Episode 26: Even After Losing Everything
Inside the gymnasium, the battle continued.
When Yakushiin mocked Toka’s entire life—
calling it “pathetic”—
something inside Shikanosuke snapped.
Memories he had tried to bury…
old wounds he never wanted to face—
were dragged back by anger.
His first mission with Toka.
Her sacrifices.
Their quiet conversation on the train.
Everything rushed back at once.
And then—
the bitter taste in his mouth pulled him back to reality.
“…Looks like the poison is working.”
Yakushiin spoke calmly.
Shikanosuke’s body tensed.
“I’ll… take you down…!”
He tightened his grip on the bat.
Then—
they clashed.
“Let’s begin.”
“Bring it on!!”
Strikes and movements collided in rapid succession.
But the difference was clear—
Yakushiin controlled the flow.
“You need to move better… or you won’t last.”
“Tch…!”
“Your defense is full of gaps. For example—here.”
A sharp motion cut through the air.
For a moment—
everything went quiet.
Then heat followed.
Shikanosuke staggered.
(That was fast…! I didn’t even see it…!)
“Raikon Metsugeki!!”
He swung his bat with everything he had.
A powerful, desperate strike.
“I see. That’s your style.”
Yakushiin calmly intercepted it.
“Tch—!”
Shikanosuke forced his weapon free.
“If you rush, you leave yourself open.”
In the next instant—
an unseen force struck him.
“Ghh…!”
He fell back slightly.
(What… was that…!?)
Yakushiin’s weapon shimmered faintly—
its form shifting.
“My weapon doesn’t stay the same.
It changes—depending on how I use it.”
“…Shirakiri… Yukino…?”
Memories flashed again.
“Toka! Stop!”
“I have to help them!”
Even at her limit, she kept going.
“…So you’ve met her.”
Ignoring the question, Shikanosuke asked—
“…Who’s Yugo…?”
Yakushiin smiled slightly.
“You really don’t think before speaking, do you?”
“How do you know about me!?”
“I know everything about the Kadan Corps.”
“…What?”
A chill ran through him.
“Name. Age. Background—everything.”
Another strike.
“Enough…!”
Shikanosuke released a burst of energy to interrupt him.
“I wasn’t finished.”
“Shut up…!”
He attacked again—
but Yakushiin simply watched.
(Too predictable.)
Suddenly—
he disappeared.
“…Where—”
A hit from behind.
Shikanosuke reacted, but too late.
“For example—Tomma Shikanosuke.
Born into a prestigious family, yet treated as a failure.
You chose this path to avoid becoming a burden.”
“…Stop talking…!”
Everything being exposed—
shook him.
He attacked again—
but something felt off.
“My power… isn’t responding properly…!”
Yakushiin smiled.
“That would be the poison.
It doesn’t just weaken you—it disrupts your abilities.”
Another invisible strike landed.
“…Damn it…!”
He kept fighting—
“Too slow.”
Something slipped past his guard.
His movements faltered.
(…I can’t keep up…!)
Still—
he refused to stop.
“…Toka…! Give me strength…!”
With everything left—
he swung.
This time—
it connected.
A burst of light exploded.
“…Impressive.”
Yakushiin stepped back slightly.
“This… is my will…!”
For a moment—
Shikanosuke believed he had reached him.
But then—
Yakushiin straightened again.
“…What…?”
“That technique—Gosou Juusei.
It allows recovery by converting energy.”
He smiled.
“You wouldn’t be able to use it.”
Before Shikanosuke could react—
another unseen strike hit.
“…!”
His vision wavered.
“You’re already at your limit.”
Shikanosuke dropped to one knee.
The poison was spreading.
“…This is what happens when you keep taking hits.”
Then—
the window shattered.
A presence returned.
“…You look exhausted.”
Soulbind had come back.
“Perfect timing,” Yakushiin said.
“Toka is already… gone.”
“…Damn you…”
“Let’s finish this.”
Soulbind stepped forward.
Shikanosuke understood.
This was the end.
Memories surfaced.
His mother.
Baseball.
The bat she gave him.
And Toka—
laughing, talking, sharing simple moments.
(…Sorry…)
His thoughts faded.
Just as Soulbind reached out—
A sharp metallic sound echoed.
Soulbind was struck—
and blown away.
“…Gourin.”
Light scattered through the air.
Shikanosuke looked up.
Someone stood there.
“…Sorry I’m late.”
It was Soma.
“Let me fight again.”
With Soma’s help—
Shikanosuke stood up.
Even now—
he stood.
“Soma… this is where it really starts… right?”
“Yes.”
And just like that—
the battle began again.
