Chapter 4 Salvation [...time, life, everything I have.]...
—What kind of person is Kitagawa Ryusei?
--madman.
From the perspective of the port mascot, compared to his partner who was wildly reckless during missions, Kitagawa Ryusei was the real crazy kid.
...Otherwise, what kind of person would place their personal value on saving others?
Initially, this "other person" referred to all the Mafia members around him. However, as Kitagawa Ryusei acquired a regular partner, this group gradually shrank as [Tarashita] welcomed a new regular.
They worked together seamlessly and trusted each other.
Regardless of the harm he suffered, with only the goal of completing the mission, that partner entrusted his life to Kitagawa Ryusei without any hesitation.
It's not that no one saw the drawbacks, but it's too difficult to change the two people in a short time.
By the time the problem was discovered, Kitagawa Ryusei had already firmly linked the other person's life with his own.
He deeply embedded himself in the position of "savior," a position he held firmly.
【Taraxata】 is no longer just Kitagawa Ryusei's trump card for reckless battles; it has become a tool for exchanging self-harm for life.
He could save lives without causing injury, bringing his dying seniors, subordinates, friends, and partners back to life in the next second. In Kitagawa Ryusei's eyes, there was no more worthwhile deal.
This is absolutely the right thing to do.
Because he is an "immortal myth".
Until Kitagawa Ryusei made his first and only mistake.
Two explosions, followed by a burst of flames and thick smoke that engulfed everything.
His partner, who had been laughing arrogantly just a moment ago and promised to instruct him in physical skills when they got back, was torn to shreds right before his eyes.
It was Kitagawa Ryusei who didn't hold on until the end, and didn't trigger his superpower at the most opportune moment.
His existence made that guy no longer value his life.
He became too complacent and forgot that the "myth of immortality" was not a legend of two people, but a curse that one person could not escape...
He no longer has a partner...
Kitagawa Ryusei began to step forward, taking over all the tasks that person was in charge of, and gradually learning about all the work that Mafia members had to do.
He replaced that person and became a prospective cadre.
But gradually, Kitagawa Ryusei felt an omnipresent fear and confusion, and he began to immerse himself in the momentary tranquility of the Trayastrimsa Heaven.
It was like a corner of the Thirty-Three Heavens, a place of compassion that gave him shelter.
Only the sound of the ancient bell there allowed him to briefly escape the aftershocks of the explosion.
Many people around him are trying to help him.
"How you use your abilities is your prerogative, but Ryusei-chan, how long has it been since you went out for a walk?"
His eldest sister, who had practically raised him, looked at him with worry.
"If this continues, you will lose your accurate perception of time. No matter how long you stay in the supernatural space, reality will only be a blink of an eye. Over time, you will become lost in the mysterious flow of time."
Mr. Mori, who was ousted by Mr. Dazai but was later rehired as the leader of the Port Mafia, remained completely unfazed.
"Why place your hopes on one person? Kitagawa-kun, you have been saving so many people, even without using your powers."
Mr. Oda Sakunosuke, who had been secretly brought here by Mr. Dazai and had already defected to the Port Mafia, spoke with a tone full of consolation...
Familiar figures and indelible flames filled every corner of Kitagawa Ryusei's mind, gradually thinning the air in the Trayastrimsa Heaven.
He could only reach out and clutch his shirt to his chest, gasping for breath like a fish out of water, trying to draw in the oxygen from his surroundings.
Until the sound of bells grew closer and closer, accompanied by a resonance that shook the soul, it once again brought a handful of clear water to this struggling fish.
It captivated him once again.
The golden light surrounding them intensified, seemingly possessing an inexhaustible life force. Kitagawa Ryusei sat back, as wooden as a delicate puppet, with only his eyelashes fluttering slightly.
Finally, he looked down at his palm and couldn't help but mutter to himself, "...If you can save him...save yourself."
If... I could have a chance to save them.
A second sound rang in my ears, mingling with the long chimes, as if praying to the "Thirty-Three Heavens".
Kitagawa Ryusei raised his head in a daze and looked in the direction from which the sound came.
In a daze, he saw pink petals drifting in through the light curtain.
To venture into this realm where no other life exists besides oneself.
In another world he couldn't see, there was an equally desolate cemetery.
Some people, covered in gunpowder and blood, sat leaning against the tombstone, as if they were leaning against the "Thirty-Three Heavens."
The cherry blossoms in April fell with the wind and landed in that person's palm.
The five petals are delicate and outstretched, so fragile that a mere gust of wind could blow them away.
Kitagawa Ryusei's heart stirred slightly. He let the broken petals fall and gather them in his palm, asking a question that sounded more like a question to himself: "...What are you willing to give up for this?"
Time, life, everything to me.
*
"Because she was rescued in time, the little girl was a bit frightened and had tinnitus, but she didn't have any burns. We are really grateful!"
"We will explain this to your instructors!"
Most of the people who had gathered in the hospital corridor dispersed, leaving only the two families involved in the car accident and Kitagawa Ryusei and his group in the examination room.
Kitagawa Ryusei breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing that the other person was alright.
Although he thought he was fine, after rescuing the person, Kitagawa Ryusei turned pale and looked dazed, as if he had suffered some kind of shock. The abrasions on his right arm and leg looked extremely horrifying, so he was dragged into an ambulance by the five police academy students around him as if facing a major enemy.
