Chapter 22: I will stay by your side,,

On her way to the port, Haruka saw a massive army of dominions marching toward the same destination as hers. Aether sentinels, drones, and dominion soldiers were advancing relentlessly. She frowned, anger bubbling within her as she realized how fast the enemy had mobilized. They were going all out, waging war against the helpless humans who could barely survive in this cruel world.

Kaede’s question echoed in her mind, flashing vividly. Suddenly, Haruka smiled, her expression softening. She already had the answer. “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? That’s what she asked, right?” she muttered to herself. Her smile grew wider as her resolve solidified. Without hesitation, she sprinted toward the port, her speed remarkable, her determination unshakable.

They had to survive at all costs. No matter how difficult the path, they needed to press forward without looking back.

At the boats, Ai pulled a pen-sized device from her pocket. She looked at it intently and asked, “Pelly-chan, are there any explosive bombs or dominion-controlled systems on the boats?” Her tone was sharp, laced with suspicion. The dominions were known for their underhanded tactics.

“The boats are safe and sound, ready to start!” Pelly replied cheerfully.

The group wasted no time boarding. Freed started the engine, the sound roaring to life. Sean, Saul, Kaede, Lux, Clint, and Freed saluted the soldiers standing guard on the shore, a gesture of respect that came from the depths of their hearts. The soldiers returned the salute, their expressions firm and resolute.

Taking up defensive positions, the soldiers braced themselves for the battle ahead. They were eager to live, but protecting Kaede and the others mattered more than their own survival. It was their duty, their purpose.

Suddenly, massive missiles launched from all directions, streaking toward Kaede and her group. The soldiers reacted swiftly, firing their own missiles to intercept. Explosions erupted mid-air, lighting the sky with fiery bursts.

“YOU MUST GO NOW!” one of the soldiers shouted, his voice filled with urgency.

Kaede’s heart raced. Her eyes darted around, searching desperately for Haruka. But she was still nowhere in sight.

As tension mounted, Aether sentinels with their massive weapons emerged, their numbers overwhelming. Kaede bit her lip, the weight of the moment pressing heavily on her. She turned to Freed, about to give the command to leave, when more laser beams and missiles hurtled toward them with blinding speed.

They couldn’t react in time.

But just as the attack was about to hit, the projectiles froze mid-air, then veered upward, exploding harmlessly in the sky.

Haruka had arrived.

Relief washed over everyone. Haruka stood in front of them, her stance strong and unwavering. Her eyes burned with determination.

“Kaede,” she said, her voice steady, “the Aether sentinels are surging into this area in massive numbers. There are even larger robots with them.” She paused, her gaze scanning the chaotic surroundings. Her eyes fell on the soldiers valiantly defending the port. “What are they doing?” she asked, her voice tinged with curiosity.

Kaede placed a comforting hand on Haruka’s shoulder. “We have to go now. We’re running out of time,” she said, deliberately avoiding the question.

Haruka frowned, her mind racing to understand the situation. “What about them?” she asked, desperation creeping into her voice.

Kaede hesitated, her lip trembling. She couldn’t avoid the truth. “T-They’re here to protect us. T-They want to defend the area so no one can pursue us,” she said, her voice low and filled with pain.

Haruka’s eyes widened in shock, unable to fathom the sacrifice being made. Slowly, her expression changed. The light in her eyes sharpened, and Kaede noticed the shift.

“The question you asked earlier,” Haruka began, her voice calm but resolute. “I already have the answer.”

Kaede looked at her, confused. Why would she bring that up now, in the middle of such chaos?

“Living as a human... it’s the greatest gift I’ve ever known,” Haruka said quietly, her voice carrying the weight of longing. “As a Dominion, it’s what pulled me toward Ai’s hand that day. That simple, human connection—I’ve wanted it for so long.”

She turned to Ai, her eyes soft, a gentle smile touching her lips. But then, she faced Kaede again, and the warmth faded into something more solemn.

“But when I look around and see humans still trapped in suffering… pain caused by my kind—how can I live in peace? How can I pretend to be human, to enjoy this gift, when the true humans are still bleeding for it?” She shook her head, her voice steady with quiet conviction. “I can’t. I won’t.” 

