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TL Note: Mihawk from one piece will call them brutes, I believe his quote was "I'm not the kind of brute who hunt rabbits with a cannon" well, Leos is one of those brutes.
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"The correct answer is: 'If you work hard, you can coe…' HUH!? EH!? Wai– What did you just say!?"
Leos was stunned, but Takashi continued.
"I, was childish. Coexistence is a pipe dream! Isn't it? I now believe that humans are weaker than demons and that it is better to know our place and live modestly. That's why, I plan to return to Leirune and live out the rest of my life in silence."
"W-Wait! Then, Suzuki, you're not coming to my class anymore?"
"Yes. I won't."
"Eh, EH–! Seriously?"
"I'm sorry. This is the last time I'll see you, Instructor."
Takashi bowed his head to Leos, who was opening and closing his mouth repeatedly, "pakupaku," like a fish.
"Instructor Leos. Even though it was for a short time, thank you for all your help."
Then Takashi began to walk away. But after a moment,
"…You got to be fucking kidding me."
A shrill-inducing voice came from Leos, and he rushed to Takashi in a frenzy.
"You, didn't you say that humans and demons could coexist!! Don't give up so easily, you bastaaaard!!"
Takashi was shaken so vigorously that he felt as if he might suffer a brain concussion from the force applied by the beastman, and he panicked.
"I-I-I mean! No matter how much effort I put in, it's all POINTLESS!"
"Pointless… was it?"
He stopped shaking him and brought the vicious beast's face close to Takashi's.
"I don't know what happened to you while I wasn't looking! But you know what, Suzuki! Did you ——— really give it your all?!"
"Eh–"
"The Beast King's Oni Squad will also go full strength to defeat a one-horn rabbit! Full strength, all-out! Always give it our all! Do you know why?"
"N-No! I don't know!"
"So that when we die, we won't have regrets!!"
"Won't have, regrets…?"
"That's right! Life is now, at this very moment! That's why we don't care about something like appearances! We don't care about how we look through the eyes of others! We fight desperately until the bitter end regardless of appearances! That is the code of the Beast King's Oni Squad!"
Leos firmly held Takashi's shoulders and brought his face close to his.
"Did you do all you could!? Did you really do it!? Did you risk your life doing it, so that even if you were to die, at this very moment, you WOULDN'T regret it!?"
Takashi's heart pounded loudly "dokun".
(Did I give it my all…? I did not! No, wrong! I didn't even try!)
Takashi's body became hot as if the passion of Leos had been transferred to him.
(Concerned about how I look in other's eyes! I was trying to look cool for Excella! I was embarrassed!)
The phantom of Zhaviest, which had been weighing heavily on Takashi's mind, instantly cracked and shattered.
(Why am I being persuaded by a scoundrel!? No matter what the reason, it's not right for a human to kill another human! I was so afraid of Zhaviest that it chained me... that I shut up my own feelings!)
Takashi realized his own mistake.
(Besides... "frightening"? At any rate, I have already died once! There's nothing more to be afraid of anymore! And now, I'm going to die again without being able to do what I want to do! If I die like this, I will definitely regret it once again! …or rather …I should say…)
"Claws! Oooouuuuchhhhhh!!"
The claws of Leos were digging into Takashi's shoulder.
"Ah, sorry…"
Leos removed his hands. However, for the current Takashi, even the pain in his shoulder felt pleasant. (All right! Somehow, I felt more invigorated after shouting!)
Takashi gave Leos a wide smile.
"Thank you very much, Instructor Leos! I will give it another try! This time, I'm going to give it my all, no matter what it takes!"
"Oh, yeah! Indeed!"
As he was about to start running, Takashi looked back at Leos.
"Instructor. May I seek advice from you again, at another time?"
"Yeah. Anytime."
Takashi waved his hand at Leos. Leos also raised one hand to Takashi. As they parted, Leos blurted a whisper, "I knew it, teaching is the best nya…" Takashi thought it was probably just his imagination and ran without looking back. …… Takashi hurriedly rushes over to the parcel containing the holy garment that he had left on the waiting chair.
(I'm glad! It's still here!)
Then, he unfolded the holy garment. The frilly peach-colored costume fluttered in front of Takashi's eyes. At the same time, the nostalgic smell of Master Leelou wafted through the air.
(Crude and cheap-looking? My eyes and my heart were clouded…)
"This is the color of master's hair. Stupid me..."
Feeling her gentle touch, Takashi embraced the holy garments. At that time, Excella's voice came from behind him.
"Lord Hero, I am so glad that you are back! The dragon carriage appears to be ready!"
Next to Excella, the demon smiled apologetically.
"My bad. I've kept you waiting for a long time. Your destination is Leirune, right?"
Takashi shook his head.
"No. The destination is the Miremia plains."
"L-Lord Hero!?"
"Excella, sorry. In addition, you'll have to wait a little longer. I have to change into this."
When she saw Takashi embracing the holy garment, Excella opened her mouth with a gaping maw.
"You are going out, wearing THAT!? You are kidding, right!?"
Excella's words were erratic, perhaps because she had been astonished too much. After she screamed, she seemed to notice, and her cheeks turned red, blushing.
"I-I don't mind if you go to the Miremia Plains! But, you don't need to wear such a thing! There is no need for Lord Hero to be disgraced by dressing up as a girl!"
"No, I’ll wear it. This is now my own decision."
"A-Are you for real…? You'll willingly cross-dress… EEEHHH…!"
"Zhaviest is mistaken. By any means necessary, this war must be stopped."
"I under… stand…"
With a look of distress on her face, Excella pulled out a shiv out of her bag. And then silently handed it to Takashi.
"Eh–… Wai… Are you telling me to die?"
"That's not it. When you change clothes, use this to remove the hair from your shins."
"Ah? Aahh! Indeed! Thank goodness! Excella, thank you!"