I want to resist. I want to run away from this place. I might be kidnapped somewhere. I can’t even imagine where they might take me. I hate the gaze of those scary men.
I was about to cry because I didn’t know how to escape from here.
And then, a strange boy started talking to me. He was the one who was hugging Dojima san at school, that shameless man… I think his name was Toudou. It’s like a distant past now. The adults brushed off Toudou and he tried to leave.
I felt a little relieved. Because these guys are not normal. The manager introduced to me are from some special security company dispatched by a certain company. They are men who can easily use violence.
I feel a gaze on my back.
I nervously turned around, and Toudou was staring at me. It’s dark, so I can’t see well, but it’s an expression I can’t read.
“Help me.”
A voiceless plea escapes.
It was supposed to be just a consolation, but a reply was heard.
“I see. It seems we were destined to meet here. You don’t need a reason to help your classmate.”
I didn’t know what was happening.
In the blink of an eye, Toudou had grabbed my hand. It was like teleportation…
“Let’s go home. Where’s your house? I’ll take you there.”
“Eh, um…”
The atmosphere around the men changes. They are trying to get rid of the intruder without saying a word.
“No! Run away!”
“Hmm, they’re professional, I see. Saionji, close your eyes and cover your ears.”
It was a very gentle voice. I feel tempted to listen, but I can’t let this person get involved because of me.
“Ah, I won’t run away…, please stop the violence…”
A very kind voice is heard. It sinks into me.
“I can’t leave a crying girl alone.”
The man trying to grab Toudou is thrown high into the air.
The moment the giant man touched Toudou, he collapsed.
The hand of the man who drew a stun gun jumped, and he crouched down.
Whenever Toudou moved, the men fell. My emotions can’t keep up. My reason is warning me that he’s doing something outrageous, but I can’t take my eyes off Toudou. Heat is welling up from the depths of my body. Can a person really move so beautifully…?
Only one man is left standing. He stands ready, staring at Toudou.
“…I see, only one person has a much higher level. But that won’t do.”
“You, who are you? I’m doing this cheap job for money, but I’m a professionals from a mercenary company.”
“That doesn’t matter. …Adults are not here to bully children. Aren’t adults supposed to protect children?”
The man did not answer Toudou’s question, but took something out of his pocket. It reflected the streetlight – a knife!?
“Toudou, run!?”
Toudou smiled at me. Although the smile on his face was different, I was mesmerized.
“No problem.”
The moment the man tried to swing the knife, the knife flew and stuck into the wall. The man was stunned. He couldn’t understand what had happened.
The next moment, the man collapsed to the ground.
No one could recognize Toudou’s movements. Not me, not the men.
Toudou sighed and looked around. Then our eyes met.
I went overboard. I always do that.
Violence makes people shrink. Since she’s seen me like this, Saionji will probably be afraid of me.
I didn’t go all out. I just lightly deflected, but the opponent had a weapon. I had to retaliate to some extent, or I’d be in trouble later.
This reminds me of the time when I was in junior high school. A classmate of mine was being extorted for money by a delinquent in a busy street. I went in to help him and …… He got scared. I’ll never forget the look in his eyes.
Violence scares people. That’s why I hate violence.
But this is different. I’ve learned to hold back. No one is dead or seriously injured. They’ll probably wake up soon.
I’m afraid to meet Saionji’s eyes.
…No, this is my choice. I’m not the same me from back then. I’ve grown by meeting everyone.
I make eye contact with the sitting Saionji. Her expression is surprising.
“…Aren’t you afraid?”
“No, I don’t really think you’re scary. Wow, you’re so strong. Being strong is a good thing.”
Saionji takes the hand I’ve extended and tries to stand up. Even though I’ve secured her, she wobbles and puts her hand on my chest.
“Wow, this is Toudou-sama’s muscle…”
“Saionji, pl-please move away. This is embarrassing.”
“I don’t have any ulterior motives. I’m just academically interested in your arm muscles…”
“St-stop it. This is not the time for that.”
“Ah.”
Saionji seems to have regained her senses and understood the situation. She moves a little away from me…no, the distance is still strange…and pulls out her smartphone from the gap in her chest. Hmm, so that’s where she stores it. Humans are strange creatures.
