Chapter 17: It’s my time to protect,,

The heavy atmosphere that once surrounded the place instantly faded away. Everyone seemed lighter, their minds at ease, laughing and smiling after Kaede’s heartfelt declaration. But to Ai, who harbored a strong desire to protect them all, this moment felt bittersweet—a fleeting reprieve that could have been used to strategize. She frowned, her lips pressed tightly together. Deep inside, however, she knew she couldn’t convince everyone, especially Kaede, who was far more stubborn than her. Letting out a heavy sigh, she stayed silent.

Haruka, on the other hand, wasn’t as composed. She looked at Kaede with an intense stare, her expression unusually serious. The determination in her eyes didn’t waver. Kaede noticed the tension radiating from her but chose not to address it immediately. The last thing she wanted was to disturb the temporary peace of mind everyone was enjoying.

Jumping gracefully from the rooftop of the Humvee, Kaede landed lightly on her feet. She turned to Haruka with a calm smile, one that masked her awareness of Haruka’s inner turmoil. “Haruka, mind if we stroll for a bit?” she asked casually, her tone gentle yet inviting.

Haruka’s eyes widened slightly at the offer. She knew this was her chance to talk to Kaede one-on-one, to express what was weighing on her heart. With a slight nod, she agreed.

The two walked along the forest path, leaving the hideout behind. The surroundings grew increasingly lush, the green canopy above filtering the sunlight into soft, dappled patterns on the ground. The whistles of the birds echoed through the trees, creating a serene melody that complemented the earthy, fresh scent of the forest.

Kaede walked ahead, her confident stride cutting a path through the wilderness. Haruka trailed behind, her gaze fixed on Kaede’s back. The sight brought a faint smile to her lips as she recalled walking through the tunnel in Chiba with Ai. It felt like a lifetime ago.

Kaede, attuned to even the smallest changes in mood, stopped and turned to face Haruka. “Why are you smiling all of a sudden?” she asked, her tone tinged with curiosity.

Haruka shook her head twice, quickly brushing it off. “It’s nothing special,” she replied, though the smile lingered for a moment longer.

Kaede raised an eyebrow but didn’t press further. Instead, Haruka’s expression grew serious, and her tone shifted. “Kaede, I have something to say,” she began, her voice steady yet weighted. Her eyes sparkled like stars in the night sky, a stark contrast to the gravity of her words.

“Deploy only me instead,” Haruka continued. “So that all of you can go to that island and live peacefully. Don’t worry, I have the power to fight against the Dominions.”

Her resolve was evident—firm and unshakable. Kaede studied her face intently, her sharp eyes catching every nuance of Haruka’s expression. She knew just how serious the girl was.

After a moment of silence, Kaede smiled faintly. “I do have a question to ask, Haruka. If you don’t mind, can you answer it for me?”

“Of course, please ask,” Haruka responded, a trace of curiosity softening her features.

Kaede’s smile faded slightly, her tone turning solemn. “Don’t take this the wrong way. I know you want to protect us, but let me ask this for your sake. Are you perhaps willing to make yourself a weapon of humanity to fight against your own kind—the Dominions? Or do you want to live with us? In short, do you want to be human just like us?”

Haruka froze. The question struck her like a thunderbolt. Her eyes widened, her thoughts racing as she tried to comprehend the weight of Kaede’s words. Her emotions swirled within her, overwhelming her ability to respond. She frowned, her lips trembling slightly as emptiness consumed her. She wasn’t ready for this question.

Kaede seemed to understand Haruka’s inner conflict. She offered a gentle smile, her tone softening. “I’ll consider your choice. But right now, I cannot make that decision because your emotions are all over the place.”

Kaede’s words hit Haruka deep, the truth of them undeniable. Yet, even in her turmoil, Haruka refused to give up. She clenched her fists and lifted her gaze. “But I know how determined I am to protect everyone from danger. I must do it. This is my fate. I must face it wholeheartedly,” she argued, her voice filled with resolve.

Kaede’s expression didn’t waver. She remained calm, her gaze steady. “I know. I know that,” she said softly.

She paused, her expression shifting to one of genuine concern. Her brow lowered, and the reflection in her eyes softened. “You’re physically built strong, I know that, but it doesn’t matter if you’re on the battlefield by yourself. Alone, in that terrifying place where everything seems pointless. Thinking that I sent you there all alone is rather sad, depressing. How can an adult like myself send a child that has only just begun to live happily. I mean, You can say now that you can handle it because we’re here by your side. But when we’re no longer with you... the resolve you have, and the things you want to protect, will vanish from your mind. It will feel as if you’re fighting with your life without a purpose.”

Kaede’s voice faltered slightly, but her determination didn’t. “For me, I would rather die than deploy you to that terrifying place that destroys dreams.”

Haruka’s breath caught in her throat. She couldn’t say anything because, deep down, she knew Kaede was right. The silence between them stretched, heavy and contemplative.

Then, unexpectedly, Kaede reached out and patted Haruka’s head. Her touch was warm, comforting. “Till then, if you cannot give me an answer to my question, I will not let you go,” she said firmly.

Despite the weight of Kaede’s words, Haruka felt a warmth bloom within her. She realized how deeply Kaede cared for her—how much she wanted her to live as a human, to be more than just a weapon.

At that moment, Haruka understood that they were the same. They both wanted to protect each other.