[Zero took all this in stern silence, and remained that way for a while. There was no avoiding the desperation in Hajime's convictions - he, who had so much and was brought to his knees by the reality of his own helplessness, longed for his ordeal to mean something. To know that his presence accomplished some good in this school.

To make sure his mission here wasn't a failure.

On one level, it was hard for Zero to completely empathize. After all, he never had a lot to lose to begin with, so he was always prepared to give up everything for a greater good. But that drive, where success was the only option and lives were on the line - that feeling, Zero knew intimately.

He closed his eyes, and willed himself to calm down. Then, opening them again, the reploid spoke.]

I do. But you still risk losing more than you already have.

Are you willing to give your life to see this mission through?