I used my lightning power to teleport the Chairman into Tanaka-san’s shadow and took him to the hospital. Leaving the Chairman in the care of Tanaka-san, I immediately teleported to the shadow of the teacher, where Reina should be.

The chairman’s arm had to be reattached by the doctor.

Kai: “Sensei, sorry for bothering you repeatedly.”

Blackjack: “I managed to prolong her life, but this is the limit. Please properly exchange your last words.”

Kai: “…Yes.”

The doctor had been fighting with all his might to keep Sophia-san alive. I couldn’t thank him enough, but the Chairman was also in danger, so I took the doctor to the hospital room where Tanaka-san and Chairman Kagetora were, using my lightning power.

Blackjack: “What, Kagetora, are you next? Come here, I’ll reattach it for you.”

Chairman Kagetora: “Haha, it’s been a long time, Ijuin-sensei.”

The doctor immediately started treating the Chairman’s arm to reattach it.

Chairman Kagetora: “Kai-kun. Go. We’re fine here so go be by Reina’s side.”

Kai: “…Yes.”

I nodded and headed towards Reina.

I have to apologize properly; “sorry I couldn’t save her.”

…

Sophia: “Kai-san…you’ve returned. Cough…I don’t have much time left. Will you come sit next to me?”

Kai: “Yes…I’m sorry, Sophia-san. I…I was too weak…I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”

I apologized while crying. I promised to defeat him, I promised to save the two of them.

But I couldn’t do it. This is the end for this parent and child, all because of my weakness.

Reina: “No, thank you, Kai.”

I sat down next to Sophia-san with my head down. Reina grabbed my hand. I just couldn’t find the words, if I were stronger, I could have saved her. I could have knocked out Arnold, healed him, and this parent and child would have been laughing, even if they had to be punished.

But I couldn’t save them. Even though I decided to become stronger.

I looked at Sophia-san’s pierced abdomen. The blood was starting to dry up, but purple magic was flickering.

I clenched my fist and started crying again.

Sophia-san gently grabbed that fist.

Sophia: “Thank you, Kai-san. Even though we just met, even though I killed many innocent people, you fought for me. That’s enough, just your feelings…”

Kai: “…I couldn’t save you…because I was weak. I’m sorry…truly…I’m sorry.”

Sophia: “Then…hehe, will you take responsibility?”

Kai: “Huh?”

Sophia-san laughed hoarsely at me.

Sophia: “Kai-san, my child will have no father, no brother, no mother. She will be alone. So, will you take responsibility…will you protect her in the place of her family? She’s strong, but she’s also a vulnerable child, and she’s incredibly cute, right? Hehe, I’m being mean, aren’t I? Asking you this in such a state.”

Sophia-san’s laughing face was very beautiful.

I squeezed Sophia-san’s hand back. It was a weak hand that seemed like it might stop moving at any moment. I held that hand strongly with both of mine and looked straight at Sophia-san.

Kai: “Yes, I will definitely protect her. Even if it costs my life. She is also the benefactor of my life. I will become stronger for the next time.”

Those were my sincere words. Just as Isshin-san once vowed to Sophia-san. Hearing my words, Sophia-san smiled slightly, as if relieved.

Sophia: “Hehe, you really do resemble him. Especially those straightforward eyes…they’re very cool.”

Kai: “I am…”

Sophia: “Stay steadfast. That straightforward will…don’t waver…keep facing forward…”

Kai: “Yes.”

Sophia-san gently smiled and turned her gaze to Reina.

Sophia: “Reina, live strong. It’s strange for me to say this…since I was the one trying to kill you.”

Reina: “Mama, I…I don’t hate you. Nothing has changed since then.…so please don’t die. Because I still have so much to talk to you about, since that time…”

Reina, who has been sealed since she was young, is still in a childlike state of mind. Perhaps she’s now in a state that’s beyond time.

Reina and Sophia-san hold hands.

Sophia: “I wish I could have spent more time with you. The last memory I have is…of you mastering the double jump in skipping rope. You’ve grown so much…you look just like I did when I was young. I wanted to see you grow, to be by your side. To see you become this beautiful…someday, have your wedding here, have children…”

Tears begin to overflow in both of their eyes and they can’t stop.

