I Risked My Life To Save The Cheeky Girl, And As A Result, I Lost My Right Arm. - Chapter 16.3: The Flames Of Love Under The Torrential Rain. —3

The Flames Of Love Under The Torrential Rain. —3

“At first glance, he looked like he had no expression, but his gaze was vacant. It was the first time I had seen such eyes. They had the color of someone who was truly despairing of everything.

He was biting his lips lightly, and there were faint wrinkles on his brow. Because his expression wasn”t a wide grimace, it made it all the more clear… that the emotions he had been hiding inside were becoming too much to control.

Drops of water were falling from his bangs. His face was soaked, with water dripping from his chin.

Some of those drops might have been tears, not just rain.

“…Kurasaki-san.”

Nakamura-kun called my name with a hoarse voice.

“I’m fine, don’t worry about me.”

“What?”

“The idiot who forgot the umbrella has to get wet and go home. If I made a mistake, I should clean it up myself…”

Nakamura-kun’s words were unusually sharp. Still, I managed to say to him:

“No, you don’t have to push yourself that hard. If you catch a cold, everyone… I’ll worry about you.”

“…”

“I understand wanting to take care of things yourself, but… I think it’s okay to rely on others sometimes.”

“…”

“See? don’t be so stubborn. I’ll let you in under the umbrella.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Huh?”

Nakamura-kun clenched his teeth. Then… he yelled, in a way that was nothing like his usual gentle self.

“You don’t understand how I feel, Kurasaki-san!!””

“………………”

“Stop it already! Leave me alone! It”d be better if I weren”t even here!! Every single time, I’m just a bother to everyone, and I should just die!”

“…!”

“I’m always clumsy, useless, and unreliable when it matters most!! I”ve always had this kind of personality, but now that I”ve lost my arm… I have no way to live except by being a burden to others!!”

“………………”

“I’m nothing but someone who gets in the way and distorts everyone’s lives! I’m just an obstacle to everyone, nothing more than a hindrance!!”

“………………”

“Do you understand how I feel!? Of course, you don’t understand!! Then don’t come near me!! don’t try to care for me!! How could someone with two arms understand my feelings—!!”

…ZAAAAAA…

Nakamura”s scream was so intense that it seemed to drown out the sound of the rain.

He was breathing heavily, trying to calm down.

“………………”

As time passed, he seemed to settle down, his expression now filled with remorse as he furrowed his brow. Looking down, he whispered, “Sorry.”

“Nakamura-kun…”

“I’m sorry, Kurasaki-san… I really am…”

“………………”

“I said terrible things to you…”

“………………”

“You were only worried about me, and yet I…”

“………………”

“It’s really just me lashing out. I took all my frustration out on you, Kurasaki-san. Damn it, I really am the worst…”

He knelt down where he was, lowering his face. Then, with all his strength, he gripped the empty right sleeve.

“Damn it, damn it, damn it…”

“………………”

“I don’t know… I don’t know what to do anymore. I don’t know what I’m supposed to do…”

“………………”

“Someone… someone…”

Help me.

“………………”

I crouched down to match his line of sight.

Then, I set the umbrella aside and tightly embraced him.

“…Eh?”

“………………”

“Kurasaki-san…?”

“………………”

I pulled away slightly and gently placed my hands on his cheeks, looking at his face intently.

Ah, what kind of eyes is he showing?

Sadness, anger, pain, hatred—everything is reflected in those eyes.

No, no, no.

Right now, I really want to kiss Nakamura-kun.

I want to kiss him, embrace him, and then push him down right here.

I want to press my body to this pitiful boy’s, completely.

“………………”

“………………”

We silently gazed at each other, not saying anything. We just looked, confirming that the other person was there.

ZAAAAAA…

The rain relentlessly soaked us, but my heart was burning with an intense heat. It felt like a blazing fire within my chest.

Ah, this is love.

There’s no doubt about it. There’s no need to question it. No need to think it over.

Without a doubt, this is love.

I want to love this person who has fallen apart. I want to show him all the kindness I can.

I want to make him feel warmth. I want to make him feel a comforting sense of tenderness.

I want to guide him to happiness… with my own hands.

That thought keeps racing through my mind.

“Nakamura-kun…”

When I opened my mouth, rainwater poured in, but I didn’t mind it at all.

“Your life, I will “fix” it.”

“Huh…?”

“Even if life becomes distorted, I’ll be here with you, to fix it. I’ll never let you be broken.”

“Kurasaki-san…”

“I will definitely help you. I’ll make sure, without fail, that you never cry again.”

“………………”

“I’ll always be here by your side.”

“………………”

ZAAAAAA…

The rain poured down on us without end.

It felt as if the sky were crying in our place.