28. Akemi

Haruka sat on the floor. While she recomposed, Kazuki approached her and asked, standing up:
- "Why did you protect me?" - Haruka replied looking up and leaning her head:
- "What do you mean?"
- "Why did you protect me? You saved me from the Hachimorph's tentacles. You didn't need to. I didn't put my trust in you, and me dying would help you escape. Then, why did you protect me?" - Haruka shook her head and looked down to reply:
- "It's simple, Kaa-chan, I've already told you. I don't want to live a life in which I cannot chase you. I would never leave you to die like this." - Haruka kept looking down and saw drops of water falling on the floor. Puzzled, she looked up and saw Kazuki crying:
- "Ra...Haruka. You've laid your life for mine. And I didn't trust you." - he hesitated and clenched his fist - "I think I owe an apology." - Haruka felt her eyes filling with tears. She tried to swallow them, and said:
- "It is I who have to apologize, I put us on this mess. It could have all been avoided."
- "Yes, but I could... have been better." - he lifted his head and huffed - "I guess it is useless to suffer about it now isn't it?" - Haruka smiled as tears ran down her eyes:
- "Yes, I think it is." - Kazuki stood his hand to her and said:
- "Well. A new beginning? What about it? We escape from this mess and then we decide our next step. Together. No more secrets." - Haruka looked up, got his hand and said:
- "Yes. Together." - he lifted her up. She used the pull to hurl herself towards him and they shared a long heartfelt hug.

When they separated, Haruka said:
- "Well, we need to get out of this place, any ideas?"
- "Actually none." - he spread his arms.
- "Haruka-chan, Kazuki-kun, there is one way out." - it was the operator speaking - "If you can return to the computer room, on the right side, there is a secret passage that leads to some emergency stairs. They will lead you out. This is my final transmission."
- "What?" - Kazuki asked.
- "I've denounced NUMO's lies to you. I am compromised. I've blocked the door, but the guards are here already, it is just a matter of time. It is just a shame that I accidentally hacked the systems and deleted all the data regarding this operation and all the data about us" - she giggled for a second - "This is what I can do to protect you. You will be able to escape. Go, live your life, be free. I will stand my ground here. It's been" - she hesitated - "a pleasure to work with you two." - Haruka said:
- "Operato..."
- "No, please. This time, call me by my real name, Akemi."
- "Akemi-san, thank you, thank you for everything." - said Kazuki.
- "Thank you, Akemi-chan. We will never forget you" - Haruka continued.
- "It's time. Akemi handing it over to Kazuki-kun and Haruka-chan. For a last time. Over and out." - after she said that, the operator, Akemi, removed her NCID and stepped on it, smashing it to pieces.

At the same time, the lieutenant and two guards broke into the office she had locked herself into. She put her hands on her desk. As the guards approached, Akemi picked up her pistol hidden behind her and shot the two guards on their legs. The lieutenant however, shot her twice on the chest.

Akemi gasped and the lieutenant pushed her aside, hurling her into the floor. He looked at the screen, punched the keyboard and shouted:
- "Darn it! She deleted everything" - complaining, he left the room helping the guards out.

Alone, Akemi put her hand on her chest and felt the heat of her own blood. As her mind drifted away, she remembered old times. Her training at NUMO, her hobby with computers, her missions with Shocking Blue, and how she wished she had run away with her boyfriend before he was killed in action. "Live your life you two, seize your opportunity and be happy" - hopeful for Haruka and Kazuki and reminiscing about her own life, the operator was gone with a smile.