Chapter Text
"Almost all his bones are broken, including his spine. Honestly, I don't know how he survived. The gods, if they exist, really don't want him to die."
Hearing this news, Miku lost consciousness. Deya and Jill started crying again. The two men supported them. Yuno was once again the calmest. For her, the main thing was that he was alive. If Ray couldn't walk — she would become his legs. If he couldn't see — she would be his eyes. For her, the main thing was that he would live.
Waking up three days later and learning the news about his condition, Ray was devastated by it. It wasn't the fact that he would never walk again that scared him, but that he had once again become a useless person — one who couldn't protect those he cared about.
For a second, he even regretted his decision, but remembering Miku's gentle smile and her unborn child, he pushed those thoughts away. He saw it as atonement for failing to save Lily and their girls.
If that was the price for their lives — he would pay it without hesitation.
When Miku found out that Ray had regained consciousness, she needed time to work up the courage to see him. Timidly entering the room and seeing Ray, who was almost completely covered in casts, she couldn't hold back her tears.
Seeing her like that, Ray said sternly:
"If you're expecting me to comfort you — that's not going to happen. I didn't pay such a high price to see you looking so pathetic. You'd better just leave. I don't want to see you. If you start apologizing for everything now — including your betrayal — it will seem like you're taking advantage of my condition. But even if I'm lying here paralyzed, I will never forgive anyone for something like that."
"If you really want to thank me — live the rest of your life so that no one has any doubt that I did the right thing. And do your best to raise your child to be a worthy person."
From Ray's tone, it was clear that he had no desire to see her. Hesitating, Miku uncertainly stood up and, deciding not to argue, left.
When Deya saw her brother — the one who had always seemed like an unbreakable wall to her, the one who would always protect her — in such a state, the girl finally came to understand the fragility of human life.
She didn't want to blame Miku, because it was Miku who had given her the chance to understand her brother. But still, seeds of hatred took root in Deya's heart.
As if reading her thoughts, Ray said:
"Little one, don't blame Miku for this. No matter how our relationship ended, I know for sure that she loves you both. And if you ever need help — I'm sure she'll be there to help."
"It was my decision. Every decision comes with a price. I hope this will be a good lesson for you. They say smart people learn from others' mistakes, fools learn from their own. I hope my life will be a good textbook for you two."
"Does that mean you think saving Miku was a mistake?" Deya asked, struggling to hold back her tears.
"No. Like I said, every decision has its price. Everything happened so fast... But saving Miku, I was ready to pay for her life."
"When making such decisions, you have to ask yourself: is the result you want to achieve worth the price you'll have to pay for it?"
Her brother's words stayed with the girl for life. These very words would lead to several important decisions in her life.