The Degree
Terumi

Ray and Terumi stare silently at Virgo's departure. The atmosphere that the person left behind was extremely heavy. Terumi stared at Ray once without knowing what to say.

Whether or not it's true what Virgo said about Ray, it doesn't seem to be a lie. The fact that Ray was really annoyed and angry becomes real evidence.

Terumi did not dare to bring it up for now because Ray's emotions were not stable.

“Who ... there ...”

The feeble voice was almost like the whimpering of a goat that was heading towards its death. If left alone, the whining will disappear. Not the voice, but the one who whines.

Ray recalls his goal of coming here, which was to save Erina. If he is not immediately given help then his life may not be saved.

“Let's do the things that have to be done. Please, stay tight-lipped about what that guy said.” Ray stared intently at Terumi, he could not pose his threat for now.

At least Ray can ignore things that have little impact. The greatest risk of his past being revealed is that someone is able to guess what degree he has.

“Yes, but I want you to give me an explanation later, no problem, right?” Terumi may be awkward but she is not afraid to give the conditions for silence.

Ray is reluctant to do so because the past is not something that can be shared with people he has not even met for a long time.

It's okay if it's something good, but if what is shared is the dark times in his life.

“..., yes ... no problem.”

Ignoring this Ray immediately goes to Erina's place, as well as Terumi.

They removed the chains that tied his hands and feet. Terumi checked her condition and found her wounds to be fatal.

“... it's terrible. I can't believe there's anyone so cruel in this world ...” Terumi looked at Erina with concern.

How not? His hands and feet were horribly broken. Including his nails that were plucked, his fingers were also broken. Even the fate of his hands and fingers was similar.

“They must have done torture to get something. One of them is to reveal his Degree.”

In addition to the Degree certainly Virgo hopes that Erina will submit to torture and reveal the Degree and give the position of chairman of the Redwest.

“What is it ... You, Ray?”

“Yes. Stop talking and rest. Everything has been fine. Mein may be coping with the other members. The rest leave it to us.” Ray immediately carried him and covered his almost naked body with his robe.

“Fu fu, as expected ... from my man. Came to save me .. You are like a Prince riding ...”

“Rest.” Ray pressed him back to rest immediately, this time he slightly raised his voice.

Erina simply smiled painfully and exerted her final strength to close her eyes.

“He's pretty great to be able to stay sane after that pain. Supposedly someone will want death or expose everything.”

Ray agreed. Man can never be at peace with pain. The one who can endure it and choose to die hurting rather than betraying it is an amazingly great person.

“Yes. He has a very strong mentality, which girls like him should not have

Women are fragile creatures and are vulnerable to pain. In general, small wounds can even make them cry. Although not all of this. What Erina had gone through was not something that could be withheld.

If there are ten people who experience the same thing. Ray was confidently able to say that at most there would only be two people like Erina.

“... yes.”

While watching Ray carry Erina and convey his sincere praise. Other feelings that were neither sympathy nor sadness appeared in his heart.

Terumi once denied her feelings for Ray for some time when she was with him. But everything is now clear at this moment.

Jealousy and a sick heart when it saw her praising another woman in writing.

What is the name if not love? Her thought.

A little thought in his head.

Suppose I were there. Will Ray do the same?

He realized that it was a stupid and pointless thought, but still, it felt like he was not wearing it on the chest.

Terumi slowed down her steps and Ray walked in front of her. Staring at the wide back and strapping the man, his hands outstretched. As if he wanted to get it. Wanna have it. And, ask for immediate certainty.

“Ray ...what are you—”

—love her?

The last sentence was stuck in his throat. A sentence that should clarify everything. And, able to answer his heart. Either pain or happiness will be obtained when you successfully say it.

No. gabe. I don't have to say it. Hearing what he was about to say might make me sick and our relationship strained. I have to be patient. And, relying on time, to make her hug me.

Terumi pulled back her hand. Although sad, but he believes that in the future, a distant time, will arrive where Ray occupies the position he wants Ray to be there.

“Did you say something?”

Ray stopped walking and looked. He realizes that Terumi stopped stepping and thinks something might be wrong.

Terumi shook her head quite strongly, “Nothing. I was just thinking how do we bring it down.”

He lies as smoothly as breathing.

“If you think about it again it's true. I can't go down if my hands aren't even free to hold the stairs.”

Too many out-of-control events occur so Ray doesn't have time to think about small steps like that.

Right now it's too foggy. His critical thinking was almost unreliable due to the various questions in his head. One of them is who Virgo really is.

“Do you want to tie it on your back? I sure saw the rope mine down there. We can use it.”

Fortunately he is not alone so there are people who can help in terms of providing solutions at critical times like this.

“Let's do that. Can you get it for me? While I'm making sure of a few things?”

“Yes. I'll go.” Terumi rushed down without much talking.

Ray who was still carrying Erina went to the edge of the building to see the surrounding situation.

In addition to the severely injured, unconscious, dead: the rest of the Rebellion members had left the eastern region.

“They have completely retreated for no apparent reason.”

Ray could have guessed a few things but it should only happen in half an hour at the earliest. Or, Virgo has put someone to watch the situation outside.

“What is possible ..” Ray had a speculation, but he himself doubted it.

Until something comes up and Ray puts Erina back. Now both hands are free. Not to forget, Ray did one important thing that he had to do. It lasted less than a minute.

Ray then took the gun with his right hand. He stared at his caliber for some time while having thoughts about him.

“This is indeed very risky, but I have no other options I can take.”

Although initially hesitant to cover himself, but now his decision has been unanimous.

Without any doubt, Ray fired his gun twice. The sound can be heard by anyone around him.

No matter what he chooses in the end all will have risks. Maybe even worse.