Chapter 62

It was all my responsibility.

I was entrusted with Kaede, but I let my guard down for a moment.

Because of that, Kaede had a very frightening experience.

I hugged Kaede tightly and cried, apologizing over and over.

No matter how much I apologized, it wasn't enough.

But Kaede forgave me, saying, "It's okay, nothing really happened."

Nothing really happened, she said, but that wasn't true.

Kaede, who always dressed neatly, had her clothes disheveled.

She was sitting on the floor, trembling with a frightened expression, not even bothering to straighten her clothes.

Even if nothing "happened," I think something must have happened.

Kaede had just graduated from middle school and had never had a boyfriend.

She shouldn't have had any resilience to such things, and yet...

Despite that, Kaede still treats me the same.

I don't feel any awkwardness from her.

I feel a bit relieved by this, but I feel sorry for myself.

I should be the one cheering Kaede up, not the other way around.

This is the opposite of what it should be, and I feel really sorry.

Senpai seemed to have saved Kaede at the last moment.

Senpai, who subdued the man and pinned him to the floor, was very reliable.

But for some reason, since then, Kaede has been avoiding Senpai.

She used to eat with us, but now she only eats with me.

She used to spend a lot of time in Senpai's room, but she doesn't do that anymore.

I want to ask Kaede what's wrong, but I hesitate to do so. I also want to ask Senpai, but I don't want to leave Kaede alone, so I can't.

Maybe she's just afraid of men now.

However, she still greets and talks to other men, like Oda-san and the police officers, though a bit awkwardly.

Oda-san and the others seem to be considerate and don't talk to her for too long.

I don't know if it's romantic, but Kaede must have liked Senpai.

She used to ask a lot of questions about him, like what kind of person he was at work.

So why is it like this now?

I understand why she might be afraid of other men.

But why should she feel this way about Senpai?

+++++

I heard from a female police officer that Oda-san and the others will go on a new food supply mission tomorrow.

I didn't get the details, but apparently, they're just going to observe this time, and it seems only a few people will go.

Senpai is also going with them.

I wondered why Senpai was going, but it turned out he strongly requested it.

Senpai must not be afraid of the infected, whether he's putting on a brave face or not.

I can't understand that feeling.

"Um, Yuki-san."

"Hmm? What is it, Kaede?"

While I was thinking about this, Kaede, who was in the same room, called out to me.

"…I want to talk to Azami-san alone. Is that okay?"

"Sure, of course it's okay, but…"

Kaede must have some reason for avoiding Senpai and is trying to do something about it.

I don't like the current situation and want to spend time with the three of us like before.

I don't know what happened to Kaede, so maybe this is just my selfishness.

But I felt relieved that Kaede herself said she wanted to talk.

"Should I join the conversation?"

"Thank you, but it's okay."

"Okay… then let's go to Senpai's room together."

"Yes… thank you."

I didn't ask what she intended to talk about and didn't plan to.

I stood up and took Kaede's hand, which seemed a bit apologetic.

We walked down the corridor, where the light of the setting sun streamed through the gaps in the curtains.

Kaede's hand, which I held, was trembling slightly.

What happened between them?

I can't imagine Senpai doing anything to scare Kaede.

But Kaede's reaction is exactly that.

Did she do something to anger Senpai?

Well, what happened that day might fit that, but I don't think Senpai would be angry at Kaede right after such an incident. If anything, he would be angry at me first.

"Maybe it's strange for me to say this, but it's okay. Senpai is kind, no matter what."

"…Yes."

Maybe I didn't need to say that, but Kaede just nodded.

We arrived at Senpai's room and knocked on the door.

"Senpai, are you there?"

The door opened with a quiet click, and Senpai appeared, looking more serious than usual. He looked at Kaede and me.

"Kaede wants to talk…"

"Azami-san, I'm sorry. Is this a good time?"

"It's fine, but…"

Kaede said this with a slightly trembling voice, and Senpai turned away.

I squeezed Kaede's hand once and let go, and she stepped into the room.

Senpai turned to me, standing in the doorway.

"…Is it okay for you, Yuki?"

"Yes. They want to talk alone. Please bring her to my room later."

"…Okay, I understand."

"See you later, Kaede."

"Yes."

Kaede moved as if she were afraid.

Maybe I should have been there with her.

But it was Kaede's decision.

Besides, Senpai wouldn't do anything to hurt her.

Hearing Kaede's response, I quietly closed the door to Senpai's room.