If there had been even the slightest chance to save her, he might have considered it. But faced with the skeletons, even he wasn't foolish enough to step out there, let alone believe he could save her while fighting them off.
'It's impossible to save her. With the bridge collapsing, it's only a matter of minutes before she falls. Even, Agawa can't do much right now. No one would be stupid enough to try…heh... What was all that talk last night about living a better life…why Damn it why are my legs moving…. fuck ..I really can't help myself, can I.. Of course… who could be more stupid than me right now?'
Yes, only a stupid, unhinged person like Kelly would break into a sprint, a mocking laugh escaping his lips as he charged toward Kei's position. Seeing the volley of soldiers closing in on her, he stopped berating himself and poured every ounce of recklessness and desperation he was feeling into his legs and sprang faster towards Kei's position.
And yet, as if fate itself were laughing at them, the bridge on their side began to crumble as well, something none of them noticed, their eyes fixed solely on the unbelievable stunt Kelly had just pulled.
"SOULLID"
Kelly shouted with all his strength, putting every ounce of his mana he could muster into the skill.
His shout was like a wake-up call to everyone present. Agawa and Ayase's eyes widened at the rare display of courage, while their classmates could only stare, mouths agape, never having imagined someone like him stepping forward at such a moment. Kojiro's eyes sparkled as he muttered under his breath, "Aniki is the best."
Miya and Airi felt a faint, but undeniable spark of hope ignited within them. Sumire's heart, however, tightened painfully as she stood there, mortified and unable to look away. Ayato wore a small smirk, amused in his own way, while Kenji clenched his fists, a rare expression of bliss crossing his face. Even, the skeleton themselves as paralyzed as they were would have worn a shocked expression if they were able to that is.
Yet the most shocked of all was Kei herself. She had never expected him, of all people, to come to her rescue. And yet, as Kelly flashed past her and struck the nearest soldier, who had been frozen just inches away from attacking her, hope surged again through her chest despite everything.
That single moment snapped the others out of their stupor. Ayase moved first, followed closely by Miya and Airi. Sumire gathered her resolve, and even Agawa stepped forward to support him.
However, Ayato suddenly stepped in front of them, cutting off their momentum and bringing them to an abrupt halt.
"What are you doing? He's all alone, we must help Kelly!"
"Let us go and help Kei. If you cowards won't do anything, then at least let us!"
Ayase and Miya bellowed, but Ayato merely fixed them with a stern gaze, forcing them to confront the reality they were conveniently ignoring.
"What can't you fucking see? The bridge is gone. How are you going to come back, for fuck's sake… If that idiot wants to kill himself, then let him go."
Now It was starting to truly felt like one of fate's sickest jokes. The moment Kelly rushed in to help Kei, the bridge's decay seemed to accelerate. Now, an insurmountable gap stretched between them and the bridge. Even if one of them somehow managed to jump across and help, there was no guarantee they would be able to make it back.
"No Kelllyyy…"