Episode 6 – Role

“Breakfast is ready, Yua chan.” I called out and she came trotting over, making little footsteps.

She sat down at the table and I sat down next to her.

The aroma of toast wafting from the kitchen filled the room, adding warmth to the morning stillness.

“Itadakimasu.” ”…Itadakimasu.”

Her face is still expressionless, and there is still a shadow of nervousness on it.

But one day she will smile as brightly as in that dream…no, what’s with that thought?

Sleeping together, goodbye kiss, getting too close to each other, that would be a problem, wouldn’t it?

Shaking my head, I chase the fantasy away.

“…I…what do you want me to do?”

Her small voice gently broke the silence.

“You don’t have to do anything, Yuachan. You know, children, they don’t have to think about it, just enjoy what you like and learn little by little what not to do.”

Still, there is a flicker of ‘I want some kind of role’ in her eyes.

The anxiety of not having a role is probably holding her back.

A normal child would be spoiled by their parents and not be aware of roles. But she is different.

The only meaning of her life is to be needed.

Even if it was just an outlet for anger or a tool for twisted desires.

“….Then I have one favor to ask you, then. When you finish your breakfast, can you give me a little shoulder massage?”

She nodded silently.

After finishing her meal, I sat down on the sofa and leaned my back against her, and she stood behind me and began to rub my shoulders with her small hands.

Her slender fingers were weak and did not do much to release the stiffness in my shoulders, but the feeling of her hard work warmed my heart.

“I’ll give you about five minutes, okay?”

“….Yes.”

“Does the wound still hurt?”

“….Yes.”

“I see. I hope it gets better soon.”

“….Why are you….being so nice to me?”

I was at a loss for words at that question for a moment.

“…..I wonder why. Maybe it’s because you’re a lot like my old self. My parents didn’t need me either. Actually, I come from a prestigious family. My father was a doctor and my mother a lawyer. But I was born with low expectations. They didn’t beat me up because of their social standing, but they did verbally abuse me. I was told many times that I should never have been born, and there were times when I wanted to die. I left home right after high school, and now I’m working as a money lender. No one came to my rescue. So I just wanted to be someone’s hero instead.”

After I finished, I realized I had said too much.

She remained silent and stopped her hand as if thinking about something.

Was she unconvinced, or were my words too heavy?

We spent the rest of the day lounging around until around noon, and then I told her, “I’m going outside for a bit. You can watch TV, Yua chan. You don’t have to do anything you don’t like. If you ever feel like doing anything, just vacuuming the room will be enough.” She nodded her head once.

I left the house, got into the car, and headed for that scum.

◇ 

When I arrived at the front of the house, I didn’t hear any more yelling like before.

The still air was conversely eerie, and the trash scattered around the yard swayed in the wind.

I pressed the intercom, the door opened, and Ito appeared with a nose-stabbing odor.

His eyes are cloudy and unfocused, and dark shadows are etched under his eyes.

He looked at me and said, “Oh…how can I help you…?” He smiles his usual flirtatious smile.

“…You smell terrible.”

“Oh…I had her take care of everything at home…”

Even if that were the case, how could he be in such a state after only three days? I have my doubts, but it doesn’t matter.

“….S-so what is it…..?”

“I’m telling you, I have no intention of returning Yua chan to you.”

Then Ito tilted his head and made a puzzled face.

I immediately regretted telling him.

Is that how much Yua chan was to this guy?

“No, it’s nothing. More importantly, do you know what she likes?”

“…W-what she likes…? Ah…she made a good face when I shoved rotten vegetables in there, I guess? Hehehe…that pained face…” He squinted his eyes and pressed his crotch.

The blood was rushing to my head. I was an idiot. There was no way that what he was saying was normal.

“….That’s enough. Don’t ever talk about Yua chan again. Don’t try to remember. Don’t get involved.”

I said coldly and turned on my heel.

As I walked back to the car, I reflected on how naive I had been.

Relying on his memories would only remind her of the past.

If that’s the case, I should create a new her.

I stopped at a convenience store and bought an expensive dessert.

When I opened the front door, I heard the low roar of the vacuum cleaner.

In the living room, Yua chan was moving the vacuum cleaner with her small body, carefully cleaning the corners of the room.

“I’m home.”

“…Welcome home.”

She turns around and murmurs quietly.

“I bought some ice cream. Do you want to eat it with me?”

“…..Yes.”

In the end, I felt like I had spent the third day in vain, not knowing what to do for her.

–

–

If you enjoy our content, feel free to donate, Thank you in advance !

https://ko-fi.com/dasuitl

https://saweria.co/dasuitl