Volume 4 Chapter 21-2 Interlude of the Unforgettable Camellia
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”I’m not complimenting you, you know?”
”But it’s said that bad boys are more popular, isn’t it?”
”Well──”
Silence returned once more.
Aoi sat up, scanning the room, her gaze slowly taking in each piece of furniture.
”I wonder if the room is ready. My time living with Takeru-san was short, but I actually really like it here.”
”Is that so?”
Naoshi also sat up, and Aoi leaned against him.
”I never thought I could get married. If I leave here, it will feel like that was a lie, and I’m a little scared.”
”Yes.”
”So, as before, Nao-kun should come by.”
Aoi, who always had a hint of melancholy, spoke with a slightly stronger light in her eyes than usual.
”…Is that okay?”
Naoshi asked back, as if to confirm the uncertain feelings rising within him.
Aoi nodded like a young girl.
”It’s fine, it would help you too, wouldn’t it?”
”That’s true, well, honestly…”
”Hehe. I’ve been thinking it might not be good to linger forever. But since you put it into words──I’ll continue being the convenient girl for you, Nao-kun.”
Aoi smiled, not just bright but with a hint of shadow.
Yet, there are things that shine even in the weak light of a winter day.
She loved that, even knowing it wouldn’t just belong to her.
”What a terrible reputation…”
”It’s a relationship that won’t ever have a good reputation, no matter what. But will you promise me just 2 things?”
”If it’s something I can do.”
”First, if you ever get tired of me, please properly dispose of me. Waiting, thinking it might happen, is painful.”
”I have no such plans at all, but I’ll say I understand. And what’s the other one?”
”Hmm, the most important thing. You must absolutely outlive me.”
The woman living alone in the house of her deceased husband spoke with a fleeting smile.
”Aoi-san…”
Morita’s funeral was held with an empty coffin.
The body had been reduced to an amount that could not be shown to people.
”Because if, just if, something happened to you too, Nao-kun… if I were to be left behind again, I couldn’t handle it. I couldn’t, absolutely not.”
Aoi’s despair at that time was utterly devastating.
Naoshi had no time to feel down while taking care of her.
”…I’ll do what I can. But I’m sorry, I can’t promise anything.”
”Why not? Nao-kun is the strongest person in Kansai, right?”
”That’s why it’s my job to face the toughest challenges. If I don’t, no one can be protected.”
”Takeru-san also often said, ‘It’s a huge difference whether or not someone like me is around.’”
”Yes, he was that kind of person. His skills were truly something.”
”It’s an important job, isn’t it?”
”I believe so. It’s a vital job that is worth risking lives.”
Surely, because he thought so, Takeshi Momida left behind his beloved wife.
It was a mundane situation, and the person involved was not particularly remarkable.
”I see, so that’s how it is.”
Remembering his unattractive face made her angry enough to think, “Why did he have to die?” even though the danger should have been minimal.
Yet, it was undeniable that he dedicated himself to the mission of protecting people as an exorcist.
”If Aoi-san says that’s why it won’t work──then I can’t help it, I’ll give up too. I wouldn’t want to cause you pain.”
”That’s unfair.”
”…I’m sorry.”
”No, it’s different. It’s not about you, it’s about me. I mean, I said the same thing to Takeru-san. When he proposed, he talked about work again.”
Aoi wiped away the tears at the corners of her eyes.
”My answer back then was the same. I said I couldn’t promise because I might not be able to protect. But I was the one who accepted it, even though I wasn’t prepared at all. I’m probably still not.”
Naoshi embraced her, feeling her trembling shoulders.
”Still… I want you by my side, Nao-kun. I can’t bear to be apart…”
”There’s nothing strange about that; it’s completely normal. Aoi-san isn’t at fault──it’s our fault for getting too close.”
”No. Don’t say that, don’t say it like that…”
Aoi slowly shook her head in Naoshi’s chest.
A sob escaped, her breath and tears wetting his chest.
Naoshi held her until it stopped.
”At least today, I will absolutely not forget what was said. To put your mind at ease, I will become even stronger.”
”Yeah…”
”I will do my best until Aoi-san becomes a wrinkled old lady. And before you can no longer walk, I will have you come to my house and take care of you. After all, there are plenty of people around.”
Aoi let out a small laugh.
”I’m really grateful that I won’t have to worry about old age… but what you’re saying now is a bit complicated.”
”Well, if it’s Aoi-san, you’ll still be a cute person for 30 or 40 years.”
”Really? Nao-kun will surely become a charming older man in 30 years.”
”Look forward to it~desuwa.”
”Yeah──thank you. I’m fine now.”
”Yes.”
Aoi stepped away from Naoshi and wiped her eyes and red nose with a tissue.
She took a few deep breaths and returned to her usual expression.
”Oh, and Nao-kun…”
”Yes?”
”It’s fine to be a convenient girl, but──well, you see, I’m quite lewd.”
