Midsumr, late August. In the lazy afternoon, the air conditioner in the room operated quietly, blowing cool air slowly toward the center.
Midsumr, late August.In the lazy afternoon, the air conditioner in the room operated quietly, blowing cool air slowly toward the center.
Dada... Dada...Amidst those tiny sounds.
His body still felt weak. Slowly, he opened his eyes.Before his vision adjusted to the light, he felt a pair of hands adjusting the ice pack on his forehead—Then he saw Ran moving a chair and sitting beside his bed.
"Brother Yoshiki, are you awake? How do you feel?"
"...I don't know. I don't think I'm that dizzy anymore."
"Then let's take your temperature again. Do you want so water?"
"Okay."
Hayashi Yoshiki was quick to accept advice.Ran imdiately got up to get the thermoter.When she ca back, she saw that Yoshiki had taken off the ice pack and was covering his forehead with the back of his hand.
Noticing this, she asked:"What are you doing?"
"It hurts a little... from the ice pack."
"Because it's too cold," the girl replied, flashing a warm, bright smile.Yoshiki took the thermoter, and Ran reached out with a gentle touch, covering his forehead with her soft palm.
...
He didn't say anything.For so reason, Ran couldn't help but sneak a glance at his expression.
It was very quiet.Yoshiki's face was always handso.As a man, his features were delicate. His black eyes sotis appeared deep, but Ran could always catch the warm flicker inside them.
But today, his face was paler than usual.
"37.4 degrees... that's great. The fever has gone down a lot."
"Thank you, Ran."
"Don't keep saying that to , Yoshiki," she pouted cutely.
She unconsciously made a playful expression and said in a clear voice:"Otherwise, I'll never be able to repay you for all the help you've given , no matter how many tis I thank you."
Yoshiki was speechless.But the girl... was actually feeling happy.
I finally helped Brother Yoshiki again...
Two days ago, although her reaction was a little slow, Ran had been very happy when she saw Yoshiki protect her—even if she'd caused him trouble in the end.
We can't always let Yoshiki carry everything alone...
"Have you been reading here?"
"Yeah. I saw a lot of books on your shelf, so I picked one up at random."
Ran looked toward the bookshelf.Detective novels, encyclopedias, biographies... and many books related to psychology.
She found several books specifically about mory.She rembered her mother, Kisaki Eri, once telling her that when she had lost her mory after witnessing Officer Sato being shot, Yoshiki had looked into psychological studies on mory.
At the ti, that had touched her.But today, seeing the thick, annotated books herself, she realized how heavy her mother's words had been.
Yoshiki sat up.His fever was mostly gone, and his head clearer, so he considered getting out of bed.
"Brother Yoshiki?"
"You made drink so much water..."
"Oh, oh!"She blushed.
After finishing up and returning to the living room, Yoshiki noticed that the apartnt looked... cleaner.At that mont, Ran ca out of the room, her pretty face glowing with a smile.
"Brother Yoshiki, is there anything you want to eat? I'll help you make sothing now—"
Before she could finish—
Yoshiki hugged her.
Caught by surprise, she was suddenly in his large, warm arms.
"Y-Yoshiki...?"There was a clear surprise in her voice.
But Yoshiki tightened his grip slightly.Unlike that mont on Koumi Island, his hands now circled her waist and back.It was a firm, full embrace—so close that he could even feel the soft press of her chest against him.
Her whole body was wrapped in his warmth.Afraid to move, unsure what to do, Ran looked at him with watery eyes, flustered.
But Yoshiki was only focused on her lips.And as if testing her, his lips slowly moved closer.
Ran's heart began to pound.So close...
Is he really going to kiss ...?Or... will he stop like last ti...?
Her lashes trembled in panic.In that mont, she lost the ability to think.Under that paralyzing tension—Yoshiki's lips gently brushed hers.
Her eyes widened.
"Mmm..."
With the previous experience of artificial respiration, Yoshiki knew—Now was the ti to strike while the iron was hot.
He gently cradled the back of her head with one hand, soothing her anxiety.
Ran's whole body was stiff.She subconsciously held her breath.
A wave of sha and nervous heat rushed to her cheeks.Her scalp tingled. Her mind buzzed.
Yoshiki gently tasted the moisture and softness of her lips... then pulled away.
"You're so cute, Ran."
Her cheeks were as red as apples. Her eyes, confused and hesitant.
Especially after hearing that, Ran's brain felt like it had short-circuited.
He really kissed ...
She had imagined this mont ever since that night, but now that it had really happened—it felt surreal.
"Brother Yoshiki...?"
"...Did I bother you?"
"I... I don't know—"
"I'm sorry. I couldn't help myself this ti."
Yoshiki leaned toward her ear, whispering:
"Actually... after I gave you artificial respiration, Ran... I haven't been able to sleep."
Thump.
The wave of sha was overwhelming.Ran wanted to escape—her heart was racing. But her body didn't respond.
She lowered her head.Her pulse thundered in her chest.
She didn't know if she was happy or overwheld.All she knew was that she couldn't bring herself to reject Yoshiki.
Emotions tangled in her mind.Though her feet were on the ground, she felt light-headed—like floating.
Yoshiki took the chance to hug her tighter.Seeing her still pretending not to understand what just happened, her head bowed—
He smiled, lowered his head again—
And kissed her, hard.
"Mmm— Mmm—"
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