Sophia: “I’ve loved you so, so much. Even when my mind was clouded, I only thought about you. I always wanted to see you. Reina…I love you the most in the world. Always, always…”

Sophia-san’s words are the same as when she was in her fanatic state. Even in that state, Sophia-san continued to say she loved Reina. She must have really been thinking about Reina all this time.

Those words broke whatever was holding back Reina’s emotions.

Reina: “No! Don’t die, Mama! I don’t want this, I don’t want this! I want to be with you more!”

Reina started crying as if something had broken inside her. Sophia-san stroked her head, and I could only stand by and cry, unable to do anything.

As Reina cried in her mother’s arms, Sophia-san continued to gently stroke her. I knew that expression. It was the same one my mother had when she gently stroked me as I cried from being bullied.

Sophia: “Reina, please…show me your face one last time. I can’t see well anymore, this might be goodbye.”

Reina: “No, I don’t want to… I want to stay with mama… No!!”

Sophia, with a troubled expression, is surely worried. The thought of leaving Reina in this state must be unsettling to her.

So, I forcibly pull Reina away and make her lift her head.

Kai: “Reina, lift your head. Look straight into your mother’s eyes, so you don’t regret anything. And say what you want to say with all your heart.”

Reina, in response to those words, looks at Sophia through her tears.

Sophia: “Thank you, Kai-san. That right, Reina. You always wanted pretty things… So, I’m giving this to you. Hehe, your father put on a big front and bought this, it’s very expensive…”

Sophia then takes off the ring she had on her left hand and puts it on Reina’s left index finger. It’s a diamond and platinum ring, a ring that symbolizes eternal love. Even in her fanatical state, she never took off this proof of love.

Sophia: “This ring finger is for… Kai-san… So…”

With her trembling hand, Sophia put the ring on Reina’s left index finger.

Sophia: “When you put it on this finger… it will give you the power to move forward… the power to grant your wishes… I put my wish… into Reina…”

Reina: “Mama… No! Don’t close your eyes! Mama! Mama!”

Sophia: “The future of humanity… your future… will surely shine… I love you, Reina. Be happy…”

Reina: “I, I love you too! I love mama! I’ll be happy! Don’t worry!! It’ll be okay!!”

Ding Ding!

Tears streaming down my face, I bite my lip and ring the rooftop bell. I thought Sophia would want to hear it in the end.

Sophia: “Ah… what a nostalgic… sound… thank… you… Isshin… I’m coming no…”

And Sophia closed her eyes. With the last desperate voice of Reina, she seemed to be relieved and satisfied with a smile.

Listening to the bell, it felt like she could meet her loved ones.

The hand she was holding lost its strength, and Sophia drew her last breath.

Reina and I cried and cried.

Only the sound of the bell echoed in the sky.

◇ A while later

Reina and I took Sophia back to the hospital. The chairman was being disinfected and treated in the ward. The wound had closed up, so it had to be cut open a little and then closed again.

Blackjack: “They’re dragging me all over the place.”

Chairman Kagetora: “I’m sorry, Ijuin-sensei. I see, in Okinawa. That’s why Tanaka-kun is safe. For now, sensei, can you mend this arm?”

The Chairman, seemingly unaffected by the pain, grasped his left arm with his right and asked the doctor. The bleeding had stopped thanks to natural healing, but it looked painfully unbearable.

Blackjack: “No problem. It’s a clean cut. The cells aren’t dead.”

This old doctor, Ijuin-sensei, seems to be a retiree dedicated to gamers. He comes from a family of doctors, and now he’s leisurely practicing medicine while retired in Okinawa.

Blackjack: “I’ve worked a month’s worth today. I’m closing up shop now, I need to sleep! Stop making an old man work so hard…”

Ijuin-sensei, or Japan’s Blackjack Doctor, tired from overusing the Heel, left with a sleepy face.

I’m truly grateful as he had successfully treated all his injuries.

Tanaka: “Ryunosuke has taken command and it seems we have temporarily calmed down. So, let’s take a break for today.”

Tendou-san alone decided to stay behind and help with the aftermath along with the association staff. It’s tough, but since Chairman Kagetora and Tanaka-san have lost a lot of blood, it’s better not to push it. Both the Chairman and Tanaka-san need blood transfusions.

