Chapter 19: Connect

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Translator: Soafp

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[Aizawa PoV]

“…Hehe.”

“What’s wrong?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

While eating, I couldn't help but smile.

My mom, sitting across from me, tilted her head in confusion, but I could only brush it off as nothing… Because really, what could I even say?

If I told her I was thinking about him… about Kamiki-kun, who knows what she'd say?

[…I'm not strong at all.]

That's what Kamiki-kun said.

His expression back then wasn't full of confidence; his eyes trembled with uncertainty… and seeing that look on his face reminded me of the time he had cried.

“……………”

Kamiki-kun is a very strong person… what he did back then proves it.

When I was about to be attacked, he didn't even let the guy get close to me, and when he saved his mom, he was just as overwhelming.

So, there's no way he's weak… yet, I also don't think his words—”I'm not strong”—were a lie either.

(I can't just leave him alone… There's no way I could.)

That kind of expression… it doesn't suit Kamiki-kun.

The reason I've come to care so much about him is partly because he saved me, but also because of everything that happened afterward.

Talking with him is always so much fun. When he smiles, my heart races, and when he blushes, I can't help but think he's really cute.

(When it was with Hibari-kun… did I ever feel like this?)

As for the boy I used to date… I don't feel anything for him anymore.

We started going out after entering high school, when Hibari-kun gave me a passionate confession — I wasn't particularly interested in dating, but I thought it might be fine to try it once while I was still a student.

(It's true that I did enjoy it though…)

I never thought the time I spent with Hibari-kun was boring.

It was just, “So this is what it's like to date a boy,” kind of feeling. I didn't even mind that he wasn't the type to call me cute or anything.

But… little by little, I started to feel unsatisfied.

And that was because I got to know Kamiki-kun — someone who would look me in the eye and say things with a sincere smile.

(I…)

What do I really think about Kamiki-kun?

Lately, I've been asking myself that question more and more. But there's something else I keep thinking alongside it — I don't want him to ever show that kind of sad expression again, the one that looks like he's about to cry.

I want him to smile… always smile.

I want him to keep talking to me with that smile, to show me that shy face of his only to me… and if possible, I want him to show everything to me, not to Rira.

“…Eh?”

At that moment, an image appeared in my mind.

[Haha! Finally being honest, huh? That's how girls should be!]

[Please… more, more…!]

[Then say it properly.]

[Please! Do whatever you want with me~!]

I saw myself with a lewd expression, pinned down by that guy… Tokura.

It was such a disgusting sight that I wanted to look away, but it felt as if I was being shown a version of myself that Kamiki-kun hadn't saved.

[Stop… don't come any closer…!]

[Ah… why did this happen… Runa!]

My best friend Rira and my mom turned away from the changed me, their faces filled with despair.

The me pinned down by Tokura just laughed, uncaring, and then the vision continued — I lost everything, fell into despair, grew older, and eventually put a noose around my neck, having given up on life.

“!?!”

“Runa!?”

I snapped back to reality with a gasp, my whole body trembling.

My mom rushed over in worry and rubbed my back, but the shaking and the sick feeling inside wouldn't go away.

“Haa… haa…!”

I kept taking deep breaths until I finally managed to calm myself down.

“…Ah… so that's it.”

Everything clicked in my head.

It wasn't just that Kamiki-kun saved me that day—he had changed my fate. He had changed my future.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah. Sorry for worrying you.”

If he saved everything that makes me who I am, then I have to repay that somehow.

And that means… making sure Kamiki-kun never wears that sad expression again.

The vision I saw was gone, and I returned to my usual self.

My mom still looked at me with concern, but I reassured her until she seemed satisfied.

“As long as nothing's wrong, that's good.”

“Really, I'm fine.”

“……………”

“Mom?”

My mom had been worrying about me, but now that I looked closely, I could tell something was off about her instead.

…Did something happen?

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[Kamiki PoV]

“Ah, good morning.”

“Good morning, Masato-kun.”

As usual, when I went out to throw away the trash in the morning, Sumiyoshi-san was there.

She was, as always, dressed casually—or rather, it looked like she'd come out in her sleepwear, and honestly, it was kind of sexy.

Even though she was wearing a jacket, underneath it I could see what looked like a thin shirt… what was it called again? A camisole? Something frilly like that peeked out a little.

“You're so diligent, taking the trash out every morning.”

“Please praise me more!”

Maybe because I woke up in such a good mood today, I ended up saying that.

Realizing how weird that sounded, I panicked a little, but Sumiyoshi-san just widened her eyes for a moment before smiling and stepping closer.

With her large chest swaying softly beneath her clothes, she stood right in front of me and gently patted my head.

“Uh, um… I was joking, actually…”

“……………”

Sumiyoshi-san didn't say anything—she just kept looking at me, still stroking my head.

I thought I caught a hint of loneliness, or maybe sadness, in her eyes… but I figured it was probably just my imagination.

Until she suddenly spoke.

“You remind me of my little brother.”

“Your little brother?”

“Yeah… though, he passed away quite some time ago.”

“……………”

“He was about three years younger than me, so if he were alive, he'd be twenty-six now. He had an accident back when he was in high school.”

“I… see.”

I had no idea.

I'm pretty sure even Mom didn't know. But of course, I wasn't going to bring that up.

After she stopped patting my head, Sumiyoshi-san crossed her arms under her chest and looked up at the sky.

“I've never told Nachi-san about it, but you really remind me of him, Masato-kun. So maybe, in a way, I've been seeing a bit of him in you.”

“I see…”

“Sorry for telling you such a gloomy story first thing in the morning.”

“No, not at all! I don't mind!”

I see… that explains why she's always been so friendly and easy to talk to.

“Sumiyoshi-san.”

“Hm?”

“Please, talk to me anytime you want. Actually, can I say hi and chat with you too, whenever I see you?”

“Ah… yeah, of course.”

“Thank you! Well then, I'm off!”

“Take care.”

With a smile, Sumiyoshi-san saw me off, and I headed to school.

As I walked, I found myself wondering a little about what kind of person her brother had been.

If I ever get the chance and the mood is right, maybe I'll ask.

“…Hm?”

When I was just about to reach the school, I saw a familiar figure ahead.

Lately, it's become kind of common to see her like this from behind. As I watched, she turned around naturally—it was Aizawa.

Instead of heading straight to school, she walked toward me.

“Good morning, Kamiki-kun.”

“Good morning, Aizawa.”

“…This has been happening a lot lately, hasn't it?”

“Yeah… um, what should we do?”

“Since we're here anyway, wanna walk together?”

“…Is that okay?”

“You mean because of rumors? It's fine—if any weird rumors start, I'll crush them.”

“……………”

Aizawa-san… did something change for her?

She gave off this aura—like a queen or a demon lord from a manga or anime.

In the end, though, I walked to school with her.

“Hey, Kamiki-kun.”

“Yeah?”

“Can't we call each other by our first names? And you can call me by mine too.”

Faced with her firm, almost commanding tone, I nodded without saying a word.

Masato Kamiki ♡←←←← Runa Aizawa ….

Masato Kamiki ♡←← Aizawa ← Ru← Na…. error

Masato Kamiki ←♡←←← Runa Aizawa …. connect