Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818023212603480991/episodes/16818023212611338190
Kumagai Yuri
When the fireworks were over, Yutaro shouted happily.
“Then it’s time to test our courage. We ended up halfway through last year.”
We’re going to pair up as a man and a woman and walk to a shrine a kilometer away.
The couples are decided,
The remaining four were myself, Haruko, Kingo, and Naoyuki.
“Why don’t we just use the same combination as last year?
Naoyuki would take Matsuo’s place.”
Haruko glanced at me with a grin.
“That wouldn’t be much fun, then, would it?
Thrills and suspense !
Let’s have the customary drawing of lots to decide.
Men against men, women against women !”
Yutaro grinned, and the four of us booed loudly.
“Then, it would be great if they became a couple !
Come on, let’s confess our feelings for real !”
The four of us were deflated by his words, and we ended up having to draw lots, which Yutaro had prepared.
And there were four strings hanging in front of them,
Somehow, Yutaro seemed to be telling us to draw these…
And this is what happened.
First group: Sudo Yutaro, Kioka Yuka
Second group: Samejima Kingo, Kumagai Yuri
Third group: Ohori Naoyuki, Kanno Haruko
Fourth group: Ogasawara Makoto, Otsuka Jun
“All right, let’s go, Yuka.”
“Yeah !”
They held hands as if it were a matter of course, and happily disappeared into the darkness.
Ten minutes later, Kingo and I were off.
Again this year, I have only one flashlight, a small one I bought at a 100 yen store.
The only bright light was at my feet, which was still a little scary…
“Let’s go.”
But Kingo let out a cheerful voice, so I let out a cheerful voice too.
“Let’s go, let’s go !”
We walked in total darkness along a narrow path surrounded by trees,
I started walking slowly, relying on the light of my small flashlight.
My heart was beating very fast.
It was the day after Kingo was beaten and taken to the ambulance,
The four of us were supposed to do our summer homework together.
At 8:00 in the morning, I received a line saying that Kingo was in the hospital and that the study session had to be canceled.
Is Kingo going to be okay?
What should I do?
I kept thinking about nothing useful.
The night before, he tried to save a girl who was being attacked by three men,
He was seriously injured and is now in the emergency room.
Then I found out that his sister sent this message.
Can’t you even play with your phone? Kingo !
I hurried to the hospital where Kingo was hospitalized.
When I arrived at the meeting place, Yutaro and Yuka were waiting for me.
“Yuri ! You look terrible. Come on, calm down. Kingo is strong, he’ll be fine.”
“But, but he can’t even touch his phone !”
“There must be a reason. See, Kingo won’t like you if you show him that face.”
“Yuka…”
“It’s gonna be okay. Let’s go.”
Yuka said that and held my hand, so I was able to calm down a little.
When I arrived at the hospital, there was a visitor ahead of me !
Yagi san ! Why?
No, more importantly, I want to see Kingo as soon as possible !
I want to make sure he’s okay.
I was frustrated and waiting,
Yagi san’s mother came out of the hospital room crying !
Is Kingo’s injury that bad?
When Kingo’s sister called me to enter the hospital room, she whispered to me.
“He looks terrible, but he’s gonna be fine.”
Her sister’s eyes had dark circles and tear marks.
Her usual dignified appearance was overshadowed, and she looked inconsolable.
When I looked at the bed, I saw Kingo sitting leaning back, his right eye covered by an eye patch,
His face from the eyes down was wrapped in bandages like a mummy.
Kingo raised his left hand slightly.
“Thanks for coming all the way out here.”
“Look, Kingo. Don’t talk so loud.
You have a cut on the inside of your mouth, so it hurts when you talk.
I’m sorry, guys.”
His sister stood by Kingo and put her hand on his shoulder.
“It doesn’t look like there are any aftereffects or broken bones.
He will have another brain scan this evening and will be discharged from the hospital tomorrow.
But he was kicked so badly that he is very swollen and still has a high fever.
He just took some antipyretics and the fever went down a little, so we’re allowed to visit him.
“Is his eye all right?”
