Chapter 3

"Byuugen, what did they say?"

"They said I should use crutches for at least a week. It seems it will take about a month and a half to fully recover."

Yuugen replied to his grandfather, who didn't seem too worried. In his heart, he grumbled, "That cat... I'll remember this the next time we meet."

"Ah, Kosegawa-san!"

Arisa and her adoptive parents approached Yuugen with worried expressions.

Although they are called adoptive parents, they haven't officially adopted her, so their surnames are different. Arisa is 'Yukise,' while they are 'Amagase.' I've heard they come from a decent family, but there are rumors that their finances have been poor in recent years.

The Amagase couple's faces were pale.

On the other hand, Arisa had a frightened, almost tearful expression that she never showed at school. She looked very exhausted.

"I'm sorry! This child... incited something strange!"

"We will pay for the medical expenses and compensation..."

"I'm very sorry..."

Arisa's adoptive parents pressed her head down, forcing her to bow deeply. The motion was somewhat rough, almost as if they were hitting her head from above, whether intentionally or not.

Yuugen's grandfather and father calmly replied to the desperately apologizing Amagase couple and Arisa.

"No, no... He fell from the tree because he was being foolish."

"Besides, he climbed the tree on his own."

They refused the offer of medical expenses and compensation. In fact, Yuugen had climbed and fallen on his own, so Arisa wasn't at fault.

"Please raise your head. It's my fault. And besides..."

Yuugen suddenly noticed something.

Arisa's cheek was slightly swollen.

...It seemed she wasn't getting along well with her adoptive parents, Yuugen speculated.

"I just couldn't help trying to look cool in front of the person I like. How embarrassing..."

He clearly stated, "The person I like."

This made Yuugen's grandparents, Arisa's adoptive parents, and Arisa herself widen their eyes.

"Would you like to 'engage' with me? Yukise, no... Arisa."

Of course, it was a fake 'engagement.'

It seemed Arisa understood his true intentions. Her cheeks turned slightly red, and she nodded slightly.

"I would be delighted... to 'engage' with you. Kosegawa-san... no, Yuugen-san."

And so, they happily became engaged.

Afterward, Yuugen took Arisa aside to talk privately. The sun was setting, and the sky was tinged with the colors of the sunset. Yuugen tried to sit on a bench outside, but with crutches, it was difficult. With Arisa's help, he managed to sit down.

"I'm really sorry," Arisa said, her voice slightly tearful.

The sunset illuminated her flaxen hair, making it glow like gold. Despite her beauty, she seemed fragile, as if she might disappear at any moment.

"Why are you apologizing?"

"...I caused you trouble."

"It's my responsibility for falling from the tree..."

"No, that's not it... It's about the 'engagement.' You protected me, right? If it were to be called off, it would look like it was due to my rash actions. You accepted the 'engagement' to protect my position in the Amagase family, didn't you?"

Considering Arisa's explanation that her adoptive father was enthusiastic and the rumors about the Amagase family's financial troubles, their goal was likely the engagement gift. If they lost that because of Arisa, they would likely be harsh on her, Yuugen thought.

"Originally, it was my fault for falling from the tree. I made things complicated. So, you don't need to worry or feel indebted..."

"Even so, I really... I was really saved. If things had continued, I might have been forced to marry someone I didn't like. ...To marry someone who only wanted my body in exchange for money, I really, really didn't want that."

She hugged herself and shivered as she spoke. Then, she looked up at Yuugen and smiled weakly.

"Kosegawa-san is my savior. At least, I've escaped this trouble."

"...I can't really interfere in someone's family matters. But, as a classmate, if you need help, come to me. I'll do my best to support you."

Feeling sympathy for her situation, Yuugen made this promise, though he thought it sounded weak. Unless there was a clear legal violation, he would be told not to interfere in family matters. If he meddled too much, it might worsen Arisa's position.

Arisa isn't stupid; she must know this is just a verbal promise. However...

"Even just hearing that... it really gives me strength."

Her emerald eyes glistened, and she looked relieved and comforted as she said this.

Three days later, after the Golden Week holiday, Yuugen returned to his apartment from his family home. His parents and grandparents tried to keep him at the family home, but it would take over an hour one way. Even if they drove him, it would take time. After some hesitation, Yuugen decided to continue commuting from his apartment because he didn't want to wake up early.

(I'll have to take a break from my part-time job. But... it looks like I'm about to start an inconvenient life.)

On the morning of a school day, Yuugen opened the apartment door, determined to go to school, leaning on his crutches.

And there...

"Good morning, Kosegawa-san."

"...Why are you here?"

A pale-haired, emerald-eyed beauty stood there.

It was Arisa Yukise. She had her usual calm expression, but her beautiful eyes were filled with strong resolve as she said with determination,

"I will support you until you recover, Kosegawa-san."

Yuugen scratched his head, thinking, "This is going to be troublesome," and accidentally let go of his crutches, stumbling badly.

Current affection level: 5% (starting to think you're a good person)

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