I Risked My Life To Save The Cheeky Girl, And As A Result, I Lost My Right Arm. - Chapter 13.2: Conflicting Feelings. (Part 2)

Conflicting Feelings. (Part 2)

…zapaa

“Senpai, aren’t you cold?”

Hearing her words from behind, I responded with a slight stutter, “A-aah.”

In the steamy bathroom, I sat on a chair while she poured water over me.

I had a towel wrapped around my waist, and Hasegawa was wearing a school swimsuit, making sure our private parts were hidden from each other.

However, the fact that I was in the bath with a girl remained unchanged. My heart, struggling to cope with the situation, felt like it might burst out of my chest at any moment.

“H-Hasegawa… I think I’ll just bathe alone.”

“But you told me to take care of you for today, right? Besides, if you end up feeling unwell again while soaking in the bath, the only one who can help you is me.”

“I-I get that, but still…”

“We’re the only ones at home right now. If something happens to you, Senpai, I would never forgive myself…”

“…………”

“Well then, I’ll start by washing your head.”

After she said this, I lowered my head and closed my eyes. I felt the warm water from the shower being poured onto my head.

“Alright, now let me lather up some shampoo.”

“Y-yeah.”

I heard the sound of shampoo being squeezed from the bottle, and then it was applied to my head with a gentle kuchu.

The sound of lathering grew louder, and her delicate fingers massaged my scalp and hair gently. Her soft, feminine touch was evident, even with my eyes closed.

(This feels… strangely seductive…)

I swallowed hard, trying not to let Hasegawa notice.

“Now, I’ll rinse your head.”

Shh—

The foam on my head was washed away by the warm water, and I felt the sweat from my scalp being rinsed off. It was a refreshing sensation.

“…Alright, the head’s done. Now, let me wash your body.”

“Eh? M-my body too?”

“Yes.”

Hasegawa began washing my back with a body towel and soap.

“Senpai, does it hurt?”

“N-no, it’s fine.”

“Good. If it’s too much pressure, just let me know.”

“Yeah…”

“…………”

“…………”

“Alright, now I’ll wash the front. Could you turn toward me?”

“Ah, u-uhm… yeah…”

I turned my body while sitting, facing her.

At that moment, my eyes met Hasegawa’s.

“………………”

“………………”

We both turned red, perhaps from embarrassment, and quickly looked away.

“U-um, well then… I’ll begin.”

“Y-yeah.”

Hasegawa placed the body towel on my chest and started scrubbing it vigorously.

During this time, my eyes couldn’t help but be drawn to Hasegawa’s body.

The school swimsuit was almost too revealing. Her outstanding figure was clearly visible. The tightness of her clothes made it seem even more seductive than being completely naked.

(S-stupid, why am I looking so intently?)

I looked up, staring vacantly into space. I could see her out of the corner of my eye but made sure not to let my gaze wander in that direction.

“………………”

Then, at some point, Hasegawa’s hand, which had been washing me, paused. The bathroom was completely silent.

“…? Hasegawa?”

I lowered my face and looked at her.

She was staring intently at my right arm. At my right arm, which was missing from the shoulder down.

Her expression was pained. She bit her lower lip tightly, and her brow furrowed in distress.

“………………”

I couldn’t say anything. I had no idea what words would be the right thing to say in this situation.

So, I gently reached up and patted Hasegawa’s head. I wasn’t sure if it would comfort her, but I couldn’t stand doing nothing.

“Senpai…?”

“………………”

“…I’m sorry. I’m such a troublesome junior…”

“…No.”

“………………”

“………………”

“…Why?”

“Huh?”

“Why are you so kind to me?”

“Why, you ask…”

“You try to make me laugh, and then you comfort me like this…”

“………………”

“Why do you try to forgive me so much? Don’t you hate me?”

“…I don’t hate you.”

“………………”

“…I don’t hate you. Because I…”

At that moment, our eyes met again.

Hasegawa’s moist eyes were staring straight at me.

This time, I couldn’t look away from her gaze. It felt as though time itself had stopped for us, frozen and unmoving.

“About you…”

Droplets of water fell from my bangs and passed in front of me.

“………………”

I moved the hand that had been resting on her head, gently placing it on her right cheek. At that moment, Hasegawa reacted slightly, her body twitching ever so slightly.

Her breath had become uneven. The sound of her shallow breaths, as she pursed her lips, reached my ears faintly.

“…What is it, Senpai?”

“………………”

“What about me?”

“………………”

Hasegawa’s face was flushed, all the way up to her ears. The heat from her cheek, which I could feel through my left hand, was so intense that I almost thought it might burn me.

“………………”

“………………”

Hasegawa gently placed her hand on top of my left hand.

At that moment, I snapped back to reality and quickly pulled my hand away from her cheek.

“Senpai…?”

“…You, Hasegawa.”

I placed my hand on her shoulder and gave it a light pat.

“You’re my important junior.”

“………………”

“That’s why, I won’t hate you.”

“………………”

Hasegawa lowered her gaze with a wistful expression. Then, in a voice so quiet it was barely audible, she whispered, “I know, right?”

***

I was alone in the bathroom.

I had taken off my school uniform and was letting the warm shower water wash over my body.

After Senpai finished washing, he had gone back to his room.

“You’re my important junior.”

“That’s why, I won’t hate you.”

“………………”

I placed my right hand over the cheek where Senpai had touched me.

A warmth slowly spread across my palm, as if the heat from his touch was still lingering.

…Back then, I was really close to confessing. I was so close.

I had never been that close to Senpai, looking into his eyes like that.

If Senpai hadn’t called me his junior, I might not have been able to turn back.

(…That’s right, I’m always going to be Senpai’s junior. I can’t become his lover…)

I shouldn’t wish for a relationship like that, especially after the way I’ve hurt Senpai. That’s why I have to keep these feelings hidden.

“Wow! I’m so glad! You smiled for the first time in a while!”

“Wow, that’s amazing… Hasegawa, you’re really good at cooking!”

“No, no, it’s still impressive. Thanks a lot, Hasegawa!”

“………………”

I turned off the faucet, stopping the shower.

A droplet fell from my chin.

It could have been the warm shower water, or it could have been my cold tears.