"You... love... me..."
"I never thought those words would slip out today. Saying that so suddenly shocked me too."
I nod back silently.
"Ichinose-kun, do you remember the day when we first talked?"
Her words make me recall that day, the day after I broke up with Hanabi. After I cut my hair, I swore to have a fresh start. I remember her bookmark, carried away by the wind; my hand, as I picked it up for her. That was our first conversation.
What did she say? Ah, I remember...
"I've always wanted to talk to you, you know?"
"Huh, why?"
"After school, I'd always see you watering the plants, cleaning the balcony, and other chores. Only a really kind person would do all those things."
Her words then, were they hiding some sort of double meaning? She always wanted to talk to me because she liked me? Of course, I'm trembling as these thoughts stew in my mind. It has to be a lie...
The person I am right now, it's completely different from the gloomy boy with bangs, my past self. Who the hell could love someone like that? Yukishiro-san keeps staring at me, her cheeks turning red. I glare back.
"You're looking at me like you don't believe me."
"Huh? Oh, sorry. But did you really like my past self, the one with the disgusting bangs?"
"Is that a problem? So what if they have long bangs, That won't stop me from falling in love."
"W-well... it's just that it looks disgusting, you can't see my face at all and it makes me look like a ghost."
"I'm sure on the outside, there was not a lot worth writing home about, but I knew that taking a peek inside of you, you were really a kind person through and through. The way you conducted yourself when doing all these trivial tasks, I would always stare at you and think that you were a wonderful person. Before I knew it, I found my heart racing every time I looked at you."
"..."
"Besides that, every time that I've been talk to you more, I've found that I've fallen more hopelessly in love with you."
"I-is that so?"
"Do you have a problem with that?"
"No, no, definitely not!"
She's not a bother at all. Yukishiro-san is such a good person. Her personality and way she conducts herself are beyond cute and I don't hate the fact that she loves me. But the reason for my resistance is because of my own mental state.
For ten plus years, Hanabi has always been putting me down, drilling into my head the fact that I am worthless. Because of that, I'm unable to perceive the fact that someone could fall in love with me. Of course, now that I've removed Hanabi from my life, I want to live a fulfilling life. However, it's hard to remove the mental blocks Hanabi placed upon me so quickly.
"You're definitely not a bother or anything, it's all on my end. It's just that... with Hanabi I think I lost the ability to love. I don't doubt your feelings, it's just I'm not sure my heart is ready for love."
"Then I'll make you believe me."
"Huh?"
"No matter how many times I have to do it, I'll tell you I love you. Nothing will change that. So for now, do you mind if I stay with you a little longer?"
"Yukishiro-san..."
Having Yukishiro-san by my side, I think I can slowly feel Hanabi's chains over my heart slowly start to release themselves.
"If you're fine with it, then it's okay."
As I say that, her cheeks redden and a dainty smile appears on her face.
Wait, I was so caught up in her confession that I forgot the reason I wanted to talk to Yukishiro-san. Of course, it's about Hanabi...
"Yukishiro-san, going back to the stuff regarding Hanabi..."
I know bringing up Hanabi again is a taboo subject, but I need to talk with Yukishiro-san whether she's comfortable or not about it.
"There is a chance we could tell the school about Hanabi. She was the one who instigated the whole incident with Daidouji. She could get a warning, but I wouldn't trust the school if I have to be honest."
Yukishiro-san listens to me intently.
"All things considered, I don't think Hanabi will ever change. However, I'll make sure I get it through Hanabi's thick skull to never hurt you never again,"
"Wait, you don't have to do that? Please just drop it, it's fine."
"You want me to not talk to Hanabi about you?"
"Yes... even if you talk with her, I'm sure she wouldn't stop anyways. Things will probably get worse"
Her revenge against me? Well, I understand where Yukishiro-san is coming from. Hanabi's hatred for me has only grown since then. However, leaving Hanabi alone will only make her bubble up more. I'm sure Yukishiro-san will be involved again.
"Yukishiro-san, Hanabi is dangerous. I'm not sure you understand her power."
"Even so, I'm fine with all of that. As long as I have you by my side, then everything will be okay."
Yukishiro-san hugs me, as if to prove her words. Of course, I'm completely shocked.
As I feel her body heat against mine, I resolve my will. I will do whatever it takes to protect her.
______
Translator's Note: Poor Yukishiro...
