I Risked My Life To Save The Cheeky Girl, And As A Result, I Lost My Right Arm. - Chapter 17.1: The Love Stories of Young Girls. —1

The Love Stories of Young Girls. —1

I arrived at Senpai’s house just a little past 4:30 in the evening.

Senpai must already be home, I thought. Without hesitation, I headed straight to his room and opened the door.

“Sorry, Senpai. The bus got delayed because of traffic…”

I spoke, assuming he’d be there—but when I looked more closely, the room was empty.

At first, I wondered if he might be in the bathroom, but the lights in the room were off. Besides, his bag and uniform weren’t there either. There was no trace that he’d returned home at all.

“That’s strange… Senpai should’ve gotten back before me.”

Could it be that my bus had arrived earlier than his? No, that didn’t seem likely. It wasn’t like we were taking express trains or anything. For buses running on the same route, it’s hard to imagine the order reversing.

Maybe he got off the bus for some errand? But I hadn’t heard him mention any plans for today…

(Could it be… that something happened to him? Did he get caught in some kind of trouble…?)

Anxiety began to swell in my chest, each wave heavier than the last.

I pulled my phone out of my bag with shaky hands and dialed Senpai’s number.

Ring-ring, ring-ring.

Ring-ring, ring-ring.

Ring-ring, ring-ring.

With every ring, my uneasiness deepened. That familiar anxiety in my chest was quickly turning into fear.

Thud. Thud. Thud.

I could feel the sound of my heartbeat pulsing from deep inside me, growing louder, more insistent with each passing moment.

Soon, the pounding was so intense, it felt as though my heart would burst out of my chest.

“I’m sorry, the person you are trying to reach is unavailable right now.”

When the lifeless voice of the automated response reached my ears, I thought I might collapse. My heart felt like it was going to tear me apart.

(No… this can’t be happening… S-Senpai…)

Thump, thump, thump, thump.

(What do I do? This is all my fault… It’s because I left Senpai’s side…)

Thump, thump, thump, thump.

(I should never have left. Forget the commuter pass—I should’ve just paid the extra 1000 yen to stay on the same bus as him…)

Thump, thump, thump, thump.

(No, no, no… Please, Senpai… Senpai…)

Tears welled up in my eyes.

I gripped my phone tighter with trembling hands, frantically dialing his number over and over again.

And all I could hear was that unchanging ringtone, playing endlessly as I curled my shoulders in dread.

“………………”

My heart felt like it was about to burst from the pain.

So many thoughts were racing inside me—too many to handle. It was overwhelming.

If something really happened to Senpai, what kind of face would I make when I had to face him mom and dad?

Why am I even living at Senpai’s house if I can’t be of any help?

When it matters the most, I’m completely useless.

When it matters the most… when it matters the most…

“I’m sorry, the person you are trying to reach is unavailable right now.”

“…Guh… guh…”

Even on the second try, Senpai still didn’t answer.

Tears spilled from my eyes, dripping onto the floor as I scratched my head with trembling hands, desperately trying to think.

(No, no, no… what do I do, what do I do, what do I do…?)

If something really happened to Senpai, I want to go and save him immediately. But I don’t even know where he is. Without knowing that, I can’t just leave the house and run around aimlessly.

My panicked mind couldn’t think of anything else to do except call him over and over and over again, like a broken record stuck on repeat.

Ring-ring, ring-ring.

Ring-ring, ring-ring.

Ring-ring, ring-ring…

The cold, mechanical ringtone pressed down on my chest, suffocating me.

My head was a mess, and my vision blurred so much I couldn’t see anything in front of me anymore.

No, no, Senpai.

Please, I’m begging you. Answer the phone.

Please, please, please.

I can’t bear the thought of never seeing you again.

I want to see you.

I want to hear your voice.

Senpai, I’m begging you.

Please.

—Please, don’t leave my side.

“…Hello?”

“…!?”

It happened during the seventh call. Finally, Senpai answered.

“Ah…! S-Senpai…!”

My voice trembled, and my words refused to come out smoothly. I had so many things I wanted to ask, but the moment I heard Senpai’s voice, my mind went completely blank.

“Sorry, I just realized you were calling me all this time. I only just noticed,” Senpai said.

“N-no! Don’t worry about that…! W-was something wrong!?”

“Oh… I-I just… got off at the wrong bus stop.”

“…You got off at the wrong stop?”

“Yeah, I made a dumb mistake. That’s why I’m late.”

“………………”

“By the way, Hasegawa, are you already home?”

“Yes! I’m in your room right now.”

“Alright. I’m almost back, so wait for me just a little longer, okay?”

“Y-yes, I understand.”

With that, Senpai hung up.

“…Haah~~…”

Finally, I felt the tension that had gripped my entire body start to ease.

My heartbeat began to settle, and I finally had the presence of mind to wipe away my tears.

(Thank goodness… If something had really happened to Senpai—if he’d been in another accident—I don’t think I could have handled it…)

It was just a mistake at the bus stop. I was so relieved, so grateful that he was okay.

(Oh, I should go welcome him back!)

The thought sprang into my mind, and I immediately left Senpai’s room. I walked to the wooden flooring near the entrance.

I sat down there, curling my legs up in a crouched position. I decided to wait for him right here until he came home.

(I look kind of like a dog, don’t I?)

The thought made me smile faintly, even as I sat there, counting the seconds, eagerly waiting for Senpai to return.