“I’m sorry for calling you all at this late hour. But it’s an urgent matter, and I had no other choice.”
I received an unexpected call from Seiya well past dinner time. I was curious as to why I was summoned to what had essentially become Mika’s private office, but upon arrival, I was surprised to find Justice Realization Department head Tsurugi and the head nun of the Sisterhood, Sakurako, already there.
Just a minute after I arrived, when Mine, the head of the Rescue Knights, also gathered, Seiya suddenly brought up a shocking topic. She said that the operation to reclaim Arius, which was scheduled for the near future, needed to start immediately.
At that moment, I realized that this was related to Mika. After all, the fact that Mika wasn’t present here was already suspicious.
Sure enough, I heard that as soon as the betrayal of the Arius Branch students she had just met was revealed, Mika charged into the place alone. I was secretly a little surprised that Mika had such a strong sense of responsibility to go that far for kids she had met only once. This is definitely a compliment.
Well, understanding that Mika has been rather gentle lately makes it not too surprising. This must be her love. When she lost her memory, I only worried about what the future would hold, but the way she’s been acting recently has mostly changed positively, so I’m not too bothered by it.
…No, it would be more accurate to say that I actually like it. Not long ago, I found myself disgusted with the thought, but after opening up to Mika, I’ve been relieved to feel that way less.
However.
“We need to mobilize anyone available right now to head to the Arius Autonomous District. If we don’t, Mika’s life is in danger—”
“Seiya, I feel like I misheard something… Are you joking?”
What is Seiya trying to say? It’s one thing to say Mika is in danger, but her life is at risk? Among everyone in Trinity, the only one who presents a threat to Mika is probably Tsurugi. I have no idea who could be threatening Mika’s life.
“…I wish this were just a joke. The longer we delay, the more we can’t guarantee Mika’s safety. For every minute that our support is late, the chances of Mika making it through tonight safely drop by 10%.”
10%? Not even 1%, but 10%?
That sounds exaggerated to scare us. It’s not realistically possible to finish preparation within the next 10 minutes, and during the journey to provide support, wasting time is unavoidable.
However, the fact that Mika’s life is at such risk that we need to be scared… sigh…
Really… Mika, at this rate, I don’t think I can live much longer because of you.
When you come back, just know that if you do this again, I’ll make you eat roll cake instead. Yes, I will thoroughly educate you so you never pull off such reckless acts again.
…So.
“N-Nagisa?!”
“Nagisa! Are you okay…”
“I need help…”
Please come back safely.
*
…
A hospital room. A T-party exclusive one.
I’ve been here before, thanks to Seiya, but I never expected I’d end up using this room. My body isn’t as stupidly resilient as Mika’s, but I’m not frail like Seiya either.
But what’s this thing sticking in my arm? Is it normal to administer fluids just because I fainted for a bit?
Well, it feels like it wasn’t just a moment; quite a bit of time has passed. Still, seeing Mika sound asleep in the chair next to the bed means things must have gone well while I was out. Considering she returned safely with no major injuries.
Ideally, when Mika comes back, I planned to spend at least a good part of the day lecturing her about whether she was even conscious, reminding her how important she is in Trinity, and whether she thinks of the people who would be sad if she acts recklessly…
…But honestly, those were all just excuses.
What I really wanted to say was something entirely different.
I tried to pull out the catheter in my arm by myself, but it wouldn’t budge easily. If something goes wrong while trying to pull it out, it would only hurt me, so I decided to call in a nurse to have them remove it.
The nurse who entered the room looked puzzled seeing Mika asleep in the chair. Given that we come from different factions, I’m sure some people from T-party are unaware of how close we are.
“Nagisa, is there anything else you need?”
“…chuckles No, I’m fine. You can go now. Thanks for your help.”
“Okay, please call anytime if you need anything.”
After sending the nurse away, I tried moving my arm gently. There was a slight stiffness, but thankfully it faded fairly quickly. Maybe it was just my imagination.