Swallowing the words “I know very well,” she simply nodded with a “Yes.”
”I just don’t want to be left alone too much.”
”I’ll keep that in mind.”
”Yeah──please take good care of me.”
”Yes, I will gladly do so.”
──Aoi’s partner, who had reignited the fire, counted twice afterward.
* * *
”Ah…”
Late February, at the Shinkansen platform of Shin-Osaka Station.
Naoshi, who had declined to be seen off by his family, was awaited by 2 figures as he headed alone towards the Tokyo direction.
Suzuri, wearing a coat over her uniform and carrying a shinai bag and a Boston bag like a student heading for a club trip, and Ako, dressed in a suit with a carry case beside her.
”Are you two coming along?”
Naoshi had a rough idea of what was going on, but just to be sure, he asked, and both nodded in unison.
There was no need to ask why they were here.
After all, the person he had asked to book the train was none other than Ako.
Humming, Naoshi stroked his chin and decided to clear up his immediate doubts.
”Suzuri-chan, school is still on break, right?”
”It’s a slightly early spring break. I usually maintain my status as an honor student.”
”Oh… then what about Ako-chan’s job?”
”The substitute I was supposed to assist has been dismissed.”
”I feel a bit prickly about this.”
In truth, while she could rationally accept not being allowed to accompany Ontake, being left out while gathering material to stab Touin caused her considerable frustration.
”Just so you know, I’m not going for sightseeing, okay?”
”Then even more so, right?”
”I can’t stand being away from my step-brother for over a month.”
”That’s right.”
This was not something that could be persuaded.
She quietly accepted reality and shifted her thoughts.
”Over there, I’ll be staying at someone else’s house, so behave yourself.”
”Nao-nii is saying that…”
”Step-brother. And here are the tickets.”
”I also prefer a window seat.”
”In that case, there will be a dispute over who sits next to me or Suzuri-san, and it will be tense the whole way, is that alright?”
”You’re subtly threatening me. And I have to sit between those 2 for hours?”
”A bouquet in both hands, huh?”
”…Ah, Ako-chan, are you perhaps holding a grudge about this?”
”Yes, very much. So if you could make me happy here, I can return to being your cute little sister.”
”Oh…”
”Ah, me too! I’m also in a bad mood, Nao-nii!”
”What nonsense are you saying with such energy?”
”Ah, nonsense…”
It can’t be helped, she thought, as she exchanged tickets with Ako.
Naoshi smirked at the approaching vehicle.
<hr>
Summary:
Aoi and Naoshi are having a conversation, and Aoi mentions that she likes living with Naoshi, but is scared to leave because it would feel like a lie. Naoshi offers to continue visiting her, and Aoi agrees, saying it would help her too.
Aoi has a hint of melancholy in her eyes, but Naoshi promises to come by and visit her. Aoi smiles, knowing that Naoshi will continue to be there for her.
Naoshi asks Aoi what she means, and Aoi explains that she’s scared to be left behind again. Naoshi reassures her that he’ll do his best to be there for her.
Aoi brings up Morita’s funeral, which was held with an empty coffin because his body was unrecoverable. Naoshi tries to comfort her, but Aoi is devastated.
Naoshi tells Aoi that he can’t promise to outlive her, but Aoi insists that it’s important to her. Naoshi reassures her that he’ll do his best to be there for her.
Aoi mentions that Takeshi Momida, an exorcist, left behind his beloved wife, and Naoshi agrees that it’s a tough job. Aoi is angry that Momida had to die, even though it was a minimal risk.
Naoshi tells Aoi that he understands her feelings, but Aoi says it’s not about Naoshi, it’s about her own fears. Naoshi holds her and comforts her as she cries.
Aoi says she can’t promise to protect Naoshi, just like she couldn’t promise to protect Takeru-san. Naoshi reassures her that it’s not her fault, but their own fault for getting too close.
Naoshi promises to become stronger and protect Aoi, and Aoi laughs, grateful that she won’t have to worry about old age. Naoshi jokingly says he’ll take care of her when she’s old.
Aoi thanks Naoshi and says she’s fine now. Naoshi nods, and Aoi mentions that she’s a bit lewd, but Naoshi just smiles and says he’ll keep that in mind.
The scene shifts to Naoshi at Shin-Osaka Station, where Suzuri and Ako are waiting for him. They’re both dressed for a trip, and Naoshi asks if they’re coming with him.
Naoshi asks Suzuri about school, and she explains that she’s on an early spring break. He then asks Ako about her job, and she says she’s been dismissed.
Naoshi teases Ako about being left out of the mission, but Ako says she’s just unhappy about being away from her step-brother for too long.
Naoshi gives Suzuri and Ako their train tickets, and they discuss who will sit next to whom. Ako jokes about being in a bad mood, and Naoshi smirks at the approaching train.
The scene ends with Naoshi, Suzuri, and Ako preparing to board the train, with Naoshi smiling at the upcoming adventure.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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