Lato

“	Pay attention. This isn't something that can be taught through words. I will show you...The essence of fire.	”
— Lato (to Nine), during his last stand.

Lato was a T-2 originating from Nine, his ability being able to control fire. He was the leader of a small group of T-2s dedicated to finding the “Cure” for T-2s to turn them back into humans. He was the boyfriend of Hinalea. During the Sete Arc, he gave his first, and final lesson to Nine, teaching him all he knew before he died due to the effects of the Enhancer.

Appearance

Lato has a large and towering structure, with red, spiky hair and, most notably, a scar across his left eye and right cheek. He has yellow eyes as a Horror. He also seems to have a penchant for black clothing, as it “hides the bloodstains better”.^[1]

Personality

TBA

History

Lato grew up alongside Hinalea and was seen as the outcast amongst the T-2 children he lived with — never talking to anybody, and always reading books, while at the same time quietly memorizing the disposal timings of the suppressants, and using the experiments to practice the use of his ability.

Soon enough, with enough observation and somehow, the aide of the Maha Amba, Lato formulated a plan to escape his lab, Hinalea coincidentally tagging along with him, developing a one-sided crush on Lato. After escaping, he allied with the Maha Amba and began his search for the Cure. Initially, he asked if Hinalea would help him, but, due to her crush on him at the time, she proposed the idea of helping him only if he went on dates with him. Reluctantly, Lato agreed to spend one hour with her every week, having no intention of dating Hinalea with genuine feelings.

Years later, one night, Lato and Hinalea start their “date” 5 minutes late. Before beginning, Lato asks Hinalea what pointless activity she wants to engage in this time. Sadly, Hinalea asked Lato if he truly thinks everything other than the Cure is pointless, to which Lato responded coldly, answering yes — as their time is limited and rather than focus on amusement, they should focus more on “important matters.”

Though, blankly, Hinalea then asks Lato if everything is pointless if they're all going to die, pointing out that ordinary people die too and that, despite having limited time as well, they still enjoy themselves. She continues, further asking if there is no point in enjoying yourself with people you like if you can pursue something “greater.”

Hinalea says that, with what she's learned and observed from them, they have what ordinary people don't — getting to live in expensive high-rise buildings, having a lot of money and free time due to a large company taking care of their expenses, etc. Plus, she points out a hospital near them, pondering what the people being robbed of their lives there would give up should they be able to just have a taste of what they have — even if it's just for a brief moment.

On the contrary, she considers prioritizing the Cure according to Lato's ideal, but — if they ever only prioritize that, they might die not knowing what else they could have had. Hinalea tells Lato that if they just slow down—just a bit—they could enjoy the things they can still be happy for.

Lato finally responds to Hinalea, inquiring if she views himself as something to be happy for, which is why she keeps on insisting on their fake dates. Without any hesitation, Hinalea says yes, and even if Lato sees no point in them, she still likes Lato and enjoys her time with him. Finally, Lato admits he doesn't understand it, but if the fake dates are what require the constant support of her ability, he is willing to put up with it.

After that, the two continued to go on “dates”.

During another one of their fake dates, the pair are in a park, eating ice cream together. Taking a bite out of his ice cream, Lato internally notes that it's good, with a sullen expression. Noticing how quiet he is, Hinalea asks if Lato is okay, recalling how Lato hasn't been complaining as much recently. Lato simply says that he's alright, and the pair continue, Hinalea walking ahead, looking at flowers, considering which color they should get for their balcony, and asking Lato to which he responds half-heartedly, his mind wandering elsewhere.

As they continue walking, Lato begins to note their surroundings — so many things he would have never noticed without Hinalea. Lato acknowledges that he thought he should focus on completing the Cure so that they could live longer — but considers there was more to life than that. Lato comes to a halt, interrupting Hinalea who was thinking about getting a dog. Abruptly, he calls out to Hinalea and says that he likes her.

Hinalea gets flustered but then says that she knows he agreed to go on fake dates, but he didn't need to say fake things as well. Bluntly, Lato says he means it, much to Hinalea's surprise. Lato admits that he likes Hinalea, but he will die soon, and that this is “no time to begin a romance.”

To his surprise, Hinalea takes his hand and asks him if he still remembers what she said about the two being lucky.

Hinalea describes how some people's romantic relationships don't work out, and sometimes the person they love doesn't love them back, and that even if their romance is short-lived, she thinks that it's lucky, and she teases Lato, and if he truly loves her, he should enjoy their “once-in-a-lifetime romance.”

Following the afternoon they enjoyed together, the pair found themselves waiting for an elevator, hand in hand. Hinalea mentions how she never thought she would be able to hold his hand, feeling its warmth and wondering if it was because of Lato's aspect being fire.

Hinalea glances at Lato, noticing a leaf on his shoulder, and jumps to get it. Holding the leaf in hand, she remarks how tall Lato is. Suddenly, Lato places his arm over the wall and leans his face closer to Hinalea, inquiring, “Is this better?” ensuing in a tender kiss between them. Subsequently, Lato and Hinalea became a real couple, blossoming their relationship and going on actual, genuine dates with real feelings for each other.

However, tragically, Lato's cognitive and physical abilities began decaying, and he started developing signs of amnesia. Eventually, he concluded that he should continue, treating himself as a shell that must complete the Cure, even if he will no longer know the true reason as to why he did it. He began writing in journals in an attempt to recount his memories, only to forget a few days later and repeat the process.

Soon enough, Lato decided to give his myriad of notebooks to Hinalea, calling them a “distraction.” On top of that, he got rid of all “distractions” in his life, burning every single photo and memory that was once precious to him to keep himself from focusing on anything other than the Cure. He ordered Hinalea to say nothing of the past events to his future “shell”, and to keep himself in charge, despite his cognitive issues, so that the future him would be able to succeed. Hinalea describes how he worked all this out as “some weird regiment.”^[2]