ただそんなこと願うんじゃなくて哀しみや涙も 全部受け止めたい
"I don't only wish for that,But for sorrow and tears, too - I want to take it all in."
Before Aika knew it, night had turned into morning. She stirred awake and looked down, realizing Murayama was no longer resting on her lap. Instead, she found herself covered by a blanket, and beside her lay her favorite breakfast bread and a small note.
The note read: Thanks for patching me up last night. Meet me on the roof before you head back to Sannoh. We need to talk.
– Yoshiki
Aika blinked, rubbing the sleep from her eyes as confusion clouded her thoughts. What does he want to talk about? she wondered. Is he kicking me out of Oya?
She glanced at the time on her phone, realizing she had to hurry if she wanted to have enough time to cover up her bruises from the fight. The last thing she needed was for her brother to freak out. After gathering herself, she made her way toward the stairs that led to the roof.
The roof of Oya Koukou was her sanctuary, a place where she found solace amid the chaos of the school. Broken furniture, filing cabinets, and old desks were scattered around, making it the perfect hangout for the hoodlums that often gathered there. But today, it was just Murayama, seated casually on a filing cabinet, his eyes distant as the cold winter breeze tousled his hair.
Aika hesitated for a moment, watching him. He looked so different in the early morning light, almost like a superhero—her superhero. To her, he always had been, ever since that day years ago when he saved her. But now, he seemed even more distant, hard to reach.
Taking a deep breath, she walked over to him. "I got your note," she said, her voice steady but tinged with worry. "What did you want to talk about?" Her stomach churned as she braced herself for the worst.
Murayama remained silent for a few moments before finally speaking. "I'm sorry about the other day," he said quietly, his eyes not quite meeting hers.
Aika blinked in confusion, not sure if she had heard him correctly. "Huh?" was all she could manage.
"At the batting center," Murayama clarified, his voice still soft.
Her confusion deepened. He's apologizing? She shook her head, trying to make sense of it. "But I'm the one who said so many horrible things. I thought you were kicking me out—I mean, you should kick me out." She lowered her gaze, ashamed of her outburst from the other day.
Murayama chuckled, the sound light and unexpected. "Kick you out? Why would I kick you out?" He leaned back slightly, crossing his arms. "You make one hell of a nurse. Having you around saves us some annoying trips to the hospital."
Aika smiled despite herself, but her heart still felt heavy. She opened her mouth to say something, but he interrupted her, his tone more serious now.
"It's okay, though," he continued. "What you said... I needed to hear it. You weren't wrong. And I'm sorry you got hurt. I won't let that happen again."
"Don't worry about it," she said, trying to reassure him. "Fighting's in my blood. Some cuts and bruises are just part of the package." She tried to laugh it off, her hand instinctively brushing over her own bruised ribs. "Besides, don't the bruises make me look badass?"
Murayama shook his head with a smirk, but his eyes softened. "You really are something else," he muttered, but before she could respond, he reached into his pocket and pulled out something small. A butterfly-shaped locket.
Aika's breath hitched as she recognized it instantly. It was hers—the one she thought she had lost long ago.
"Thanks for this," Murayama said, holding it up between his fingers.
YOU ARE READING
Fuyu Monogatari
Fanfiction. Abandoned as a child Aika was taken in by Cobra's family but basically raised by Kohaku of Mugen since he was the one who found her. She has a passion for martial arts and even though she could have graduated top of her class she didn't want to gi...