Tears slipped down her cheeks, silent and steady—and for a moment, the world held its breath.

Everyone froze.

A Dominion... crying?

None of them had ever witnessed such a thing. Not tears of sorrow. Not tears for humans. Dominions weren’t meant to feel this way—weren’t capable of it. Yet here she was, trembling with emotion that defied everything they believed. Empathy. Grief. Love.

Something cracked in the silence.
And for the first time, they looked at her—not as a Dominion... but as something more.

Kaede’s heart ached. She gently cupped Haruka’s cheek and wiped her tears.

Haruka’s voice trembled, but her gaze never wavered. “This power… it was never meant for me alone. It’s for them—for humanity. I can’t turn my back on these people. Not when I’ve seen their suffering. Not when I know what my kind has done.”

She drew in a breath, her chest rising with the weight of conviction. “I want to end the cruelty. I want to give them a chance of grabbing the freedom they always wanted. I think that’s the reason I exist and my purpose in this world.”

Her words didn’t shout—they burned, quiet and fierce. Pride lit her eyes with unshakable confidence.

 Kaede felt it. She knew she couldn’t stop her.

“Please,” Haruka said softly, “let me stay.”

Ai’s face twisted in disbelief. “W-What are you saying, Haruka?!” Her voice cracked as panic welled up in her chest. She reached out, grabbing Haruka’s arm with trembling hands. “YOU CAN’T DO THIS!”

Haruka’s smile was soft—too soft. “Ai,” she said, voice calm yet aching, “I believe I was made for this. To fight for humanity. For you. For all of them. There are people out there who need someone to stand up for them. I have to be that someone. I can’t walk away.”

Her tone held conviction, but her eyes faltered—just for a second. A flicker of sorrow slipped through the mask of strength she wore.

Ai’s tears spilled over. She clutched Haruka tighter, as if her grip alone could keep her from vanishing. But deep down, she understood.

Haruka had already chosen.

And that truth shattered something inside her.

“THEN LET ME STAY WITH YOU!” Ai cried, her voice torn between fury and heartbreak. Desperation cracked through every word as she threw her arms around Haruka, holding her like the world would fall apart if she let go.

Haruka didn’t speak. She simply shook her head, slow and silent—her expression unreadable, but her eyes… her eyes burned with sorrow. Her body remained still, but Ai could feel it—the tremble she tried so hard to hide.

“No,” Ai whispered. “No, no, no…” Her grip only tightened, fingers digging into Haruka’s back as if she could anchor her there. As if love alone could change fate.

Then she turned, her tear-streaked face looking toward Kaede. Her voice rose again, raw and shaking.

“KAEDE, YOU CAN GO NOW!” she shouted, the words ripping from her throat. “I WILL STAY BY HER SIDE! PLEASE, LET ME STAY!”

The air was thick with silence after that. The kind that falls before something breaks.

Before she could say more, Ai felt a light but precise impact at the base of her neck. Her strength faltered as a wave of dizziness overtook her. Her vision blurred, and she struggled to stay conscious, but it was no use.

Haruka caught her immediately, cradling Ai’s unconscious body as if it were the most fragile thing in the world. She gently lifted her and turned to Saul, her expression a mixture of sadness and determination.

“Please, Saul,” she said, her voice soft but steady. “Protect her.”

Saul nodded solemnly and took Ai into his arms, holding her as if she were his own daughter.

Haruka turned to the others, her gaze meeting each of theirs in turn. She saw the sorrow etched into their faces, the silent protest in their eyes.

“You don’t have to bear this alone, Haruka,” Saul said, his voice thick with emotion. “It’s okay for you to live the life you’ve always longing of.”

Haruka smiled, a bittersweet expression that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

Sean stepped forward, his voice firm but tinged with sadness. “I’ve never seen a dominion cry. You’re no dominion, Haruka. You’re more human than any of us.”

His words pierced through Haruka’s defenses, and fresh tears welled up in her eyes.

Lux, Clint, and Freed nodded in agreement, their faces somber.

