28 - A person who can only be relied on in hard times

As soon as Akane left, the rain poured even harder, leaving me no chance to return to school. I quickly looked for shelter, finding refuge from the downpour inside a bus stop. I then sat on the cold, wet bench, thinking about everything that had just happened.

While waiting for the rain to ease, I drifted off into thought, my eyes focusing on the cars passing by, their reflections shimmering in the puddles.

Akane...

I couldn’t forget the last expression Akane showed me before she walked away.

I wasn’t sure, maybe it was just my imagination, but— her expression just now... It felt as if she had given up to the fate forced upon her, and decided not to run away from it anymore.

Remembering the response I’d given her made me feel more awful, realizing that I might have driven her deeper into despair. I was selfish, prioritizing my own feelings over others.

Her last words echoed in my mind,

"After all, everyone has a role set for them since birth. The troubles I suffer now are just a small part of the role I must fill."

NO. You’re wrong, Akane... No one has a predetermined role. No one has to bear burdens that aren’t theirs to carry. Everyone deserves to live their life as they wish, not according to what others dictate— including you.

"That’s no excuse to give up, Akane-san," I murmured softly, my voice almost drowned by the rain.

The arranged marriage— the situation that has been confining you all this time. Why did you keep all of this from me? Are we not close enough as friends? Aren’t we... Friends..?

And besides, arranged marriages shouldn’t be common in a modern era like this.

But sadly, that doesn’t apply to her. Akane was born into a wealthy family, one that constantly demands her to be perfect— in her demeanor, character, intelligence, even her own future.

They arranged for Akane to marry the son of another affluent family. Of course, I couldn’t ignore the fact that they were doing this to maintain their wealth, ensuring it could still benefit their future generations.

Even so— that’s no justification for her parents to dictate their daughter’s fate like this. YES. I understand they only want the best future for her. But this is NOT the right way.

It’s cruel of them, robbing Akane of her rights as an individual. Everyone deserves to decide their own future.

Even if they’re her parents, it doesn’t give them the right to control her life. Choices about love and happiness shouldn’t be made by anyone else, even if they share the same blood.

I clenched my fist tightly.

Once again, I swore I’d save you, Akane.

No matter what, even if I have to stand up againts your parents. If they still don’t or doesn't want to understand, I’ll knock some sense into their head with something called "logic".

***

Several minutes passed. Through the heavy rain, I spotted a figure of person in the distance holding an umbrella. My heart pounded as I saw someone I could rely on.

If it’s Nagi— maybe he can find a solution to all this..!

"NAGI!" I shouted with all my strength to let him know where I was.

"Ah!" Nagi immediately quickened his pace, relief washing over his face as he heard my voice.

"Yuichi... You’re so far from school. I thought you’d been kidnapped or something. Are you alright..?" he asked, his voice filled with concern as his eyes scanned me from head to toe to make sure I was okay.

"Yeah... But— Akane-san..."

I let out a small sigh, feeling a sudden ache in my chest. "Sorry. Because of me, Akane-san is probably even more hurt than she was."

Nagi stared at me silently for a moment, as if choosing his words carefully. "Well..." He scratched his head awkwardly, giving me a slight smile. "At least you tried, right?"

"HA? It’s not that simple, you idiot!!" I snapped, irritated by his seemingly dismissive response.

"That’s not what I meant." Nagi tried to explain, his expression shifting to something more serious.

"THEN WHAT?!"

Nagi took a deep breath. "Sorry for not being here earlier. I was in the bathroom when it all happened."

"But I did ask Kaito for a rundown of the story. There’s some issue about an arranged marriage between the new student and Akane-san, right?"

I nodded reluctantly, though my anger softened a bit, knowing he had taken his time to find out what had actually happened.

"I appreciate your concern for her, but— this arranged marriage, it’s not something you can handle on your own," Nagi said.

Huh..? So what am I supposed to do? Are you saying I should just stand by, while Akane suffers alone?

I frowned, gritting my teeth. "Then what am I supposed to do?"

"Nothing. Good job. You’ve done what you could."

"I’m sure, even if you have doubts, i'm sure that Akane-san still appreciates your efforts. You showed your concern as a friend, and that’s enough. So now, just leave the rest to me," Nagi added.

My eyes widened. My heart pounded harder than before, and I felt a warmth growing inside despite the cold weather. His words just now... Warmed me up.

Tsk..! Looks like I’ve lost to him in this argument again. Why is Nagi so good at comforting people? And that smile and warmth he always gives me when we talk... If you keep being like this— you’ll make me fall for you even more, you idiot.

Suddenly, Nagi took off his jacket and put it over me.

"Huh..? What’s this for..?"

Nagi patted my head gently, flashing a wide soft smile that left me speechless. "If you get sick, that’d be bad."

I turned away, hiding how red my face had become. "Hmph..."

Without saying much, Nagi handed me his umbrella. "Here, you hold it."

I stood there, watching as he slowly crouched down in front of me, showing me his broad back.

"What are you doing?" I asked, confused by his actions.

"Get on. We’re going back to school," Nagi replied shortly.

"I-I can walk on my own!!" I replied quickly, embarrassed by his offer.

However, his gaze landed on my legs, then he looked back at me with concern. "How are you going to walk with your legs shaking like that?"

Damn it! This is all because you keep making me blush, you idiot!!

I sighed, realizing there was no point in arguing. Without another word, I climbed onto his back, feeling reluctant but left with no choice.

"Don’t you dare to complain if I’m heavy."

Once I was settled, Nagi stood up straight, lifting me effortlessly as if I weighed nothing to him. He began walking back to school while I held the umbrella to shield us from the rain. It was still pouring heavily, but under this umbrella, it felt like we were the only two people in the world.

I had never noticed how broad and strong Nagi’s back was until now. His shoulders surprisingly felt tough— were these muscles was from all the exercise he always bragged about? Without realizing it, I buried my face into his back, trying to hide the blush on my cheeks.

My heart was pounding. I felt like I could faint any second. This moment, this closeness... everything was becoming too much for me to bear.

Especially after Akane’s confession of love just now, my mind was a mess. I had already acknowledged my feelings there... That I... have feelings for Nagi.

TO BE CONTINUED.