The five people formed a large circle around him, drawing curious glances from those around him.
"Remember to change the dressing on time and try to keep the wound dry to prevent infection."
The nurse patiently gave some instructions and then left, leaving Kitagawa Ryusei and the five people in front of him looking at each other in bewilderment.
Kitagawa Ryusei was unsure how the conversation should go, so he remained silent.
The first to break the silence was Kenji Hagiwara: "It's too dangerous, Ruki! How could you rush in without doing anything to protect her!"
Matsuda Jinpei stood to the side, arms crossed, nodding.
Both of them were already tall, and now that they were both standing, Kitagawa Ryusei, sitting in a chair, was completely enveloped in their shadows, which made him feel inexplicably pressured.
Faced with the enemy's superior strength, he tried to explain: "Um... maybe it's because they knew they wouldn't get hurt?"
Before he could finish speaking, Morofushi Kagemitsu, who had been silent to the side, raised an eyebrow and looked over, his blue cat-like eyes devoid of emotion: "You call this not injured?"
His gaze fell on Kitagawa Ryusei's right arm, which was wrapped in bandages, and of course, his long legs beneath his trousers did not escape his notice.
Compared to the explosive damage that could trigger the [Trayastrimsa Heaven], these were nothing at the moment. But Kitagawa Ryusei dared not say so, skillfully blinking his eyes to beg for mercy, trying his best to appear innocent.
Morofushi Kagemitsu clearly hadn't expected this move, and after a moment of stunned silence, he could only look away helplessly.
The elevator doors at the end of the corridor opened at that moment, and Rei Furuya and Wataru Date stepped out of the elevator after dealing with medical expenses and other follow-up issues.
Rei Furuya, carrying a bag of medicine and medical bandages, looked down and asked, "Can you still walk by yourself?"
"Of course!" Kitagawa Ryusei stood up abruptly as if nothing had happened, feeling that the pain from the wound on his right leg was completely negligible.
Then he was suppressed by several hands at the same time.
Matsuda Jinpei's eyebrows twitched, and he said irritably, "Why are you making such a big fuss? Sit still first!"
“Yes, Rukio. Although she seems fine, the doctor said it's still very dangerous to be so close to the explosion.” Kenji Hagiwara followed up, “Tinnitus? Tinnitus, that’s it!”
"While Xiao Liusheng's bravery is commendable, facing the explosion head-on is still a headache for us..."
The five people nodded in unison upon hearing this.
God knows how many cold sweats Rei Furuya broke out when he was pulled back and saw Ruki Kitagawa rushing towards him.
Some dangerous actions may not seem like a big deal when tried by oneself, but seeing others disregard their lives fills Rei Furuya with inexplicable anger and lingering fear.
...If Kitagawa Ryusei hadn't been so lucky, would something have happened to him right in front of him? Furuya Rei had been pondering this on his way here:
I should have been the one to rush to save people first...
Instead of Kitagawa Ryusei, who looks thinner than him.
Behind him, Date Wataru noticed his silence and patted Furuya Rei's shoulder with his large hand.
The squad leader, whose face always wore a kind and cheerful smile, looked somewhat serious for the first time. He said in a deep voice, "You cannot uphold justice unless you become stronger than anyone else!"①
“Undeniably, luck and confidence are also forms of strength,” he said, then interrupted by a smile that revealed a row of pearly white teeth: “Kitagawa-kun did it.”
Upon hearing this, Furuya Rei turned his head, his gray-purple eyes looking at Kitagawa Ruki, who was surrounded by his classmates and seemed to be looking for a chance to slip away. He then looked at his own hands again, his gaze filled with a clearer determination than the previous second.
"I understand, class monitor."
He smiled and said, "Kitagawa-kun is indeed very capable."
On the other side, Kitagawa Ryusei seemed to sense something and looked at the two of them. He was momentarily stunned when he met Furuya Rei's eyes.
His light brown eyes reflected the person in front of him, and Kitagawa Ryusei tried to purse his lips and smile.
This was the first genuine smile he had shown since arriving here.
【Trayastrimsa Heaven】I've heard your wish, Furuya-kun...
*
By the time everything was over and dusk was almost falling, Kitagawa Ryusei returned to school on crutches.
—Refusing to use a wheelchair was his final insistence.
“Actually, I can hop along…” Kitagawa Ryusei suggested softly.
Everyone who saw them along the way would glance at him. Kitagawa Ryusei had to use crutches on both arms, so he couldn't spare a third hand to cover his face.
“Damn it, Ryusei,” Kenji Hagiwara stroked his chin thoughtfully, “Do you want me and Jinpei to each carry you back?”
Kitagawa Ryusei shook his head frantically, even the strands of his hair seemed to be resisting: "That would be even more embarrassing!"
"Instead of losing face, you should think about how to explain yourselves!"
At the office door, Onizuka Hachizo, who had received the news early that morning, stood there like a wall, his eyebrows raised above his wide eyes: "You went off to school and came back injured!"
"You guys are all incredibly capable!"
Everyone fell silent instantly, and the students and instructors who had been peeking around in the corridor immediately disappeared.
Kitagawa Ryusei, who was in the eye of the storm, shuddered as if he were a cat whose scruff of the neck had been grabbed.
"You lot, get in here!!"
"My tinnitus feels worse..." Kitagawa Ryusei thought.
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