Chapter 3: Daily Life 6
Chapter 3: Daily Life 5
After the convenience store robbery, I had to talk to the police about the incident.
Having experienced it once before, I felt somewhat more accustomed on dealing it. The first time, I got scolded by the police for confronting the robber, but this time, I'm being scolded because of me being completely naked. They also said it's a highly dangerous act.
However, one of the officers couldn't help but burst into laughter, so I guess it left quite an impact. Also, the police told me, "It could be considered public indecency, but... we'll overlook it this time due to the emergency situation." So, I got away without any charges.
Of course, my guardians were called, and Mr. Soeda came to pick us up. Kana also explained the situation to her family over the phone, and the police explained it as well.
I also had my grandparents contacted... but I was told that the detailed discussion would be at a later date.
"............"
I stepped out onto the (veranda) and slipped into the sandals prepared there, then went into the garden and looked up at the night sky. There was a contrast between light and dark, but countless stars were glittering. I honestly thought it was beautiful.
The sky was filled with stars, stretching endlessly without being hidden by clouds.
Feeling the loneliness typical of late nights, I suddenly thought of the person I liked.
"I wonder if Hoshimiya is okay..."
Since returning home, she had been crying non-stop.
It wasn't because she seen me naked.
The case was resolved, and returning to a safe place, which must have reminded of the fear.
Being comforted by Mr. Soeda and Kana, she eventually fell asleep crying.
It was only natural. After all, a knife's been held to her throat and it could have ended much worse...!
I didn't want to put it into words even in my mind.
"I... have to protect her."
Was she under a curse or something? Hoshimiya seemed so unlucky.
I want her to quit her part-time job at the convenience store.
This incident might been just a series of coincidences, but public safety in Japan is too poor.
"Kuromine-kun."
"...?"
I was called out to and turned around. Hoshimiya was standing on the veranda. Her face was obscured by the shadows, so I couldn't see her expression. Her voice calling out to me was devoid of emotion.
"Are you awake?"
"Yeah... I got scared for some reason."
"It's natural to be scared. That was traumatic."
"Weren't you scared, Kuromine-kun?"
"I was scared, really scared. Because you were in danger..."
"Because of me...?"
"What else could it be?"
"Were you not scared when you saw the robber? He had a knife... What if he attacked you..."
"I think... I was only thinking about how to save you."
I realized the psychological state I was in when she mentioned it.
I hadn't thought about myself at all.
"Can I come over there?"
"Sure."
Upon hearing the reply, Hoshimiya put on the sandals placed near the veranda and came out into the garden. The soft light pouring down from the moon illuminated her bright brown hair, creating a halo around her head. It cast shadows on her well-defined features, accentuating her red eyes. This just exaggerated thought, but she looked like an angel.
Hoshimiya walked up to me, looking somewhat awkward, and her gaze wandered.
...I should probably start the conversation from my end.
"Did you come out to the garden for a change of scenery, Hoshimiya?"
"...Yeah."
After a moment of hesitation, she affirmed.
"The robbery was scary, wasn't it?"
"Yeah..."
"..."
"..."
Please forgive my poor conversational skills.
I'm worried about Hoshimiya, but I don't know how to encourage her.
At that moment, a strong gust of wind blew through.
Perhaps due to both mental and physical exhaustion, Hoshimiya, who had been standing somewhat unsteadily, lost her balance in the wind.
"Ah!"
Pushed by the wind, she fall down toward me.
Reacting quickly, I caught her in my arms and supported her by grabbing her shoulders.
"Are you okay?"
Hiding her face in my chest, Hoshimiya nodded slightly.
"You shouldn't push yourself. Let's go to bed."
As I tried to let go of Hoshimiya, I heard a faint voice. It was so small that it could have been drowned out by the wind.
"I... I'm fine like this."
Hearing her clinging voice, I couldn't say anything. I maintained the embrace.
"The reason I came to the garden... wasn't for a change of scenery."
"Then, why did you come?"
"I was looking for you, Kuromine-kun."
"For me?"
"Yeah. I wanted to see you, so I went to your room, but no one was there... So, I searched for you and came to the garden."
"I see... That's why."