“Just the eyes and eyelids are swollen. He’s fine.
I really appreciate you coming all the way out here.
Kingo got mad at me. He told me not to tell you, even though he’s getting out of the hospital tomorrow.”
Unlike usual, his sister looked at Kingo tenderly.
“That’s not true !”
I shouted out unintentionally, and everyone stared at me.
“If I had heard that it was just a cold, I would certainly have been less worried.
But I was still worried, and since I had no plans for today, I decided to go visit, and that’s when I found out.
I feel sad if you didn’t tell me such an important thing.
Thank you for telling me.”
“Thank you.”
Kingo and his sister, both with teary eyes, affirmed me.
I like Kingo !
I realized so clearly.
A week after Kingo was discharged from the hospital until today, I contacted him because I wanted to see him at least once, but it turned out that his sister was a brocon.
She wouldn’t allow Kingo to take even one step outside,
She refused to let me visit him because his face is still swollen and ugly.
I was really happy that he came because I thought he might not show up today, and I was relieved to see that his face had healed properly.
Finally, we were able to talk alone.
“…I guess your older sister has a brother complex.”
“Heh ! Well, my mother passed away and I didn’t have any close relatives, and you know what my father’s like. I was surprised when I found out for the first time.”
Kingo replied with a hint of amusement.
“You had three opponents, didn’t you? You didn’t think you would lose?
“Yeah. I was scolded by the police. They didn’t give me any compliments for helping people this time, but scolded me all the time. Phew. When I try I go to the police station, there were three of them.
Then I tried to buy some time by calling the police, but I was instantly defeated. The next day, my body hurt like hell, and all I can think about is how regretful I am.”
“Don’t do anything dangerous again, okay?”
“Yes.”
Bssbsbs !
“Kyaa !”
Something flew over my head.
“Is it a bat? I’m scared.
Oh, I’m scared. I’m scared.
…..So let’s hold hands.”
Kingo’s intention became clear halfway through.
I couldn’t turn my red face to him, even though I couldn’t see his face in the pitch blackness.
I gently reached out my hand and squeezed it with a hand a little bigger than mine.
“Hey, about what I was talking about earlier…”
“What did you mean earlier?”
“Yeah. I said that I would not do anything dangerous. From now on, I’ll only do it when I’m protecting someone important.”
Who are the important people?
Who was on that list?
While I was thinking about it, Kingo whispered in my ear.
“….Like Yuri.”
Fire erupted from my face !
I’m so happy ! I’m so happy ! I’m so happy !
But I don’t want to see the Kingo hospitalized, the Kingo with bandages all over his face anymore.
“……Don’t hurt yourself. …But thanks.”
Both of us were so embarrassed that we were speechless.
After walking for a while, the road curved to the left, and the pitch-black road was illuminated by the moonlight.
We stopped and looked up at the night sky and saw the sine moon shining silently.
Kingo also looked up at the moon and muttered.
“…The moon is so beautiful.”
This is !
“…..Yeah. The moon is beautiful.”
I told him as casually as I could, while putting all my feelings into it.
I was so happy and embarrassed that I fell silent again.
As we walked on, the goal shrine came into view.
“O~i !”
I heard Yutaro’s voice and flinched as he waved me away.
“Ah !”
I heard Kingo’s sad little voice.
I regretted that I should not have let go of his hand, but I could not reconnect with him now.
Yuka and Yutaro slowly approached us, and as we looked at each other, Yutaro took Kingo by the shoulders and disappeared into the darkness.
Yuka took me by the shoulders and started walking in the opposite direction from Kingo and the others.
“So, how was it? Hm? Yutaro cheated for you two. You should be grateful. So, how was it? Did he kiss you? Did he hug you? Did he confess?”
The moon is beautiful, is that a confession?
I feel just a little uneasy.
“You’re hurting me !”
“You slob ! You shit ! Chicken shit !”
Over there, Kingo screamed and Yutaro cursed.
I’m sorry. You did your best !
–
–
If you enjoy our content, feel free to donate, Thank you in advance !