“Oh my, your eyes are glued to my chest. You really are a pervert, aren’t you?”
“I’m sorry, I don’t understand the meaning of ‘pervert’.”
“You don’t have to hide it, I understand. Because- Ah, there’s a call from Dōjima-senpai…”
“Hmm, Dōjima, huh. So it’s related to that…”
Anyway, we decided to leave this place and head to the station.
On the way, Saionji finished the call and let out a big sigh. It seems Eri had already grasped the situation and was preparing to handle it.
“Phew, thanks to Dōjima-senpai, it seems things will work out…”
“Hmm, is it related to the fact that you were almost kidnapped?”
“…Well, it seems I won’t be facing such dangerous situations for a while. Thanks to Senpai Dojima’s behind-the-scenes efforts, I can continue working in the entertainment industry as usual.”
“I see, then I will be–“
I was about to leave this place and head to the subway, but Saionji had grabbed the hem of my uniform.
“…Wait, Toudou. You should take me home. …It’s not that I’m scared or anything. I mean, you can stay if you want to.”
Saionji’s body was trembling a little. The fear that had been neutralized by adrenaline had not completely disappeared.
“Hmm, then I shall escort you.”
Saionji’s face suddenly brightened up like a child’s. It seems she’s someone who wears her emotions on her sleeve. I don’t dislike that.
We boarded the train and headed for the station where Saionji lived.
Even when we arrived at the station, Saionji’s body was still shaking.
I placed my hand on Saionji’s shoulder. Hanazono had said that physical contact can help alleviate anxiety. Saionji tilted her head while looking at my arm.
“Hm? Did you not like it?”
“No, it’s strange. I should be getting agitated if a man touches me, but I don’t dislike it.”
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continue
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“…Hmm? But you were just touching my muscles earlier.”
“Ah, that was, um, just out of curiosity… Academically… Entertainmentwise…”
I see. That must be it.
“Even so, you’re incredibly strong. It’s like a ninja from a manga. Are you secretly an agent in the shadows, or some kind of behind-the-scenes worker? You’re definitely not ordinary, and a little ‘ecchi’ too.”
“Hmm, you’ve been reading too many manga. I’m just a regular student.”
“Hmm, you have to hide it, don’t you. …Hehe, that’s fine, I’ll be a mature woman and read between the lines. Is there anyone else who knows about your strength?”
“No, I don’t want to show my violence to others.”
“Hehe, so I’m the only one, huh.”
“Why do you sound so pleased?”
“N-Nothing! This is my house here.”
After a 10-minute walk from the nearest station, Saionji stopped in front of a small wooden house.
“Hmm, then I shall be on my way.”
“Ah… wait. Why don’t you come in for some coffee?”
At that moment, the front door opened, and a kind-looking, cute woman in a robe came out.
For some reason, Saionji’s expression turned sour. She seemed to be suppressing something, but didn’t want to hurt this important person…
“Ah! Nozomi, you brought a guest or boyfriend!! How surprising! Ah, I’m Nozomi’s… um, what am I to her again?”
Saionji’s voice changed in tone.
“My mother… Let’s go inside, Toudou. I’m sorry for the surprise. My mother has lost her memory and is a little different.”
“Lost her memory? That means…”
“Geez, it can’t be helped! I’ve prepared dinner, so come in!”
“Uh… Toudou?”
I found myself moving towards Saionji’s mother again. She looked at me with a puzzled expression.
“When you lose your memory, it feels like time has jumped forward.”
The mother’s eyes widened a little. She couldn’t find the words.
“The other person knows about me, but I don’t know about them. That’s terribly sad, but I can’t feel anything. It’s because everything I’ve built up has disappeared. My personality has changed, and I’ve become a different person.”
The mother nodded.
“Yes, it’s shocking to suddenly become an aunt after being a high school student. …I don’t even remember how much love I poured into.”
“I can’t even feel the emotion of sadness. But still–“
“Yeah, your body remembers, doesn’t it? Hey, have you experienced the same thing, or are you still going through it?”
I took a deep breath.
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