“Huh? Oh, no…”
“Was I… doing something strange?”
“No, not at all! It’s just… seeing you eat ramen with me like this feels new and… I ended up staring.”
“I see. I thought maybe my eating manners were weird.”
“Not weird at all? If anything, it was a feast for my eyes…”
What the hell am I saying out loud?!
Saika’s wide-eyed, dumbfounded expression made me afraid to imagine what she might be thinking, so I focused on eating instead.
“……It’s really delicious.”
“……I see.”
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……If Saika says that, then I’m satisfied.
Thinking just ramen might not be enough, I also ordered a plate of gyoza and small shrimp chili, but Saika seemed to enjoy everything, and I got full too.
“Phew… that hit the spot.”
“That’s the most I’ve ever eaten at once.”
After leaving the restaurant while rubbing our full bellies, we began walking slowly.
“Hey, Kai-kun?”
“Yeah?”
“I want to go to places like that again.”
“Sure thing. I’ll take you whenever you want.”
“Yay!”
I’m really glad Saika said that much.
We spent our full afternoon browsing general stores, picking out reference books Saika recommended for our senior high school year, and eating shaved ice to rest our tired feet.
“Should we head back soon?”
“Yeah. Should we part ways here?”
I shook my head.
“After hearing about those pick-up attempts… would you mind if I walked you home? Just to be safe.”
“Is that okay?”
“Yeah, I’d feel better seeing you home safe.”
“…Okay, then please.”
“Alright, let’s go!”
It’s not about some masculine obligation, but hearing about those pickup attempts makes me uneasy… Though honestly, I’d have wanted to walk her home regardless.
“I had fun today.”
“Me too.”
“I’m glad I trusted my instincts… that I might get to see Kai-kun.”
“…Right, that’s how we met.”
Remembering how we first met made me scratch my cheek in embarrassment.
Seeing me like that, Saika kept smiling sweetly, which only flustered me more in a good way.
“Come on, let’s keep moving.”
“Okaaay♪”
Damn it… She’s using that cute voice she normally keeps hidden!
At this rate, I’ll have to use my partner’s power right until my battery runs dry at our goodbye and have my way with her!
But just as I harbored these ambitions, we encountered someone with history between us on our way back.
“Is that…?”
“Ah…”
We stopped instinctively, but they’d already noticed us.
“…Hah, good thing I walked Saika home.”
That muttered remark had one simple reason—standing there was the man who’d repeatedly abused Saika: her father.
“Saika?”
“I’m okay. I’m not as weak as I was back then.”
Though she said this, her clenched hands were trembling.
Since we didn’t need to talk or even make eye contact, I held Saika’s hand reassuringly and kept walking.
He looked slightly heavier than before, and as we passed by, he spoke:
“Living the good life, I see? After disgracing your own father, you ungrateful brat.”
“……………”
Saika didn’t react at all to his words.
Her happiness was her rightful due—she never disgraced her father nor was ungrateful… This was all just his baseless accusations.
“…Tch.”
Even if this was a chance encounter, his words made me click my tongue.
I briefly considered using my partner’s power to silence him until we left, but it was Saika who stopped.
“Saika?”
“Just give me a moment?”
Despite her earlier trembling, her expression now showed determination.
Honestly, ignoring him would’ve been better… but if Saika had something to say, I’d support her.
“Got it. But I’ll stay right beside you, okay?”
“Thank you.”
Then Saika turned to face her father.
“…What now?”
For a moment, he looked shocked seeing her face.
Probably because he’d never seen Saika glare at him so fiercely before—he only knew the listless girl who never resisted.
“Dad… nothing you say affects me anymore—or so I wish I could say. I did feel scared remembering the past… but I realized it’s not something I can’t overcome.”
“…What’s your point?”
At this, Saika first glanced at me… took a deep breath, then faced him again.
“I’m not who I used to be… not the weak girl who just endured your cruelty. Now I can proudly say I enjoy my life… that I’m happy.”
Her father didn’t interrupt her words …… No, it would be more correct to say that he couldn’t—interrupt.
Though it hadn’t been that long since they last met, this confident Saika asserting herself… Even I felt moved seeing her like this.
