It only took a smile - Chapter 4- I will protect her

From what Naoto had gathered, Mayuri hadn’t hesitated when she divorced Kenji.

The moment she discovered the truth of his work—the inhumane experiments he had been involved in—any trace of trust she once held had shattered.

And yet, when it came to their daughter… the former couple clung to one another, their tears falling in silence.

“Everything will be fine… I promise you, Mayuri.” Kenji’s voice was steady, though his eyes glistened with unspoken grief.

The woman—late thirties, her long green hair disheveled from trembling hands—buried her face into his chest, her voice breaking into sobs.
“I can’t bear it anymore, dear… seeing Chihiro force herself to look so brave, so unwavering… every time I see her like that, my heart feels like it’s being torn apart!”

Kenji gently stroked her back, his hand moving with painful tenderness. “It hurts me too, Mayu. But don’t lose hope—her suffering is about to end.”

At those words, Mayuri’s sobs halted. Her body jolted faintly, and slowly, she turned.

Her tear-streaked gaze landed on the young man sitting across from them—silent, unmoving, his eyes unreadable.

“Who…is he?” Mayuri asked, her voice hesitant.

For someone who looked no older than her daughter, the boy’s presence carried an unnerving weight. His composure, his silence—it intimidated her far more than she wished to admit.

“He is… Naoto,” Kenji replied softly. “The same child I saved back then.”

Mayuri’s eyes widened. “Ah… you…”

Naoto broke the silence, his tone calm yet resolute. “Please don’t worry, Mayuri-sama. I understand the situation clearly. From this point on, I will protect Chihiro-sama.”

For a moment, Mayuri could only stare. He was still so young… could someone like him truly carry such a promise?

Kenji, sensing her doubt, added firmly, “We can trust him, Mayu. He was trained by Shiba-kun.”

Her eyes widened even further. “You mean… Shiba Sato-san?!”

Naoto inclined his head slightly. “He is my senior.”

The words struck her like a blow. She looked at the boy—no, the young man—in front of her, her lips trembling. “Just… what kind of life have you been living?”

Naoto’s answer came with a faint smile, one that felt far heavier than it appeared.
“A better life… compared to what I had before Sensei rescued me.”

Her heart clenched painfully. Somehow, that smile concealed things—wounds, memories, experiences—that she feared to uncover.

When children his age should be discovering romance, fumbling through dates, tasting freedom for the first time… Naoto had been forced into a world entirely different. A world no child should ever be forced to gaze upon.

Kenji spoke softly, “Naoto… it’s already July. You won’t be able to get into that school now.”

Naoto answered with steady confidence, “I’ve already made the arrangements, Sensei. Starting tomorrow, I’ll be a student of Sakuramine Gakuen.”

Mayuri’s eyes widened. “That school only accepts two hundred students a year—and only those chosen for their merits.”

Naoto gave her a calm smile. “No one will suspect my sudden arrival. And I’ll make sure Chihiro-sama never learns that I’m there for her sake.”

Turning his gaze toward them both, his tone grew firm. “What I can promise is this—Chihiro-sama will never be mistreated again.”

Mayuri fell silent, her eyes drifting toward Kenji.

The grey-haired man lowered his head, his voice trembling. “If you can truly do that… then I’ll give everything I have as payment, Naoto.”

Naoto rose from his seat and gently placed both hands on the man’s shoulders.

Guiding him to look up, he said with quiet sincerity, “You’ve already given me something I could never repay in my lifetime. Please… allow me to return even a small part of that kindness, this time.”

Kenji’s heart grew heavy at Naoto’s words.

Mayuri, too, felt a faint warmth stir within her chest. Perhaps… perhaps her daughter would no longer have to endure the same pain and suffering.

Just then—

*Ding* *Dong*

The sound of the doorbell cut through the quiet, making both Mayuri and Kenji tense in panic.

“It must be Chihiro!” Mayuri exclaimed as she hurriedly stood up.

Naoto, however, remained calm. “You can cover for him today, can’t you? After all… today is Mayuri-san’s birthday.”

Mayuri froze, blinking in surprise. In all the commotion, she had completely forgotten about it.

Kenji, on the other hand, hadn’t. He had remembered and even brought a small gift. Slowly, he gave Naoto a firm nod.

Naoto smiled faintly. “Then, I’ll take my leave.”

Without another word, he walked into the kitchen. To their shock, he pulled open the tall window—seven feet above the ground—and slipped through it effortlessly, landing with the silent grace of a cat.

“Eh…” Mayuri let out a strange sound.

Before she could catch her breath—

*Ding* *Dong*

The bell rang once more.

Outside, Naoto blended into the shadows of the lawn, moving swiftly toward the wall. Just as he prepared to leap over it, his eyes drifted toward the entrance.

There she stood—a smiling girl, radiating innocence.

Naoto’s gaze softened.

‘I hope… we can get along, Chihiro-sama.’

******

A/N:- Thanks for reading.