Dongye Yue Buys a Photo

After one variable, another followed, as if everything was targeting me.

Leaning against the railing, I let out a startled cry.

Before I could react, I fell over.

From this height, I would definitely be smashed to pieces.

That was the first thought that crossed my mind.

Though honestly, it was just stating the obvious.

What I really felt was a bit of regret about the situation.

How should I put it…

For someone already prepared to rot away, I was ready to face death.

But dying like this, instead of returning to that home, felt unpleasant.

Perhaps it was the regret of not being able to fully play the role of Dongye Yue.

Well, it didn’t matter that much.

If anything, I felt a slight sense of relief.

After all, there was no future I desired.

Dying like this—

Couldn’t it be considered a kind of release?

That’s just the kind of person I am.

You can’t expect a dried-up corpse to have much will to live.

Thinking that, I slowly closed my eyes and embraced the final moment.

If I chose to move forward, maybe things could still change.

That line… it was from Noriyuki’s draft.

Move forward, huh—

Haha.

I reached out and grabbed onto something.

Perhaps I used too much force, scraping my hands and drawing blood.

It should hurt.

But with adrenaline rushing through me, the pain was negligible.

More than that—

So high—

Looking down sent a chill through my entire body.

From 300 meters up, people looked like grains of rice.

The height felt terrifyingly real.

Even if I was already rotten inside, my body couldn’t stop trembling.

Dongye!

Ichijō Rikō finally reached me.

He carefully moved closer.

The railing I had grabbed was the same one that fell with me.

Part of it was still attached above, making it unstable.

No one could approach easily.

Even Ichijō could only panic helplessly.

My grip slipped slightly.

That was the sign of my strength giving out.

You couldn’t expect much stamina from someone who relied on others even for meals.

Be careful, Dongye!

Quick, go get a rope!

The guards who had been chasing me looked horrified.

In just a moment, they were about to witness a death.

Life is like a bubble.

Short and fragile.

But—

Hehe.

I held on with both hands and laughed.

You don’t need to keep your promise to me anymore, Ichijō.

I said to him.

There was a bit of sincerity in it.

After all, I had been using him all this time.

Even though it was obvious he had no romantic feelings for any of them.

As the saying goes, when a person is about to die, their words are kind.

Even someone like me could say something genuine.

Is this really the time to say that?!

He leaned dangerously outward.

Half his body hung off the edge.

His arm stretched out fully, yet he still couldn’t reach me.

Noriyuki stood nearby, her face filled with worry.

Haah…

My hands loosened again.

It was already impressive I held on this long.

That’s enough, Ichijō.

The faint desire to live had almost disappeared.

Once hope was gone, my rotten heart took over again.

I couldn’t stop laughing.

After all, I’m a terrible person.

If there’s punishment, this is probably mine.

Someone like me shouldn’t exist in this world anyway.

Leaving like this…

It would be a bit regretful, but not sad.

No one would grieve for a fake like me.

Though the real Dongye Yue might be remembered.

Hold on a little longer, Dongye.

I still have a way.

Without hesitation, he disappeared from my sight.

What is he—

The answer came quickly.

You can let go now, Dongye.

His voice came from below.

I’ll catch you on the next floor.

This was extremely risky.

If he failed, it would leave trauma forever.

It also depended on whether the falling person trusted the one catching them.

But that answer was already clear.

I trusted Ichijō.

My exhausted hands let go.

My body dropped rapidly—

Then stopped.

He caught me.

I was hanging upside down.

He grabbed my legs in a dangerous position.

One wrong move, and he would fall with me.

Haha… Dongye.

He struggled to hold on.

So in the end—

I have to rely on you again, Ichijō.

This is nothing.

But back then, when those perverts targeted you…

That was my fault.

If I hadn’t forced you to deal with them, none of that would have happened.

The world spun below me.

Looking down made me dizzy.

Getting close to me is dangerous.

It was like that before, and now again.

I almost dragged you down with me.

Maybe I’m like some cursed object that brings misfortune.

So… you can let go.

