Chapter 38

**Query** (問い, *Toi*, ***Query***?) is the 38th chapter of the *To Your Eternity* manga.

## Summary

In his new form as Parona, Fushi wonders if Parona has passed on. Berserker blushes and states he wants to eat Parona. Fushi dodges him and notes that Parona’s body is light. Fushi kicks Berserker down and wins the battle without killing him, qualifying Fushi for the third round.

Afterwards, Fushi, still in Parona’s form, is phrased and celebrated by islanders. He escapes from the crowd by transforming into the mole and scurrying away.

Now alone, Fushi, back as Parona, looks at his reflection in the pond. He remembers her name and her words about finding meaning in life and death. Fushi doesn’t understand what Parona meant and wonders if she found meaning in life and was happy to be able to die.

The Beholder appears and comments that it’s good that Parona died quickly so Fushi could obtain her abilities. Fushi tells him to shut up and that every word he says is disgusting. The Beholder respects how Fushi feels and tells him that even though he told him not to find pain in human death, pain does spur growth. Fushi once again tells him to shut up and the Beholder disappears.

Tonari arrives and believes Fushi told her to shut up. She tells him she feels hurt and apologizes for her past behaviour. Even telling him she’s repented twice for bringing him to the island. She asks him if he wants to get food together and Fushi declines. Fushi walks away and Tonari follows and notices how beautiful Parona’s body is. She asks Fushi who the form is and how he got it.

They bump into Oopa who welcomes them back with lunch she made. She offers cow blood soup to Fushi who rejects it out of disgust. He walks away as the group chides him for being rude but Tonari apologizes on his behalf.

Tonari follows Fushi to his annoyance and asks him about the battle earlier. She tells him she knows he didn’t want to kill Berserker but there are people who are better off dead. She thinks Fushi should have killed Berserker because he’s killed over fifty people.

Tonari tells him that she wants them to be like a bow and arrow. Fushi as the arrow and her as the bow. She tells him she can help draw out his maximum potential. Fushi cuts her off and tells her he won’t be controlled by anyone and to leave. Tonari pouts and asks what she can do to get Fushi to like her. He tells her he won’t like her because she locked Pioran away. He says Pioran is basically his family to which Tonari asks if even if she’s a murderer. Fushi tells her he chooses to believe in the Pioran he knows over her words. Tonari says she knows how he feels and offers to help save Pioran. Fushi hesitates and says he can’t trust her. She tells him she can produce results first but when the time comes, she needs Fushi’s help to upend the island. He agrees and Tonari runs off not before telling him to smile when he’s sad.

Fushi, as a mole, digs through stone under the wall. As he does so, he reflects on Tonari’s words that some people are better dead. He never felt that way about anyone and wonders how she can think that. He then thinks about how Parona might be repulsed by him since she thought it was wrong to look for meaning in life and death. But in the end, all Fushi can do is treasure their thoughts and mimic the way Parona and Gugu saved others in their lives.

Fushi manages to dig to the other side of the wall, closing in on Pioran’s scent.

## Characters in Order of Appearance

* Fushi — Form(s): Parona, Mole
* Berserker of Zumla
* Tonari
* Sandel
* Oopa
* Mia
* Uroy
* Parona *(Flashback)*
* The Beholder

## Chapter Notes

* Fushi wins the second round of the tournament.
* Tonari agrees to help Fushi free Pioran in exchange for helping her when the time comes.
* Fushi reflects on how he can only mimic the way other people lived their life.
* Fushi makes it to the other side of the wall.