My Girlfriend is a Death Row Inmate

Chapter 21 – Overflowing with Life

It might be the first time the term “deathmatch” has been used in air hockey. If the opponent is stronger, they dominate; if weaker, they are dominated. There’s hardly ever an equal level of skill, which is why hockey was considered just a game.

However, Shizuku’s skill was entirely on par. While I could predict her movements almost instinctively, she, too, had a perfect grasp of mine. It was a stalemate. Just when you think you’ve scored, it’s immediately countered. What ultimately decided the match, which began with a ten-point lead, was a momentary lapse in focus.

……Writing this far, it almost sounds like it was a thrilling match that had us on the edge of our seats.

Well, it truly was gripping. The issue was how I let my guard down. I got caught up in her innocent smile the moment of the smash.

“Yatta!”

Shizuku cheered, clenching both fists in delight. Like this, when we’re on a date, she seems just like any ordinary girl. You wouldn’t think she’s someone who can freely control animals or directly break the bones of someone like Misakigawa Yuuna.

But she’s a death row convict. Unfortunately, there’s no changing that.

“It was quite fun. Thanks.”

“Um, I don’t want to sound conceited, but this really felt like a normal date.”

“Is that so? I mean, there’s still the thrill of not knowing when my true identity might be revealed. Or are you the type who can’t be satisfied with just a normal date?”

“No, no! Being normal is a good thing. It’s just that… I like seeing the girly side of Shizuku. That’s all…”

Most people view the world through tinted glasses. Because someone is a man, they must be like this; because they’re a woman, they must be like that; because of their age, they must be this way; because they’re children, they must be like this. This bias knows no bounds. Fiction or reality, it doesn’t matter; they’re all different kinds of tinted glasses. The saying “truth is stranger than fiction” encapsulates it all.

Reality is filled with possibilities beyond our imagination, yet we arbitrarily set limits and deny what seems impossible. What do you call that if not a biased perspective? To be honest, I viewed Shizuku through biased eyes. The label of “death row inmate” inevitably led to that. Even though I deliberately strayed from the path, there was nothing I could do about it. Because I was originally an ordinary person.

Death row inmates are abnormal.

From values to personality to actions, everything is abnormal. There’s nothing we can understand about each other. I don’t care if someone says it’s too late for me to realize that after living together. I love Shizuku, but I feel like she’s still hiding her true feelings from me. While it’s possible that bias influenced my thoughts due to Kusune’s remarks, there wasn’t a single day when I didn’t think there might be something behind that smile.

However, it became clear after this air hockey game. Shizuku Nanagi is not abnormal. She can kill without hesitation, and her sensitivity unmistakably makes her human, despite being able to use special abilities of unknown origin. So I can love her. I want to love her, flaws and all.

Shizuku scratched her cheek, looking embarrassed.

“…To hear you say that again makes me a little embarrassed. But… I’m really happy.”

“Eh?”

We walked away from the air hockey table, aimlessly strolling while observing our surroundings. I could take the lead, but if she’s so curious, it would be more enjoyable to follow her lead. Whether I play against her like before or watch, it’s fun as long as Shizuku is enjoying herself.

“No one ever saw me like that when I was captured. Did they even see me as a human being, with those eyes?”

“Eyes that saw you like garbage?”

“More like a demon than garbage. It was the same in the village where I lived. No one ever saw me like that. It was the first time anyone called me a normal girl… since I was born.”

Shizuku is truly an exceptional person. What kind of village was Tenku Village that they didn’t treat such a beauty as a woman?

“Hey, you—”

Shizuku turned me around and lightly pushed me against the wall. Placing one arm against the wall as if to block my escape, she leaned in close.

“If I were a normal girl. Would it be okay for me to seek normal happiness?”

“…By normal happiness, you mean—?”

“Normal is just normal. Eating what you like, drinking what you like, spending time as you please. Marrying the one you love, having children with the one you love. That’s my idea of normal happiness. I thought no one would forgive me, but…”

My heart was pounding.

What is she hinting at? Am I afraid even though I don’t understand?

No, I’m afraid precisely because I don’t know. This is a game center. There are other people around. Even though we’re in a corner of the room, and even though the crane game serves as a barrier, anyone can see if they try. What does she intend to do in a place like this? If someone… like elementary or middle school students were to see, what excuse would I give?

…Am I expecting something?

“If, by some chance, we can escape from Kusune and the police. At that time… Will you grant me this normal happiness? I’ve wanted it for so long, you know.”

Just as I was about to answer, her index finger gently silenced my lips.

“It’s okay, you don’t have to answer right away. Hehe, I won’t rush your decision like a swindler. Come on, let’s get back in the mood for our date. There are plenty of games I want to play.”

After playing games for a while, Shizuku seemed satisfied, so we left the game center behind us. Of course, we didn’t forget to hold hands. That’s the most important thing.

“So, where should we go next?”

It’s a little past twelve o’clock. Have we been playing for over three hours? I can’t believe how long we’ve been here. It feels like it’s only been an hour, if that. I seem to have completely lost track of time. I don’t even feel tired at all. It’s like I’ve forgotten the concept of fatigue altogether.

“Shall we go for lunch? I’ve got money, so don’t worry about it.”

There’s no need to mention the allowance I received before being labeled a compulsive liar. Money doesn’t lie, after all.

“Yeah, sounds good. Where should we eat?”

“There’s a nice restaurant nearby. Let’s eat there.”

When asked why I’m slightly knowledgeable about certain things, it’s because I’m sometimes dragged along by Terunori. It seemed like he fell in love at first sight with one of the waitresses there, so he kept going to make her remember his face. And because it would seem suspicious if he went alone too often (verbatim), I get taken along occasionally.

Honestly, there’s no deceit or crap there; he just wanted some company. It’s been exaggerated, but if it weren’t for the teasing, my social life would be fairly decent, I think.

“Come to think of it, at home, I’ve only ever had meals with you. This is my first time dining out.”

“Sorry for always serving leftovers or just throwing together whatever I could find.”

“No, it didn’t bother me at all. But this is a nice change. Should we sit facing each other?”

“Huh, why’s that?”

“It seems like you’re quite interested in my body. It’ll make conversation easier, and I bet you’d appreciate it, right?”

Taking advantage of my disclosed affection, Shizuku teases me even at times like this. It’s embarrassing to feel like she sees right through me, but it’s true, so I can’t argue. And rather than being repulsed, she seemed more welcoming, so even if I’m being seen through, there was no choice for me but to “go along” with it.

“…Please.”

“You’re so honest. That’s a good thing, though. That’s why I can’t help but tease you.”

Shizuku smiled teasingly, as if with a sneer. I don’t care even if she was hiding something from me and she’s on death row. I want to believe that this smile alone was not a lie.

No, I do believe it.