Chapter 22

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TL: Single TL Translations

Chapter 22

A few days after watching the cherry blossoms, Aoi seemed to have regained her energy, but she was losing that energy again because of the usual stalking behavior. Her phone calls were a little gloomy, although she was cheerful in her messages.

When I went to stay over, she had gloomy expressions often and seemed to be really getting overwhelmed. I was really worried.

So, I tried to pay more attention to Aoi, but the incident finally happened.

On that day, I happened to finish work early because the last patient’s appointment was cancelled. I picked up my cell phone and called Aoi as usual, thinking that I was lucky that we are a clinic and not a big hospital. She didn’t answer right away, so I assumed she was still at work and planned to go home.

But when I got to the nearest train station from my workplace, I checked the time on my cell phone and found that I had received a call. It was Aoi, and it said that she might’ve been followed when she went shopping at the station nearest to her house. There were a few typos, but it must’ve been because she’s in a hurry.

Thinking that it’s finally happening, I told her that I would be there right away and that she should stay in a crowded place and call the police if anything happens. The express train would take me about 15 minutes. I got on the train, suppressing my impatience, hoping that nothing would happen.

I arrived at the station nearest to Aoi’s house, but I haven’t heard from her since then. I looked around the station, but I couldn’t find anyone who looked like Aoi. Where is she? My hands were sweating, and I felt uneasy. I was worried that something might’ve happened to her. I walked towards Aoi’s house for the time being. Maybe she ran away to her house. The residential area was quiet with few pedestrians. The main street is bright from the utility poles, but when searching in the dark back alleys, there’s not a single person. Seriously, where did she go? I proceeded to check the alleys while running lightly. I sincerely hope Aoi’s safe.

After I looked at the alley several times and thought ‘she’s really not here’, I was about to give up and return to the station when I suddenly heard a voice. Thinking that it might be her, I headed in the direction of the voice. As I headed towards it, gasping for a breath of air, I saw two figures in a dark, vacant lot. One was Aoi, whom I was looking, and the other seemed to be a man. He was dressed in all black, so I couldn’t make him out, but he was probably the stalker. They seemed to be talking about something, but it didn’t matter. I called out to them loudly as if to interrupt them.

“Aoi!!”

“…Yuki!”

When I called out, Aoi immediately ran towards me and grabbed my arm to hide behind me. Her hand was shaking, and she seemed quite frightened.

“Are you okay?”

“…Yeah.”

From what I can see, nothing seems to have happened, so I was relieved, but looks like the person that has been bothering Aoi for quite a while made his appearance. I took one look at the man. The skinny, bespectacled* man was wearing a hoodie with a camera in one hand. One hand was still in his pocket. He might be holding something.

*wearing glasses

“Aoi-chan. It’s dangerous. You shouldn’t be going near her, okay? I taught you that, didn’t I?”

The man was talking as if to a child and had strange eyes. When I thought the man was looking at Aoi, he glared at me; his eyes we’re filled with madness. His face was smiling, but I felt fear because of it. That isn’t normal.

“Are you the one stalking Aoi? Are you the one who sent her pictures and followed her around?”

I spoke extremely calmly. I can’t be the least bit afraid or show any openings. You never know what they might do to you if you let them take advantage of you. I looked him squarely in the eyes and spoke with dignity.

“Stalker? You’re wrong. I was protecting Aoi-chan. Because I’m the only one who can protect Aoi-chan.”

“Protecting? Following her around and sending her photos is protecting her?”

I don’t really understand, is he pretending to be a knight? But it doesn’t look like he’s joking. The man seemed to be answering seriously.

“Yeah, that’s right. I was trying to protect Aoi-chan from people like you. This girl is an aloof existence. If there’s someone like you around her, it’ll be a bad influence. Aoi-chan won’t be able to shine. That’s why I followed and took pictures of her, to show her that I’m properly watching her. You see, I thought she was troubled because of being approached by someone like you. I’m the one that can protect Aoi-chan. I won’t dirty her shine. Aoi’s troubled. By being approached by people like you. I don’t like it either—Aoi-chan no longer being beautiful. I can’t let m-my Aoi-chan be dirtied.”

My face twitched by his self-drunken-like way of speaking and feelings towards Aoi. I have a hard time understanding the man’s unjustified resentment-like and envy-like words towards me. The man continued even further.

“Aoi-chan is cute and beautiful, just like… a goddess. To the extent that, if I could, I’d want to control her all the time. …That’s why, you’re in the way. I couldn’t resist since she happened to be alone today, so I tried talking to her, but this is perfect. I wanted to do something about you. I’ve been acting with that in mind, you see. …It’s hilarious that you’re here, at how perfect this is.”

I don’t understand anything this guy is saying, this isn’t even a conversation. He’s creepy and his intense hostility is surprising, but I don’t look away nor do I change my attitude. I didn’t do anything wrong.

“You’ve been ignoring Aoi’s feelings for a while now, haven’t you? I don’t understand what you mean by doing something about me, and since we’re friends, you have no right to say anything about us…”

While it was a valid argument, it seems like it offended him. The man suddenly threw the camera to the ground in anger.

“Huh?!! I’m not ignoring her! I know Aoi-chan the best!! I understand her without having to talk to her!! I’m different from you!! You’re the one who doesn’t understand, aren’t you?!”

The man suddenly became angry. He yells in anger with a threatening attitude, but while I’m a little surprised at his sudden change, I stare at him calmly. I shouldn’t react to him. My heart was calm. Aoi’s so frightened she’s moving closer to me. I have to protect her.

