Chapter 24

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TL: Single TL Translations

Chapter 24

On the way to Aoi’s house, I stopped by my house to change my clothes and organize my belongings. As expected, I was a bloody wreck and couldn’t walk, so Aoi helped me.

Yamashita-san said she would pick up Aoi from her house tomorrow, so we got into the cab once more. In the cab, Aoi was silently clinging to my arm, but when we arrived at her house, she hugged me the moment we entered the room. While there was still some pain on my body, I gently accepted it.

“What’s wrong? It’s all right now. I’m fine.”

“…”

She’s hugging my neck tightly and won’t let go. I wanted to reassure her, so I talked to her more gently than usual and stroked her hair. The smell of medicine from my body is stronger than the nice smell coming from Aoi, stimulating my nose.

“I was so worried, wondering what I would do if something happened to Yuki… but I’m so glad. I’m really, really glad. Thank you for protecting me. But I’m really sorry.”

“Aoi? I told you, it’s not Aoi’s fault.”

It really isn’t Aoi’s fault. I gently let go of Aoi and went to the bed with my hands around her waist. I sat down and stoked the sad Aoi’s cheek and then wiped the tears the were about to overflow. She doesn’t need to be worried about it. I spoke as I usually do.

“Did you get hurt, Aoi? Were you okay when I pushed you away?”

“…Uh-huh.”

“I see. I’m glad to hear that. I’m sorry about that. At any rate, I’m glad they caught that guy. I’m relieved. You don’t need to be afraid from now on.”

“…”

Aoi went silent.

“…Aoi? Don’t worry about it, okay? I’m glad I was able to be of help.”

“…”

She silently lowers her gaze and holds my hand. She’s thinking about something again. I’m glad it’s over and I don’t mind either, but it seems like she’s concerned, thinking it’s her fault.

“I’m glad nothing happened to Aoi. Nothing too serious happened to me either, so you don’t have to worry about it. Don’t make such a dark expression.”

“…Yeah, but-”

I made the first move on Aoi, who was about to apologize again.

“Ahh, you don’t need to apologize. I’m really fine. …Oh yeah, that’s right, I’m hungry now that I’m relieved—will you cook something for me? Ah, but you’re probably tired, Aoi, so I guess I’ll just go to the convenience store…”

“I-I’m fine! I can do that much! Just wait a little.”

She took the bait, just as I thought. I was somehow able to divert the conversation. I stroked Aoi’s head, who looked up and said so desperately.

“Thank you.”

Aoi made a light dinner for me, and I enjoyed it. After that, I distracted Aoi by talking to her cheerfully. Aoi kept making a dark expression while keeping silent, and I wanted to somehow get rid of that. But that didn’t change even when we went to the bed. She was still rubbing against me as usual, so I gently hugged her and stroked her back, and she reservedly reached out and touched my cheek. My face is swollen because of the beating, so it’s in quite the terrible state. While it wasn’t a pretty sight, Aoi kept staring at me.

“It hurts, doesn’t it… Even though I tried to help… I was too scared, too anxious, and couldn’t move… I wasn’t able to think, and in the end all I’m ever doing is being helped. … Even though I wanted to help you… I couldn’t do anything. Will the wounds… leave a scar…? …I’m really sorry. … I’m sorry for putting Yuki in danger… if it was going to end up like this… I shouldn’t have said anything…!”

Aoi mumbled in a small voice. She’s feeling regret—Aoi’s voice echoes through my chest.

“Aoi. Don’t say something like that. I’m okay. You don’t have to feel responsible for it. Since, in the end, Aoi and I are both fine. As for the wound on my arm… well, I was told that it would leave a small scar, but that’s okay. I’m glad that nothing happened to Aoi. I was really beaten to a pulp, but it’s a cheap price to pay compared to Aoi getting hurt. Though it does hurt a little.”

I held the hand that touched my cheek as if to soothe her. This is what I truly think. I wanted to convey that to her. Aoi’s expression, as if she really regretted it, was filled with sadness, and she looked as if she was about to start crying again, but was holding it in, making me feel bitter. Aoi grasped my hand back and then hugged me around my neck.

“Yuki… you’re too kind. … Even though it’s my fault… it’s always me. I was happy you protected me, but I was so scared, so anxious… that I felt like I something would happen. …When I saw Yuki beaten up, covered in blood… when I saw Yuki covered in blood… my head… went blank… I was scared.”

“Aoi…”

I gently stroke the back of Aoi, whose voice was trembling. When living a normal life, something like that would never happen. But something like that happened today. It’s no wonder she’s scared and shaken. And yet, she still came back to help me. She must’ve been desperate. It was my first time hearing Aoi’s voice like that. Aoi seemed to be slightly crying as she hugged me tightly.

