Chapter Text
It took days for Takumi to get Sirei to fess up as to what Eito’s mysterious 'final wish' was.
A true battle of persistence. No matter how much Takumi insisted, Sirei refused to budge, not considering it relevant or important enough to the mission to tell them.
Regardless, even as they kept preparing for invader battles, Takumi just couldn't shake off that anxious feeling that Eito could show up at any moment and sabotage them for having refused to let him join the team. And, if Eito isn’t planning to get his revenge… Then that means Takumi led a fourth person to their death.
Eito dying out there was never a thought on Takumi’s mind before, but that was when Eito could see–when Takumi trusted and feared how far his intelligence and resourcefulness could go. Now that Eito is blind, it’s a whole different story… How can someone fight against invaders in such a state? Why would he even leave when he is so defenseless? Certainly, he must have some sort of plan… Eito isn't the suicidal type… probably.
Though, if Eito does have a plan, then surely Sirei would be more concerned and would have told them something… right? Ugh. Takumi has no clue as to why Sirei seems to have such a soft spot for a known traitor like Eito; it makes no sense for the Will of Humanity to side with the one who despises Humanity more than anyone else.
That's why Takumi didn’t ease up in his constant questioning, days passed and passed. Sirei was bound to crack at some point, of that, Takumi was sure.
And, turns out, Takumi was right.
Once Takumi reminded Sirei in the morning of the eighty-seventh day that their deal is no more secrets or lies, in exchange for the SDU's loyalty.
Now, here they are. Sitting down in the War Room, with only a handful of people joining them, and the truth of Eito's wishes has just been revealed.
… That's the moment Takumi realizes just how badly he has messed up.
“Eito's final wish was to… be our friend?” Nozomi softly repeats. She is standing behind Takumi, a hand to her mouth, shocked by the information they just got, like everyone else in the room.
For the second time in these hundred days, Takumi has made the choice to burden people with an unpleasant truth. From their faces alone, he can tell that they would all be much happier without this information.
“See? There's no benefit in knowing all this,” Sirei sighs. “Now it will just be another distraction in future battles, which will only get tougher! The final boss has yet to show up, as you know!”
“Shut up!” Tsubasa exclaims, making everyone jump in surprise to stare at her. “What if he goes to fight the commanders on his own just to try to convince us to let him join? He could die!”
Sirei brightens up at that. “Ah! That would be the best outcome; that's why I gave him that bomb. We could just cruise through the rest of the days while Aotsuki takes care of V'ehxness for us.”
Takumi's mouth dries up at that revelation, horrified, he finally manages to utter three words, “You did what ?”
Sirei's smile doesn't falter, clearly not realizing what's wrong with what he has done. “If he isn't going to help us fight, then the least he can do is sacrifice himself and take a commander or two with him, don'tcha think? That, too, is the Will of Humanity,”
Takumi's blood grows cold, hating each sentence more than the last.
Nozomi sniffles next to him, murmuring something about how terrible humans are to all of them… Takumi had to agree–it's becoming harder and harder not to understand Eito's point of view.
Eito, who might already be dead. If not by the hand of invaders, then by his own hand, having pressed the button to blow himself up into tiny smitherings.
There's no more time for hesitation. It’s either staying put, keeping fighting until the last day and living with another regret, or actually doing something about Eito, like trying to find him before he can press that goddamn button.
Takumi makes his choice instantly. “We are going to find him, and we are going to bring him back. I will officially accept him as a member of the SDU, if that's what it takes.”
At last, he wipes the grin off Sirei’s face. “Why would you do that? Come on, you don't even like him, Sumino. That's why I agreed to tell you the truth, I thought you, of all people, would understand this is a good thing.” His tiny robotic face changes into something angry and twisted. “I, for one, do not agree with putting the academy in danger when we are so close to victory. It’s an unnecessary risk.”
This is one of those times when, if it weren't for Shion's attachment to Sirei, Sirei's connections, and the bombs in their bodies, Takumi would consider cutting him in half right here and now. “I'm going to save him because it's the right thing to do,” he states in a tone of voice that makes it clear he won’t budge on this topic. His mind has been made up.
“Takumi…” Nozomi smiles at him, clearly approving of this plan.
Takumi nods at her, mirroring her sad smile. “Even if I didn’t trust Eito in the past.” He still doesn’t. “I can at least see that he did have a change of heart. It's not right for us to turn a blind eye to him after he blinded himself for us.” Though… this could still be a ploy, couldn't it? A way to get Takumi to take pity on a blind man... No, he can't be thinking like this.
The others seem touched by his half-baked speech, murmuring small agreements and cheers, while Sirei does not. “We are not leaving the Academy unattended for the sake of a non-combatant. What can he even do for the SDU other than die?”
Sirei’s eyes start glowing red. Everyone but Yugamu and Takumi take a step back, suddenly afraid.
Takumi needs to come up with a strategy, and fast. “You told him how to reach the Second-to-Last Defense Academy, right? A small team can go there in a day and back, and if he isn't there, then we will give up on the search.” At least he will have tried.
A tense moment of silence passes as the two stand in front of one another, glaring, neither backing down. And, then, Sirei’s eyes return to their usual black, as he hums. “I don't know… This still seems like an unnecessary risk, Sumino.”
“In my future, no one attacks tomorrow, and the trip should be short enough that if you get attacked, we will be back in time to save the academy,” Takumi insists. “I swear this won’t be like the time we lost Darumi, I won’t make the same mistake twice.”
That does it. Sirei sighs, resigned. “It seems I can't convince you to stay… Fine, but this is your only chance, and I will choose who goes.”
Takumi bites his lower lip. He hates doing what Sirei tells them, especially ever since he found out all his decisions are based on the very same A.I. program that only sees them as weapons. But still… his war expertise is no joke, and Takumi trusts everyone on his team equally. “As long as I'm part of the rescue, sure.”
Sirei winks at him. “Of course you are. Have some trust in me, Sumino.”
Never, Takumi thinks, but instead says, “Sure.”
With a final glance around the room and a clap, Sirei dismisses them. “That's all for today. The ones I choose will know later today, and will be meeting Sumino in the garage at five in the morning. Make sure you are well-prepared until then!”
Takumi gives a curt nod and leaves the room.
Sirei is right, he needs to go get ready. Not just for the battles ahead, but for what confronting Eito again might entail. Even if he doesn’t trust him… Takumi wants him to stay alive with them until the final day. For the sake of not being paranoid of what Eito might do otherwise, and so he won't have another regret and death that's on him.
Hopefully, he won’t regret this choice. And, hopefully, Eito is worth a second chance.