MHGA Chapter 361 – Hope and Courage Are Gifts from Others
While Altair was speaking with Kairo Retsu, the other Hunters and Created Beings were undergoing examinations by the Felynes.
Granny Felyne, donning a face mask, came personally to inspect everyone for any physical abnormalities.
Though the Created Beings felt it strange to have a bunch of bipedal cats checking their eyes and tongues, they still followed the Hunters' lead and complied.
After the intense exposure to the Frenzy Virus inside the Birdcage, everyone present had more or less been infected. As such, they had to remain in this world a while longer until they could be cured before returning to their own worlds.
And then… there was another matter.
After the resurrection of Setsuna Shimazaki, Altair had fought alongside the Hunters against Shagaru Magala. But now, only one awkward figure remained from the former Military Uniform Princess faction.
That was Charon, the male lead who corresponded to Selesia.
As the author of both Charon and Selesia, Takashi Matsubara couldn't help but feel incredibly conflicted—looking at Charon was like seeing his own child who had strayed into darkness.
"Uncle Matsubara, are you okay?" asked Rui Kanoya, temporarily out of combat due to his giant robot being blown up, while munching on potato chips.
"He kind of feels like a dad or something," Yuuya casually muttered from the couch, using his arms as a pillow. "My Creator gives off a totally different vibe."
"Hey!!! That's only because your personalities are so damn difficult!" shouted the author of Yuuya and Sho, already on the verge of losing it.
Though physical injuries had already been healed, the effects of the Frenzy Virus still lingered. For now, the Felynes administered Antidote Fruit to those infected to delay the virus's progression.
After his conversation with Altair, Kairo Retsu immediately sought out Madoka Kaname to check on her condition.
He had requested a private room from the Creators' world authorities, and invited Madoka and Granny Felyne there to discuss Shagaru Magala's relocation into Madoka's world.
"No need to worry. After the Hunters' battle, Shagaru Magala is now in a heavily wounded state. Judging by the age rings on its wings, it's been a Shagaru Magala for a long time," Granny Felyne said gently, paw resting on Madoka's hand, trying to ease her distress. "Unless it finds a chance to replenish its energy, it won't show itself easily."
"The Documentation Squad and Exploration Squad among the Felynes have already begun investigating your world."
Kairo Retsu held a stack of documents in his hand, dark circles under his eyes—he hadn't had time to drink an Energy Drink amidst all the chaos surrounding Shagaru Magala.
The materials were gathered by the Felynes after surveying Madoka's world.
"Compared to before, the Frenzy Virus has clearly begun to infiltrate the ecological systems of Mitakihara City more deeply," Kairo said, tapping the stack, then pulled out several photos taken by the Camera Bug. "These are images of local wildlife. The Frenzy Virus levels in their systems have increased noticeably."
"But the virus doesn't kill smaller lifeforms directly. It just heightens aggression. That's how the virus spreads…"
"The real problem is—the Witches." Kairo took a deep breath. "The Felynes have confirmed that Witches in Mitakihara have clearly exhibited signs of Frenzy Virus infection, and…"
"The Frenzy Virus works on Witches."
Kairo continued, "When the Felynes began investigating, there were already incidents of Witches attacking civilians more aggressively due to the virus."
"Witches hide within Labyrinths and lure people inside using the 'Witch's Kiss' mark, then drain their life force. According to Felyne reports, the number of marked civilians has spiked significantly."
"Fortunately, that mark is a 'Status Ailment.' The Felynes were able to administer Antidote Fruit to those affected. Also… today, the city's Magical Girls detected the Witch Familiars affected by the Frenzy Virus and saved quite a few people."
Kairo pulled out three photographs—Mami Tomoe, Kyoko Sakura, and Homura Akemi, whose expression was cold as always.
"The Witches' activity is also accelerating the onset of Walpurgisnacht," Kairo said as he spread the documents across the table. "There's likely not even a full month left."
"Guildmaster… if I—" Madoka began, looking at the spread of information on the table. But Kairo raised a hand to stop her.
"Sorry, Madoka."
"What I just explained was the result of the Hunters' failure to investigate properly," Kairo said, bowing his head. "If we had realized earlier that the true source of the Frenzy Virus was Shagaru Magala, we wouldn't have faced it so hastily—nor would we have let it escape to your home."
"Madoka, can I… say a few things?" Kairo sighed and turned to face her directly, sitting opposite her.
"When I first saw your story… the one I mentioned before—it was around the time I was your age," Kairo said with a wry smile. "Back then, I was just a kid who liked watching anime. I didn't really understand much. I only felt…"
"Sad. Really sad. I loved the story, but I hated how it ended."
"I didn't grasp the deeper meaning until years later when I rewatched it."
"It was only then that I began to understand your growth, your selflessness, your strength, your compassion… but even so, I still felt… sorrow at the ending."
Kairo gave a sheepish laugh. "Never in my life did I think I'd one day sit across from you like this, talking about it face to face… but here we are."
"I really love your story."
Kairo took a deep breath. "Your future—that story I saw in the past—became part of who I am today. I truly believe that at least some of the hope and courage in that story helped shape me."
"But that story is not the whole of me. I accept its beauty—and I also reject some of its ideas. Life is a journey where we keep walking, pausing now and then, filling in the framework of our identity with all the scenery we pass. That's how our personalities are formed."
"So… I have my own thoughts and beliefs."
Kairo beamed as brightly as he could at Madoka. "I don't believe hope and despair are equivalent—hope doesn't exist just to birth an equal amount of despair."
"I believe… hope and courage are born from having absolutely nothing."
He placed his hand on his chest, feeling the pulse of life itself.
"It's a flame, born by coincidence—fragile, but bright enough to illuminate its surroundings."
"That little light is protected in someone's embrace, kept safe from wind and rain, then carefully shared with others… and like that, the seeds of hope and courage are passed on, one by one."
"Sometimes, hope and courage fade away."
"But sometimes, they reignite in the darkness."
"This is my answer. And it's what I'm going to do next."
"Madoka, let me say it again… from the time I first saw that story in my youth, until now—I still love that story. The one that made me sad, but always spoke of hope and love."
Kairo reached out and held Madoka's hand, placing it against his wrist so she could feel his heartbeat.
"Above life itself… we always seek a strength that surpasses life."
"This is the power I've gathered, bit by bit, from other people, from countless stories, and from everything in my life. And within that strength… there's a piece of courage I got from your future."
"So before true despair arrives, let me give a little of this hope and courage…"
"Back to you."
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