I pondered the fact that, above all else, Hoshimiya had sought me out during her most difficult moments.
"I was scared... I couldn't think of anything... I couldn't move."
She was talking about the convenience store robbery. I listened as she continued speaking with her face downcast.
"But... somewhere in my mind, I was aware of you, Kuromine-kun. And then... you really came."
"I was in the bathroom... If I think about it now, I should have hidden and called the police."
"I don't know if that would have been better... Before the police came, something even worse might have happened."
"Maybe..."
"There are times when doing the right thing it feels wrong at the same time."
Hoshimiya's words struck a deep chord in my brain. I think she's right.
Even though I'm only 16, I'm convinced that not everything can be measured by whether it's morally right or wrong. In the end, it all comes down to the outcome.
"You... went as far as to kneel for me... No, you said something just before that."
"What... did I say? I was so desperate, I don't really remember."
Feeling apologetic as I said this, Hoshimiya smiled briefly.
Then, she lifted her face and looked straight into my eyes.
"You said you wanted me to be the happiest person... Was that true?"
"Yeah... I couldn't lie in that situation."
"I see... I see..."
Under the moonlight, Hoshimiya's cheeks grew even redder.
Feeling embarrassed at the change, I wanted to divert attention from my words.
"...After that, I got naked, though."
"It surprised me. I always thought you're a bit weird, but I never thought you're even weirder in that situation."
"I just wanted to do something, anything, if there was a possibility."
"A possibility?"
"Yeah. The possibility of being able to help you, Hoshimiya."
Just as my words were spoken, the sound of insects stopped.
Even the wind ceased, and a silence devoid of any sound fell over us.
Hoshimiya, without changing her expression at all, peered into the depths of my eyes, trying to discern my emotions.
"Do you... like me?"
"..."
"If not... I'm sorry. This is more like my wish... If that's the case, I would be really happy..."
"Happy?"
"Yeah. Because... I like you, Kuromine-kun."
It wasn't a decision made with resolve. It simply slipped out of Hoshimiya's mouth in a very ordinary manner. Her expression was also quite ordinary. So, without much surprise, I accepted it normally.
"Since coming to here to this house... I've been feeling a sense of loss. Like I left something important behind..."
"A sense of loss..."
"But a few days ago, seeing you, Kuromine-kun, filled my heart. I started to feel so excited... and I started to think about you all the time."
"..."
"I think I fell in love at first sight. Even though I should have seen you at school..."
As Hoshimiya said this almost as if blaming herself, she also carried a strange feeling.
It's natural to find it strange since she doesn't have the awareness of altering her own memories.
"I'm sorry, I don't remember. But now... I'm really filled with thoughts of you, Kuromine-kun. Even after the robbery... No, maybe because of it..."
"Do you really... feel that way about me?"
"At first, I was unsure if it was a feeling of liking you... but now I know. I went through a scary experience... and I'm sure now. I like you, Kuromine-kun... Before something happens and it's too late... I wanted to tell you."
"Hoshimiya..."
Hoshimiya's eyes were moist with tears, reflecting the light.
"Kuromine-kun... Do you... like me?"
It was a serious question, as if begging.
"I do. I really like Hoshimiya." Without thinking, I responded.
Perhaps she had anticipated my answer from my actions and words so far, but Hoshimiya did not show any overtly surprised reaction. Instead, she shed a few tears, lowered her eyes bashfully, and nervously intertwined her fingers.
"I'm happy... I like you too, Kuromine-kun, a lot..."
"..."
My heart raced so much that my vision blurred. 'A lot' was a problematic answer.
Hoshimiya, unaware of what's the situation, lifted her face and asked, "Why did you start liking me? We hadn't even talked properly before."
"..."
I couldn't say anything.
She had encouraged me when I was down... countless times.
She had been kind to me, facing me.
'Well then... from now on, we have to smile a lot, right?'
Her innocent smile saved my heart.
"Kuromine-kun?"
I wanted to say it. I wanted to confess everything.
...Is it okay to say it?
Hoshimiya, crying out, flashed through my mind.
Maybe it's better to just stay like this...?
If she doesn't remember it, maybe it's better to let it stay forever...?
Do I really need to say it?