“Please, come with us,” Freed added, his voice breaking slightly.

Haruka couldn’t hold back her tears anymore. They spilled down her cheeks as she smiled, her mechanical heart swelling with gratitude and sorrow.

“Thank you, everyone,” she said, her voice trembling but full of warmth.

They knew her decision was final. There was no point in trying to persuade her further.

Saul stepped closer, placing a hand gently on her head. His smile was faint but genuine.
“We’ll be waiting for you, Haruka. Come find us.”

Haruka nodded, her agreement clear, though her heart ached at the thought of leaving them behind.

Suddenly, Haruka felt warmth at her back.

Kaede had wrapped her arms around her, firm and trembling all at once, as if trying to hold on a second longer to something she knew she couldn’t keep.

“Are you mentally prepared?” Kaede asked softly. Her voice barely rose above the wind, but it carried a weight that pressed down on them both.

Haruka nodded. “Yes, I am.”

There was no hesitation. Just quiet certainty. And somehow, that steadiness pierced Kaede more than any cry for help could have.

Her chest tightened. Her throat burned. The tears came before she could stop them.

She was a mother—sending her daughter into war.

“You’re good to go,” Kaede whispered, her voice breaking like the waves around them.

Then the boat’s engine roared to life, and with it, the sea opened before them—wide, endless, and unforgiving.

As it moved further from the shore, missiles streaked through the air toward them. But just as they neared the boat, they froze mid-air, then exploded harmlessly in fiery bursts. The port was chaos incarnate. Humans and dominions clashed in a brutal battle. Missiles rained down, explosions erupted, and the cries of the fallen echoed through the air. Aether sentinels fell one by one, but so did countless humans.

Ai stirred, slowly regaining consciousness. She blinked, disoriented, as she tried to piece together what had happened. Then, the memory of Haruka’s decision came flooding back.

Her heart sank.

Realizing she was already far out at sea, Ai scrambled to her feet, panic gripping her. She moved to jump overboard, but Clint grabbed her arm, stopping her.

“DON’T STOP ME!” Ai screamed, tears streaming down her face. “I SHOULD BE BY HER SIDE UNTIL THE END! I DON’T WANT THIS! I’D RATHER STAY WITH HER THAN LEAVE WITHOUT HER!”

Her voice cracked as sobs wracked her body. Her emotions spilled over, raw and uncontainable.

Kaede stood beside her, her gaze fixed on the distant shore where Haruka was fighting valiantly.

“She told me,” Kaede began, her voice trembling but steady, “that you’re no stranger to her. You’re a friend—a little sister she treasures deeply. She’s sorry, Ai, from the bottom of her heart. But you have to understand—her resolve to protect humanity, to protect you, cannot be shaken. She’s living her dream.”

Kaede turned to Ai, her own tears streaming down her face, though she wore a gentle, genuine smile.

“Wait for me, Ai,” Kaede continued. “I will make this world a better place for you.”

Ai’s tears kept falling as she clung to the boat’s edge, eyes locked on the distant, fading figure of Haruka—a fragile flame in the vastness.

“ME TOO, HARUKA! YOU’RE MORE THAN A FRIEND TO ME! YOU’RE MY BIG SISTER, WHOM I LOVE THE MOST! NO ONE IN THIS WORLD COULD EVER REPLACE YOU! FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART, PLEASE BE SAFE! I WILL ALWAYS WAIT FOR YOUR RETURN! I WILL BE THE FIRST ONE TO WELCOME YOU BACK!”

Her voice rang out, carried far across the restless sea by the whispering wind.

On the shore, Haruka froze. She turned, eyes searching the distant boat.

She heard it—all of Ai’s words, clear and true.

Ai’s gaze met hers.

Haruka’s lips curved into a faint, tender smile—warmth spreading softly through her expression.

Then, turning back to the fight, she lifted her thumb in a quiet farewell, the smallest gesture of hope and reassurance.

Ai caught it through her tears—a fragile smile blossomed on her lips, a spark of hope kindling deep within her chest.

She knew her words had reached Haruka.

And with all the love and longing in her heart, she hoped they would meet again—somewhere, someday.

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