I'm in a Messed Up Situation that I Couldn't Care More. - Chapter 48 - [Aoi] Unable to Protect What's Important

Chapter 48 – [Aoi] Unable to Protect What’s Important

It was 1:30 am.

Matsui parked the car by the roadside near the university’s main gate.

Koichi stared blankly out the window.

“It’s almost time.”

I checked my watch.

“She told Koichi to come alone to the university’s dojo with the portal.”

My voice trembled slightly.

“If you don’t, she said she would mess with Yamaguchi-senpai’s fate.”

“Yeah, that’s what she said.”

Koichi tightly gripped the straps of his backpack. 

It probably contained the portal.

Koichi got out of the car. 

I and Matsui also went out.

Damn it.

For the past week, we had been desperately searching for Yamaguchi-senpai.

In the end, we had to hand Koichi over to the fake Aoi.

I can’t protect anything important to me…

Unconsciously, my eyes welled up with tears.

I bit my lower lip to stop them from falling.

I won’t let myself cry.

“It’ll be fine. I’ll get Yuuka back from the fake Aoi. 

You two wait here in the car. 

Once Yuuka is released, I’ll tell her that Matsui-san’s car is waiting in front of the main gate. 

So, don’t worry.”

“No, Koichi… The fake AoI is not normal.

She’ll probably tear you to shreds.”

I unconsciously grabbed Koichi’s sleeve tightly.

“I don’t want you to go.”

“I’ll resist. I won’t let her have her way with me.”

“But last time, you got punched and your arm was deeply cut.”

Koichi suddenly lowered his stance so that our eyes were at the same level.

His brown eyes, illuminated by the streetlight, peered into mine.

Koichi placed his hands on my shoulders.

I’m only 153 cm tall, but Koichi is probably over 180 cm.

“Back when we first met, you used to call me a weakling and frequently choke me. 

Now, it seems like you really care about me, and it makes me really happy.”

“Ah… of course! You’re important to Yamaguchi-senpai… Ah!”

Koichi’s face suddenly came closer. 

He kissed me on the cheek.

He pulled away and stared at me intently.

The soft sensation of his lips remained on my cheek.

I felt my head spinning, and my ears turned red.

“Wh… what are you doing? That was a surprise attack, and it’s not good to…”

I covered the cheek he had kissed with my hand.

“Aoi, you’ve been dedicating your life and risking your life to protect Yuuka. 

I learned this during the past week while being with you.

You were desperate to find her because she’s important to you. 

If you’re willing to risk your life to protect Yuuka, then I will also risk my life to protect her.

If that’s what it takes to make you happy.”

“Koichi… No, don’t say that. I don’t want you to go.”

“I have to go. It’ll be fine.”