...I don't need to say it.
I just want to say it.
I just want her to know.
I just want her to remember.
The everyday life we've spun together...
"It was love at first sight. I fell for you at first sight too."
"I see... th-that's embarrassing... It's kinda feels like fate to me."
Looking at the charmingly embarrassed Hoshimiya, I reassured myself that my decision wasn't wrong.
...There's no need for her to remember.
When that time comes in our life in future, I just have to support her.
If she doesn't remember, maybe───
"I'm a bit anxious that you might get disappointed once you get to know the real me."
"I won't. I absolutely won't."
"You can say that with such certainty."
"Of course."
I fell for Hoshimiya's inner self.
It wasn't about liking her appearance, nor was it love at first sight.
I fell for the person that, Hoshimiya Ayana.
Soon after, Hoshimiya took a step back from me and smiled shyly.
"We still don't know much about each other... but let's get to know each other from now on, okay?"
"..."
It wasn't a squeezing pain in my chest. It was a sharp pain, as if I were being gouged by a knife.
Unaware of my suffering, Hoshimiya exuded an aura of happiness and didn't stop her shy smile.
"I want you to know more about me, and I want to know more about you, Kuromine-kun."
───
Memories of our days living together flooded me.
Hoshimiya took care of me like a pet, gently waking me up, cooking delicious meals... We walked to and from school together, aware of each other... We ate a parfait together... Hoshimiya, forcing a smile and stepping back for Haruno and me...
We overcame a stalking incident and became lovers...
"So... we're dating now, right?"
She asked with a smile mixed with nervousness and shyness.
"Hoshimiya."
"What?"
It was an impulsive action.
I hugged Hoshimiya from the front. Strongly, forcefully. There was no holding back.
I hugged her impulsively.
"K-Kuromine-kun..."
"I love you... I really love you. I love you, Hoshimiya."
Why doesn't she remember? Our everyday life that we've built up...
We're dating, but we haven't done anything. We haven't even held hands...!
"I-I think... it's too early for this kind of thing...!"
"It's not too early. Not at all too early.
We're already dating. We've liked each other for a long time.
We've both confessed our love to each other.
"Hoshimiya!"
"....Kuromine-kun, you're hurting me!"
"..."
Hoshimiya's groaning in pain brought me back to reality. Reflexively, I let go of her and stepped back.
"I'm sorry... I'm really sorry. I'm so──!"
"...Kuromine-kun, you're aggressive boy."
I did... I was indeed a bit forceful.
"I-I don't dislike it, but... I want to cherish the process, or should I say... I don't want to rush. I, um, actually... if it's with you, Kuromine-kun..."
Hoshimiya must be making a cute, innocent gesture.
Without time to confirm that, I turned my back to her and looked up at the night sky.
The stars were shining so brilliantly. Were they mocking me?
"Kuromine-kun?"
"I'm sorry... I understand. Let's build our relationship slowly. Let's go at with your pace."
"Thank you, Kuromine-kun..."
I wanted to see Hoshimiya's face, but I couldn't.
I held back and continued to glare at the night sky.
I didn't have any resentment, but I kept staring at the night sky anyway.
"Thank you for saving me from the convenience store robbery... I'll never forget it."
"Yeah..."
"Well then... see you tomorrow."
"Yeah, Good night."
I answered without looking back. I heard footsteps from behind, gradually fading away.
Hoshimiya must have returned to her room.
Once I was alone, I confirmed it and let out the feelings that had reached their limit.
"You will never forget it? Where's the guarantee for that?"
I looked up at the night sky and murmured, feeling the gentle night breeze.
If I lowered my head even a little, tears seemed like they would fall.
I got 2 weeks to relax before school. But I have a system I need to finish in this 2 weeks, manage my website which will expire soon ("Segwey" need support for renew) and I need to translate this to at least finish it already. Here's the game plan. 2 hours of coding everyday, between 10-12 PM for maximum focus, 8-9 AM for ePub and pdf for my website and at least 200 lines of translation (this TL got 400 lines BTW) The rest of my time will be spend on YT, Anime, and, Emulators. Should I call this relaxation? BTW I'm 50% done with the TL of this volume. Support my daily life below.
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