Chairman Kagetora: “Phew. Well then, first of all, thank you, Kai-kun. Thanks to you, we were able to defeat the God-Destruction Cult.”

Kai: “No, it’s…”

Chairman Kagetora: “Come over here”

The Chairman, with a gentle look on his face, called me over. He gestured to me to come closer, as if he was about to pat me on the head. So, I bowed my head.

Then,

Chairman Kagetora: “You… you idiot!!!”

Kai: “Ow, that hurts!?”

I was hit hard. Really hard. I wouldn’t have died because my stats have improved, but it was strong enough to kill a regular person.

Kai: “Ch-Chairmannn…”

I, teary-eyed, rub my head and look up. Chairman Kagetora looks angry. He’s really mad.

Kai: “I’m… I’m sorry.”

So, I apologized sincerely.

Chairman Kagetora: “You idiot! You picked a fight with that tyrant! A man who would capriciously destroy a nation! You recklessly punched him!!”

I got hit again.

But I decided to accept it. It’s a painful punch filled with the love of a grandfather. Honestly, it was all my fault. I really wanted to save Sophia.

Chairman Kagetora: “You need to reflect on this. You risked your life and endangered this country.”

Kai: “Yes, I’m sorry.”

Chairman Kagetora: “Have you reflected?”

Kai: “I have. I will become stronger. I will become the strongest in the world so that I don’t lose anyone else in front of me. I will become stronger than Arnold.”

I lowered my eyes and apologized deeply. That day, I made a decision to become stronger than anyone else, so that I can protect everyone.

Chairman Kagetora: “Whether you understand or not… Well, that’s like you… Come over here.”

I thought I would be hit again.

But that wasn’t the case. Chairman Kagetora reached out his hand and hugged me just like that.

Chairman Kagetora: “You must reflect on the reckless thing you did, but that’s as the Chairman. From now on, as a parent who has raised Reina all this time, thank you, Kai-kun, trying to save Sophia for Reina’s sake.”

Kai: “… I’m sorry, but I couldn’t save her.”

Chairman Kagetora: “I know. We stopped you. We decided that it was too dangerous to go any further. So don’t worry. We’re all in this together… Come here, Reina.”

And with that, Chairman Kagetora hugged Reina and me with his big hands. Reina and I for the unkownth time today, shed tears.

Weeping and weeping, cleansing our hearts, because we have to live from tomorrow.

Thus, the God-Destruction Cult incident that hit Japan temporarily came to an end.

◇ That night

Tanaka: “Well, Reina-kun. Let’s do this.”

Reina: “Yes… please send my mom off. I think mom would be happy to be sent off by Tanaka-san too.”

After a little rest, that night.

We decided to hold the funeral for Reina’s mother, Sophia-san, in Okinawa. Although, since Sophia-san was a member of the God-Destruction Cult and technically a criminal in the eyes of society, we decided to keep it a secret and conduct it amongst ourselves.

The funeral was attended by me, Reina, Tanaka-san, and Chairman Kagetora.

The cremation, and all the bones and ashes of the deceased, were to be scattered into the sea in Okinawa.

Reina also agreed to this. She wanted her mother to rest in Okinawa, the land of her memories.

Tanaka: “Fireball”

Tanaka-san’s gentle fireball transferred to the coffin where Sophia-san was laid. The gently burning flames and smoke slowly send Sophia-san up to the sky.

We closed our eyes.

We were on top of a hill, overlooking the sea, the sound of the waves.

This was the place chosen by Tanaka-san, hoping to send the burned ashes as far as possible.

Slowly burning coffin, under the magic power of Tanaka-san, Sophia-san turned into ashes.

Reina: “Mom… goodbye, I’ll become happy, so don’t worry.”

Reina gazed at the fire.

The flames sending off Sophia-san were the only things illuminating the night. The night of Okinawa, with only moonlight and flames, the sound of the waves and the wind were comforting.

Reina took a step forward and got close enough to touch the flames.

Reina: “I promise… I’ll find happiness. So, rest in peace… I love you, mom… Goodnight.”

In her eyes, as cold as ice, a firm resolve dwelled, the old Reina was no more.

Before we knew it, the flames were gone, and the remaining ashes were swept away by the wind.

And the funeral ended. Only Reina was left staring at the ashes.

