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V13 Story III – Part 08

“I love you so much, Shirayuki-san,” I repeated. “Just meeting you has brought me immense happiness.”

A single tear slid down Shirayuki’s cheek. Silently, she reached out her arms. I bent down and gently wrapped her in my embrace, holding her tight. It wasn’t a romantic embrace but more like two creatures huddling together for warmth in the cold. Shirayuki let out a small groan and started crying. He pounded my back with her fists. Her reaction was entirely natural. To me, those small fists held a bittersweet mix of sorrow, pain, and tender affection.

If she hadn’t chosen me, she would have had a way easier time. A profession of love from any other person, she might have received with a smile.

“I love you. I love you, Shirayuki-san. I adore you. I love you so much.”

Every time I awkwardly repeated the words, Shirayuki hit me again. But then, she suddenly stopped. She pushed against my chest and took a step back, looking up at me with tears in her eyes. She opened her fan, and through her tears, she stared hard at me and wrote fiercely with her brush.

“I love you too. And I won’t regret ever loving you. Caring for you.”

There was genuine anger in her gaze. Her words were nothing short of a declaration of war to me, who had given up, resigned to what was to come.

Boldly, and without a second thought, she let out incredibly cruel and unbearably tender words.

“I will never forget. I will love you, and only you, until my very last breath.”

I nodded. She continued to gaze at me. Gently, I tucked the black hair that had fallen on her cheek behind her milky ear. The person before me was small in stature and kind-hearted. She had cared for me more deeply than anyone else. She had saved me, and I had saved her. While others broke down under the weight of their twisted emotions, she had steadfastly held my hand as I teetered on the edge of the abyss.

If someone asked me what love meant, her name would be my answer. Minase Shirayuki. The name of the person I loved with all my heart.

She slowly extended her hand. It took too long for me to be ready, but this was the only moment I could tell her.

I had always wanted to do this. With that feeling in my heart, I bent down. She stood on tiptoe.

And then, we shared a kiss, a kiss that had been waiting since the day she bared her heart.

When I opened the door, a bottle came flying at me.

I barely dodged, and it shattered against the wall, splattering orange juice across the calm-toned wallpaper. What was happening here? It was too loud in the room to even ask. Though a quick glance told me everything I needed to know.

“I said I’ve had enough! Just because I’m in elementary school doesn’t mean my life’s a breeze. I struggle too. If you knew about the messy drama among elementary kids, you high schoolers would pass out! And then you have the nerve to bring all this back up with your ‘girlfriend’ nonsense? Should I sing you a song about it or something?”

“Just sing something, anything, and get it out of your system. And let go of the fox. Sure, he was a messed-up and horrible person, but even he deserves a break. Oh, he’s looking pale. Uh, Asato-san, are you alive? Nope, just barely hanging on.”

“I… I don’t care about love!”

“Yukihito, man. How are you even like this without alcohol? I’m bushed.”

“Nanami-san, was it? Your cooking is delightful. Simple home-cooked meals aren’t bad at all. Despite my Western attire, I’ve always been quite fond of meat and potatoes, which I myself find surprising. Kugutsu, do you have the recipe?”

“Of course, Princess. Miss Nanami shared it with me earlier. Though at the moment, I’m more concerned about cleaning the floor and walls. Are you sure it’s fine to leave this commotion as it is?”

“It’s quite all right. It’s been a while since we’ve had guests. For a house filled with nothing but puppets, having a ruckus like this feels almost like a sign of the apocalypse, but I don’t think it’s so bad. Oh, look at that. Welcome back, Mr. Odagiri?”

Everyone turned to face us. I glanced back. Shirayuki, with my coat draped over her shoulders, peeked in, hunching slightly. Our eyes met, and she gave me a small smile. I nodded and faced the room, straightening up as best as I could.

I raised a hand. “W-We’re ba—”

“Welcome back, you pig!”

