Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818093094088809262/episodes/16818093094228130559
When I woke up, I heard a small sound coming from somewhere.
I listen carefully, and the sound is light, like water bouncing.
Inside the room, the orange morning sun was shining through the curtains, casting a soft light on the floor.
Ah, I see……I must have fallen asleep on the couch.
As I sat up, my neck rumbled and I felt the pain of a bad night’s sleep.
I looked in the direction of the sound and saw that it was coming from the direction of the bathroom.
I got up and approached, only to find the door half-open.
“Yua chan?” I peeked inside and saw her scrubbing the toilet bowl with her small hand.
The sleeves of her dirty T-shirt were wet, and water droplets were strewn on the floor where she was kneeling.
“H-hey ! What are you doin !?”
I couldn’t help but raise my voice.
She looked up and replied in a small voice, “…I was cleaning the toilet.”
“You don’t have to do it by hand ! See, I have the proper tools over here !”
I said, and as soon as I picked up the toilet brush and showed it to her, she shrank back.
She mumbles shakily, saying “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry……” and close her eyes tightly.
Oh shit, I scared her with my loud voice. My chest throbbed, and I hurried to tone it down.
“No, I’m not angry. I was just surprised. Here, I’ve got this, so you don’t have to do it with your hands. You understand?”
“….I didn’t know how to use it… and I didn’t know if I could use it…”
“It’s my dirty toilet…you don’t have to do it, Yua chan…”
“….I was made to drink pee, so…”
Her words made my head spin.
I held my forehead and exhaled deeply.
What kind of things has this girl been through?
Her common sense is fundamentally off.
I had to teach her to live a normal life little by little, and it would be dangerous to let her out of my sight.
“Okay, come here. Let’s wash your hands.”
I gently pull her hand and take her to the sink.
Her small palms were cold, and the dirt stuck to her fingertips was painful.
As I carefully washed them with soapy lather, I said, “I’m glad you feel the need to clean the bathroom. But next time, use this brush. And you don’t have to do anything I don’t ask you to do. Understood?” I told her gently.
“…..I don’t have to drink pee?”
“No, you don’t have to ! Don’t worry, I won’t let you do that !”
“…..I understand.”
In my heart, my anger at that guy flared up again.
Just imagining how badly he had treated her made me nauseous.
I decided to get myself together and teach her some everyday things.
“When you clean, you use tools, not your hands. Use a sponge for dishes, a vacuum cleaner for the floor, and a brush for the toilet. Easy, right?”
She nodded.
“And, whether I’m asleep or awake, I’d appreciate it if you’d give me a call when you’re ready to do something. Understood?”
“…..Yes.”
This gives her some peace of mind.
But I can’t shake the uneasiness I feel when I look into her vacant eyes and wonder if she really understands.
“Okay, let’s have breakfast.”
In the kitchen, I fry a fried egg, lightly char the toast, and arrange the salad on the table in a proper serving size.
We both eat facing each other, but the silence is heavy.
I turn on the TV to fill the awkwardness, but she doesn’t even look at the screen, silently nibbling on a piece of bread with her little mouth.
When she finished eating, I called out to her as I cleared away the plate.
“We’ve got some time, so let’s talk. Is there anything you want to do, anything you want to try, anything you want? Anything is fine. Talk about whatever you want.”
“….I don’t know.”
A hollow voice comes back. Surely, I was too abrupt.
“….I see, I’m sorry. It’s not nice to be asked so suddenly, is it? So, let’s make today a day to think about what we want to do. How about that?”
“…Yes.”
I moved to the sofa and sat her down next to me.
I put on an animated movie that I thought kids would enjoy.
Colorful characters bounce around on the screen and bright music echoes in the room.
I glanced at her, but there was no emotional movement, just staring at the images.
[Illustration.]
https://kakuyomu.jp/users/tanakamatao01/news/16818093094228842399
“The bruise, I knew it wouldn’t go away anytime soon. Shall I put another compress on it?”
I said softly as I gently applied the compresses to her arms and neck.
Every time I touch her, I can feel the thinness of the floating bones in my hands.
But she was silent, continuing to watch the scene of the magical girl in the cartoon wielding the walking stick.
”…..Was it boring? I’m sorry, this old man hasn’t spent much time with children. I don’t know what a girl like Yua chan likes…”
Then she made a small finger movement and pointed at the screen.
“Hmm?”
“…Um…I want a stick.”
It was a sparkling stick that magical girls carry.
It was the first time I heard her say “I want” and it made my heart flutter.
“Oh, that one ! All right, I’ll order it right now !”
I picked up my phone and popped the order on a shopping site.
Unable to contain my excitement, I said, “Okay, I ordered it ! Here…” I turned around to see her standing there naked with her T-shirt off.
“Wait !? What !? What are you doing !?
“The only thing I can give back now is my body. Use my butt, my mouth, whatever you want.”
“I-I won’t do it ! I mean, I’m a virgin, I can’t do that !”
I shouted unintentionally, my face getting hot.
“…” “…”
A strange silence fell.
As if to cover up the awkwardness, I said, “…I’ve decided that I’ll only do that with someone I like. You don’t have to do that, Yua chan. Understood?” I said calmly.
“…..I understand.”
In the evening, when the walking stick arrives, she holds it in her hand with a blank expression.
The shiny plastic reflected the room light and looked a little awkward in her small hands.
“…How is it?”
“…You can’t use magic, can you?”
“O-oh. What kind of magic do you want to use?”
“….Fire magic.”
‘You’re going to burn down my house !?”
I couldn’t help but burst into laughter and laughed out loud from the bottom of my stomach.
I couldn’t believe how much fun such a small exchange could be.
She looked at me like wanting to say what’s so funny.
I might be able to change something after meeting this girl. That’s what I thought.
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