Chapter 49: What year, what month, what day?

Translator: Soafp

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　[Ruri PoV]

Renya was lying on the bed in the hospital room with a bandage wrapped around his head. His breathing is stable, and if it weren’t for the bandage, he would appear to be sleeping normally.

“………”

　Three days have already passed since the summer festival. That day, Renya got into an accident protecting us, and he still hasn’t woken up.

　Even though the driver of the car had been drinking at the summer festival, he was still trying to drive the car home by himself. It was definitely drunk driving. There was no way I could forgive him.

　When I looked at the sleeping Renya, I saw that he did not have any serious injuries such as broken bones. But when I heard that he had hit his head pretty hard and that there was a possibility that he would be left with permanent injuries, I felt crushed with guilt.

　Why didn’t I pay more attention to my surroundings, why did my body freeze up, why did I go to the summer festival? All I could think of was regret.

　If I had noticed the approaching car earlier, I could have avoided it. I could have avoided it by just taking a few steps back when I noticed it. If I hadn’t gone to the summer festival in the first place, Renya wouldn’t have been involved in the accident.

　Regret would not change anything in the past. I learned that the hard way when I was in junior high school, but I still can’t help but regret it.

　Since the day of Renya’s accident, I’ve been visiting him every day. I’m the only one here now, but it seems that Yona and Takuma also come here every day, and sometimes we see each other here. I also met Renya’s family.

　I didn’t have the face to meet them, but of course I apologized to Renya’s family. I wanted them to punish me. I wanted them to condemn me. But they did not blame me. Rather, they said, “It’s hard on you, isn’t it, Ruri? Take it easy, okay?” They were concerned about me. Sakuya also glared at me, but didn’t say anything.

　It would have been easier if they had blamed me. But no one blamed me.

“Are you going to blame me, Renya….?”

　I touched Renya’s cheek as if I was touching a broken object. I’m relieved to find that his body heat is still there. I know you’re alive, but I’d be horrified if your body was cold.

　As I traced his face several times to make sure he was still alive, I suddenly saw his eyelids move. I retracted my hand.

“Renya…?”

　As soon as I called out to him, he slowly opened his eyes.

“Renya! Thank God… I’m really sorry, it is all my fault…”

　He blinked a few times and moved his face to look around, I was relieved to see that Renya was awake.

“Don’t move too much, Renya. I’ll call a doctor right away.”

　I called out to Renya, who was probably confused because he just woke up. I stood up to get a doctor. Then Renya, who was looking around, turned to look at me.

“Ruri….?”

“Eeh? Yes, but …… Renya?”

　It’s been a while since he called me by my first name. Since that day, he has been calling me by my last name, which makes me confused.

“Hmm? Why am I sleeping here? This is a hospital room, right? Well, I don’t understand, but good morning Ruri.”

“!”

　I was wondering if his memory was messed up because he didn’t seem to know why he was sleeping in the hospital room, when Renya greeted me with a smile. For the past two years, Renya’s face had been expressionless. I don’t remember seeing him smile since that day. So why now, all of a sudden…

“Do you know why I’ve been sleeping here, Ruri? I mean, have you grown up a bit?”

“Renya was protecting me and Yona when you got into the accident. I know it’s late, but thank you so much for saving us.”

“Accident? That’s why I was sleeping in the hospital room. It is natural for me to protect my precious childhood friends Ruri and Yona. I don’t remember, though.”

“You don’t remember?”

　I was glad to hear him say that I’m his precious childhood friend. But I’m worried about what Renya said when he praised himself.

“Hey Renya, don’t you remember that you had an accident? Do you remember going to the summer festival?”

“Summer festival? I don’t even remember being in an accident, and isn’t the summer festival still a ways off?”

　Had the accident affected his memory a little? He couldn’t even remember going to the summer festival.

“We had an accident on the way back from the summer festival. It seems that you hit your head hard. When was the last time you remembered Renya?”

“That’s why the bandage is wrapped around my head. Hmm~? Remember last time …… club activities?”

“Club activities?”

　Renya is not supposed to be in any club activities in high school. How long has it been since he joined?

“I think my most up-to-date memory is that I was talking to Takuma during club activities.”

“That’s …….”

　It is impossible for Takuma to join the same club activities as Renya because he goes to a different high school. Renya and Takuma were in the same club …….

“…… Renya, what year and what month and what day is it?”

“I think…”

　The date was more than two years ago when Renya mentioned it. Renya had lost all memory of the last two years or so.

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