I'm in a Messed Up Situation that I Couldn't Care More. - Chapter 56: In the Gym Room

Chapter 56: In the Gym Room

“I’m exhausted from walking around so much.”

Aoi said as we strolled through the city.

I looked at my watch.

“It’s just past 10:00 p.m. Five hours until 3:00 a.m.

If we can make it through the next five hours safely, we win.”

“Yeah… that’s right.”

Aoi, looking up at me, had a pale expression.

She must be scared.

And she was probably tired from not sleeping at all and playing out all day.

To be honest, I was feeling dizzy too.

“Aoi, is there anywhere you want to go?”

“I’ve been to all the places I wanted to go.

The amusement park, the aquarium, the movies…

and it was a lot of fun. …Koichi, thank you.”

When she said it like it was our last goodbye, I panicked.

I pulled on Aoi’s hand.

“Then let’s spend the rest of the time alone together?”

—————–

I brought Aoi to the gym.

“This is the place you’re staying at, isn’t it?”

Aoi looked up at the Persona Training Studio Hiruma building.

“Well, we’ve been walking around a lot, and there are chairs here.

We can drink as much hot water as we want. Let’s relax here until the time passes.”

I pulled on Aoi’s hand and got on the elevator to the gym.

——————

“The last time I was here, I was badly injured.

So I don’t remember much.

I didn’t know there were so many muscle training machines in Koichi’s place.”

Aoi pulled the lat pulldown bar with a “Gwi.”

“Wow, that’s heavy.”

“All the machines are set to my weight, so they’re going to be really heavy for you.”

“This is a front for the Travelers to come and go right?

I want to meet the Traveler guide, Hiruma Touko… someday.”

“Hiruma-san has an interesting personality, you know? She always treats me to taiyaki or takoyaki.”

Aoi and I faced each other and drank hot water.

Aoi’s words became fewer and fewer, and eventually, she dozed off.

She fell asleep with her head on the table.

She must be tired.

“Aoi…”

I touched her soft hair.

I picked up Aoi and held her in my arms.

Aoi woke up when I picked her up.

And then she shouted,

“What are you doing!”

But she didn’t move.

She was too tired to resist.

“You’ll catch a cold. I’ll put you on my bed.”

I opened the room door and gently laid her on the bed.

Aoi, still lying on the bed, looked at me intently.

She looked a little anxious, her big eyes fixed on me.

“Aoi… You’re too cute.”

I couldn’t help myself, and I leaned over Aoi.

I kissed her cheeks over and over again.

“Koichi, stop it! Ah… Stop, let go!”

Aoi struggled, so I held her wrists.

“I won’t let go. I’ve reached my limit. I can’t hold back anymore.”

“Uu…”

I held Aoi’s thin wrists and touched her cheeks with my thumbs.

I touched her lips with my fingers.

“Stop it.”

Aoi turned her face away, clearly against the kiss.

“Aoi, I love you.”

I whispered in her ear.

“Koichi…”

Aoi squeezed her eyes shut.