fencer-x:

(scans courtesy of sunyshore​)

Forbidden Last Only Power - Part 4/4

At Kisumi’s signal, his gang level handguns and machine guns at Rin.

Rin: (gulps)

[Inside the abandoned building, an underground cell, late at night]

Rin has been locked up, and the cell is so sturdy there’s no way he’s slipping out.

Rin: “Dammit!”

[Inside the abandoned building, in a room, at night]

It’s just Kisumi and Haruka, with none of Kisumi’s gang around. Kisumi watches Haruka, spellbound, licking his lips.

Kisumi: Hmhm~ I wonder what half-fish-men taste like. I guess I’ll have to take a test bite myself, first!”

Kisumi reaches into Haruka’s tank.

Haruka: “…!”

Haruka grabs his wrist.

Kisumi: “Uwah?!” (KABLOOSH!)

He goes headfirst into the tank, which topples over with the impact and shatters. Amidst the broken tank debris and glass shards, Haruka eases himself upright.

Haruka: “Unfortunately, I have no intentions of swimming for your amusement.”

In the blink of an eye, the scales disappear from his bottom half, replaced by a pair of legs—and he takes off at a run.

Kisumi: “Wait! Our prey is escaping! After him!”

Kisumi shouts.

[Inside the abandoned building, underground, late at night]

Haruka runs up to Rin’s cell, peering at him through the bars.

Haruka: “Looks like the tables have turned…”
Rin: “Don’t stand there babbling, get me out of here!”
Haruka: “But I don’t have a key.”

They can hear the voices of the gang members and the sound of footsteps heading their way.

Rin: “Tsk, they’re here… You’re the one they’re looking for! Make a break for it, go on!”
Haruka: “…But what about you?”
Rin: “Who knows. I’m sure someone’ll be along soon to help. Now what’re you waiting for? They’re coming! Hurry!”

But there’s no sign of backup, and if Haruka runs off alone, then Rin—unnecessary now—will be dispatched.

Haruka: “…I can’t.”
Rin: “Huh?!”
Haruka: “I can’t leave alone. There’s something I want to show you.”
Rin: “?”
Haruka: “A sight the human you has never seen before—I’ll be the one to show it to you this time.”
Rin: “Haru…are you saying…”

Rin breaks out into a happy grin.

Rin: “Haha! All right, then let’s go see it! …Is what I’d like to say, but given our circumstances, that might be difficult…”

They stand on either side of the iron bars, and Haruka suddenly suggests:

Haruka: “Drink my blood.”
Rin: “…Huh?”
Haruka: “I don’t have time to explain—just do it.”
Rin: “You’ve gotta be kidding me! Your blood?! What the hell are you talking about…?!”

The sound of footsteps gets closer; Haruka steps right up to the iron bars, baring his throat.

Haruka: “You’ll find out.”

Haruka’s blue eyes are unwavering, unhesitant—but Rin is very much hesitating. They stare at each other through the bars.

Rin: “…Augh, dammit!”

He steels himself, then bites into Haruka’s neck.

Haruka: “—…!”

Haruka’s expression is momentarily strained, and Rin begins to drink his blood.

Rin: “—!”

In the next instant (RI-RIP!), his clothes rip apart and his muscles bulge.

Rin: “UUWOOOH!” (CRASH)

He grabs the iron bars, and with the super muscle power of one who’s drunk the blood of a half-fish-man, the bars begin to bow under his strength.

The gang members come running, but terrified by seeing Rin having just bent the iron bars with his bare hands, they freeze in place. Rin throws them a sidelong glance, then steps out through the hole he made in his cell bars.

But, perhaps having used up all his power in that single feat, his muscles shrivel back to normal size, and Rin stares, dumbfounded, at his body.

Rin: “This is a merman’s power…?”
Haruka: “I keep telling you, I’m a half-fish-man…”
Rin: “Haha, you really are something!”

He drapes an arm over Haruka’s shoulder, grinning broadly.

Haruka: (looks annoyed)

But he’s still got a faint smile on his lips.

Rin: “Well, shall we go? Show me a sight I’ve never seen before, Haru!”
Haruka: “…All right…!”

Haruka nods, and the pair run off.

[Iwatobi Elementary, classroom]

It’s break time in the classroom.

6th-grade Rin: “…And that’s the dream I had! You were a half-fish-man, and I was a policeman! And we were both adults, too! Doesn’t that sound amazing?!”
6th-grade Haruka: “…Mind if I ask something?”
Rin: “Hm?”
Haruka: “How did you dream up such a stupid dream?”
Rin: “What was that~~~?! Geez, there’s no helping you, Nanase… You should dream more yourself! Like—a bright ‘my sunshine’ dream where you’re facing your future! You know…?”

Haruka doesn’t respond, glancing out the window.

Haruka: “…”
Rin: (stares at Haruka’s profile)
Haruka: “…What?”
Rin: “…Nothing, just wondering if maybe you really are a half-fish-man.”

His expression is serious.

Haruka: “As if that’s even possible.”
Rin: “Thought so!”

Rin laughs, and outside the window, there’s a sakura tree standing beside the pool, with new buds just beginning to blossom on its branches.