Touha Tsuki’s Heart Is Racing

It wasn’t a power outage.

Rather, it felt like someone was deliberately causing trouble.

That sound was more like someone flipping the breaker off.

Of course, it could also be that I was worrying too much, and maybe some electrical leakage caused a trip.

But—

That ominous feeling I couldn’t shake hovered in my chest.

I slowly crouched down and started rummaging through the counter for a flashlight.

Then I heard footsteps coming from outside.

Ha, a customer at a time like this?

Or maybe, a malicious one.

With my current body, which can barely guarantee basic survival, there’s no way I could hurt anyone.

Nor could I resist anyone.

Maybe I could grab one of the convenience store’s knives?

I took out the flashlight and a small knife, and took a deep breath.

In the end, this isn’t even my body.

Why am I getting so nervous?

But I can’t just let some random person force this body into doing something disgusting.

After all, I still have to return it to the real Touha Tsuki someday.

It was originally a lie meant to deal with Ichijou Rikou, but now I’ve gone and believed it myself.

I don’t even know if this is the moment to laugh.

Anyway, I calmed the heart that should have already died long ago, and listened as the footsteps entered the store.

Have they arrived?

Still crouched, I quietly shifted toward the exit.

Ha, it’d be fine if they just left.

[Touha-san?]

A familiar voice echoed through the store.

[Ichijou-kun?]

I stood up and shone the flashlight on the person’s face.

It was Ichijou Rikou, who had only left not long ago.

[What are you—?]

[Touha-san, I’m sorry for scaring you.

Please close the shop right now and come with me.

I’ll explain on the way.]

Ichijou Rikou also looked puzzled at first, then quickly understood, and grew anxious.

I suppose I trust him unconditionally.

After all, in this world, he’s the only one who understands me this well, someone I can believe in, someone who won’t betray what he hopes for.

To him, I must look like a very obedient woman.

As long as it doesn’t interfere with me going home.

So, I obediently locked up the store.

It was almost time for my shift to end anyway.

[They’re going to come after you.]

As we walked along the pitch-dark road, he spoke beside me.

They?

I’m fairly clever, so it didn’t take long to understand what he meant.

That variable that didn’t exist in the game.

Nangou Rin’s supporters.

No, a group of perverts obsessed with her.

[Ichijou-kun, how did you find out?]

I asked, puzzled.

[In this case, you could say it was lucky.

Lucky that I noticed that guy named Yamashiro Okita.]

Yamashiro Okita.

The man who barked like a dog at the school gate.

Compared to his name, that incident left a stronger impression.

At least, for me.

[On the way home, I happened to see him.]

Ichijou Rikou was still holding the bag with two bento inside.

It really did look like he turned back halfway.

[Because I was worried he’d do something bad, I couldn’t help following him.

Then I saw him heading toward the convenience store with two other people, carrying baseball bats.]

[Since I was really worried about you, I took another route to get here first.

They were messing with the breaker.

I came to get you while I had the chance.]

As he spoke, his pace gradually quickened.

Then he grabbed my hand.

So you’re not uncomfortable with this now, Ichijou-kun?

Even thinking that, I had no intention of resisting.

The flashlight swept across the dark road, guiding our way.

[Wait—]

I stopped, and at the same time turned off the flashlight.

Perhaps because he was afraid they’d catch up, Ichijou Rikou had led me into a narrow, deserted alley.

Under normal circumstances, if I didn’t trust him completely, I’d probably be trembling in fear right now, suspecting that he might have bad intentions toward me.

That’s likely what most girls would think.

Unfortunately, before becoming a girl, I’d already lived a life with no future to move forward into.

I didn’t even think about things like that.

Rather—

People appeared at the end of the alley, walking as if searching for something.

In this situation, it’s impossible to tell whether they’re that group or not.

[Ichijou-kun—]

[There’s still a way, Touha-san.]

He looked at me.

In this darkness where faces were barely visible, his eyes were strangely bright.

He turned around and pressed me against the wall.

[I’m sorry, Touha-san.]

His gentle voice was clear.

So was his breathing.

His right hand pressed against the wall.

Even though I couldn’t see clearly, I could feel it.

He was shielding my body in an extremely forceful way.

Our bodies inevitably touched.

Even through clothes, I could feel the warmth coming from him.

Wrapped like this, it felt like being inside a comfortable futon.

Though the cold from the wall behind me felt unexpectedly sharp in contrast.

Still, I calmed down.

And looked up at him.

Ichijou Rikou isn’t particularly tall.

He’s more like… just right.

Not so tall that it feels overwhelming, not so short that it feels lacking.

Just average.

And that kind of height gives off a very comfortable feeling.

Compared to Touha Tsuki, he’s only half a head taller.

Looking up, I could see his face from very close.

Even in this extremely dark environment, his outline was still clear.

This is even closer than that day.

As I thought that, my body kept heating up, the warmth rushing to my face.

This must be the body’s reaction to being close to the opposite s*x.

Touha Tsuki’s body is getting unbearably hot because of you.

You’re amazing, Ichijou-kun.

You too—

You’re heating up as well, aren’t you, Ichijou-kun.

I could feel his breathing grow heavier, like he was holding something back.

It’s okay, Ichijou-kun.

You can come even closer.

As long as you take responsibility, the real Touha Tsuki probably wouldn’t mind either.

[Touha-san—]

He spoke softly and calmly.

