So You’re Telling Me I’m in My Popular Phase!? - Chapter 14: An Unexpected Memory…!?

Chapter 14: An Unexpected Memory…!?

Izumi was kidnapped before.

“Yeah, I remember. So what?”

I answered bluntly.

I want to avoid remembering those days as much as possible.

It must be trauma for Izumi too, and when I recall that time, I get hit with a disgusting, sick feeling.

“A-actually… back then, I was really happy that you saved me, Ryu-kun.”

Saving her is only natural.

No—if anything, I couldn’t save her.

Back then too, and now too.

I’ve always been unable to save Izumi.

“I didn’t save you, though…”

“No. You did save me, Ryu-kun. Both now and back then—you’ve always been saving me.”

Izumi’s face looked gentle, and incredibly beautiful.

When I see that smile, it makes me feel like I’m being rescued, and emotions I can’t put into words race up my throat.

But even if Izumi forgives me, I can’t forgive myself.

That day, I really was relieved—Izumi’s warmth and the feel of her were there, and it made me feel safe.

Even though I was nearby and still couldn’t save her, Izumi ended up with an extreme fear of the outside world.

For the first week, she was scared even of car sounds.

I thought countless times, “If only I’d done it like this back then…”

“You helped me then… and today, too…”

“Trying to help is just natural, isn’t it?”

Trying to help is natural.

It’s obvious.

So please don’t feel indebted to me for something like that.

Because all I did was try—I couldn’t actually save you.

“No, it’s not ‘obvious.’ I was able to be saved because it was you, Ryu-kun. So please… when you suffer, it makes me suffer too. So don’t do something that reckless again. Don’t blame yourself that much.”

So I made her feel scared, and even made her feel sad too, huh.

But, Izumi—

“Even if the same thing happens again, no matter what happens, no matter what they do to me, I’ll save you.”

If it’s to protect Izumi, I’ll throw away my own safety.

Sorry, Izumi—this is just self-satisfaction on my part.

Because if you’re hurting, it makes me sad.

Because if you’re suffering, it makes me feel like I’m tearing apart.

“Hey, Ryu-kun.”

“Hm—…!?”

Izumi’s face came close—right up near mine.

I reflexively closed my eyes, but nothing happened.

After a moment, I slowly opened them, and Izumi was there, smirking mischievously.

“Hey, Ryu-kun—closing your eyes all of a sudden… what did you think I was going to do?”

“What… I mean, you’re the one who was about to—!”

“I was just checking if your injuries were okay, you know?”

Saying that, Izumi stood up and held a hand out to me.

“Come on—let’s reset and go shopping.”

“Yeah… you’re right. Hey, Izumi…”

I took Izumi’s hand and stood up.

“What is it?”

“…No. It’s nothing.”

“Hmmm.”

What I almost said just now—let’s quietly put it away for now.

It feels like it’s still too early for me to know that yet.

After that, we bought the household goods and apron, just like we planned.

We also chatted a bit at a café, and even bought replacement clothes for something that had torn.

Anyway, today was really fun.

Let’s just ignore how sad my wallet looks.

※

“Thanks for today.”

On the way home, I walked Izumi all the way to the front of her house.

“Yeah. You can ask me anytime. I’m free anyway.”

“Okay. And also… that thing… you know.”

Izumi smiled awkwardly.

“That thing… what?”

“The pick-up guys.”

Ah, that.

Was she still worried about it this whole time?

“Sorry, sorry. I forgot because today was fun.”

“Yeah! It was really fun!”

Watching Izumi nod over and over felt weirdly funny, so I ended up resting my hand on her head and stroking it.

“See you.”

“Huh—doing that so suddenly is unfair…”

Alright, time for me to head home too.

I was acting cool in front of Izumi, but honestly, my whole body hurts.

Man… today was seriously rough.

But even more than that, it was fun.

As I walked home at an easy pace, my phone notification pinged.

Oh, it’s from Aki.

So she got lonely without her big brother, huh—what a cute little thing!

When I get home, I’m gonna ruffle her all over!

“Dinner’s already done. Also, you have club tomorrow, so come home early. I hate slackers.”

Um… is there no way I can use these injuries as an excuse to skip club?

Also, wouldn’t the reason you want me home early be because you miss me, and your big brother might get sad if you don’t?

I put my phone back in my pocket and headed home at a light jog.

Carefully saving today’s memories with Izumi in my heart…