Chairman Kagetora: “Kai-kun… Tanaka-kun and I are going back, take care.”

Kai: “Yes”

With that, the two of them went back, leaving only me and Reina on the hill.

Kai: “Reina…”

Reina: “Kai… thank you. For fighting for me, for my mom. Tanaka-san showed me the video of you fighting with Arnold earlier. I felt your feelings very strongly.”

Reina and I looked at each other. Reina’s eyes were bloodshot, although she’s not crying now, she must have cried a lot. My eyes were also a little red.

Reina: “It’s really sad… but mom died with a smile.”

Kai: “…”

Reina: “I had more things… I wanted to talk with mom about.”

Kai: “…”

Reina: “I’ve never been able… to visit dad’s grave… nor my brother’s.”

Kai: “…”

Reina: “Why… did mom do… such a bad thing… ugh…”

I slowly hugged Reina, who was shedding tears. The things that Sophia-san had done were unforgivable. Even if she had been alive, she may have been sentenced to death for killing so many people.

But I know.

Kai: “Sophia-san was manipulated. I don’t know by who… but that was the reason. So, even if Japan, or the whole world, can’t forgive her… only I can say this. Sophia-san is not to blame.”

Reina: “Mom is not to blame?”

Kai: “She’s not, Sophia-san is not to blame at all. So, Reina. The Sophia-san that Reina loved hasn’t changed.”

Upon hearing those words, Reina started crying again. Knowing her mother was a criminal, knowing the circumstances of her mother who tried to kill her, the tears overflowed without stopping.

Kai: “That’s why I’ll find it. The root cause. The reason why Sophia-san ended up this way.”

I made a firm resolution. The root of the God-Destruction Cult, the one they call ‘that person’, surely, it’s them who’s making people go into a state of fanatical belief. I don’t know the purpose, but I thought it was my mission to defeat it.

Reina: “… I’ll fight too. I won’t leave it all to Kai.”

Reina lifted her face from my chest. Her bloodshot eyes, holding back tears, were looking at me. Her eyes had the same determination as mine.

Reina: “But…”

Then, Reina hugged me again.

And then, she said to me.

Reina: “Thank you, Kai.”

Reina hugged me even tighter. I also held her firmly in my arms.

She was small. The girl known as the world’s strongest woman, Reina, was really just a petite and beautiful young girl.

We held each other for an indeterminate amount of time.

Until Reina calmed down, until she was satisfied, I kept holding her and stroking her head. I didn’t know how long we held each other, but when Reina’s tears finally stopped, she looked up at me from my chest.

Reina: “Thank you. I feel so at ease when you hold me…and, well…I want to give you something in return. But I don’t have anything. I’m not sure what would make you happy…so…”

Kai: “That’s okay, you don’t need to—!”

It was when I was about to tell Reina it was okay that I was taken by surprise.

A soft sensation hit my lips from below.

It was Reina’s.

Kai: “Re, Reina!?”

Reina: “I can only do this much…but…did it…reward you?”

It was a soft kiss.

I was surprised, and my face must have shown it. Seeing that, Reina’s expression began to change.

Reina: “And there’s one more thing that made me happy… You told me you wanted me to smile…so…”

Looking at my flustered and red-faced expression, Reina indeed smiled.

With a gentle face, without a doubt.

The ice had melted, and she smiled for the first time.

She smiled at me with an extremely cute smile.

Reina: “…Hehe, I guess I’m able to smile.”

Kai: “Reina…”

Reina: “Hey…Kai, do you remember what my mom said?”

Kai: “Huh? Wait…what?”

And then, with a full-faced smile, Reina took my hand and intertwined her fingers with mine. She let me touch the ring finger of her left hand, which had a ring on it. She looked at me again and smiled.

Reina: “I’ll keep this finger free for you, Kai. I’ll be waiting…forever.”

Under the star-filled sky, only Reina’s straightforward smile and the ring promising eternity shone.

The summer in Okinawa was hotter than I had imagined…

Kai: “You’ve got to be kidding…”

Twice as hot.

Afterword

And so, the Apex and Lighting Arc has ended! The overall storyline hasn’t changed much, so it might not feel very different. The biggest changes are mostly related to the promotion exams and so on.

Thank you for your continued support! This was KAZU, the author!