Sora Rescue Operation (2)
"You know, Hoshino-chan."
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"I... well."
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"When I first saw you, Hoshino-chan, I pinched my cheeks again and again, wondering if it was a dream."
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"Having a cute, strong, and dependable underclassman like you by my side makes me so happy..."
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"Uung... I'm an idiot, so... I can't explain it properly..."
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"Being able to face you like this, Hoshino-chan, feels like a miracle to me..."
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"We see each other every day."
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"You saw me yesterday, you see me today, and you'll see me tomorrow. What's all the fuss about something so obvious?"
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"Hauung... but still..."
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"Miracles are much more grand and rare."
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"...Mm. No, Hoshino-chan. I think differently."
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"I may be an idiot... but I can guarantee that."
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"You know, Hoshino-chan, someday, when you have cute juniors too..."
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"...Senpai... Hoshino-senpai!!"
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"Ah, uh, yeah...?"
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"Are you okay?"
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"...Ah, yeah, this old lady is fine. More importantly, we need to hurry."
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'Why am I remembering that now...?'
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Hoshino shook her head from side to side to clear her mind and gripped her gun once more.
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Just moments ago, Executive Kaiser had shown them Sora's seemingly hopeless state to demoralize the Countermeasures Committee.
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"...Die."
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"Ugh!"
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However, this act only fueled their anger and boosted their morale.
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"...Was there really a need for us to come?"
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"......"
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The presence of the After-School Sweets Club, who came to help, faded into the background as the all-out battle against Kaiser ended in a landslide victory for the Countermeasures Committee.
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After the battle, Hoshino briefly fell into thought, but quickly shook it off and started moving again.
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"We've located Sora-senpai!! She's there! Underground, below that bunker!"
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They found Sora's location in no time.
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"Let's hurry, we need to get Sora to the hospital as soon as possible."
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At the same time, they held onto hope.
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"Sora-chan is right there!!"
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Seeing Sora in such pain on the screen was difficult, but
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"It won't break. One more time."
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Her being in pain meant she was still alive.
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"Ah, Ayane-chan? How..."
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"We came by helicopter, borrowed from Schale! So, Sora-senpai is...?"
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However, there was one thing they overlooked.
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"It's here! The door won't open...!"
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The amount of blood she had lost was enough to kill anyone.
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"Move!!"
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Therefore,
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Clank!
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"Sora-chan!! ...Sora...chan?"
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"""""...."""""
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They could only watch.
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Sora, is no longer bleeding, no longer moving, lying cold.
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*
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The Countermeasures Committee finally reached their destination, but what greeted them was Sora lying still and cold in a pool of blood.
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But perhaps, there was a sliver of hope. Because the halo, a means of determining the fate of a Kivotos students, was still existent yet unstable.
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"""""Sora-chan (Senpai)!!!!"""""
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They, especially Hoshino, threw down their weapons and rushed towards Sora.
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"Sora-chan!"
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"...Ah... Hoshino-san... Everyone..."
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Sora, with a flicker of consciousness, managed a small reply.
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"Yeah...! It's this old lady! We came to save you! So..."
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Hope surged in Hoshino as she gently held Sora, ready to take her to the hospital.
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"...Huh?"
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But the moment she held Sora, she froze.
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Sora's body was ice cold, like hugging a block of ice.
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And more importantly,
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"...No, no way? Sora-chan...?"
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Her heartbeat was fading.
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As if she was about to die at any moment.
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Just like that person.
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"...Hoshino-san..."
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"It's, it's okay! Sora-chan! If we get you to the hospital right now, you'll be fine! Ah, Ayane-chan!"
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Hoshino spoke rapidly, ignoring Sora's words.
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"Yes, yes! The helicopter I came in is right outside. If we get on it!"
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"...Hoshino-san..."
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"So it's okay... everything... will be okay..."
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She had to believe that, or she wouldn't be able to bear it.
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But contrary to Hoshino's wishes, Sora's heartbeat grew fainter and fainter, until it was barely audible.
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"So... so..."
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The thought of losing Sora sent Hoshino into a panic.
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Tap!
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"...Hoshino-san...!"
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"So, Sora-chan!?"
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Seeing Hoshino's distress, Sora forced herself to move, turning Hoshino's gaze back to her.
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"I..."
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She forced a smile as she spoke to Hoshino.
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"...I'm fine... so please calm down...?"
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She wanted Hoshino to stop worrying because she was okay.
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"...What are you..."
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"What nonsense are you talking about, Sora-chan!!!"
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But those words only angered Hoshino... angered everyone.
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"How can you say you're fine when you're this hurt!!"
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"That's right! Where are you fine?!"
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"We need to get you to the hospital."
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"Yeah, just hang in there, Sora. We'll take you to the hospital in Schale's helicopter."
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Finally, they lifted Sora, desperate to get her to the hospital.
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"I... I'm really fine...! Cough! Cough!!!"
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Suddenly, something went wrong, and Sora started coughing up blood again.
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There shouldn't have been any more blood to cough up.
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"So, Sora-chan!!"
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Hoshino panicked once more at the sight.
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"Cough! I-I'm fine... you know...? I'm tough..."
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Sora gently stroked Hoshino's head as she spoke.
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"...If I take a nap... I'll be fine..."
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"Sora-chan...?"
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"So..."
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"No... no, Sora-chan...!"
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"Just a moment..."
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"Please, please, please!!"
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"When I wake up..."
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--------------------------------------------------------
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Sora's body was no longer moving.
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Right after saying she would be fine after a nap, Sora lost consciousness, and her halo disappeared.
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But they knew. Sora would never wake up again.
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No one in the Countermeasures Committee could speak.
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Or rather, they didn't want to speak.
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Even though they knew, if they voiced it, they wouldn't be able to bear it.
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"...Sora-chan..."
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In this situation, Hoshino, more than anyone else, gently shook Sora and spoke.
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She didn't want to accept it more than anyone else here.
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She didn't want to lose another precious person before her eyes.
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"...Wake up... this old lady was wrong..."
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But sadly, Sora didn't respond.
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"Huh...? Sora-chan... please wake up... let's go back...?"
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...Her heartbeat, her halo, were gone.
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Still, as if denying reality, Hoshino kept talking to Sora.
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"...Sob, please... this old lady was wrong..."
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Hoping for the miracle of Sora waking up and answering.
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"I won't try to leave you alone again..."
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"Please wake up..."
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But despite her earnest plea,
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"......."
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The miracle of Sora answering didn't happen.
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In the end,
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"Sob... sob... So, Sora..."
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Unable to bear the cruel reality, she,
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"Sob... hic!... Sora-chan..."
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The shield of Abydos,
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"Please... sob... please wake up..."
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crumbled.
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'Uh... um... I think I screwed up...?'
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