Chapter 46: The Weight Of Breathe

Continuing right from the last chapter...

Ekuto In His Head: I can't give up now! There must be something I can still do to stop her!

Takahashi: Tch

Ekuto: Wait, Is this even going just According to her plan? My naïve mindset might've been a help or a burden to her still. As I'm still not sure what her main goal Is...

Ekuto then took a gasp & runs after Takahashi as quick as he possibly can without Sacred Speed

Ekuto: Considering that I'm going to die anytime now. She wouldn't need to worry about me therefore she can mind her own business & go after the kids. Damn it!

Meanwhile...

Zukkei: Ngh!

Hira: Zukkei! Can you make an Ice Wall at this moment?

Zukkei: Huh? I can try but it won't be as strong

Hira: That would be enough. On my mark, make an Ice Wall behind us. On 3. 1

Zukkei: Alright! I trust you, Hira

Hira: 2...3!

Zukkei then turns to his back & brakes with his foot to touch the ground with both of his hand

Zukkei: Ice Wall!

Zukkei then turns back again to run...But then

Hira: Tenni, take control of the Ice Wall!

Takahashi In Her Head: *laughs* Are they going to attack me with this Ice? My sands are far stronger than Your Frail Ice- What?!

Hira: Carry The Wall & keep it behind us!

Takahashi: What kind of game are you playing now?!

They then went on a chase for a bit. Then

Hira: Tenni, Can you still sense The Sand Lady's Aura?

Tenni: Yes, I can sense her chasing us

Hira In Her Head: Tch, just as I thought. Fool. You tried to escape Ekuto to go after us. But as long as you keep chasing us. Neither Ekuto nor us would lose sight of where you are. & If you were to give up on chasing us, You'll instantly get caught by Ekuto who still has at least a few minutes to stay alive right now. You're stuck in between us now, Sand Lady!

Tenni In Her Head: How can she be so smart in a tight situation like this? To think that she's friends with someone like Zukkei. Zukkei, You really are lucky to have someone like Hira by your side

Takahashi: Damn you!!

Hira: Damn it, the exit is right in front of us. What do we do from here-

Zukkei: Hira, I think I have an Idea...

After Takahashi caught up to them

Takahashi: Huh? What's the matter? Have nowhere else to go?

Takahashi saw the Ice Wall staying still in front of her. She then used her Sand to break through the Ice Wall

Takahashi: *laughs*

Takahashi then attacks The first person she saw standing behind the Ice Wall that is Hira. Then

Hira: 1st Bell, Push-

Takahashi: *laughs* Your moves wouldn't do even a little damage to me! Do you have any last words?

Hira: *laughs quietly*

Takahashi: Hch? Why are you laughing at a time like this?!- She turned to dust?! Huh?!

Hira In Her Head: 9th Bell, Perfect Clone...

She then could only watch as she doesn't have even a second to evade the attack coming from above her. A Punch from Tenni

Tenni In Her Head: This is all my hatred for this Group. All gathered in One Blow & out of all, you're the one to taste it, Takahashi!!

Tenni then was about to land her punch on Takahashi

But

Tenni: Wha?!- E-E...Ekuto?!

Ekuto then spears Takahashi but

Tenni In Her Head: This doesn't look like an intent to attack..Is he trying to save her?

Ekuto In His Head: I'm sorry, Tenni. But I have to do what I have to do

Zukkei then comes out of one of the room but instead of being ready to see Takahashi getting punched by Tenni. What he saw was not what he expected...

Zukkei In His Head: Wh-What is happening? What am I suppose to do now?...

I-...I didn't think I would see this when I came out of that room...

Ekuto then brakes on his feet & he then stands up whilst having Takahashi by her side

Tenni: Ekuto! What are you doing?

Ekuto: I know how to settle this down. If you may, please leave both of us here

Hira: No way. Last time we left both of you together, You failed to keep her in that room & therefore leaving us in danger

Zukkei: Huh?

Hira In Her Head: That's it. We need to make her think that all this isn't going according to our plan?

*Flashback*

Matohi: I think there's definitely one way for you to beat Takahashi without trying too hard...& that is to keep her with you alone without anyone interrupting

Ekuto: Well, I see. But how am I supposed to keep her with me alone for about 5 minutes without her trying to run away?

Matohi: Hmmm, I got it

...

Matohi: Zukkei, Hira. Listen to what I have to say. This is our last Plan in regards of beat Takahashi. One thing, don't let Tenni know about this plan...

Matohi then whispers a bunch of stuff...

Zukkei: So, we'll have to risk getting chased by her so that Ekuto can caught up to her & get things done?

Matohi: Yeah. Don't worry, as long as you've Tenni by your side. Everything should be alright

Hira: Say Matohi, What if one of us dies even before Ekuto gets to catch up to Takahashi?

Matohi: You three can't die no matter the circumstance. We need to leave it all between The Top Parade. You've to think of a way to stay alive whilst getting attacked by her

*Back to present time*

Zukkei In His Head: Oh, I remember now. How did I forget that?

Ekuto: Trust me this time...I won't let you down again

Tenni: Okay then, I see

Hira In Her Head: Just like he said. Tenni will instantly realize what's going on. Then

Hira: We should get going then

Takahashi: Where do you think you're going?!

