45:- ADAM

Ichiro continued, "Apparently, he had been raped and abused by the monstrous people from the fifth group for an entire day. The injuries were too severe and Adam died during the first night. Even after his death, they were driven by their lust and did it again. After they finished, they put Adam's body in a bag and stored it in a cupboard. They intended to get rid of the corpse but I wrecked their plan by finding it."

Bladwin asked, "How did you know that they did it?" Ichiro looked at Baldwin with lifeless eyes as he absent-mindedly fiddled with the helmet in his hands and replied, "They told me when I was dissecting them."

As Ichiro recounted the horrifying details of Adam's ordeal, Bladwin couldn't help but feel a mixture of shock, anger, and deep sympathy for his friend. The cold, clinical manner in which Ichiro described the unspeakable acts sent shivers down Bladwin's spine. It was as if Ichiro had built a fortress around his emotions, shielding himself from the raw pain of those memories.

Ichiro continued, his voice steady but devoid of any warmth, " Those monsters took pleasure in tormenting him, subjecting him to unspeakable cruelty. They stripped him of his dignity, his innocence, and his very humanity."

Bladwin clenched his fists, feeling an overwhelming urge to seek vengeance on those responsible, even though they were long gone. He knew that wasn't the path Ichiro had chosen, though.

Ichiro's eyes remained fixed on the helmet he was repairing, his hands working mechanically as if the act of repair provided some small comfort. "The physical and emotional abuse continued , Bladwin. Adam's body was broken, but his spirit endured, a testament to his strength. He held on for as long as he could, hoping for a way out."

Ichiro paused, taking a deep breath as if to steady himself. "But they took that from him too. On the night he died, they... they extinguished the last flicker of hope he had. They left his lifeless body in that dark cupboard, a hidden testament to their depravity."

Bladwin's throat tightened as he listened, the brutality of the story almost too much to bear. He struggled to find words of comfort but knew that nothing he said could erase the past or lessen Ichiro's pain.

Ichiro's voice grew even colder as he recalled the aftermath. "When I found Adam's body, I felt a rage unlike anything I had ever experienced. I made those monsters pay for what they did to him, Bladwin. But it wasn't enough. It could never bring Adam back."

Ichiro's voice trembled as he continued his harrowing tale, his eyes fixed on the helmet he was repairing but seeing something far beyond it. "You see, Bladwin, after I found Adam's lifeless body, something inside me snapped. I couldn't just let his tormentors get away with it. I started asking questions, poking where I shouldn't have, trying to find evidence. And eventually, I did."

Bladwin listened intently, the weight of Ichiro's words sinking in as he realized the depth of his friend's pain.

"After some time, I managed to corner one of them when they were alone," Ichiro recounted, his voice growing colder and more determined. "I took their fingers, one by one, until they couldn't even scream anymore. They confessed everything, thinking they'd be safe if they told me."

Bladwin's eyes widened as he grasped the extent of Ichiro's rage and the darkness he had encountered. "Ichiro, that's... that's..."

Ichiro interrupted, his voice now devoid of emotion, "I made sure they'd never hurt anyone else again. I killed them all the in different and creative way's."

Bladwin felt a mixture of emotions—horror, sympathy, and admiration for his friend's resolve. "Ichiro, I had no idea... I'm so sorry you had to go through all of that."

Ichiro finally looked up from his work, his eyes carrying the weight of the past. "It's in the past now, Bladwin. But it's a part of why I do what I do. I can't stand by while those in power abuse their positions, and I won't let anyone else suffer like Adam did."

Bladwin nodded solemnly, now understanding the depth of Ichiro's commitment to justice. "Thank you for sharing that with me, Ichiro. You've been through hell, but you've come out stronger."

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As Biscuit entered Ichiro's room, his eyes widened in surprise and shock upon seeing Bladwin casually sitting there with a gun in hand. He couldn't help but voice his concern and confusion, his tone filled with alarm.

Biscuit: "Ichiro, who is this? Why does he have a gun? What's going on?" Ichiro continued his work, unfazed by the commotion, his tone calm and composed as he explained. Ichiro: "Biscuit, this is Bladwin, and yes, he does carry a gun. Relax, he's one of us."

Biscuit was taken aback by the revelation, still trying to process the unexpected sight. Biscuit: "Bladwin? I've never seen his face before. Sorry if I overreacted." Bladwin, sitting casually in the chair, acknowledged Biscuit's apology with a nod and a brief response. Bladwin: "No problem. It happens."

Biscuit then shifted the conversation to the reason for his visit. Biscuit: "Anyway, I came here to tell you that we'll be following the Montag Company." Ichiro, now intrigued, inquired further. Ichiro: "Why? Is there something wrong with Teiwaz's plan?" Biscuit clarified the situation, trying to ease any concerns. Biscuit: "No, it's not that. It's just that this seems like a better opportunity for us." Ichiro, always one to see things for himself, made up his mind. Ichiro: "Alright, I'll check it out personally."

Biscuit's curiosity got the better of him as he noticed a change in Ichiro's behavior. He couldn't help but voice his concern and ask the question that had been on his mind.

Biscuit: "Hey, Ichiro, I've noticed you've been speaking less and less lately. It's not like you to be so quiet. Is everything okay? You seem to be isolating yourself."

Ichiro, who had been working on his tasks, looked up and offered a reassuring response.

Ichiro: "Don't worry, Biscuit. Nothing has really changed. I've just been a bit busy, that's all."

Biscuit, relieved by Ichiro's response, decided to lighten the mood with a mischievous smile.

Biscuit: "Well, speaking of changes, I happen to have a video of you singing. When we get back to Earth, I'll show it to Cookie and Cracker."

Bladwin, intrigued by the mention of the video, chimed in with a request.

Bladwin: "Hey, Biscuit, can you send that video to me too?"

Biscuit, with a grin, agreed to share the video with Bladwin as well. Ichiro couldn't help but smile at their interaction, appreciating the camaraderie among his comrades.

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