Hero is dead

[herodrawing]

[1]

[Getting Izuru out of Grungust Alpha's cockpit is no easy task. But after a few hours, it just opens, and the Rabbit stumbles out.]

...

[He looks absolutely miserable. Considering the circumstances - who wouldn't?]

[2]
What would a hero do?

[Some time later, Izuru somehow made it to his usual hanging spot (Asagi's room). He acts partially zombified, not quite aware of his surroundings. The dried out trail of tears is still visible on his face.]

Find a way to save everyone?

Or...

Sacrifice a friend to save a lot of people? And the friend is okay with it?

I'm sorry Seta. I can't be the hero you wanted me to be...

Comments

1

[majestic_keiki]

[Kei had apparently been waiting for you, Izuru. She's right out there ready to step up to give him some support to show that he's not alone when he leaves.]

2

[mc_of_mcs]

[A certain tiny goddess overhears this and decides to step into the room. Much to her surprise...she finds Izuru in a complete wreck.

It takes a while before she actually approaches, and when she does, she gently puts a hand on the Rabbit's shoulder.]

[herodrawing]

Kei...

[Izuru blinks, swaying as he stands up - not without trouble even with assistance.]

Hello.

[herodrawing]

Ah!

[Izuru jumps up, startled. He quickly turns to see who approached him.]

I didn't see you there!

[majestic_keiki]

Hi.

[Kei quietly supports him, clearly calming herself to provide emotional stability as well as physical. She's quiet and letting him take the lead for now, rather than try to force anything.]

[herodrawing]

Seta...

Seta is gone.

I thought I helped her but I couldn't do anything.

[majestic_keiki]

You stood by her to the end. You always tried doing what was best for her. [It's kinda weak, but there's not much she can say about this. Instead she glances to the door a bit.]

2

[cloningblues]

...We had to do it. If there was an alternative, only Seta knew. Or Astara. And neither said anything.

2)

[broken_frightener]

Izuru... I guess that's the sad truth of the world.

[Leos is going to gently put his hand on Izuru's shoulder.]

As much as we want there to be... true happy endings are once in a lifetime... and as much as we want them to be for real... heroes don't exist.

[Not very comforting is he?]

But she thought that you were one... and you've gotten closer to it than anyone else here. You did your best... you really did.

2

[a_monetized_mind]

Depends on the hero.

[Jen stands by the open door, knocking gently. She's brought something from one of Star Rose's shops.]

Mind if I come in?

[mc_of_mcs]

Just checking.

You...don't look too hot.

[Nep forces a smile, but it comes out looking a bit sad. Even she knows how to read a situation.]

[herodrawing]

But... when she said to kill her...

What was the best?

[herodrawing]

No...

Sorry. I kinda... need to be alone for a while.

I think. I don't really know anymore.

[herodrawing]

You make it sound like it's their fault.

...

[Izuru gasps as he realizes what he just said.]

Sorry Asagi, I didn't mean it like that!

[herodrawing]

Is that really the best we can hope for?

That's not the best at all...

[herodrawing]

It's okay, it's not my room, anyway.

[So Izuru has no problem letting people into it, apparently.]

What do you mean? Depends?

[mc_of_mcs]

I got it.

Oh. But before I go, there's something I wanted to tell you. I heard what you were saying earlier, about the hero stuff...

And, well...

[How should she say this...]

[majestic_keiki]

I don't know. But you wanted to save her, that's a good thing either way and I'm sure she was happy to hear it.

[No mention of what else he said.]

[herodrawing]

Yes?

[herodrawing]

I wanted, but, I just...

[Izuru quickly turns his gaze away.

Kei... sorry.

[His eyes fill up with tears once again.]

1/2

[mc_of_mcs]

Sorry. I'm really silly, I don't know what a hero would do, and I'm no good with serious situations.

Actually, a member of your team told me not to tell you anything like this, too...

[majestic_keiki]

[Kei reaches out to offer him a hug.]

You don't have to be.

2/2

[mc_of_mcs]

[Surprise, Izuru. You get a sudden hug.]

But you know, a hero is a title someone else gives you; sometimes for the smallest reasons. It means the world to them, though!

I was just thinking: it'd be sad if you stopped and said you can't do it. If your friend saw you as her hero, she wouldn't want that, right?

[Even then, Nep gets your need for personal space. So she backs off and turns to leave.]

...Well then, see ya.

[herodrawing]

...

[Izuru is surprised by the sudden hug! And moreso, by Kei's words.]

!

[herodrawing]

...

[Izuru blinks, surprised. Both at the hug - and especially at Nep's words.

As she leaves, he does not respond.

But somehow, the air feels a little bit lighter.]