A cushion smacked me, knocking me down. No mercy. Absolutely brutal. Nanami stormed over, grabbed Shirayuki’s hand, and Yukihito, sniffling, took her other hand. Before I could react, they pulled her further inside.

They led Shirayuki to the center of the room, seating her on a pile of cushions. Though Nanami and Yukihito hadn’t been drinking alcohol, they acted as if they were drunk. Maihime watched with delight. Knowing her, she probably switched the juice with alcohol on purpose, but who could say for sure?

“Where the hell did you two go?” Nanami yelled.

The girls started talking. Nanami’s tone was a mix of frustration and cheerfulness. Convinced they’d be fine, I glanced at the floor. Asato lay sprawled out, snack crumbs stuck to his mouth as if he’d been force-fed. I’d never seen him eat in such a lively setting. But if he had fun, that was enough.

I grabbed his legs and started dragging him toward the open door.

As I pulled Asato out, Maihime’s voice called from behind. “Are you going?”

“You knew?”

I looked back. Maihime propped her chin on her hand, smiling languidly. She gave me a gaze full of motherly affection. She swirled her glass and nodded. Kugutsu, standing beside her, lowered his head.

“Of course. I’m quite perceptive, you see. Kugutsu, the bag?”

“Yes, my lady. Here it is.”

Kugutsu handed me a bag. I took it, then grabbed Asato’s ankle again. I turned back to face them. Maihime said nothing, while Kugutsu glanced away, conflicted. Then reconsidering, he looked at me with a seemingly angry gaze. Maihime raised her glass, the ice clinking against the orange liquid.

“Good luck,” she said. “Prayers may be meaningless, but I believe praying itself has meaning.”

She took a long sip. Her long, silver hair shimmered like a veil. I bowed deeply to her, then resumed dragging Asato, heading into the adjacent room.

As I reached to close the door behind me, Kugutsu called, “Sir!”

Startled, I whirled around. He tried to say something but stopped, unable to find the words. After a moment, he closed his mouth, shook his head, and bowed deeply.

“Good luck,” he said.

Prayers may be meaningless, but praying itself has meaning.

“Thanks,” I replied softly and pushed Asato out.

Before the door closed completely, I glanced back into the room one last time. It was bright inside.

Nanami and Shirayuki were talking, laughing together. I had no idea what kind of strange chemistry had sparked between them.

Yukihito clung to Shirayuki’s arm, while Yusuke sat cross-legged, patting him on the back.

A cushion thrown by Nanami sailed through the air. Juice wobbled inside a glass.

I burned the dreamlike scene into my memory. Tears welled up, blurring the bright colors.

Slowly, I shut the door.

When I turned around, Asato was gone.

Vanished without a trace. But I knew exactly where he’d be. Maihime’s house didn’t have hallways; this room opened straight to the outside. I crossed the empty space and stepped out.

Asato stood in the front yard, caught in the dim light of approaching dawn. His white hair glowed faintly under the lingering moonlight.

Tilting his head, he glanced at me and whispered softly. “You’re late, Odagiri. How long are you going to keep me waiting? We’re leaving, aren’t we?”

“It’s a little late to try looking cool now, don’t you think?”

He didn’t respond, just started walking without a word. Did I offend him? I hurried to catch up, but he didn’t leave me behind.

The Mayuzumi car was parked in front of Maihime’s mansion. The driver, emotionless as ever, silently opened the door. Asato climbed in first, and I followed. The door clicked shut behind us.

Asato said nothing. Neither did I. His eyes were narrowed, looking bored. I glanced at him, my fists clenched, and forced out the words.

“Asato.”

“What?”

“Thanks.”

“For what?”

He probably knew what I meant. But the fox always cloaked his true feelings in smoke and mirrors.

I stayed quiet, and so did he. We drove on through the darkness.

Morning was near. Soon, the city would wake to the light.

But I was headed toward a place where morning never came.