Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818622176550308690/episodes/16818792438304740822
The police officer who helped Akito took Sakuma-senpai and the others away with him.
Soon, this place would be… just me and Akito.
He. Akito leaned against the roots of a nearby tree,
“Damn, that hurts… That bastard really hit me hard…”
Akito sighed, “Haah.”
His expression was smiling, but his mud-covered body and clothes looked so pitiful.
It was my fault.
Because of me—Akito got hurt again. He became unhappy.
“Aki…to…Aki-to, Akito…Akito…”
“Hm? What is it, Renka?”
“I’m… so… sorry… it’s… my… fault…”
The tears wouldn’t stop.
I had no right to cry. Akito had suffered so much more than me.
Then… why?
Why wouldn’t my body obey me?
“Renka.”
My beloved childhood friend called my name.
Just that made my chest feel warm—and yet, even though I’d put Akito through this, I was the only one feeling happy again. I hated myself even more for it.
“Let’s go home.”
The sound of fireworks had stopped.
Only hollow gray smoke lingered in the night sky.
“A-Aki…to…”
My voice.
Somehow…I could still manage to speak.
This way, I could apologize to him. Even though doing so wouldn’t absolve my guilt.
“I-I’m…so sorry…I’m sorry, I’m sorry…”
“No—I’m the one who should apologize to you, Renka. I’m sorry for scaring you like that.”
“No, stop… it’s not… it’s not you… it’s me… it’s my fault…”
I looked away.
I couldn’t look at him. …I probably didn’t even have that right anymore.
“I’m sorry… it’s me… I shouldn’t have been born—”
“It’s okay. It’s okay, Renka.”
Suddenly—I lift my face.
And there, right before my eyes.
Akito’s… calm, gentle, dazzling smile was there.
“…Renka. Can you stand?”
“Ah…!”
I tried to put weight on my legs.
But I couldn’t. For some reason, I couldn’t get up properly.
I squeezed… the dirty friendship bracelet in my hand.
The one that had been torn to shreds, the one that had connected Akito and me.
“I’m sorry… I’m sorry, Akito…”
“I see. Well then, how about this? You can manage holding onto me, right?”
Even though I’m a bad girl.
Even though I’m a jinx who brings misfortune to Akito.
Why… is Akito’s voice so gentle?
His broad back—was offered out to me.
“Come on, Renka. Piggyback. Piggyback.”
“H-huh… Is… is that okay…?”
“Well, I am a guy, after all. Carrying one girl should be no problem.”
If Akito says so… then surely it’s better to do it, right?
But then again—I’ll be bothering Akito again.
I’m sorry, Akito. Apologizing silently in my heart, I gently cling to his back.
Then, still carrying me on his back, Akito slowly stood up.
“Whoa… there we go. See? Light as a feather. …No, seriously, you’re light as a feather.”
“I’m so… sorry…”
“Yeah. Well then, let’s head back.”
Akito’s back began to move.
Step by step, slowly. He descended the downhill path through the forest road.
“The police officer told me earlier, but this seems to be a shortcut to the station. Is that okay, Renka?”
“…………Yeah…”
“Got it. Thanks, Renka.”
Only his soothing voice echoed in the quiet night.
Thump, thump. This heartbeat… mine and Akito’s. Whose pulse is this?
“…Hey, Renka. Is it okay if I talk about the past?”
I tried to speak.
But… if I did, tears would spill again.
So all I could do was nod.
“It’s something I can only say now. I… always had this complex.”
What could it be?
I focused my attention on his voice.
“I mean, come on, right? Hideki and Sena, who look amazing and are super athletic. Yuri, who’s got top grades. And Renka, the perfect beauty—talented, gorgeous, and flawless. …Ha. Saying it out loud like this, I really am out of place, huh?”
――No, that’s not true.
The one who doesn’t belong… is me. Because I’m a curse that keeps making people miserable.
I can’t lift everyone’s spirits like Hideki or Sena. I can’t stay strong like Yuri. I can’t be like Akito – giving my all to be kind for someone else’s sake.
Talented and beautiful? Lovely looks? …I’m not like that. I’m not the good girl everyone says I am.
My good grades, the compliments on my appearance—it’s all thanks to Dad and Mom.
As for me myself—I have nothing.
I’m cowardly, a show-off, a liar. I’ve hurt the person I love over and over, tormented them, made them suffer, brought them misery.
Hey… Hey, tell me.
To someone like me, who can’t make anyone happy, who only spreads misery around—
Why…? Why did Akito come to save me…?
“—It was Renka who saved a guy like me.”
Under the summer night sky. The scent of his back, like mud mixed with sweat.
It gave my heart peace.
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