Ichijō Riku Will Take Responsibility

—Eh, why are you suddenly asking that?

Amano Sora didn’t refuse outright.

For me, that was good news.

If anything unexpected happened at this point, it would be troublesome.

In that case, I’d have no choice but to leave quietly with Ichijō Riku.

It wouldn’t really be a problem, but wasting time is always unpleasant.

Especially when it’s this kind of trouble that needs to be dealt with as quickly as possible.

—I’m working a late shift right now.

—Eh, Higashi-senpai, you’re working this late?

—I’m helping shoulder some of the burden at home.

—Then you must be very tired right now, Higashi-senpai, right?

—I’m okay.

It’s just that… I’m a little scared.

—Scared?

—I don’t get off work until ten.

At that time, there’s basically no one around.

Even on the way home, I have to walk for a long time before I can see anyone.

—Eh, isn’t that really dangerous?

—It used to be fine.

But yesterday, I realized someone was following me.

—A-are you okay, Higashi-senpai!

—I was terrified, so I sped up.

But the person behind me sped up too.

In the end, they were even chasing me.

—That’s way too dangerous.

Then what happened?

—Luckily, I wasn’t far from a main street.

I ran into people pretty quickly, and the person chasing me disappeared.

—So, Higashi-senpai, you’re planning to…?

—Yes.

Among the people I know, you’re the only one I can rely on, Sora-senpai.

So I was hoping you could wait for me and walk me home.

If we could even catch the person who’s been stalking me, that would be even better.

Would that be too much trouble for you, Sora-senpai?

There was no reply for a long time.

He was probably hesitating.

After all, this wasn’t an easy request.

You could even say it was quite troublesome.

Even Amano Sora, who had been drawn to me, would instinctively consider whether it was worth it.

After all, not everyone is like Ichijō Riku, someone who helps others selflessly.

Anyway—

—Walking home together with Sora-senpai would be a completely new experience for me.

After sending that line, it became the final straw that broke the camel’s back.

Amano Sora’s reply came quickly.

—You being willing to ask for my help makes me really happy, Higashi-senpai.

Of course it’s fine.

Ten o’clock, right?

I’ll come a bit early.

Can you send me the location?

Looks like his affection for me won out.

I smiled.

A smile born from things proceeding without any unexpected developments.

—Ichijō, Sora-senpai agreed.

I sent him a full screenshot of the conversation and waited for his response.

—Alright then.

I’ll get ready too.

Ichijō Riku only replied after quite a while.

He was probably making dinner for Tsukihi at this time.

Being able to eat game-certified delicious food every day.

Tsukihi, you really are blessed.

But I’m not much different myself.

—Be careful too, Ichijō.

Make sure you record everything clearly.

—I understand.

Now, all that was left was to wait for those people to arrive.

You’d better come.

Don’t let my preparations go to waste.

[Ding—]

The bell at the entrance rang.

I put my phone away.

Maintaining a gentle smile, I spoke to the person who entered.

[Welcome.]

Time quietly slipped by during work.

When there were only a few people left in the convenience store, the clock had already reached nine fifty.

Then came that faint clicking sound again.

The store lights instantly went out, plunging everything into darkness.

This time, did they come early out of fear that something unexpected might happen?

As expected—

Just like I thought.

These guys are surprisingly easy to read.

[Are you here, Ichijō?]

I calmly put on my earphones and quietly asked into the badge in my hand.

[Yeah, I’m here, Higashi.]

His gentle voice steadied my heart, which had instinctively panicked at the sudden darkness.

[They went to mess with the breaker again.

I recorded everything.

I’m heading over to you now.]

[So, Higashi… are you really okay?]

His words were filled with concern.

[I’m fine.

Sora-senpai will arrive soon and save the damsel in distress.]

[Haah—]

He sighed.

[What’s wrong, Ichijō.

Are you feeling uncomfortable?

That won’t do.

The first time Higashi Hazuki was rescued by a hero has already gone to you.

You should leave some chances for others too.]

[Besides, the first time is always the most unforgettable.

That heroic 모습 of yours is still vivid in my mind.]

Only after saying that did I realize something.

[I was just thinking—]

He said.

[Higashi, you’re pushing yourself again.]

[If I don’t push myself, I can’t accomplish anything.

You need to understand that, Ichijō.]

[—They’ve reached the store entrance.]

Honestly, I didn’t need him to tell me.

Their footsteps were loud.

[What exactly do you want?]

The flashlight illuminated their faces.

There were four of them.

I’d seen three before.

One was named Yamashiro Oki, along with the two from last night.

They were all holding baseball bats.

[Didn’t we already tell you?]

Yamashiro Oki wore a smug grin.

[Higashi Hazuki, you’re going to pay for your arrogance.]

So it really was them who stuffed the threatening letter in.

[I don’t recall doing anything to offend you.]

[Fine, we’ll let you know.

So you don’t make the same mistake next time.]

Yamashiro Oki raised his hand, stopping the others who were eager to act.

[You offended Rin.]

[If you mean Nangō-san, I don’t bear her any ill will.]

[Should I take that as you begging for mercy?]

Yamashiro Oki’s grin widened.

[It’s useless.

Rin really hates you.

So all of us hate you too, Higashi Hazuki.]

[That’s right.

Rin talked to you, and you dared to brush her off so casually.

That was an incredibly precious opportunity.

A chance to talk to Rin.

And you ignored it.

You dared to ignore it.

