The Identity Of The Sinful Miracle

f o r t y - e i g h t

"So then, in exchange of taking Lady Natsumi's life . . ." Clint utters in slow, scary manner. "How about I kill you instead . . . Den?"

"Heh, heh." Dennis chuckles on his throat. "Is that so . . . You sure are merciless, Clint."

"Of course. I will get rid of everything—even you, Den—just to attain my happiness."

"How selfish." It's Den's answer. Sadness is in his voice. "But sure, I would accept your proposal."

"Just how heroic you are." Clint returns.

"Right? Haha." chuckles Dennis, "Hey, Clint . . ."

"Yeah,"

"I hope we had a real conversation."

"What do you mean a real conversation?"

"I mean, a conversation that filled with truths, not lies."

"Come on, Den." Clint scoffs, "So you knew that I'm lying to you?"

"Stupid." a mock that Dennis answered. "Yes, I know when you're lying to me. Just who am I to you, Clint? We've been together for a very long time. We're brothers, right?"

I couldn't contain the aches and I just ended with a silent uproar.

Brothers . . . huh? Really.

"Yes," with a shallow smile, Clint says. I can see his smile rendered by pains. "We're more than a comrades. Yes, we are brothers, Den."

As Clint lets go those words, a gunshot was freed.

"NO!!"

It's my initial cry.

I want to run towards Clint to steal the gun from him. It's because Clint shot Dennis!!

Accepting the bullet, Dennis falls on his knees. "A-Argh . . ." he groans painfully loud. But he still have the grin on his face.

"I'm sorry, Den." I hear Clint utter, "But we're brothers, aren't we? I know you would forgive me."

"ENOUGH ALREADY!" I shouted. "Enough . . . please. These things shouldn't end like this."

"Keep quiet, Nat. Don't interfere."

"Don't joke around!!" it's I who said that. "If . . . this matter is caused by me . . . then kill me instead! Not him! Not Dennis!"

"Aa-ahh . . . how lame," Dennis says in a breathless tone, "Getting shot in front of the woman I love, it's truly a shame."

"Dennis . . ." I sob. My heart hurts so much. It's painful. It is something that could kill me.

"N-Natnat . . . Please stay back. I can handle this."

"But, this can't be!!" I object. With all my might, I make myself stand.

And I successfully did it. But in just a nick of a time, I'm on the ground again. I didn't notice at all, but I just discovered that I was shot on my right leg, causing me fall back helplessly.

"I told you not to hurt her, Clint." Hearing Den's breathless words, I felt pain, guilt, anger and hopelessness.

"But she tried to interfere. It is all better now. At least, she can't stand."