“I don’t wish I could disappear anymore… because there are people who’d grieve if I were gone. People I’ve come to love… who’ve come to love me too.”
“……………”
“So… you don’t need to think about me anymore—I’ll live forgetting about you too… Goodbye.”
These were clearly words of finality from Saika to her father.
Having said her piece, she turned her back, and I led her away… but he wasn’t about to let us leave.
“Think you can just—!”
Enraged, he stepped toward us.
I immediately shielded Saika and glared.
“I’ll handle this—if you lay a finger on Saika, I won’t forgive you.”
(Though I’ll be using my partner’s power!)
Maybe because my voice came out unexpectedly fierce, he hesitated, clicked his tongue loudly, then turned away.
Perhaps he realized acting on emotion wouldn’t end well for him.
“…Hah.”
Once he disappeared from sight, I finally exhaled.
“Kai-kun…?”
“Haha, crisis averted.”
Not only the sound of her voice but also the expression on her face as she stared at me seemed worried
Even after showing such strength, the trauma carved into Saika’s heart wouldn’t vanish easily.
“But wow, Saika… that was amazing, standing up to him like that.”
“I surprised myself. But I could only say those things because I’ve changed… and because you were with me.”
“Well, if he tried anything, I’d protect you!”
“…Yeah♪”
My boldness was thanks to my partner’s power.
But whether I had that power or not, choosing to protect someone… that growth was mine alone.
“Alright! Let’s go.”
“Okay.”
As we resumed our journey, I kept worrying about her.
But my concerns proved unnecessary—Saika seemed entirely unfazed by the encounter.
Relieved, I relaxed… until, nearing her home, she suddenly gripped my sleeve.
“Saika?”
“……………”
She kept her head down, refusing to let go.
(She’s like a little kid…)
Though her mature appearance contradicted this, her clinging posture perfectly mirrored a frightened child—clearly still shaken.
“Hey, Saika.”
“…What?”
“Turns out I’m free all evening after this… mind keeping me company a bit longer?”
“Y-yes! Thank you…!”
“Don’t mention it.”
And so, we decided to spend a little more time together.
“…Oh right.”
Remembering something, I took out my phone.
I opened my partner’s app to check that relationship chart—wondering if the black string had changed.
“…Just as I thought.”
Sure enough, a thick, ominous black string had appeared.
This persistent string targeting my name resembled the one during the Murakami incident… If this string that stands out so much now is Saika’s father’s, and if the string at the time of Murakami was his, this black string represents Saika’s father’s feeling toward me, then these black string must signify malice.
“Kai-kun? What’s wrong?”
“Ah, nothing.”
I can’t be certain, but this feels correct.
Though the sheer volume of black strings is alarming, they’re all repelled by the pink strings extending from Matsuri and the others’ names… Does that mean these strings have strength too?
…For now, I’ll set this aside.
Overthinking will only worry Saika… but at least I’ve found some clarity.
▼▽
“Well then, Masaki-kun, make yourself at home.”
“Yes! Thank you!”
“Take good care of Saika.”
“Haha, I’ll try not to let her feel lonely!”
After her grandparents left, Kai-kun and I were alone.
I’m not hung up about my father, but I couldn’t help feeling vulnerable and clinging to Kai-kun.
“Really?”
“Totally fine. As long as it’s not too late, I’m okay.”
With a bright grin, Kai-kun said that to me.
No matter the situation or the words we exchange, seeing Kai-kun’s smile always makes me incredibly happy and warms my heart… I love this feeling.
(I… love the days I spend with Kai-kun.)
To me, Kai-kun is like a righteous hero.
Of course, that’s not all—he has a naughty side too, and he can be clingy at times, but I think all of that is part of his charm… Heck, I’ve even had those kinds of dreams about him.
“…!”
Just remembering it makes not just my cheeks but my whole body burn.
There are many moments when I become aware of myself in this dreamlike, floating sensation, but in every single one of them, Kai-kun appears.
I’ve talked about this with Matsuri-san and Emu-chan before, and every time, we either blush in embarrassment or laugh at how shamelessly eager he is when it comes to those things—even though he’s the one who saved us.
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