Chapter 240: A Wish from Ai

A Wish from Ai

After parting ways with Furuta-san, I made my way home beneath the deepening twilight.

A faint heaviness settled in my chest. But even so, my path forward was finally clear.

When I arrived, Ai-san was already waiting for me.

“You’re late.”

Her voice carried a thread of concern. Though the storm of bullying had begun to quiet, it was only natural she would worry if I came home too late.

“Sorry. I ran into someone I know, and they stopped me for a bit. I ended up listening to their story. Did I keep you waiting long?”

Ai-san shook her head, a gentle smile softening her features.

“That’s fine. I really didn’t wait long. Maybe thirty minutes or so. I asked the two of them to hold off on making dinner, so it wouldn’t get cold before you got home.”

My mom had been keeping an eye on Ai-san, inviting her to join our meals so she wouldn’t be left alone. I had also told Ai-san, without hesitation, that she was welcome to stay over anytime she needed.

“Got it. I’ll go call them.”

As I turned toward the kitchen, I felt a tentative tug on the back of my uniform.

“U-Um…”

It was rare to see her so hesitant—it caught me off guard.

“What’s wrong?”

Maybe she had something difficult she wanted to say.

“I’m sorry. There’s something I’d like to talk to you about. Will you hear me out?”

Ai-san had always struggled with relying on others. That was precisely why she worked so hard, polishing her talents to a brilliant sheen—someone truly worthy of respect. She was so steadfast, it was hard to believe she was younger than me. It was one of the many reasons I loved her.

“Of course. Just the fact that you want to talk to me makes me really happy, Ai-san…”

The trust she placed in me warmed my heart.

“Thank you. It’s things like that about you… really…”

Ai-san let out a soft, self-deprecating smile.

“Then… I’m going to let myself be selfish, okay?”

I answered her without even a breath of hesitation.

“Of course.”

Standing before me, she closed her eyes for a brief moment, then lifted them again, gazing straight into mine.

“Please help me. I want to be a real parent and child with my father again. Not this hollow, masked relationship we have now… I want us to be able to laugh together again, like we used to.”

Leaning into my shoulder, she wept as she poured out her heart.

“Please… help me, Senpai.”

There was only one thing I could possibly say to her.

Especially when her father was none other than Uncle Ugaki.

Both Ai-san and Uncle Ugaki were irreplaceable to me. They clearly cared for each other, yet kept missing each other’s hearts. I didn’t want to stand by and watch it happen anymore.

“Of course I’ll help. I’ll do anything I can. I don’t ever want to see you cry again. I want the people I love to be smiling.”

“Thank you… I love you.”

As if the dam of her emotions had shattered, she broke down, sobbing uncontrollably.

Just as she had once done for me, I stayed by her side, silently supporting her. Maybe now, at last, I had become someone worthy of her. I knew all too well the immeasurable comfort of having someone stand beside you when the world felt too heavy to bear. And she wasn’t alone. My mom, my brother—they would all be there for her. Even Uncle Minami would, without question. If we explained things, Takayanagi-sensei and the principal surely would too…

Satoshi and Endo would be there as well.

I pictured the faces of everyone who had reached out to me during the bullying ordeal.

And at the heart of it all—there was always her.

I held my beloved close, with all the strength I had.

In front of the Prime Minister’s Residence. Media Perspective

“Now, regarding the ongoing clash between the Prime Minister and Secretary-General Ugaki that has roiled the political world—there has been a significant development today.”

My voice brimmed with barely contained excitement as I reported the scene.

“Just moments ago, Secretary-General Ugaki entered the Prime Minister’s Residence. It appears they are making final adjustments concerning the controversial bill that sparked their conflict. According to a senior lawmaker I spoke with, it’s expected that Secretary-General Ugaki’s side will be offering something close to a full capitulation… It seems the situation has reached its final stage.”