Chapter 61: Your Turn
#21MotoKanojoYour Turn
“You b🬀🬀tard… What the hell were you trying to do to my Hatsune!?”
Frantically scanning the area around the pond, my eyes finally landed on Hatsune—and just as I feared, Kazuki… No, that sc🬀🬀🬀ag had his filthy hands on her.
And then—
“Yuuta!”
Taking advantage of his momentary shock, Hatsune shoved him away and broke free, sprinting straight into my arms.
“Yuuta… Yuutaa…!”
“Hatsune… Thank god…”
Holding my trembling girlfriend, I gently stroked her hair.
And then—
“Yutaa…!!!”
The sc🬀🬀🬀ag glared at me with pure hatred.
Haa… I should be the one losing my temper here.
“You… To stoop this low… You’re beyond sc🬀m.”
“Shut the hell up! Ever since we were kids, I’ve never liked you! You’ve got nothing special going for you, yet for some damn reason, everyone flocks to you, depends on you! I’m better than you at everything!”
…Huh? What the hell is this guy even talking about?
I’ve never once compared myself to someone like him.
“…Whatever. Yuuta, just sit back and enjoy the show. I’ll be taking my time with her.”
Grinning like an idiot, Kazuki took a slow step forward.
“Hatsune… Now’s your chance. Run.”
I whispered softly into her ear.
“Ahaha… Yuuta, it’s fine.”
“Huh…?”
Seeing her smile so calmly, I let out a dumbfounded sound.
And then—
“YOU… YOUUUU!!!”
Suddenly, from the bushes, Mushakoji-san leaped out, her face twisted in fury!?
Wait—why is she even here!?
“Wh-!? H-Hey!? Let go of me!”
While I was still reeling from shock, two burly men in suits appeared out of nowhere and restrained that sc🬀🬀🬀ag!?
“Eh…? W-What? What’s going on?”
My mind couldn’t keep up. I was completely lost in confusion.
“Haha… Well, I can’t blame you for being surprised, Yuuta.”
“Ahaha… Yeah, no kidding.”
Sasaki-senpai and Kinoshita-senpai stepped out from the bushes as well, giving awkward smiles.
“Ahaha… Sorry? The truth is…”
Hatsune then began to explain everything in detail.
Apparently, ever since it was decided that she would be visiting my hometown—this very town—she had been dead set on bringing judgment upon Hiyori and Kazuki.
So, she had enlisted the help of Sasaki-senpai, Kinoshita-senpai, and Mushakoji-san to set a trap.
…So that’s why Mushakoji-san came along for my trip home.
“…So basically, every time you ran into those two, you deliberately provoked them to build up their resentment, then lured this sc🬀🬀🬀ag to a secluded spot where everyone was lying in wait, creating a situation where you’d be alone so he’d try to attack… Is that about right?”
“…Yeah…”
Unable to withstand my gaze, Hatsune lowered her head.
But… This was her fault.
“Hatsune.”
“Y-Yes…?”
“Why would you do something so dangerous!? What if something had gone wrong? You could’ve been seriously hurt!”
“I-I’m sorry…”
My sharp tone made Hatsune shrink back, looking completely dejected.
“Listen to me. I don’t care about those two at all. The only one who matters to me is you. I appreciate that you did this for my sake, but more than that, this is not okay!”
“O-Okay… I’m really sorry…”
Then, she started crying—silent, heartbreaking tears streaming down her cheeks.
Honestly… Hatsune…
“…Promise me you’ll never do anything like this again.”
“Y-Yeah… Yeah…! I won’t do it again! I’m sorry! I’m so sorry…!”
The moment I pulled her into my arms and whispered those words, she broke into full-blown sobs.
“Come on now, Yuuta. Hatsune-chan only did this because she—”
“Senpai, you too. Why didn’t you stop her? Why did you even go along with this?”
“Ugh… W-Well, you see…”
“A-Ahaha… Yuuta-kun, calm down…”
Calm down? How the hell was I supposed to just let this slide? What if something had happened to her?
“Naoe-kun, do you really think I would let Hatsune-senpai do something reckless?”
“…What are you talking about? If I hadn’t stepped in when I did, Hatsune would’ve been hit by that b🬀🬀tard. Do you realize that?”
“Ugh… W-Well…”
My sharp words made Mushakoji-san take a step back.
Seriously…
“…So, Mushakoji-san, what are you planning to do next?”
“I-It’s obvious, isn’t it? We recorded everything that just happened, and we have more than enough evidence. The only thing left to do is turn him over to the police.”
Well, that’s the logical conclusion.
Someone like him deserves to be punished by society.
“Of course, I don’t intend to let it end there. I’ll make sure he can never set foot in this town again.”
Regaining her composure, Mushakoji-san smirked wickedly as she spoke.
Yeah… She’s definitely not going to show any mercy.
“Sniff… Yuuta…”
Hatsune looked up at me with wet, glistening eyes.
“…Alright. Then this matter is over. From now on, let’s just enjoy the Sakura Festival for what it is.”
“Ah… Y-Yeah!”
When I smiled and said that, Hatsune’s face lit up, her radiant smile finally returning.
“But before that…”
I stepped in front of the sc🬀🬀🬀ag, still pinned to the ground, groaning in pain.
“Too bad for you. This time… it’s your turn… to run away from this town…”
After delivering that final message, I took Hatsune’s hand and walked away, heading back to the Sakura Festival grounds.
This was the end of it. From now on, we could finally move forward.