A hero's crushing realization of human mortality

[herodrawing]

Miss Kanade?

Mr Yancy... and Raleigh, too?

[It doesn't take long for someone to break news to Izuru. The young pilot just stands there, in shock.]

I wasn't even there. I wanted to go to the concert, but...

Why did it happen?

[Some wannabe heroes try to act tough. Izuru is not one of them, at least not now. Tears start to well in his eyes.]

Comments

[herodrawing]

I know this kind of thing happens.

[A loud sniff.]

Heroes... sacrifice themselves to save others, right?

But this was supposed to be a fun concert. Nothing more. And miss Kanade promised she'd take care of herself.

So many people lost their lives, instead...

[ugyuuya]

It's more those who are in a position to do things to save others is what makes a hero in the end Izuru. How many more people would have died if Kanade hadn't done what she did?

I just got back from a briefing that was held because Lt. Takamura wanted to have her own remembrance for Kanade and what she did. The final words she was saying were a will of sorts, leaving her life behind for us to carry on and that she was able to die peacefully knowing that she not only saved us but also the other survivors from the second division and audience. I can admit that the effect was notable but the calm she felt confuses me. I don't think that I could push the button in a similar situation quite as easily.

[Yuuya trails off near the end, his own sense of confusion carrying through as he finds himself vocalizing the same thoughts that were troubling him before he started trying to comfort Izuru.]

[herodrawing]

[Izuru lowers his head in thought, which also gives him a few seconds to pull himself back together.]

Probably... everyone would have died. And my friends were there too.

Miss Kanade saved everyone. I just don't think the price she had to pay for it was fair at all.

[ugyuuya]

Well when it comes to it in the end that's what we sign up for. The level of commitment and sacrifice is what we can only hope and aspi- oh I can't even keep this up to myself anymore.

[Yuuya leans back and puts his head against the wall looking up at the ceiling.]

I was involved with the rescue team that pulled Raleigh off the coast and got to see the effects of Kanade's song first hand from my view over the battlefield with the Aerogators. This whole series of events has been one mess after another.

I wish Kanade were here right now so I could deck her in the stomach for pulling that stunt. It was bad enough with Willis or Seta but they can heal at the very least.

[Yuuya pulls himself away from his rant and calms down before looking rather sheepishly over at Izuru.]

Looks like I wasn't able to keep myself as composed as I was trying to. I just don't get how readily so many people here will dive in to injure or kill themselves to save others. I know I've run a few close saves but I always gauged what my unit could do against the window of action. It's a close thing and the margin of error was slim but I've never acted in a way that would willingly cripple or kill myself just to try to save another pilot. I'll do it if the order comes but even then I'll fight with all I've got to stay alive and come back. What happened there is noble and good but it's just frustrating because I can't console her final words and actions.

[herodrawing]

I wanted to talk to her, too. And now it will never happen.

I want to survive. Even if I tried to sacrifice myself to save others, the AHSMB won't let me. The Juria System forces it to live no matter what.

I... don't even know what to think about this anymore. We met miss Kanade only a few months ago, but it feels like much longer than that.

[ugyuuya]

[Yuuya looks over at Izuru and then sighs with relief.]

Well if there's a system in those machines of yours keeping you from doing something stupid like that then I'm glad for it. You're a bit of a ditz and get entirely wrapped up too much in your idea of heroes and comics but you're also honest, loyal, and, in your own weird way, sincerely worried about everyone.

[Yuuya gives Izuru a playful shove on the top of his head, mostly aimed to give a slight bob and mess up his hair.]

I have to admit that there's something about this place and what it does to people. Before I came here I probably wouldn't have stopped to talk to you or tried to make up with Ken after our first few disastrous meetings. Maybe after a bit longer we'll both find those answers we're looking for.

1/2

[herodrawing]

It's not that I'd throw my life away even if AHSMB let me...

2/2

[herodrawing]

Ahh?

[A surprised reaction to the shove - not because Izuru can't take, it he just didn't expect it.]

He he...

Something about Unity Group changes people, right? It's like we are a real hero team.

[ugyuuya]

You really are a Hero nut aren't you? But it's good to hear you say that Izuru. I was a bit worried but maybe there is more good than just the lives saved at the concert if you'll remember this feeling.

And there I go getting oddly emotional for some reason. Doesn't really suit me.

[herodrawing]

A hero is not ashamed of his emotions, too.

... Ah, here I go again.

[ugyuuya]

Well at least you seem to be doing better and as long as you're this resilient I don't think we need to worry that much.

I never thought your special brand of common sense would grow to be comforting.