Chapter 26

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TL: Single TL Translations

Chapter 26

I put Aoi’s key in my key case, ate dinner, and changed my clothes while Aoi was putting on her makeup and getting ready to leave the house. Yamashita-san said she would come and pick up Aoi when we parted yesterday—she should almost be here. I should leave too. The hospital from yesterday is just a few stops away from here by train. It’s a short walk from the station, so it shouldn’t take long to get there, but it doesn’t hurt to get there early.

“I’d better get going. Make sure to lock up, okay?”

I’m not sure if Aoi had just finished putting on her makeup, but she came rushing to me as I headed for the front door.

“Okay, be careful.”

“Yes, yes. Aoi too.”

“Okay.”

“Oh, that’s right, is there anything you want me to buy for you? I’ll buy it along the way if there is, but… why are you making that face?”

I looked at her face as I put on my shoes and was surprised to see a really anxious look on her face. She didn’t look like that just now—she must be anxious about me leaving.

“Because… I’m anxious.”

“I’m fine. They’ve already caught the stalker, and I’m not that badly hurt either. I’ll be back as soon as I’m done with my business, so it’s not like I can’t see you, right?”

“You’re right, but…”

“Geez, I said I’m fine.”

I pulled the reluctant Aoi’s arm and gave her a light hug, and she hugged me back. Aoi gets anxious really easily, so I said softly.

“Okay? I’ll be fine.”

“Okay.”

“You’re going to be picked up soon, right?”

“Uh-huh, I’ll be back as soon as I’m done too, so please come back quickly?”

I laughed at the child-like Aoi.

“Yes, yes.”

When I let go of her, I was relieved since she looked better than before. I patted her head and left after saying goodbye. It hurt a little to walk, so I slowly made my way to the hospital. The train was empty as it was the morning on a weekday.

After arriving at the hospital, I made an appointment on short notice, but was able to get an examination quickly done and they looked at the wound. There was no festering and no broken bones, so I was told to rest and that there were no problems with the examination. The bruises and cuts hurt, but it was relief for now. By the time I left the hospital, it was past noon, and I had a light mean at a nearby restaurant.

After reporting the test results to Aoi, I looked at the business card of the police officer Yamashita-san gave me yesterday and made a phone call. It was difficult and bothersome for me to go to the police from now, but it’s for Aoi’s sake. When I told them my business, they asked me to come to the police station as soon as possible.

After arriving at the police station, I was strangely nervous while the policeman interviewed me in detail. It went on for a long time and ended by the time it was dusk. They thanked me, and by the time I left the police station I was a little tired.

But with this the problem is finally over. Aoi, who had been bothered for a long time, is safe now. The man will properly pay for his crime. All that’s left is to support her mentally. The way she was frightened yesterday was out of the ordinary, and this isn’t something that can be quickly solved.

When I check my phone, I found Aoi messaged me, and seemed relieved from the bottom of her heart. I forgot to ask her this morning, but since I’m staying over for two days and she usually cooks for me, I should buy something for her. On the way home, I went to the supermarket and bought some food and snacks.

I slowly walked to Aoi’s house, holding the groceries with one hand. I finally arrived at Aoi’s house, thinking it wasn’t a good idea to walk long distances because of the pain in my leg. The sun was going down, but I guess I was able to return early. I unlocked the door with the key she gave me and got on the elevator. Then I arrived at Aoi’s place. I unlocked the door and went inside.

“Aoi, I’m back. Are you home?”

I took off my shoes while calling out when Aoi came out of the kitchen and hugged me as if jumping on me. I felt pain, but somehow managed to gently receive her. She was probably worried, so I gently stroked her back.

“Welcome back. You were a little late, so I was worried.”

“You worry too much. I guess you finished early?”

“Yeah. I went to the police station and then the office to check my schedule alongside other things.”

“I see. I went to the supermarket and bought some groceries. I also bought some sweets for you to eat.”

“You didn’t have to do that but thank you. You can sit down. Aren’t you tired?”

Aoi took the groceries from me and brought them to the living room. She seemed to be in the middle of cooking something. When I sat down near the table, Aoi served me tea.

“Thank you.”

“No problem. I’m almost done, so wait for me. You can go to sleep if you want. I’ll wake you up.”

“It’s fine, rather than that, what are you making?”

“Hm? I’m making beef stew, cabbage rolls, and some vinegared vegetables. Is there anything you don’t like?”

“No, nothing. I like everything. Wow, I’m looking forward to it. I’ll be waiting patiently.”

Aoi returned to the kitchen with a smile on her face and continued cooking. Thinking that cooking would be a nice change of pace, I looked at her back figure and took a sip of tea, quietly waiting for Aoi. But I suddenly felt sleepy, so I laid back on the bed, stretched out my legs and closed my eyes for a bit. I’ve moved around a lot today, so I must’ve put quite the burden on myself.

