Morishita SS: Honor

The paintballs I so magnificently fired were supposed to hit every single enemy, laying to rest an army of about 30 with just my lone gun— an overwhelming display of dominance, or so it should have been.

But fate, it seems, has a cruel sense of humor.

Every single shot missed.

With the magazine emptied, I hurriedly reached for a replacement— only to find that the exchange went wrong in the most inelegant way possible.

“…A defective piece of junk,” I muttered coolly. “At this point, it’s practically certain to be so.”

As if drawn by that misfortune, it seems Class C has pitifully signaled its intention to retreat.

Stationed in the middle ranks, I had little choice but to pull back as well, carefully retreating to avoid incoming fire.

And that was when it happened.

It seems the enemy must have felt threatened by my very existence.

As almost every gun barrel turned at once, their collective aim fixing on my fragile, exposed back.

Under normal circumstances, I would have moved like the wind— swift as Idaten himself— but certain unavoidable conditions robbed me of that luxury.

In the scant fraction of a second I had left, their merciless attack would pierce me.

What must I do to survive?

As I fled in desperation, my eyes caught sight of Yamamura Miki— frail as thin tissue paper.

I cannot be defeated here.

And if that was the case, then there was only one option left to me.

“Watch out, Yamamura Miki—!”

Grab Yamamura Miki by both shoulders, spin her around, and she becomes a shield.

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She will be remembered as the one who protected me.

A figure who left behind proof— however small— that she had lived.

A mutually beneficial arrangement. A perfect win–win.

The moment I furrowed my brow with determination, about to make her my shield, a sharp pain tore through my back.

“Kuh…”

Then another.

And another.

“Ugh…!”

“M–Morishita-san?!”

It would seem I was just a fraction too slow to complete the maneuver.

“It seems… this is as far as I go, At least… you should run. Get away…”

“Why… why would you protect someone like me?!”

“I suppose,” I replied softly, “there was still a trace of kindness left in my heart. That’s all. Live on, Yamamura Miki. And in my place… become an Amazoness— thud.”

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“Morishita-san…? Morishita-san!”

Well. This should suffice.

After all, as the person who protected her at the cost of my own life, I would surely earn Yamamura Miki’s eternal gratitude.

And I, meanwhile, would be free to return to the ship— to rest, at last.

A death befitting honor. A final act without blemish.

Truly… the most glorious end.

Period.

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