Chapter 26: A Careless Mistake

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Translator: Soafp

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The campfire flames lit up the darkening sky as the sun set.

Many students gathered, enjoying the atmosphere of the after-festival and the folk dance.

After talking with Toru in the student council room earlier, we decided to dance together.

But… I still couldn't shake off my hesitation.

“Toru… are we really going to dance?”

He wanted revenge on the person he loved… that was his wish now.

“Yeah. I'm counting on you.”

And my wish… was for Yamato to understand me.

“In the end… Yamato didn't come.”

“…Yeah…”

Maybe that was actually for the best.

If Yamato were here, I wouldn't have been able to choose to dance with Toru.

People around us might start talking again after seeing us dance, but…

“Still worried about the crowd watching?”

Rumors were already spreading that Toru and I were in a relationship.

So even if people said something after seeing us dance, I didn't think it would hurt me much anymore.

“…Yeah. But… I can't worry about that now…”

Today would be the end of my cooperation with Toru.

I would accept his request and dance with him.

And after that, he said he would take responsibility for everything.

Just for today, I would act as his girlfriend—for his sake.

In return, Toru would resolve everything.

“I'll definitely deal with the problem you're carrying. So Aoi… promise me. No matter what happens today, stay on my side.”

A promise… that word carried a heavy meaning for me.

“I'll say it again—once today is over, I'll handle everything. No matter what happens, trust me. I'll protect you… so…”

Going to the same university as Yamato.

I had been working so hard for that promise.

“Will you promise me?”

Toru held out his hand.

I gently took it and answered.

“Yeah, I promise. Right now… I'm your girlfriend, after all.”

“Thank you, Aoi. Once this is all over… next time, do your best to fulfill your promise with Yamato.”

So he knew.

About the promise between me and Yamato.

“Hey… Aoi… Toru…”

A voice came from behind us as we held hands.

“D-Dad…!?”

When I turned around, I saw my father in a suit and froze in shock.

Instinctively, I tried to pull my hand away from Toru, but his grip was too strong.

“Why are you here…?”

“I came to see how you're doing. That's all.”

My father had hardly ever shown up at my school events before.

“W-why… all of a sudden…?”

“Does a parent need a special reason to attend their daughter's school event?”

He always had a stern face, but today it looked even harsher.

“Aoi… are you going to dance? …With Toru?”

“That's…”

I didn't know how to answer.

Toru had promised to clear up the misunderstanding later, but saying I would dance with him… I didn't want to admit it myself.

“Yes. We're going to dance together.”

Toru answered confidently in my place.

My father stared at me, but said nothing.

“Let's go, Aoi.”

The music that had been playing across the field paused, and the next pairs stepped forward, hand in hand.

Even some married teachers joined in to liven up the atmosphere, which eased me a little.

But still…

“T-Toru… about the end of the dance…”

He led me toward the center of the field, but I still wasn't ready.

“You mean the legend?”

“Yeah… at the end… can we let go of each other's hands?”

“Leave that to me. I won't let anything go wrong.”

Even now, I knew I was being indecisive.

But I couldn't shake the uneasiness.

“Aoi… just think of me as practice. Next year, you'll probably be dancing with Yamato anyway.”

I really was simple… and foolish.

“Yamato isn't here now. I know it's not ideal that I'm your partner… but today… you're my girlfriend.”

Next year… with Yamato…

That's right. Once today is over, Toru will fix everything.

For now, I just need to do this for him.

“…Yeah. Let's do our best together.”

The music started again, and Toru and I danced under the gaze of a large crowd.

I had no way of knowing…

that among those watching… was the person I loved.

---

The festival was a huge success.

And now, the school's signature after-festival was about to end.

The music was about to stop.

As Toru led me through the dance, my heart was filled with tension about what would happen next.

Revenge… if he meant it literally, then after this…

we would remain holding hands…

“…Thank you, Aoi.”

Toru whispered in my ear as he gradually loosened his grip.

I slowly let go as well.

Honestly, I thought we would go all the way to the end.

But…

Right now, I was his girlfriend.

And he promised to resolve everything later.

Yamato wasn't here.

I didn't have the energy to worry about what others thought.

If Toru wanted it, I was ready to follow the school's legend.

But… this was the end.

My role was over…

Just as I felt a sense of relief…

“…Eh…?”

Toru suddenly pulled me into a tight embrace.

It happened so fast that I panicked.

I tried to pull away, but his grip was too strong.

“Aoi… he's… watching.”

He… the one Toru wanted revenge on.

“Aoi… please.”

“Eh… ah…”

I understood what he meant.

If I accepted his embrace… I had to return it.

But that would carry an even deeper meaning than the legend itself.

“Aoi… this is the last time. Trust me.”

My heart was filled with hesitation.

I thought I was prepared… but his actions only made my anxiety worse.

Still… I had no choice.

I had to rely on Toru.

“I'll keep my promise to you. So…”

“Promise”…!

That's right… a promise.

The promise I made with Yamato.

To go to the same university.

That's what I had been working so hard for.

“So you need to keep your promise with me too.”

I had promised Toru as well.

That no matter what happened today, I would be on his side.

“…Y-Yamato…”

Holding back my tears, I closed my eyes…

and embraced Toru in return.

The crowd erupted in excitement.

This would definitely become another rumor.

But it's okay.

Toru will fix everything.

So it's fine.

I've done nothing wrong.

The cheers and stares hurt, but only for now.

What matters most to me… is Yamato.

If only he understands me…

that's enough…

I calmed myself and slowly opened my eyes.

Through my blurred vision, I saw the crowd.

And within that crowd…

(Why…?)

(Why…?)

(There's no way I could mistake him…)

My beloved.

The one I love most.

“Ya… ma… to…”

Why… is Yamato here…!?

(This… can't be real…)

The blood drained from my body.

A chill ran down my spine.

I felt weak.

“Ya… Yamato… Yamato… YAMATO!!”

His expression looked pained.

He turned his back on me and quickly walked toward the school gate.

“W-wait! Yamato, please, wait!!”

I didn't want him to see that.

“Y-Yamato! Don't go!”

I didn't care if anyone else misunderstood.

But I never wanted him to see me like this.

“Aoi, what's wrong!?”

Breaking free from Toru's tight embrace, I ran after Yamato.