Damn it, that’s unforgivable!]

It was one of the boys holding a bat.

His face was twisted.

He really did look like a lunatic.

You could say he fully met the standards of a fanatic.

And the things he said were unexpectedly ridiculous.

But in this situation, there was no way I could laugh.

[So, we, the Rin Protection Squad, have decided.]

Yamashiro Oki continued arrogantly.

[We’ll give you a lesson you’ll never forget.]

They all looked at me coldly.

For them, my being female wouldn’t make them hold back.

If anything, it only made them more violent.

Right now, I had no room to resist.

Even if I did resist, I’d probably just be toyed with.

In that case—

[Die!]

I sprayed the pepper spray I had prepared behind me, then dashed out of the store while they were recoiling.

[I told you she was a slippery one.]

[We really underestimated her.]

Once they reacted, curses filled the air, followed by the sound of them giving chase.

They’re fast.

No, it’s that I’m too slow.

[Watch out, Higashi!]

Ichijō’s warning had barely reached my ears when a violent pain exploded in my back.

[How far do you think you can run, Higashi Hazuki?]

Exhausted, I fell to the ground.

They slowly closed in, smiling as they watched me struggle helplessly, like cats playing with a mouse.

This must be the retribution for deceiving others all this time.

Or perhaps, this unexpected variable itself was a trial meant for a counterfeit like me.

[Higashi, are you okay?]

[Did you record everything properly, Ichijō?]

[I’ve recorded everything.

That’s enough, Higashi.

Leave the rest to me.]

[No.

I already said it.

Don’t steal someone else’s chance to play the hero.

And I don’t want to see you get hurt either, Ichijō.]

He fell silent.

[What the hell are you talking about!]

Yamashiro Oki wore a baffled expression, then raised his bat high.

[Hey, you guys!]

A beam of white light shone over.

It was so bright that even I, lying on the ground, had to squint.

[Looks like the police.

Quick, let’s get out of here!]

They scattered like startled birds, disappearing in an instant.

[Are you okay—]

The “police” came over to me.

The blinding light faded, revealing a familiar look of concern.

[Higashi.]

It was Ichijō Riku.

[I’m fine, Ichijō.]

[I wore this on purpose, just in case something unexpected happened.]

Ichijō Riku patted his jacket.

It resembled a police uniform just enough that, at a glance, people might mistake the wearer for an officer.

Blinded by the light, Yamashiro Oki and the others must have panicked and fled in confusion.

[That was really clever, Ichijō.]

[Let’s check your injuries first.]

He seemed more concerned about my injuries than I was.

But—

[Are you sure you want to check, Ichijō?]

[Eh—]

[I mean, taking off clothes and all that.]

At that, his face stiffened.

[That would be… a bit difficult.]

[Hehe, hehehe.]

Seeing his reaction filled me with an overwhelming sense of delight.

My heart, already completely dead, brimmed with pleasure.

I honestly don’t care about this kind of thing at all.

I just seize opportunities to feel something, anything, that makes my heart stir.

[This really isn’t the time to tease me.]

Ichijō gave a wry smile, then looked at me seriously.

[I’ll take responsibility.]

My laughter stopped.

For a moment, I wasn’t sure I’d heard him right.

[Really?]

[Yeah.

I, Ichijō Riku, will take responsibility for you, Higashi Hazuki.]

His voice was a little louder.

It echoed in my ears, reverberating through my mind.

And within it was a promise that wouldn’t be broken.

I looked at him in silence, then smiled faintly.

[Ichijō, you really are a good man.]

After saying that, I reached up and pulled off my scarf.

[I believe you’ll take responsibility for Higashi Hazuki.]

I undid a button, revealing a pale shoulder.

[Wait, Higashi.]

He blushed and turned his face away.

[Let’s move somewhere else first.]

[—Could it be that you’re planning to do it today, Ichijō?]

[I told you, please don’t joke around.]

[Hehehe.]

Even though he kept saying he’d take responsibility, he never once met my eyes.

He only had me turn around so he could look at where I’d been hit.

Tsukihi was right.

You’re unexpectedly pure, Ichijō.

[Hiss—]

[Is it bad, Ichijō?]

[Higashi, don’t you feel pain?]

[It hurts a lot.]

[—Then next, you’ll be applying the ointment together with me.]

[So, could I ask you to do it, Ichijō?]

[This is something only I can do.]

[Hehehe—]

[Then, excuse me, Higashi.]

Applying the ointment wasn’t pleasant.

When Ichijō’s hand touched Higashi Hazuki’s skin, there was a strange tingling itch.

Even the pain from being hit with a bat couldn’t completely mask it.

[You can just walk me to here.]

[Then, take care on your way home, Higashi.]

[Yeah.

Goodbye, Ichijō.]

Only after Ichijō Riku’s figure completely disappeared did I let out a breath and turn to leave.

—Higashi-senpai, I arrived at nine forty.

Why didn’t I see you?

—I didn’t see you either, Sora-senpai.

—Ah—right.

You meant Akimori Convenience Store on Muromachi Street, number thirty-two, right?

—That’s right.

—I made a mistake.

I thought it was Summer Convenience Store on Edo Street, number thirty-two.

Looks like I got mixed up again.

I’m really sorry, Higashi-senpai.

—It’s fine.

I was the one who troubled you.

—Did anything happen?

—No.

If anything, something good happened.

—Something good?

Can you tell me, Higashi?

—That… I can’t tell you.