Ekuto: Tenni! Make an Aura Handcuffs that ties me with Takahashi

Tenni: Got it

Takahashi: What are you trying to do?! I won't let even a single one of you get out of here alive!!-

Ekuto: Seal!

Takahashi: What?!

Ekuto: Everyone! Go, now!

Zukkei: Got it!

Zukkei, Hira & Tenni then runs out of the basement & went looking for others

Takahashi: What happened to my Sands?! What did you do?!

Ekuto: I've made a sacrifice of sealing my own Aura to seal one person's Aura as well. In this case, I've sealed yours

Takahashi: Damn you! How am I supposed to fight now?!

Ekuto: Don't worry. There's no point for us to fight anymore

Takahashi: This isn't like you at all. What happened?

Ekuto: Huh, what happened...So many things happened today. Even now, I can't fathom how much I've learned in just a day. I've finally realized what my true goal is. I finally know the reason I'm alive. I'm not the same person as you remember me being-

Takahashi: You rambled too much!!

Takahashi took her advantage & went ahead to punch Ekuto in his stomach

Ekuto: It's okay. Hurt me all you want. I can't feel anything at all now...

Takahashi just stood in confusion...She then punches Ekuto again. This time, she punched her face...

Ekuto just accepts the punch & just stands like a ragdoll

Takahashi then continuously punch Ekuto without stopping...

While she was punching him non-stop...

Takahashi: Wh-..W-What are you doing?! Fight me back!! Fight me back goddamn it!! Fight me back!! Ekuto!!!

Ekuto just accepts her punches willingly without even wanting to counter her attacks

Takahashi: Fine then! I'll go after the kids even if I have to bring you along with me using this Handcuff!

Takahashi then tried getting out of the basement but

Takahashi: Kgh! Why are you so heavy all of the sudden?!

Ekuto: ...

Takahashi: Ekuto! Stop making your body heavier! Damn it all!!-

Ekuto then falls to the ground...

Takahashi: Wha?!-

Takahashi then accidentally falls to the ground as well

Takahashi: Oi Ekuto! Stop messing around!! I'm not your toy, bastard!!...Oi Ekuto! Ekuto!!... Huh?...

Takahashi then went to check Ekuto's condition...

Takahashi: Ekuto!! Don't you dare die on me! Ekuto!!.....DAMN IT!!!

Takahashi then cries & keeps punching the ground whilst screaming "Damn it" over & over again...

Then...

"Ta-Takahashi..."

said Ekuto...

Takahashi: Wha?!- Ekuto, was that you?!

Ekuto: Yes *coughs*...That's me...

Takahashi: You're still alive! T-...Thank God...

Ekuto: Takahashi, Whatever happens to me...I promise you...I will always be by your side...

Takahashi: Wh-What did you say?...

Ekuto: *coughs* Don't worry...It's nothing

Takahashi: Thank God...

Takahashi then continue on crying..

Ekuto: What's the matter. Didn't you say you wanted to go after the kids?!

Takahashi: I can't go after them if I'm stuck here with y-...

Takahashi saw Ekuto crying while laying on the ground...

Ekuto: Have you...Realized? Why I've changed now?

Takahashi: I-...I know now...

Takahashi In Her Head: Using the Sand Demon Form somehow affected my way of thinking...Was something wrong with my brain then?

Ekuto: Takahashi...Have you ever thought that there might be reasons as to why we're here today. There...Might be reasons as to why we became a part of this band of thieves...

Takahashi: What...What makes you think so?

Ekuto: It's all starting to make sense to me... Everything that has happened in our life. All of them have reasons behind why they happened...It's just a matter of time until we realized what the reasonings are...Have you ever thought about that?

Takahashi: ...Everyone has thought about that at least once in their life...

Ekuto: & it only make sense for it to happen... At a time like this...I never thought I would get to talk to you alone without talking about killing people or robbing something...

Takahashi: ...*sighs* Me too...I think. This is the closest we can ever get in regards of having a proper vacation...I didn't think it would be this fun to just talk...& not minding anything else that's happening around us... Don't you think?...

...

Takahashi: Ekuto? Ekuto? Ekuto!! Ekuto!!! You can't die now!!! EKUTO!!! I thought you were supposed to be here with me! Ekuto!!

Takahashi then keeps on crying...

Takahashi: DAMN IT ALL!!!

"Takahashi"

Takahashi: What? Who's that?!

Takahashi In Her Head: Why am I hearing voices in my head?

"Takahashi. It's me, Ekuto"...

Takahashi: What-..What do you mean?!

"Takahashi, I'm sorry but I have to leave you for now"...

Takahashi: What are you saying?!

"Don't worry. Remember...No matter what happens. I promise you, I will always be by your side, Takahashi"...

Takahashi: Wait for me...Ekuto!! Wait for...Me

Takahashi said that while she was crying

Takahashi: I'll be joining you soon too, right?...

.....

Takahashi then starts coughing...

"Thank God...Thank you for letting me meet Ekuto...I didn't think I would ever fall in love with someone...I didn't think it has to end this way...With everything I've done. Although I'm going to hell...Just thank you for letting me meet...Ekuto"...

"Don't worry...If you're destined to be in hell. Then, I'll be there with you...Takahashi..."

...

Takahashi then shed her final tears...

...

To be continued...