7D111I3

Why do you persist?

You have all told me time and again to come to my senses, have you not?

Then why this hypocrisy? Why continue this hopeless, senseless fight?

Wake... up... I'm... not the person you once knew.

I felt as though my clock hands had grown rusted; I couldn't speak. I couldn't say anything.

What should I do?

We followed her here to continue her dream, but I don't have anything to offer her. No dreams of my own. No memories of my own. I didn't have anything to share with her.

Then...

You were always a right troublemaker, lass... but I always liked your idea of justice, honor... and loyalty. Besides... you'd grown on me...

... And now, after all that grandstandin', you're just gonna up and leave us while givin' us that glum, sour-faced look? Think we'll just quietly sit on our arses and accept that?

What nonsense are you -

No more. I do not wish to leave behind any dearest fellow of mine again.

Y'know how depressing the bus'll be without you, chiquita? C'mon.

The Sinners each start chiming in.

Even though they had already seen her true nature.

Don't you have so many more tales of adventures to share with us?

Come on, tell us more. So many of them got cut short during the bus ride, remember?

They continue the tale without hesitation, not a trace of fear in their voices.

Khaaaa! Quite the thrill this is!!! Now this! Is true adventure!!!

There is no cause for hesitation! A true hero succumbs to no hardships!

Stop them this instant...! It appalls me greatly to think that one must suffer everlasting sights of despair in captivity for the many...

The forces of evil must be uprooted with haste in order to raise the banner of justice high!

Negotiate with a villain such as he...? How...

Hence, onward we travail!

Listening to your powerful cries, Don Quixote... they really made me feel like we had the wind at our backs.

Well, it usually took the wind right outta me, but... oi, I enjoyed a good few of 'em.

You messed up plenty of situations by charging on without looking both ways, but...

... at least it's better than being wishy-washy about it and constantly flip-flopping your stances.

I liked your A.C.T.S.

Yeah. You were always the first one to take Actions, Cutting Through the Shit... You'd never let ambiguities stop you.

So this time, shouldn't we...

... be the ones to take the initiative, to ensure that Don Quixote's adventures don't come to an end...

... that her tale continues?

The question seems to be 'how'.

What, are ya gonna beat the sense back into her like back when?

No.

I don't... want Don Quixote to 'come to her senses'.

<...... >

Executive Manager. We... have no way of knowing how many people she has killed in the past merely by existing.

Will you... embrace her still?

<I will. >

<I'll determine the time to bring her back to her senses.>

No matter what lurks in the pasts of us Sinners...?

Even... if they have killed hundreds, thousands - no, tens of thousands of innocent people? Will you still... embrace them?

I looked at Outis.

She wasn't just talking about Don Quixote. She was -

<I will. >

<As long as they have the will to change, to move forward, I will be there for them.>

…….

I will remember what you have said here today.