Chapter 38 A Familiar Voice

A Familiar Voice

“…Ah! Damn it.”

Returning to the apartment, I muttered to myself while staring at the graffiti on the door.

If I’d known it would come to this, I should’ve made him clean it up too, instead of just leaving him there.

“Yuuta… I won’t have to go through things like this anymore, right?”

“Yeah… That sc🬀🬀🬀ag who tormented you for two whole years—he’ll never come near you again.”

Of course, there’s no guarantee that another sc🬀🬀🬀ag like Ogasawara Shinji won’t appear someday.

But from now on, I’ll be the one protecting Hatsune. So, it’ll be fine.

By the way, the other idiot who was with Ogasawara Shinji has been thoroughly investigated by Mushakoji-san. Apparently, he’s an old friend from his cram school days.

Honestly, if he were a real friend, he would’ve stopped Ogasawara instead of joining in on his nonsense. But then again, if he’s just another sc🬀🬀🬀ag, I guess that’s too much to ask.

Anyway, starting tomorrow, Mushakoji-san and I plan to deal with him just like we did with Ogasawara Shinji.

Oh, and I’ve kept all of this a secret from Hatsune.

“More importantly, it’s cold. Let’s get inside quickly.”

“Ahaha, yeah! I’ll whip up an extra-special dinner tonight, so look forward to it, okay?”

“Of course!”

With that, we stepped into the apartment.

“Hey… Yuuta.”

“Hmm? What is it?”

“You know… Ever since I met you and started living together with you, my days have been unbelievably happy. And now… after running away for two whole years, everything got resolved so easily…”

Hatsune clung to me, her face buried in my chest as she spoke haltingly.

“It’s all thanks to you, Yuuta. You’re truly amazing…”

“Haha… Though honestly, most of it was thanks to Senpai and Mushakoji-san.”

“No, that’s not true. Sasaki-san, Kinoshita-san, and even Mikoto only acted because you were there.”

As I gave a wry smile, Hatsune firmly shook her head in denial.

“S-So, you see? I might not have anything I can give you right now… but I want to repay you for everything you’ve done for me. Even if it takes my whole life.”

Haha… Seriously, Hatsune, you’ve got it all wrong…

“Hatsune… I told you yesterday, didn’t I? Because you’re here, you’re with me, the emptiness in my heart has been filled, and my feelings for you keep growing stronger every day.”

“Y-Yeah…”

“So, you see… It’s not about repaying me or anything like that. Just like you said before—I’d rather hear you say you want to stay with me forever. That would make me happier, you know…”

I said that with a smile.

And, of course, I added, “I’ll also keep working hard my whole life so you’ll continue to feel that way about me.”

“Ahaha… That’s only natural! You have no idea how much I love you, Yuuta…!”

“Haha, and if we’re talking about that, you don’t realize how much you mean to me or how much I love you, do you?”

As I pulled her closer, I gently ran my fingers through Hatsune’s hair.

Thinking back, I can tell now—this hairstyle is something she’s kept ever since I told her it looked good on her.

“Hey, Yuuta…”

Tears streamed down Hatsune's cheeks as she gazed up at me.

So…

“Mmm…”

I leaned in and gave her a tender kiss.

I kissed her with the hope that she would never have to cry again.

“Haah… Dinner was so delicious today…”

Having finished the omurice we had for dinner, I basked in the lingering satisfaction.

Still… I never imagined Hatsune would draw a heart with ketchup on it.

Maybe she secretly enjoys doing things like that…

“Ehehe. Yuuta, you saved the heart I drew until the very last bite, didn’t you?”

“Th-That’s because… well, it felt wasteful to eat it right away…”

Yeah, I’m in no position to tease Hatsune either.

“By the way, we’re moving this Sunday, right?”

“Y-Yeah…”

That’s right… in sync with Kinoshita-senpai’s move on Sunday, we’re also scheduled to move in.

Apparently, Kinoshita-senpai already spoke to his uncle, the landlord, and got the okay for us to move in.

So, tomorrow, we’ll finalize the contract… but…

“…”

…I need to tell my father and mother about the move.

Haha… But I haven’t been back to my parents’ house even once since coming here, and I haven’t even called them. What should I even say…?

Just then.

—Gyuu

“Hatsune…?”

“Well… you looked like you were having a hard time…”

Ah… Hatsune really is so kind…

There’s no way I can let her worry about something unnecessary like this.

“Haha… Don’t worry, I’m fine.”

“…Really?”

As she peered at me with concern, I gave her a smile.

“Pfft… Ahaha! You’re making a weird face again!”

“Ehh…”

It seems I’m still terrible at faking a smile…

“But… yeah, it’s a gentle and wonderful face… My favorite face in the world.”

“Haha… I see.”

Yeah… For the sake of continuing to spend my life with her, there’s no reason for me to hesitate now.

I’m not the same person I was back then.

“Sorry, I’m going to make a quick call.”

“Ah… O-Okay…”

Stepping away from Hatsune, I put on my sneakers and left the room.

I pulled out my phone and tapped on a number I hadn’t called in nearly two years from my limited list of contacts.

—Ring-ring-ring… Click

[Hello…?]

From the other side of the line, I heard my mother’s familiar voice.