you just wait for everyone, then? If they can climb it, then we can leave together."

Konsako Akihi: "Just wait…"

Kuro: "No one is coming."

…

Ishimasu Kanana: "That's… not true…"

A weak response, certainly… but it spoke true to her feelings.

Ishimasu Kanana: "They'll be okay… they will be."

Did she even believe her own words?

Kuro: "We don't know where the doctor and the other girl are."

Kuro: "Those two are likely in the sewers by now, if not already dead. I don't think they'll be returning."

Ishimasu Kanana: "..."

Kuro: "We can't help them, either. We should leave while whatever's out there is distracted."

Konsako Akihi: "Are you calling them bait?"

Kuro: "They made their choice."

The cold street was silent, with no response to his words necessary. He wouldn't come to an agreement, because they simply viewed the lives of others differently.

Despite knowing a response wouldn't help the situation, he couldn't help himself but interject further. Despite knowing nothing could convince him…

…He was getting emotional.

But before the blue eyed boy could speak…

"We have a number's advantage."

Kuro turned to his right without taking a breath, staring down the man who had entered the open street through the alleys of the town.

…

The sudden light that began shining through my closed eyes had woken me from the dream I was almost lost in. Whatever I was dreaming about must have been much better than the reality I was facing, but I had no time to dwell on that.

Something had changed.

Itogaya: "I was about to wake you."

Kobayashi Ayamo: "What's… going on?"

Itogaya-san was still, staring out the apartment window towards the direction of the south-west apartments, where the power station stood.

Itogaya: "I'm assuming whoever turned the power on will be heading towards the gate."

Kobayashi Ayamo: "What are you going to do?"

Itogaya: "I'll determine that when I see them."

Minutes passed.

Itogaya: "Ah…"

Kobayashi Ayamo: "Who is it…?"

Itogaya: "That boy… he distracted the rabbit while you retrieved the keycard, no?"

…Konsako-san.

Kobayashi Ayamo: "Is he stupid…? Don't tell me he's alone…"

Itogaya: "Ishimasu-kun is lending him a hand… and it seems like Kuro-kun is leading them."

Kobayashi Ayamo: "The others aren't with him…"

Itogaya: "It would seem so."

I had to wonder where they could be, but given the time likely passed, and those within the group… someone had to have told them where the power station and gate were.

Michifuku-san and Tatesada-san…

Itogaya: "Lift your arms."

Kobayashi Ayamo: "Eh?"

Itogaya-san picked at the dressing around my waist for a minute, before allowing me to lower my arms.

Itogaya: "This will need redressing urgently… but there isn't any suitable cloth in this room, including my own clothing."

Itogaya: "Can you wait for a little longer?"

…Is that a question, or a demand?

Kobayashi Ayamo: "...I got myself into this mess."

Itogaya: "...We'll work together to get back out of it."

…

Itogaya: "The only advantage we have currently, are our numbers."

Ishimasu Kanana: "Itogaya-sensei?!"

The small girl ran towards him, before stopping as his injuries came into view.

Konsako Akihi: "You're okay…"

Itogaya: "A few light scratches..."

Konsako Akihi: "...Where's Kobayashi-san?"

He sat on the cold pavement, letting out a visible breath.

Itogaya: "I've heard enough from your conversation to mostly understand what's occurred the last hour."

Itogaya: "You want to leave now, Kuro-kun. Isn't that right?"

He softly nodded.

Itogaya: "But are you certain you'll be able to survive on your own?"

Itogaya: "I left Kobayashi-kun at the store for less than a minute, before finding her to be almost dead."

Itogaya: "And now, I need to help her. There isn't enough dressing to keep the bleeding from continuing, and I have no means to cauterise the wound."

Itogaya: "Which is why I'm requesting your assistance."

Konsako Akihi: "You don't need to ask– where is she?"

Itogaya: "It isn't you I'm asking, Konsako-kun."

The tired doctor looked up towards Kuro-san, still in between the factory and gate.

Itogaya: "Kuro-kun, would you mind lending a hand?"

Kuro: "What condition is she in?"

Itogaya: "Keeping it brief, it isn't good. Her wound is still fresh, but it won't take long before it becomes infected. I need whatever I can get to prevent that, but with my battered body… it'll be difficult to fetch all of it on my own."

Kuro: "Once you help her, will she be able to fend for herself?"

Itogaya: "Not for a while."

Kuro: "Then can you expect her to walk the distance from here to the next building?"

Itogaya: "Not without help."

Kuro: "You'll need me for that help."

Itogaya-san wore a grin as Kuro-san caught on.

Itogaya: "Assuming we can't locate the others in time, and we manage to open that gate - we'll need you to help carry Kobayashi-san."

Itogaya: "Unless we plan on staying here a lot longer than we want to."

Kuro: "I doubt she'll be of any help in her state."

Itogaya: "We won't know until we reach the next section - if there is one."

Kuro: "We won't reach it if we spend too much time on the wounded. The four of us could leave now, alive."

Kuro: "From what I know, the "fox" almost killed that girl, and it looks like it wasn't far from finishing you off either."

Kuro: "She was in fine condition before; so it had to have been a strong threat."

Kuro: "I'd rather not find out what else is waiting for us, here."

He stepped in once more.

Konsako Akihi: "We're not leaving with you, Kuro-san. Not without everyone."

The small girl nodded in agreement.

Konsako Akihi: "If you want to leave, we can't stop you… but we're helping Kobayashi-san. You should come with us."

And to add on…

Itogaya: "We still have the numbers advantage, even if just us four. If you leave now, you lose that."

Itogaya: "At the very least, we can determine what exactly we're facing in this town, and come up with a decent strategy."

Itogaya: "Though you seem relatively smart, Kuro-kun. I'm certain you've realised this already."

The bitter air ate away at the fours' faces, as a response hung still. It seemed like the final comment from Itogaya-san had bothered him.

If Kuro-san had already determined his disadvantage, what was the point in leading them this far?

Konsako Akihi: "We're wasting time right now. You don't have to leave right now, so come up with your answer after you see Kobayashi-san."

Konsako Akihi: "Lead us to her, sensei."

He limped towards the sitting doctor, clearly frustrated by the situation as his furrowed eyebrows presented an unkempt look on his face. No more time was to be wasted, and so Ishimasu-san ran behind him, before looking back at Kuro-san one last time, nervously awaiting his response.

Kuro-san wasn't a fool, but it was clear at this point he held a stubborn personality behind that blank exterior.

And so, despite his protests, he followed them, giving the gate one last look as if to imprint it in his mind.

…

Konsako Akihi-san, who found himself in an accident at twenty-one, to the fault of no intentions…

…What was he searching for, outside reclaiming his own life?

He seemed frustrated when faced with the inability to do anything, especially when it came to helping others. So, when the time presented itself, did he act without thinking, or was he always thinking?

Finding it difficult to relate to those different from him, Konsako-san couldn't help but be irritated by Kuro-san's lack of understanding.

But they were both stubborn to a fault.