You Came with the First Spring Breeze... - Episode 6: The Beginning of the End

Episode 6: The Beginning of the End

I didn’t want to go home yet. I wanted to be with him a little longer. I wanted to stay together forever, but I couldn’t bring myself to say it.

On the main street, Tomoya raised his hand, and a taxi pulled up quickly in front of him. The rear passenger door opened automatically, and after he got in, I slowly followed.

Tomoya told the driver my home address. The driver, accustomed to this routine, gave a quick reply and started the car.

He leaned back in the seat and looked out the window, as if lost in thought. I nestled close to him, resting my head on his shoulder. In response, he pressed his cheek gently against my head.

Yet, I still couldn’t bring myself to say I didn’t want to go home.

My phone vibrated in the pocket of my skirt, indicating a message had come in.

He casually pulled out his phone, checked the screen, and put it back into his pocket.

“Shouldn’t you check that?” I asked.

“It’s just a LINE message,” he replied briefly with a small smile.

A baseless anxiety started to gnaw at me. Who was the LINE message from? Could it be from Mita? Could he have sent that adult video link?

I felt so uneasy that I couldn’t find words to speak.

In about ten minutes, we arrived at my apartment.

“Well, goodnight.” Tomoya gently kissed my forehead.

“Would you like to come up for a bit? I could make some tea?” I invited him, but he shook his head.

“Tonight was exhausting for you too, Na… ah, sorry. I mean, Aki.”

It was too late for him to correct himself. How could he mess up my name like that?

Still, I forced myself to laugh.

“You’re such an idiot! That mistake is the worst. As punishment, bring me a chocolate croissant from the station tomorrow!” I teased.

Am I smiling well enough?

“I’m really sorry. I’ll bring you a hundred chocolate croissants,” he said, closing his eyes tightly and putting his hands together in front of his face in a pleading gesture.

“Alright, I forgive you. Goodnight.” “Goodnight.”

It’s okay. I’m smiling.

After I got out of the taxi, the door slowly closed as if reluctant to leave. The car pulled away without hesitation, and once it was out of sight, I turned towards the apartment entrance.

With a deep sigh, I looked up at the night sky. Countless stars twinkled above, almost within reach, and I couldn’t move from that spot.

Why hadn’t I thought to gaze at this sky with Tomoya? I wanted to look up at it with him.

Tears quickly welled up, distorting my view. Before they could fall, I brushed them away with my fingers and took a step forward. Then, I stopped.

A small voice called out, “Meow…” It sounded like the cry of a kitten, barely able to meow properly. I looked around, but I couldn’t see anything.

“Kitty? Are you there?” I called softly as I looked around the shallow steps by the entrance. There, a fluffy gray bundle appeared.

It raised its little face to me, its yellow eyes shining in the darkness. It didn’t seem afraid of humans, maybe because it had been around them before, or perhaps it was still too young to know fear.

When I knelt down and called it over, it waddled toward me. The tiny kitten fit perfectly in my hands.

As I held it, it gazed up at me, making feeble “mew” sounds.

“Are you hungry?” I asked.

When I brought my finger near its mouth, it began to suckle, and it lightly clung to my skirt, as if saying, “Don’t leave me.” It was so adorable and precious.

Luckily, pets were allowed in my apartment.

“Would you like to be my little one?”

At that, the kitten closed its eyes and meowed firmly, as if agreeing.

“Good kitty. Let’s go home,” I murmured, holding it close to my chest and standing up.

First, I’d bathe it, then give it some milk. I’d need litter, a dish, and some cat food—what kind would be best?

The loneliness and anxiety from earlier vanished, replaced by the joy and excitement of my new companion. Walking lightly, I passed through the entrance, took the elevator, and pressed the button for the fifth floor.

The building was quiet, everyone sound asleep at this hour.

I took out my apartment key from my bag.

The elevator soon arrived, and as I stepped out…

I froze in shock.

A broad-shouldered man with short hair and a garish shirt was standing in front of my apartment door. I recognized him all too well.

Mita.

“Kept me waiting too long,” he sneered, turning to face me.

“What are you doing here? Go home,” I said, clutching the kitten close to my chest protectively.

He approached me, ignoring my words like a beast that didn’t understand language.

“No… stop…”

My pleas fell on deaf ears.

Mita grabbed the back of my shirt roughly and yanked me toward the door, slamming me against it. There was a loud crash, but the kitten remained unharmed, looking up at me in innocent confusion.

“Hurry up and open the door,” he demanded.

Leaning against the door, I shook my head.

“Go away.”

My whole body trembled. If I screamed loud enough, would someone call the police? At the very least, I hoped someone might hear and come out.

But no one came; the silence remained unbroken.

Mita’s large hand reached for me.

Fearfully, I shut my eyes tightly. In that instant, the warmth of the kitten in my arms vanished, and I heard its desperate cries growing louder. When I opened my eyes, I saw the small shadow scurry across the hallway.

Mita had thrown the kitten.

“Noooo!”

I hurriedly looked over the edge but couldn’t see anything in the darkness below. My heart pounded painfully as I crouched down, desperate.

Please, someone help that little one.

The key I had been holding clattered onto the concrete floor. Mita picked it up.

All my strength drained away, and I couldn’t even muster the will to resist.

Effortlessly, he dragged me inside as he unlocked the door.

End of Chapter 2

To be continued in Chapter 3