I Risked My Life To Save The Cheeky Girl, And As A Result, I Lost My Right Arm. - Chapter 14.2: Spring Breeze (Part 2)

Spring Breeze (Part 2)

During the 10-minute break between the third and fourth periods, I walked down the hallway alone, holding my textbook under my arm, heading towards the science lab.

“Destroy my life.”

“…”

The words Hasegawa said to me this morning kept echoing in my mind.

The guilt she carries is far greater than I could have ever imagined. It’s probably a guilt she could never erase, not even if she spent her entire life trying to.

I want her to be free. That’s what I wish for. But perhaps… that’s a wish that may never be granted.

“…Hasegawa.”

I murmured under my breath, biting my lip.

“What’s wrong, Nakamura-kun?”

At that moment, someone called out to me. It was my classmate, Kurasaki-san.

“Is the textbook too heavy? Do you want me to hold it for you?”

“Oh, no, no, it’s fine. I’m okay.”

“I see. Well, if you need anything, just let me know. You’re still recovering, so don’t push yourself too hard.”

“Yeah, thanks.”

Ever since I started coming back to school, Kurasaki-san has been the one to check on me every day.

Without a doubt, she’s the one who cares most about me in our class.

We’ve been friendly for a while, but I never expected her to be this considerate. I guess that’s just the kind of kind person she is.

“By the way, the teacher said today that he’s going to return the science test papers.”

“Oh, right… Ugh, I really don’t want to see it… I’m sure I did terribly on this test…”

“Well, it can’t be helped. You were in the hospital for a while.”

“I know, but… sigh… I really need to study harder…”

“…Hey, Nakamura-kun.”

“Yeah?”

“If you want, I could help you with studying.”

“Eh? You, Kurasaki-san?”

“Yeah.”

She said this while wearing a faint smile on her lips.

Kurasaki-san is always among the top-ranking students in our grade. I’ve never seen her rank below 5th place.

She’s not only cute but also kind-hearted and extremely intelligent. It’s almost as if she has no flaws at all.

“C-Could it be okay for someone like me to accept your help, Kurasaki-san?”

To be honest, I was really happy with this offer. I wanted to make some progress in my studies before becoming a third-year student, and I was struggling to catch up with the lessons.

But the thought of having her, the admired Kurasaki-san, teach me directly felt overwhelming.

However, as though she could read my concerns, Kurasaki-san smiled brightly and said, “Of course.”

“If it’s okay with you, I’d like to help you, Nakamura-kun.”

“N-No, don’t say ‘someone like me’… I should be the one thanking you for taking the time to help me…”

“I told you, right? If there’s something you need, just let me know.”

“…Kurasaki-san.”

“When we’re in trouble, we help each other, right? Okay?”

“………………”

I thanked her and bowed properly. Seeing that, Kurasaki-san smiled even more gently than before.

Outside the window, I could see the cherry tree, its branches heavy with many buds.

“We’ll be third years soon.”

“Yeah, time really does fly. Just a while ago, I was so nervous at the entrance ceremony.”

“Hehehe, yeah.”

“Soon, our high school life will only have one more year left… Youth really is fleeting, huh?”

“…Hey, Nakamura-kun.”

“Yeah?”

She looked at me, her eyes narrowing, and said.

“I hope we’re in the same class again next year.”

“………………”

I felt an indescribable sense of bashfulness in my chest, and softly replied, “Yeah, I hope so.”

A faint sound of wind could be heard from outside the window.