800 It would be best if both could be achieved (1/2)

”Thank you.” Seiji was quite moved by his adopted younger sister's heartfelt intentions.

It was impossible for him to only care about himself and ignore everything else. Still, he was quite grateful that Shika cared about him so much.

”I also think that protecting yourself is the most important,” Hisashi spoke up next. ”If changing yourself means that you won't be the current you anymore, then it might really be better not to change yourself.”

The blond-haired mafia otaku's tone was quite serious. He didn't sound even the slightest bit chuunibyou.

His father, older brother, and all the people of the Juumonji Mafia group were currently in danger. Even so, he was still calmly thinking things through and not just wanting Seiji to use his full powers to save others.

That was because Hisashi had already personally witnessed a concrete example of what might happen if someone became too addicted to chasing after power. Even now, he still remembered the events of traveling down to Hell together with his younger sister Kaede in order to save his foolish older brother Zankita as if it had happened yesterday.

At that time, Hisashi had relied on Seiji's power to resolve the situation. But what if Seiji ended up having the same problem as Zankita? Who would resolve the situation then?

”I… don't really agree with you,” Yukari slowly spoke up. ”Is it really that necessary to be afraid of using one's power? Seiji himself said that he's only afraid of the worst possible scenario. But, maybe things won't be as bad as he thinks if he stops restraining himself. Even if he's corrupted by his own power, he should be able to conquer himself with his own willpower.”

Just like Hisashi, she was saying this because of her own personal experience.

She had used her own willpower to break free from the control of her mystical connection. Even now, she was fighting for her own sense of self against her Awakened power. She believed that this was a trial where fear and trying to run away would be useless. Only bravely facing things head on would be the best method in her mind.

Yukari viewed Seiji's situation as a vastly magnified version of her own situation. Although he was far more powerful than she was, the logic would be the same. Although choosing to run away seemed like a possible choice, she believed that it was more of a dead end.

”But if he really does change, he might lose everything,” Kaede spoke up. ”Seiji must have his deep reasons for being so worried. Acquiring an incomparably great power is usually accompanied by a heavy price.”

Since Kaede had also been down in Hell to save her idiot of an older brother Zankita who was corrupted by power, she had the same view as her brother Hisashi.

People change. Hoshi's personal experience gave him a deep impression of this classical phrase.

People sometimes changed for the better, and sometimes changed for the worse. Naturally, it would be good if they changed for the better, but a bad change might be worse than any other possible situation.

If his senpai became someone with an evil personality… Hoshi felt tremendous fear from just trying to imagine it. He didn't dare to even think too much along these lines.

”Basically, this is like a gamble.” Kazuko adjusted her eyeglasses. ”If Seiji's personality doesn't change after releasing his full power, then everything will be all good. If his personality greatly changes and becomes something evil, then not only will he not save people, he might even harm others, and the first people to be harmed will probably be us.”

Everyone fell silent after Kazuko said this.

”In the end, only Seiji himself can make the decision,” Mayuzumi said softly. ”We all hope that Seiji can maintain his sense of self, and also hope that everyone else can be saved. It would be best if both could be achieved… But if only one side can be chosen, only Seiji himself can decide which side to choose.”

Just like Mika, Mayuzumi wanted to apologize to Seiji because she wasn't of much help to him. Rather, she was a much larger burden than help.

Seiji had helped everyone here, but not a single person was able to help him. This seemed truly tragic to her.

”I agree with Amami-san. Seiji should choose for himself,” Kaho voiced her opinion.

She had once become fallen and harmed her own older sister Karen. Kaho had only returned to normal due to her sister and Seiji's assistance. She felt that she didn't have the right to say anything and that she should simply trust him.

Nozomi who silently listened to everyone's opinions now had a general understanding of what was going on. However, she didn't intend to say anything. She simply hugged Reo who was now asleep and taking a nap while gently looking at Seiji.

Both of Natsuya's Spirit-branded Retainers, Hitaka and Rana, also remained silent. Hitaka stood still with her arms folded, while Rana blinked innocently.

Chiaki took a long look at Seiji's face. She opened her mouth and wanted to say something, but in the end, didn't. She simply showed an expression of complete trust in Seiji.

She felt that there was nothing to say.

Natsuya also felt the same way. She smiled at Seiji and expressed her feelings in this manner.

Seiji slowly looked around at everyone and sensed their opinions before he closed his eyes.

In the end, the best answer he could arrive at was the most cliché one—it would be best if both could be achieved!

He should save everyone in the city, but he also needed to maintain his sense of self.