“Even though I’ve been confessing my love for Aoi-chan. I send her pictures and letters every day—you’re trying to tear me and Aoi-chan apart. You don’t know Aoi-chan’s feelings, pretending to be friends with her. You’re a bad influence on her, if she wanted to play friends then I would’ve done it with her… The reason why Aoi-chan doesn’t respond to my feelings is because she’s been brainwashed by you. That’s why Aoi-chan became strange. That’s why I’m going to get rid of you.”

I don’t understand what he’s been talking about since earlier. That’s enough misunderstandings. This guy is really crazy.

“Brainwashing? Get rid of? What in the world are you talking about?”

“I told Aoi-chan the truth earlier, but she didn’t accept it. Aoi-chan went crazy because of your brainwashing. Then I have no choice but to erase you, right? I’m the only one who can protect Aoi-chan. I’ll be the one to erase you. After I erase you, I’ll take care of Aoi-chan at home. So that this will never happen again!!”

The man took out a knife from his pocket. Was this his goal from the beginning? What he was saying was strange—it’s turned into a bad situation. I’m unarmed. Aoi as well. But what I have to do is already decided. I’m going to have Aoi run away and then keep this guy company. I’m scared, but I can’t show that kind of attitude in front of Aoi, and it’s better than something happening to her. I said strongly to Aoi as I moved back.

“Aoi, run away and call the police. I’ll get through this somehow. It doesn’t look like he’ll harm you, but he’s crazy—hurry up and go, okay?”

“What? I… I can’t do something like that…! I can’t leave you alone…!”

I laughed to reassure her as I forcefully teared away the pale faced Aoi’s hand from my arm.

“It’s okay. I’ll be fine. The police will be able to handle it once they arrive.”

“I…I don’t want to, no… I don’t want to! I-I can’t. No, I don’t want to do that!”

I have trouble with Aoi who seems to really hate it. I don’t want to fall together, plus that guy doesn’t seem like he’s going to wait for us.

“Hey!! Are you spouting something to her again? I’m really going to kill you! It’s your fault that my Aoi’s gone crazy!!”

Just from talking a bit, he’s in a frenzy. The man got even more pissed and walked towards me. If this continues, I’ll really be killed. In a fit of impatience, I forcefully pushed Aoi backwards and picked up the tote bag that was on her shoulder. I can’t be concerned about how I look.

“Hurry and go, Aoi!”

Aoi looked like she was going to fall down and cry but did as I said and started to run. After confirming that, I resolutely faced the man. I have to buy as much time as possible. When he almost cuts me, I’ll just have to do something with the tote bag. It’s better than nothing. The man was breathing hard, and his eyes seemed filled with anger. His eyes were bloodshot—they weren’t sane. I might die here. While I calmly thought so, I was not impatient. I can’t die since I need to buy time for Aoi. That feeling was strong. My head was full of thoughts about what to do in this situation.

“I’ll kill you, I’ll kill you, I’ll kill you, I’ll kill you, I’ll kill you!!”

The man brandished a knife as he muttered ‘I’ll kill you’. I ran to avoid him, protecting myself with the tote bag. However, for a moment, the knife almost grazed me, and I broke out in a cold sweat. My heart chills. This guy is serious. But I can’t let him kill me that easily.

“That’s enough!!”

I kicked him in the stomach with my foot while protecting myself with the tote bag and distanced myself from him. The guy backs up a little and staggers. I need to do something about the knife, but when I start to think about what I should do, the man gets angrier and angrier and starts yelling at me.

“You! I’ll kill you for sure!! Brainwashing Aoi! She was my Aoi! Even though she was my Aoi! It’s your sin that you drove Aoi crazy with your incomprehensible fantasies!!! Die! Die! Die! Someone like you should just die! I’ll kill you for sure!!”

I backed away from the man at the sound of his yelling and words I didn’t understand. The man came towards me with great force. This isn’t a situation where words will work. The knife is pointed at me. I could tell he’s trying to stab me, but I can’t run away at this distance. I quickly turned the tote bag towards the knife. At that moment, I felt a sharp pain and the sound of the knife piercing the tote bag. Blood poured out and stained the bag. A trickle of blood fell to the ground and when I realized that I had been stabbed in the arm, the man kicked me in the stomach, and I fell on my back.

“O-*!!!”

*trying to say ow/ouch I think

I let go of the bag and became completely unarmed. I had no way to protect myself. I was in pain, but then the man started to mount me. It’s over—I thought. My right arm was bleeding from the stab wound, and I couldn’t move well because of the pain from the kick. But I can’t let it end here. I don’t want to die. I won’t let this guy kill me. I desperately tried to move my body and resist.

“M-Move!”

“You! Don’t move!!!”

“Ugh!”

I was punched in the face so hard that the shock and pain made my consciousness fade away for a moment. It seems like the inside of my mouth was cut since I can taste blood. I can’t move because the pain is worse than I imagined. I might not make it anymore. The man hit me one more time with great force as if to finish me off and then grabs me by my chest and shakes me.

“See! I’ll kill you! I’ll kill you! My Aoi! It’s your punishment for making Aoi crazy!! It’s only natural for you to die!!”

“S-St…Stop, it.”

My vision blurred and consciousness faded. I could barely speak. The man’s face, which I was able to gradually see, was full of madness—I could only feel fear. I felt pathetic from being scared by someone like him. But it hurt and he was too strong for me to move.

“Haha!! Hahaha!!! Die! Die! Die, die!!!”

The man raised his knife high as he laughed, clutching my chest. Ahh, it’s over. I guess I’m going to die even though I don’t want to. While I’m terrified, I also want to resist. But I can’t move because of the pain. I wonder if she’ll be fine—I only thought so for a moment and then closed my eyes. I could only stiffen my body for the pain that was soon to come.

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