I suddenly hear someone talking.

“Yeah, I’m sorry for worrying you. I’m fine. Don’t worry, nothing happened to me. Yeah, yeah, well, Yuki was injured… yeah.”

When I opened my eyes, there was a blanket over my body. Yuki probably put it over me. When I raised my head, I saw that Aoi was on the phone with someone in the living room.

“Yuki’s fine. …Yeah, I’m going to take some time off work, but I’m fine. Uh-huh…, well, you see, Yuki is… worried about me, so while I’m scared, it’s okay. Yeah, thank you. …Huh? Is that okay? Okay… I understand, thank you. Yeah. Thank you. I’ll call you again.”

Aoi hangs up the phone after speaking friendly. She was smiling happily looking at the screen. Come to think of it, I don’t know Aoi’s circle of friends. I thought it was taboo subject for Aoi, so I didn’t ask her. It seems like a good opportunity to ask her.

“Your friend?”

“Huh?! Y-You scared me. Since when were you awake?”

Aoi was so surprised that her body jumped. You don’t have to be that surprised.

“I woke up just now. Thanks for the blanket.”

“Y-Yeah. The one earlier is my friend Ayaka-chan. She called me because it was on the news, and she was worried about me.”

“Ayaka-chan? Huh? It’s even on the news?”

A name I’ve never heard—she’s probably a colleague of hers. Rather, I was more surprised that the incident is in the news.

“Yeah, Yuki’s name isn’t mentioned but it’s stated that you suffered minor injuries.”

“As expected of a celebrity. I kind of forgot that you’re a celebrity. But that’s true, it’s newsworthy, isn’t it?”

“But it’s only a little bit.”

I nodded and agreed. Aoi, to put it mildly, is a super beautiful model and actress. Of course it would be in the news. I completely forgot about that. As I was admiring her, Aoi sat down near me.

“The Ayaka-chan I was talking to earlier, she’s a model friend of mine I made when I started working as a model and we have a lot in we can talk about. She was worried about me regarding the stalker incident.”

“I see. Then, you two are pretty good friends.”

“Uh-huh, we are. Ayaka-chan is kind and often listens to me talk.”

“Hmm, I see. And do you talk about me too?”

“Huh?! W-Were you listening?!”

Aoi is panicking again. Did I do something wrong? I don’t really understand, but I probably didn’t hear much of what she said, so I tilted my head and answered.

“I don’t think I heard much, but you mentioned my name, so I was curious.”

“Eh? Ah… yeah. A little bit. I’ve talked about you a little bit…I guess.”

“I see. Don’t’ say anything too embarrassing. Drunken episodes, that sort of thing.”

“It’s okay, you don’t have to worry about that.”

I’m not sure if it’s really okay, but, well, it’ll probably be fine. But still, I’m relieved that she seems to have a good friend. It seems she’s been talking to Ayaka-chan about her personal life, and that girl will also probably be looking out for Aoi in the future.

“Rather, I’m glad that nothing happened to Yuki. I was so worried about Yuki today that I couldn’t concentrate that much. I’m really glad.”

Aoi reservedly hold my hand with a look of heartfelt relief on her face. I grasped her hand back and answered with a light smile. Aoi seemed to be really worried about me.

“I’m sorry I made you worry, but I’m fine. My face and body still hurt, but I’m relieved too. But I look terrible, don’t I? I got pulled over by a stranger on the train—I can’t show my face to people too often.”

I tried to make her laugh, but Aoi put on a serious face and touched my face. Her hands were gentle, you can feel the tenderness from her fingertips.

“While it looks painful, that’s not true.”

“Is that so? It looks like I have a bump on my face.”

“Sure, it’s swollen, but it’s no different from how you normally look. Besides, while I may not be able to go often, I’ll nurse you until your injury gets better.”

Aoi stopped touching my face. ‘Nurse you’ it’s not like I have a kind of illness—Aoi’s overreacting.

“You don’t have to do that. I’ll avoid going out for a while, and I’ll be recuperating at home. “

Aoi answered as if it was a matter of course.

“You can’t do that. Your body’s still in pain, right? You were covered with that many wounds, so don’t move around too much. I don’t want anything to happen to Yuki again, so let me look after you.”

She was a little shy at the end, but seemed genuinely concerned, so I nodded. I can’t disregard Aoi’s feelings.

“Okay, I got it. But only when you’re not busy with work, okay?”

“Okay. …You have to rest properly.”

“I know. Anyway, did you finish making dinner?”

I asked what I was looking forward to. I’m injured, but more importantly, I’m hungry.

“Yeah, it’s ready. Do you want to eat?”

“Yes, yes, let’s eat, let’s eat.” We then had dinner. The food was delicious this time as well, and Aoi was smiling happily.

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