[Don’t be afraid.

I’m here.

They won’t hurt you.]

[—]

From the beginning, his gaze hadn’t changed.

It was still just as gentle.

For some reason, the heat in my body cooled.

What remained was a calm sense of safety.

[Yeah—]

[That’s strange.

We waited here, but no one came.]

Voices reached us.

At the same time, both of our bodies stiffened.

[Ah, maybe they ran off somewhere else.]

[Tch, what a slippery fox.

It’s women like that who make Rin so angry, huh.]

[It won’t calm me down unless I smack her a couple of times.]

Why does it have to be this much hatred?

Even now, I couldn’t understand their behavior.

Maybe that’s why they’re called fanatic fans.

We stayed frozen in that couple-like embrace until their voices faded away.

[It’s okay now, Touha-san.]

He let out a sigh and released me.

[This time—]

After a brief pause, I bowed to him.

[Thank you very much, Ichijou-kun.]

[It’s nothing—]

His words cut off halfway with a dull groan.

I looked up in confusion.

Behind Ichijou Rikou were the two people who were supposed to have left, already swinging their baseball bat.

[Ichijou Rikou, perfect timing.]

He grinned smugly.

[Ichijou-kun!]

[Hah—]

Ichijou Rikou didn’t seem seriously affected.

He exhaled lightly.

[I’m sorry again, Touha-san.]

This time, instead of just grabbing my hand, he wrapped an arm around my waist and hoisted me onto his shoulder.

[Please hold on tight, Touha-san.]

Under his gentle words, the two men rapidly grew distant.

All I could hear was the rushing sound of wind as he ran.

[Hey, why did you let them get away!]

[How was I supposed to know this guy could get hit and still be fine!]

They tried to chase us.

But the distance only grew, until they disappeared completely.

We left the deserted area and reached a lively street that hadn’t quieted down yet.

Only then did the tension finally ease.

After he put me down, I went behind him.

There was a mark on his back where the bat had struck.

[It hurts, doesn’t it, Ichijou-kun.]

After a moment of silence, I asked.

[Yeah, it does hurt quite a bit.]

He nodded honestly.

[Then we should go to a pharmacy and get some medicine.]

I smiled at him.

Not my best smile.

[Yeah—]

Right now, only I could tend to him.

A bruise had already formed on his back.

A large one.

Well, he was hit pretty hard after all.

The medicine was the cold, soothing kind.

It should feel much better once applied.

In reality, even when I applied it gently, I could feel him twitch from the pain.

[By the way—]

To distract him, I spoke.

[We probably should’ve called the police earlier, right?]

At those words, Ichijou Rikou clearly froze.

After a moment, he sighed in regret.

[I was so focused on getting you out of danger that I didn’t even think of calling the police.]

[I only just thought of it too, Ichijou-kun.]

As I finished applying the medicine, I smiled slightly.

[But I don’t really want to see the police either.]

[Why is that?]

Why, huh.

That’s not a question I really want to answer.

[Because it would definitely make us get home really late.

Alright, I’m done applying it, Ichijou-kun.]

[Thank you very much.]

[No, I should be thanking you.]

In a quiet corner where no one noticed us, we finished dealing with what could have become much worse.

[Then let’s part ways here, Tsuki.

You must be really tense right now, Ichijou-kun.]

[Well—]

[Grr—]

An ill-timed sound rang out.

[Touha-san, did you not eat dinner?]

He grew serious again and spoke firmly.

[That won’t do.

Eating properly is the foundation of good health.]

As he spoke, he took the bento out of the bag he was still holding.

[You should eat this.]

[Ichijou-kun—]

I met his gaze.

[Aren’t you hungry too?]

[In that case, I’ll just buy another one.]

[It’s pretty late.

There probably aren’t any bento being sold anymore.]

Watching him think so seriously, I laughed softly.

Then slowly said.

[Then why don’t we share it?]

[Eh—]

[Don’t worry.

I don’t eat much.

I won’t take a lot.]

I opened the bento myself, took out the chopsticks, and picked up a piece of grilled meat toward him.

[The first bite should of course go to Ichijou-kun, who got hit for me.

Ah, please open your mouth.]

He stared blankly at me.

After a moment, he opened his mouth and ate it.

[Alright, alright.

Next bite is mine.]

In a tone like I was coaxing a child, I picked up a small bite of rice soaked in sauce and ate it.

Even though it’s one of the tastier convenience store bento, my stomach still resisted.

But—

Sharing a meal with him is something even the game’s heroine could never do.

Thinking that way made the food taste a little better.

[Hehe—]

I laughed.

[Alright, open your mouth again, Ichijou-kun.]

Bit by bit, I fed him.

Until the box was empty.

[I’m full now, Touha-san.]

[Me too, Ichijou-kun.]

[I just don’t know how to explain this to Tsuki.]

He looked at the single remaining bento.

[Maybe I’ll just say I got hungry on the way and ate it.]

[That shouldn’t count as lying, right?]

[I guess that’s the only way.

Then, see you tomorrow, Touha-san.]

[Yeah, Ichijou-kun.]

He gradually grew smaller in my sight.

Until he disappeared completely.

And I slowly stood up.

[Haa—]

I let out a breath.

Then pressed a hand to my chest.

Thump.

Thump.

The sound was louder than ever before, shaking my mind.

From earlier until now, this body’s heart had been beating violently.

What should I do?

Ichijou-kun—