"You... love... me..."
"I never thought those words would slip out today. Saying that so suddenly shocked me too."
I nod back silently.
"Ichinose-kun, do you remember the day when we first talked?"
Her words make me recall that day, the day after I broke up with Hanabi. After I cut my hair, I swore to have a fresh start. I remember her bookmark, carried away by the wind; my hand, as I picked it up for her. That was our first conversation.
What did she say? Ah, I remember...
"I've always wanted to talk to you, you know?"
"Huh, why?"
"After school, I'd always see you watering the plants, cleaning the balcony, and other chores. Only a really kind person would do all those things."
Her words then, were they hiding some sort of double meaning? She always wanted to talk to me because she liked me? Of course, I'm trembling as these thoughts stew in my mind. It has to be a lie...
The person I am right now, it's completely different from the gloomy boy with bangs, my past self. Who the hell could love someone like that? Yukishiro-san keeps staring at me, her cheeks turning red. I glare back.
"You're looking at me like you don't believe me."
"Huh? Oh, sorry. But did you really like my past self, the one with the disgusting bangs?"
"Is that a problem? So what if they have long bangs, That won't stop me from falling in love."
"W-well... it's just that it looks disgusting, you can't see my face at all and it makes me look like a ghost."
"I'm sure on the outside, there was not a lot worth writing home about, but I knew that taking a peek inside of you, you were really a kind person through and through. The way you conducted yourself when doing all these trivial tasks, I would always stare at you and think that you were a wonderful person. Before I knew it, I found my heart racing every time I looked at you."
"..."
"Besides that, every time that I've been talk to you more, I've found that I've fallen more hopelessly in love with you."
"I-is that so?"
"Do you have a problem with that?"
"No, no, definitely not!"
She's not a bother at all. Yukishiro-san is such a good person. Her personality and way she conducts herself are beyond cute and I don't hate the fact that she loves me. But the reason for my resistance is because of my own mental state.
For ten plus years, Hanabi has always been putting me down, drilling into my head the fact that I am worthless. Because of that, I'm unable to perceive the fact that someone could fall in love with me. Of course, now that I've removed Hanabi from my life, I want to live a fulfilling life. However, it's hard to remove the mental blocks Hanabi placed upon me so quickly.
"You're definitely not a bother or anything, it's all on my end. It's just that... with Hanabi I think I lost the ability to love. I don't doubt your feelings, it's just I'm not sure my heart is ready for love."
"Then I'll make you believe me."
"Huh?"
"No matter how many times I have to do it, I'll tell you I love you. Nothing will change that. So for now, do you mind if I stay with you a little longer?"
"Yukishiro-san..."
Having Yukishiro-san by my side, I think I can slowly feel Hanabi's chains over my heart slowly start to release themselves.
"If you're fine with it, then it's okay."
As I say that, her cheeks redden and a dainty smile appears on her face.
Wait, I was so caught up in her confession that I forgot the reason I wanted to talk to Yukishiro-san. Of course, it's about Hanabi...
"Yukishiro-san, going back to the stuff regarding Hanabi..."
I know bringing up Hanabi again is a taboo subject, but I need to talk with Yukishiro-san whether she's comfortable or not about it.
"There is a chance we could tell the school about Hanabi. She was the one who instigated the whole incident with Daidouji. She could get a warning, but I wouldn't trust the school if I have to be honest."
Yukishiro-san listens to me intently.
"All things considered, I don't think Hanabi will ever change. However, I'll make sure I get it through Hanabi's thick skull to never hurt you never again,"
"Wait, you don't have to do that? Please just drop it, it's fine."
"You want me to not talk to Hanabi about you?"
"Yes... even if you talk with her, I'm sure she wouldn't stop anyways. Things will probably get worse"
Her revenge against me? Well, I understand where Yukishiro-san is coming from. Hanabi's hatred for me has only grown since then. However, leaving Hanabi alone will only make her bubble up more. I'm sure Yukishiro-san will be involved again.
"Yukishiro-san, Hanabi is dangerous. I'm not sure you understand her power."
"Even so, I'm fine with all of that. As long as I have you by my side, then everything will be okay."
Yukishiro-san hugs me, as if to prove her words. Of course, I'm completely shocked.
As I feel her body heat against mine, I resolve my will. I will do whatever it takes to protect her.
______
Translator's Note: Poor Yukishiro...
