>>82411309‘Minato Aqua,’ she said. ‘Aqua! ’She cradled the Onyan in her arms, and hope bloomed in her. Aqua lived, for the moment. The Gamer of JP crown lay on the floor, and so Pekora looked upon a face she had never seen. Aqua was tired than she expected. Lines of pain were etched into her porcelain face that nothing could erase. Her eyes opened. They moved sightlessly, blinded by the intense flare of Pekoland. ‘Peko...?’ She whispered. ‘I am here, Aqua. ’The Onyan clutched at the arms encircling her. ‘I never thought to call one such as you friend,’ she smiled. ‘You are my friend, Pekora, and my teacher. ’‘I am grduating.’ ‘You will stay!’ Pekora said fiercely. Aqua shook her head. Pekora wished she had pekodollars to give her, anything. Her croaking voice became insistent. ‘Listen to me. I saw such things in the light. This graduation is only the beginning...’ she swallowed, and her throat clicked painfully. ‘The beginning... of the end...’ Aqua gasped and settled back, her strength finally leaving her. ‘But I am glad, Usada. I am glad to have been. I am glad to have known you. It is something that friendship can exist at all in this company of terror and betrayal. ’‘Quiet now. You must save your strength!’ Akutan’s scarred mouth cracked into a smile. ‘I have no strength left. I have done my duty, and I am no longer ashamed.’ Her back arched in pain, and she gasped. ‘All hail the Emperor of idolkind, still beloved by all. May His dream be saved, even if we cannot. ’A long rattling breath escaped her, and her face stilled. Aqua’s body went limp in Pekora’s arms. ‘Aqua!’ cried Pekora. ‘Aqua! My Onyan! ’she bent her head and wept for her enemy, her friend. Tenderly she crossed Aqua’s arms upon her chest, as befit a champion of streamers who had fallen in service to Hololive. The ichimin of Marine would find Pekora there, hours later, her head still bowed in mourning.
They looked over at the Children’s Hero sitting immobile by her friend in the centre of the chamber. Someone had draped a blanket around her shoulders, but otherwise she remained as she had been found, motionless with grief. ‘Refusing food, water, or help. She has not moved since we came here, but sits in vigil. ’‘Well, that will not do. Usada!’ Suisei called, raising her voice. Pekora looked up. ‘I command you to rise, Hero of the Children Usada Pekora of Pekoland,’ ordered Suisei. She stood, the blanket slipping from her shoulders. ‘My Sui chan. ’‘It is time you let us take care of the Onyan. We shall commemorate her deeds this evening, as night falls, in a manner befitting a true Idol of Hololive. ’The Hero of the children nodded dumbly. Hoshiyomi guards came to her carrying a bier. They made to raise Aqua up, but Pekora stopped them. ‘No,’ said Pekora softly but dangerously. ‘None shall touch her. I will carry her, for she was my true friend