I don’t want to drag you down too.

That’s too much, Dongye.

He was already scolding me.

You can say worse things, Ichijō.

Isn’t this our problem?

Why are you trying to bear everything alone?!

His grip tightened.

You’re always like this, Dongye—

He gasped for breath.

You keep taking all the responsibility yourself.

That’s too much.

I froze slightly.

I’ve never blamed you.

I willingly accept the consequences.

You don’t have to worry about dragging me down.

We made a promise.

It wouldn’t be fair for you to bear everything alone.

I want to help you, Dongye!

His voice rose slightly.

I want to achieve what we hoped for—together.

Even if there’s a price to pay, take me with you.

Stop forcing yourself, Dongye.

Sometimes… think about me too.

His grip slipped slightly.

His body dropped a bit.

Honestly…

If you’re going to act heroic, at least tone it down.

You’re the one forcing yourself!

At this rate, even you—

Don’t underestimate me, Dongye.

He said calmly.

Then with a shout—

Before I knew it, I was pulled up.

It hurt a bit from the impact.

But compared to him cushioning my fall, it was nothing.

Because of the way he pulled me up, I could feel his breath near my thighs.

When I turned around, his face was completely covered by my skirt.

Ichijō… are you okay?

Rikō.

Noriyuki, who had been watching anxiously, knelt beside him with me.

I’m fine… Noriyuki… Dongye.

His face was flushed red.

It took a while to fade.

Though… there might be another reason.

The rope! We found it!

The others finally arrived.

Next time, don’t sneak in like this.

Out of respect for Noriyuki, the guards let me go with just a warning.

It’s getting late.

I’ll head back first.

Noriyuki bowed slightly.

Take care, Noriyuki.

She left with a hint of happiness.

It seemed she had a good day.

Even though we missed one opportunity, the goal was achieved.

Next—

Thank you again, Ichijō.

It’s nothing.

I couldn’t just watch you fall.

He smiled.

Though his expression seemed slightly unnatural.

Of course—

You said you’d take responsibility for Dongye Yue.

So it’s fine even if you saw everything.

Eh—

Were you going to say you didn’t see anything?

He didn’t answer.

Probably because he couldn’t lie.

Hehe…

You really do amuse me, Ichijō.

So, are we heading home now?

Hmm.

I stopped walking and pretended to think cutely.

Or—

I looked toward a nearby shopping mall.

Let’s go there and walk around a bit more.

And maybe watch a movie together.

A movie…

Ichijō seemed interested.

Sure, Dongye.

We didn’t have much money, so we just wandered a bit before heading into the cinema.

Coincidentally, this was the same time slot as in the game.

The movie Ichijō watched with Noriyuki.

So this event shifted onto me instead?

Well… it didn’t really matter.

It was a great romance anime.

The heroine devoted herself entirely to the hero.

The hero ran desperately and confessed his feelings.

In the end, he achieved the impossible and saved her.

It was touching.

Even my rotten heart felt something.

Though not enough to make me believe in love.

And then—

Um, can I take a photo of you two?

Someone politely approached us.

You’re the most compatible couple I’ve seen.

I want to capture this moment.

Ah, we’re not—

Sure, you can take our photo.

I hugged Ichijō’s arm closely.

Just like Kamitsuki often did.

His body stiffened slightly.

I smiled brightly at the camera.

Click—

Alright, thank you.

That will be 2000 yen.

They reached out their hand.

So it was one of those professional photographers.

We got tricked.

But—

Looking at the photo, I narrowed my eyes and took out two Natsume Sōseki bills.

Today was fun.

Oh right, can I keep this photo?

Of course, Dongye.

Hehe.

By the way, how was Sora-senpai today?

It’s fine.

I didn’t let him touch me.

What are you going to do next?

He sighed.

Sora-senpai won’t give up easily.

After all—

This is a consequence I have to bear.

Did you forget what I said?

We’ll face it together.

He looked at me.

Let’s solve this problem together.

…Okay.

I put the photo away.

And thought—

Maybe I should get a frame for it and place it in my room.