“I was scared when that person said a lot of… incomprehensible things to me, but when Yuki was hit… and covered in blood was when I was the most scared. I really thought you were going to die. …If Yuki is gone… I, won’t be able to handle it. I’m scared. Yuki…I’m scared. I can’t get it out of my head. Yuki? Don’t disappear, stay by my side… please…”

Aoi, unable to suppress her anxiety, began to sob. My heart ached and I was at a loss for words as she cried at my neck. She’s experienced quite the emotional wound and it’s now remained as a trauma. Although she was saved, the incident was still vividly etched in her mind, and she probably can’t get it out of her head. It’s not going to be easy to erase this from her mind, but I want to reassure Aoi somehow. I move my head towards her head and spoke softly.

“I’m not going away. I’m here, aren’t I? I’ll always be with you. The same as before, nothing will change. It’s going to be okay.”

I hugged Aoi’s thin body tightly. I can feel her warm and soft touch. My body aches a little, but that doesn’t bother me.

“…I’m scared. …Yuki… I’m scared…”

Even so, Aoi continued to cry. I gently let go of Aoi who was clinging to me and put my hand on her face as it was painful for me to watch. I gently stroke her tear-stained face with one hand and looked into her eyes to reassure her.

“It’s okay. It’s not scary. It’s not scary, alright. I won’t disappear. Don’t cry, okay?”

Aoi just nodded her head but didn’t stop crying even though I tried to coax her. She calmed down more than before, but it was nowhere near enough. I put my forehead on hers and tried muttering that it would be okay a few times. Don’t cry. When Aoi cries, I become sad too.

“Yuki… will you always stay by my side?”

Aoi mumbled while crying as I slightly separated my forehead from hers. I smile to reassure her.

“I’ll be here. I’ll always be with you.”

“You won’t leave me?”

“Yeah, I won’t leave you.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

I noddingly answered the anxious Aoi.

“Yuki…”

“Yeah?”

Aoi stopped crying a little and looked at me with teary eyes, then took my face between her hands. While I wasn’t sure what she was planning to do, Aoi moved her face towards me. I can’t take my eyes off Aoi’s beautiful and cute face as she came closer. I calmly thought she was going to kiss me, but at the same time her face moved away from me and her soft lips touched my forehead.

“…Thank you. Stay by my side forever.”

The sudden action surprised me and caused my heart to beat faster, but from her small voice that seemed like it would fade away and her sad expression, I thought she was just expressing her gratitude and feelings in her own way. Aoi is really afraid of me disappearing. Fearful to the extent of her crying. Aoi, who’s often close to me, usually shows it by her attitude and actions, so I did the same by gently taking her hand in mine and kissing the back of her hand.

“Okay. I’ll be right beside you so don’t worry.”

Aoi reacted a little surprised, but she slightly smiled and reservedly kissed my forehead again. It was a somewhat cute action, so I meekly stayed still. She kissed me few times as if just a touch, and then she looked at me before kissing my swollen and injured cheek gently—a light kiss. It tickled me—I thought it was precious. It seems that I’ve been quite taken by Aoi.

“Yuki, can you hold me…?”

“Okay.”

As though to answer her, I kiss her lightly on the check and gently hugged her body. She buried her face into my chest and grasped my clothes. If this can make her feel less anxious, it’s a small price to pay.

“…I’m scared… so don’t let go, okay? …”

“Yeah. Okay.”

As I stroked her back and then gently stroked her head, Aoi started to move restlessly and looked up at me from below. Her eyes are red, but her expression was calm. I’m relieved that her anxiety seems to have eased, but her cheeks were a little red, as if embarrassed.

“What’s wrong?”

“More… more… um”

Aoi was hesitant to say. I wonder what’s wrong. I didn’t know, so I tried to say what I was thinking.

“Hm? Should I hold you tighter?”

“I-It’s not that. …I…I want you to… k-kiss… me …”

“Huh? Kiss?”

The unexpected response made me confused. It’s true that I kissed and was kissed, but I was too surprised to comprehend it. Why kiss? I was flustered by Aoi’s cute words, who modestly said so in a small voice

“Um, that’s not what I meant. What you just did… made me feel ease. I-If it’s repulsive then… you don’t have to. I’m sorry for saying… something strange.”

After saying that, she lowered her face. Even though you’re the one who started it—what are you saying. If Aoi wishes for it then I don’t mind doing it. I’m surprised, but I thought of wanting to do it. I want to do everything I can if that makes her feel at ease. Her emotional wound is big. I really am soft on Aoi. I listen to anything she asks for. I called out her name while smiling and put one hand on her cheek.

“It’s okay. I’ll do it for you.”

I whispered and kissed her temple. Even though it was light, Aoi smiled as if at ease. I smiled at her and when I kissed her on the eyes, nose and forehead, she murmured that she was happy and rubbed against my chest. Apparently, she was satisfied. I lightly stroked her head to keep her from getting anxious and told her it would be all right. I stroked Aoi’s head until she fell asleep.

I pampered Aoi who was more anxious and acting more spoiled, more than usual, but I couldn’t help it. Too many things happened today. But I’m really glad that it didn’t result in anything serious. I’m a wreck, but if Aoi doesn’t have a single scratch on her, then that’s all that matters. In the end, I’m really glad that I was able to protect Aoi. The warmth of Aoi’s body beside me reassured me deeply and I was able to savor the fact that she is safe.

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