Ouroboros Bonus Story
This is the bonus story unlocked by purchasing the any of the AGF Banquet Sets on the holopro shop. These sets are no longer available, so despite the original story being password protected, I am making my translation public. Enjoy!
The outskirts of Seikyoku, at the entrance to the slums.
In a dimly-lit alleyway stood a young man with an eyepatch, leaning up against a wall. It was clear to see that he was involved in something nefarious, and paired with his desolate surroundings, he was lended an intimidating aura.
“Hmm?”
A younger man arrived, covered by a hood, his light footsteps echoing down the alley. This boy, still full of youth, approached the man in the eyepatch like it was nothing.
“You got here before me, Oga.”
“Yeah, not too long ago. Glad to see you safe and sound.”
“No way I would’ve been caught. Now we just need Miyabi.”
“Sorry… for the wait…!”
The next one to appear was a young man with gentle features. By his breathless state, it was obvious that he had run all the way here.
“Looks like I’m the last one. Did I keep you waiting?”
“It’s all good. We just got here ourselves.”
“Oh, good… Are the both of you alright? Any injuries?”
“We’re fine. You should worry about yourself. You’re practically drenched in sweat.”
“Izuru seems as cocky as usual.”
“That’s what’s so charming about me, you know. Shall we do our usual thing to commemorate our reunion?”
“Yeah.”
“Let’s.”
At Izuru’s behest, first Miyabi pulled up his left sleeve.
Next was Oga, who removed his eyepatch, revealing a hideous scar.
Finally, Izuru rolled the hem of his shorts, showing where his upper thigh met his hip.
What lay in the places where each had laid themselves bare were matching symbols: an Ouroboros tattoo. Seeing the proof of their vow, to never betray one another, caused the three to smile at each other with relief.
“Y’know, I always think about this. Oga, isn’t that spot kind of insane?”
“It’s fine. It’s proof of my resolve, after all.”
“Hehe, that sure sounds like you, Oga-san.”
Who would ever guess that there was a tattoo hidden beneath an unsightly scar? Izuru and Miyabi laughed, in a mix of amazement and bewilderment at how much thought had gone into that tattoo, and they readjusted their clothes. Once they made sure Oga had donned his eyepatch again, Izuru started to speak up.
“Well, y’know…”
“What?”
“Was thinking about how we all got sussed out. Quite the coincidence, don’t’cha think?”
“Yeah… hehe, you’re right. I was surprised when I heard it at Garuda.”
“…We’ve been caught, huh…”
Oga muttered to himself, looking slightly dejected.
“Oga, you alright?”
“Sorry. Just, I started thinking about Shien and the rest… How did things pan out for you two?”
“Well, I got caught, then chased around, and then I, uh, made amends…? Something like that?”
“Amends?”
“I dunno what happened with the other two, but I got to talk to Aru-san for a bit.”
“‘S that so.”
“Good for you.”
“Ugh, can you stop looking at me like I’m a charity case?”
Embarrassed that his companions were overly sympathetic in their excitement, Izuru looked towards Miyabi.
“How’d things go for you, Miyabi?”
“Hmm, I’m not really sure? I mean, I said what I wanted to say. I didn’t get to hear what they thought about all of it, though.”
“You’re satisfied with that?”
“Mhm. I don’t want Astel or any of the others to get deeply involved in all my business.”
“You’ve always said that, Miyabi. The more you know, the more danger you’re in.”
Miyabi nodded at Izuru’s words.
“They’re my precious friends, so I have to keep them away from all this. I’m fully prepared for them to hold a grudge against me for it.”
“Right… how were things on your end, Oga?”
“As soon as I knew the Chairman found out about me, I took off.”
“So then, you didn’t get the chance to speak to anyone in the end?”
“Nope. I did leave our newbie Rio with a letter, though.”
“Well, I hope they get to read it.”
“I hope so, too. I would have much preferred to tell them in person before having to run away like this… Nah, even more than that, I wanted to be there to protect them.”
“Oga-san…”
“Agh, sorry. Nothing to be done about it now. All I can do is pray that Shien and the others realize the amount of danger they’re in.”
Oga forced out a shallow laugh, his expression grim. Presuming how much anguish Oga was likely feeling, Izuru decide to let the conversation dwindle for a short while. The one who broke the silence was Miyabi.
“Well, there’s nothing we can do on their end. We just have to put an end to the gang wars, and destroy the mastermind.”
“Miyabi…”
“At this point, we can only do what we can. Right, Oga-san?”
“…Yeah, you’re right. You’re a strong guy, Miyabi. I should focus now on accomplishing what’s important to me.”
“I think that’s the best thing to do. Izuru, you too.”
“Of course. Let’s crush all our enemies.”
As they steeled their resolves, the members of Ouroboros understood fully well what they had to do.
His precious childhood friends, whom he had been with since he was small; a charming junior that he only just got to meet—three people whom he longed to stand together with, forever more.
An idealistic man whom he cared for like an older brother; a pragmatic wolf in sheep’s clothing; an eccentric weapons-maniac sniper—despite their colorful personalities, he felt right at home when he was with them.
His lifelong friend; a misfit fortune-teller who admired him; a peculiar bodyguard who came from the outside—they were easygoing and comfortable enough to feel like a family.
One day, they wanted to meet their companions again—they each held this faint hope close to their hearts. But none of them dared to speak it aloud. They feared that doing so would undermine their resolve to put their plans in action.
“It’s about time we go. I’ll lead the way to Ouroboros’ headquarters. I’ll ask this one more time, but you’re both prepared for this?”
“It’s now or never.”
“Yes. We’re in this together, no matter what happens.”
“Haha, I knew I could depend on you guys.”
After making this final confirmation, Izuru led them deeper and deeper through the dimly-lit alleyways as they made their way to the slums.
No matter what lied before them, they would face it without regrets.
As the trio steeled themselves and continued forward, Sirius glimmered above them, as if guiding their way.