Episode 9 – “From Now On, We Fight Together”
After the clash of convictions between Soma and Kei, Touka and the others waited quietly for Kei to wake up.
The moment he regained consciousness, Kei lashed out in agitation. With no other choice, Touka restrained him with rope and took away his blade.
No matter what anyone said, Kei only spat harsh words in return. Eventually, Touka and Shikanosuke gave up trying to talk to him and moved away to play a game.
They invited Soma to join them, but he shook his head.
“I’ll stay here a little longer.”
Kei looked at him with suspicion and discomfort.
“You. Go over there.”
“No… I want to talk with you.”
“Tch… What are you trying to pull?”
“…Let’s talk. Because you saved my life.”
“…Saved your life?”
“Yes. That night… my family was taken from me, and I lost sight in my right eye. In that moment, not only my family but my ‘normal life’ disappeared.”
Soma spoke slowly.
Kei had expected himself to interrupt, but he remained silent.
“I lost my family… and my sight. That night, everything I knew was gone.
But… when your kunai struck, I felt something.
Like… it was still okay for me to live. In that moment, I felt like I regained what it meant to be human.”
“…You don’t have a family anymore, do you?”
“…No.”
“Then how did you find meaning again? You lost everything. In this world full of monsters… what keeps you going?”
Kei’s voice trembled weakly now, nothing like before.
“…Tell me…! If you have nothing left to protect… what do you rely on to live…?”
“I…”
Soma’s memories flooded back like a fading dream.
—
“Mom! You can do it!”
A night sixteen years ago. Doctors stood beside his father Kenzo as his mother Mayumi gave birth.
A loud cry echoed through the room.
The child born that night was Amagi Soma.
“You did it…!” Mayumi whispered, holding him close. Kenzo smiled warmly. “He’s our treasure.”
Soma grew up surrounded by love. He adored heroes — people who saved others.
“Since you like it, I watched all the episodes with you!” “Yay! Dad’s the best!”
Every day felt warm and bright.
Then one day, a little sister was born. Her name was Yuki.
“I’m your big brother now!” young Soma laughed.
But the shadow of tragedy would come later.
—
One afternoon, Soma and his father were home while his mother and sister went out.
“Soma! Want to go to the bathhouse later?” “Yes!”
Then his father’s phone rang.
“…What?”
The color drained from his face.
“Soma… get ready.”
They arrived at a quiet white building.
Soma learned the truth afterward.
His mother survived.
But his sister… never came back.
“She went somewhere far away,” his father said with a forced smile.
“…I see.”
Back then, Soma didn’t understand.
Now he did.
He had lost something that would never return.
—
Even so… new encounters came.
“Let’s go to Disney next time!” “Yeah, the three of us!”
He met friends. He learned that loss could lead to new bonds.
Since then, Soma chose to treasure every new connection.
—
When he finished speaking, Soma looked straight at Kei.
“You’re right. This world feels like hell sometimes. I lost my family… my eye… and even now I’m afraid every night.
But…!”
He clenched his fist, eyes unwavering.
“I met people here. Touka… Touma… and you, Kei.”
Kei flinched when his name was spoken.
(After everything I did… he still calls me a friend…?)
He remembered the cold words he once threw at Soma.
“Stay out of my way.” “You don’t need to know.”
Even their confrontation in the gym.
Yet Soma had never abandoned him.
“…Why do you still think I’m your ally?” Kei asked.
“You are harsh. Honestly, you’re frustrating,” Soma admitted with a small smile.
“But you’re sincere… and kind.”
“…Kind? Me?”
“You saved people. You trained until your hands were torn. And when we fought… you dropped your wooden sword. You didn’t want to hurt me more than necessary.”
“…That was…”
“You’re kind. I won’t abandon you. I’m on your side, Kei.”
Kei’s eyes widened.
Memories of Kurose surfaced.
“I will never abandon you, no matter what,” Kurose once said.
After losing Momoka, Kei had lost his light.
“I thought I had nothing left to protect…”
Tears began to fall.
“Soma…”
“I believe in you,” Soma said gently.
“…Thank you… I remembered something important.”
“…You finally called my name,” Soma laughed softly.
For the first time, Kei spoke honestly of his past — of losing his family, of being saved by Kurose, of Momoka, the person he loved.
“I kept chasing revenge… and forgot everything else…”
“…You’ve been hurting too,” Soma replied quietly.
He turned to leave.
“Soma…!”
Kei called after him.
“…From now on… we’re comrades.”
Soma turned back with a clear, bright smile.
“From now on — and always.”
And with that, he returned to Touka and the others.