After sitting up, looking at Mika still lost in dreamland warms my heart. Judging by the time, she must have rushed here right after finishing her work. Given that she’s changed into comfy clothes, it seems she may have strayed off for a moment, but I can overlook that.
Anyway, seeing her come all this way worried about me only eases the anger I felt towards her. She’s someone I just can’t hate. Really.
…I wonder if that posture is comfortable for her? Leaving aside comfort, having her neck twisted like that can’t be good for her health.
“Mika, you sure are a handful.”
I grumble as I carefully lift Mika into my arms. I’m not strong enough to say she’s light without sounding insincere, but I can manage this much, I think. Maybe not too many times, though.
After laying Mika back on the bed, I notice the decorations on her wings. Perhaps they’re marks from all the hard work she did last night; tiny scratches and even some breaks have appeared. I decide to toss the spare ones I have at home, so I carefully remove them one by one.
If she complains later, I’ll definitely have to buy a few new ones, but that also seems like a good excuse to spend more time with Mika. Lately, she’s been so busy that we haven’t spent much time together.
Every time my hands brush against her wings, she twitches cutely but doesn’t fully wake up. Though she isn’t as rambunctious as before, her normally lively and outgoing nature has this charmingly subdued side that feels refreshing. chuckles
After removing all the decorations, I gently turn her to lie on her side. If she lies flat, her wings will get stiff.
Then, I lie down opposite Mika and gaze at her. It’s not a big bed, but there’s just enough space for two girls to lie side by side.
I can’t really explain why I decided to lie back down on the bed. I think I just felt like it.
“…Mika?”
I gently reach out and tuck a strand of Mika’s hair behind her ear. I wonder when the distance between us became so naturally accepted. No, what makes me want to keep getting closer?
…That’s right.
It’s a simple enough reason that a fool could understand, but if the fool himself denies it, he will absolutely never know.
Yes, until now… until just a moment ago, that’s how I felt.
“Mika, what should I do? I shouldn’t feel this way… I know I shouldn’t.”
One day, due to your memory loss, I realized you were a far more precious presence to me than I had ever thought.
I had always been the more mature one in our relationship, but you began to show a mature side as well, which inadvertently drew me in.
With that playful side I used to adore still intact, along with your newfound kindness, I can’t help but think…
Perhaps I, Kirihouji Nagisa, have come to like Misono Mika,
“I… think I might actually like you…”
It seems that I have come to like you.
I hope Mika didn’t hear the whisper of my thoughts, yet I also secretly wish she had. With a mix of those opposing feelings, I place a hand over my racing heart and let out a soft sigh.
Finally, having faced my true feelings, I feel like I might be caught the moment I make eye contact with Mika.
But even if I’ve come to understand my feelings, nothing will change immediately.
No, it can’t change.
If this relationship were to fall apart because of one mistake of mine, I truly wouldn’t know how to deal with the aftermath.
If I want to attempt to change our relationship from merely friends, I must be prepared to face the backlash of failure. Otherwise, I should approach it with the determination to succeed.
It feels a bit odd to say this, but I believe I’ve lived a life closer to success than failure. I have more memories of achieving what I wanted than failing to get what I sought. So, I will not entertain the thought of failure this time.
As I place my hand over my cheek, feeling my flushed face heat up, I calm my emotions, ensuring Mika doesn’t notice the changes I’ve undergone.
I might just be a coward. I lack the courage to confess the overflowing feelings I have at this moment.
But having recognized my feelings, it’s clear our relationship will eventually change, one way or another. While I may lack the courage to confess now… Is it not possible to make you like me a little more?
They say the beginning is half the task, and there’s still plenty of time. So, please wait for me. Until I gather the courage, shy as it may be, to confess my feelings to you.
“Yawn… Huh? Nagisa…?”
“Did you sleep well, Mika?”
Yes, there’s still time. chuckles
