Chapter 26 Please, Give Me His Warmth 3 (Hatsune's Perspective)

Please, Give Me His Warmth 3 (Hatsune’s Perspective)

“Sniff… I-I’m sorry…”

Finally regaining my composure, the first thing I did was apologize to him.

For worrying him, and… because I think I said something really rude to him…

But he didn’t seem to mind at all. Instead, he made a rather surprising suggestion.

“I… I have a suggestion.”

“A suggestion…?”

“Yes…”

“I-It’s just an idea, but… what if you pretended to move somewhere far away and stayed here instead…?”

It was already more than enough that he stayed by my side for the night, and yet, he went so far as to say something like that…

“Ah, um, that suggestion makes me really happy, but… are you sure? Won’t it be a burden on you…?”

My guilt for imposing on him clashed with my yearning for the miracle of having someone willing to stay with me—someone like me, “the daughter of a criminal.” In the end, I just blurted out those words.

“I-I’m okay with it…”

“Ah… Y-Yes…!”

It felt like a dream.

To be accepted… It’s truly a miracle…!

After that, I moved my futon and belongings from my room, and I ended up sleeping side by side with him… with Naoe-kun.

Haha… now that I think about it, I’ve never been alone in a room with a man before, let alone talked to one this much. I was so overwhelmed that I didn’t even consider such things at the time…

And it was at that moment that I learned something.

The name Naoe Yuuta… belongs to the most wonderful boy in the world.

“Haha… it’s only been a week, but so much has already happened…”

Watching Naoe-kun’s peaceful sleeping face beside me, I couldn’t help but smile.

Ever since I started living with him in this room, every day has been filled with happiness.

The life I’d been leading for the past two years felt like a lie. My heart is now completely filled with thoughts of Naoe-kun.

The days of holding my breath in the dark are gone. Now, turning on the lights and watching TV has become a normal part of life.

Meals that once felt lonely and flavorless are now shared with Naoe-kun, who enjoys them so much right in front of me.

He even said my messy, unkempt hair was pretty.

“No… if I keep thinking about it, there’ll be no end, and besides, I can’t stop grinning just remembering it all…”

Of course, even I have selfish motives when it comes to living with Naoe-kun.

I even grew my hair out into a slightly longer bob because I thought he’d like it.

When cooking, I try my hardest to figure out his preferences and plan meals that would make him happy…

Because… I don’t want to give up this life.

Because I don’t want to be apart from him.

Even today, while our original goal was to buy what we needed, he insisted on treating me to lunch at a fancy Italian restaurant and even gifted me that beautiful dress…

And then, on the rooftop observatory, he suggested I try attending university lectures with him…

“Haha… with days like these continuing, how could I not end up crying…!”

No, no… I can’t. Just thinking about it makes me tear up again!

I wiped my tears with my arm and turned to look at Naoe-kun once more.

Hey… why are you so kind?

Hey… why did you accept someone like me?

I… can’t give you anything in return.

I… have only caused you trouble.

That’s exactly why.

“…Yeah. I have to be ready for it.”

Someday, I’ll have to prepare myself to say goodbye to Naoe-kun.

Those people will find me again.

I know he doesn’t care about that, and I know he’s worried about me.

But… I don’t want to cause him any trouble.

Because.

“…He’s the most important person in my world.”

It’s only been a week.

Maybe I’m the easiest person to please in the world.

But… even so.

I can’t help but cherish Naoe-kun.

That’s why, when the time comes…

“I’ll disappear from his side.”

But… at least… at least until then, let me stay by his side.

Please, give me his warmth.

With that wish in my heart, I buried my face in the futon and cried, muffling my voice.