Volume 1 - CH 7.2

“….”

I woke up when I felt a light shine on my eyes.

I stared at the ceiling with my fuzzy head for a while, but soon I turned my attention to my hands and feet, which should be moving properly.

“I remember …… everything.”

I clearly remembered everything I had seen in my dream.

I remember the accident I caused by protecting him, the tournament I had to give up because of it, and the heartbreaking words she said to me. I knew things that were never mentioned in the game.

Perhaps it is because of what Ayana told me about her past, or perhaps it is because of my current dream, that I feel as if my heart has become one with Towa’s.

“It’s strange ……, but I think it’s better this way now.”

The reason is that I feel that the desire to live as Towa Yukishiro, who exists in this world, has become even stronger, while my consciousness as me remains.

Although my hatred for Shu and his family certainly overflows as I get closer to Towa himself, it’s not so much that I can’t stand it because I still have a sense of who I am.

“…Rather, it doesn’t seem like Towa holds that much resentment,”

That accident must have certainly been a painful experience for Towa. But I also know that he was certainly happy that Shu was safe.

In the end, Towa remained kind and continued to wander aimlessly.

I was lost too, I couldn’t accept the fact that I was reborn in this world, and I didn’t really look at Ayana and the others.

A dream is a dream, reality is reality…… I slept with Ayana…….”

I vividly recalled yesterday.

After Ayana told me about her past, I wanted her tremendously and ended up getting physical with her.

As I lay on my body with Ayana, I remembered my first experience with her, and this also revealed that Towa had already had a relationship with Ayana after all.

“…… Ayana’s body was so soft. And …… she was really cute and adorable.”

In a sense, it’s only possible during puberty to remember and bask in the afterglow of an affair.

It wasn’t even nighttime yet, and Ayana and I continued to have s*x until just before my mother came home, and then we had dinner with her and I dropped her off.

Ayana looked so sad when we parted that it was hard for me to let go of her hand that was clutched in mine.

“Heave-ho”

I stood up and peeked into the mirror.

I am still in doubt about whether it is my face or not, but I also think that my face is quite cute when I wake up from sleep.

“…… Hey Towa, did you feel this way too? Is that why you took Ayana away from him like that?”

I don’t think it’s fair to say that I’ve come this far to take away from him.

I have changed my mind about Ayana and how I want to be with her, and I want to stay by her side.

But of course, there are new things that are bothering me.

[I …… can’t live without Towa-kun. If Towa-kun is not here, I …… cannot live.]

These are the words she uttered in my arms after the act.

Ayana’s instability was highlighted by the fact that she would surely break down when I was no longer around.

I couldn’t help but understand that I was a support and important presence for Ayana, but honestly, her state at that time was abnormal.

Maybe that’s the meaning she mentioned before with “master”, maybe that’s why she’s putting so much weight in her mind on Towa that she would say that.

[I will take it all away from you.]

“?!”

Suddenly, I was hit by a strong headache and fell to my knees.

But just like any other day, the headache was fleeting and I was able to get up quickly.

“…… was that Ayana’s voice I just heard?”

The voice that I heard earlier, it certainly sounded like Ayana’s voice.

I laughed at Ayana’s voice, which was so low and cold that it even sounded ruthless, as if she was cutting off everything and everyone.

“Ayana wouldn’t make a sound like that. I don’t know what I was thinking.”

I headed for my mother, who was probably making breakfast, thinking that Ayana would never do that.

When I headed to the living room, breakfast had just been prepared, and my eyes met Mom’s as she was folding her apron.

“Good morning, Towa.”

“Good morning, Mom.”

After exchanging greetings with Mom, I sat down on a chair and started to eat breakfast.

It is not that elaborate because it is breakfast, but I am happy at this moment when I can really taste the deliciousness because I can see that my mother’s love has been put into whatever it is.

“I’m so happy because you eat it so deliciously.”

“Because it’s really delicious. Thank you for everything, Mom.”

When I told her this, she laughed and looked really happy.

A few weeks ago, when I had just become Towa, I was in a bit of a panic, but now it’s like this.

I don’t feel uncomfortable talking about anything anymore, and I am aware that everything is normal.

“……It’s delicious.”

As I was cooling my hot miso soup, I noticed my mother staring at me.

“What’s wrong?”

“No, I really think Towa is looking better.”

“….Is that so?”

She continued, “I’m glad he’s doing well.

“I’m glad you’re feeling better.” I didn’t quite understand the meaning of those words, but my mother continued speaking like this.

After the accident, Towa was down for a while, you know? Towa acted quite bravely in front of me, but it was pretty obvious.

“….Heh, really?”

“Yes.”

“A quick answer?”

I felt strange when I saw my mother laughing and trembling her shoulders.

Knowing what words to say, what things to communicate, it naturally goes out in words.

“But even though you are like that, thanks to you, Ayana started coming to our house more often and became brighter. I really appreciate that about her. Yesterday, she showed us a lot, didn’t she?”

“…..Uuh, that’s….”

Ayana gave me a few “ahhh’s” at dinner. My mother was smiling as she watched, but I was embarrassed, of course.

A man’s stature in such a situation is very small, and I felt it keenly.

“Thank you for the food”

“Thank you for the food”

I was about to go back to my room to get ready for school when my mother suddenly called out to me.

Mom, with an ever-serious expression on her face as she looked back at me, said something like this to me.

“She’s a really good girl, that Ayana. She’s such a good kid that it’s hard to believe she’s still in high school. But somehow, just somehow, it seems like she’s carrying something inside her. So, Towa, please keep a close eye on her.”

“…… I know. It’ll be fine.”

I nodded my head strongly, saying that I intended to do so even if she hadn’t told me.

She nodded in satisfaction at my response and was about to wash the dishes again when she muttered something that I couldn’t help but ask back.

“Ayana told me about what happened at the hospital a long time ago. So I once unintentionally thought about taking a baseball bat and hitting her in the face~!”

“You didn’t do it, did you?”

I’m well aware that Mom has affection for her son, but I don’t think she’d go that far. That’s why I’m worried—“

“Of course not. I just heard that when I asked Ayana to bridge the gap without telling you, she said something stupid to my son. I said, “I’m going to tighten her up that old hag~♪”

“What did you say?!”

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry～♪ Well, it was just the last vestiges of my Yankee days that came out. “

“……………”

What do you mean by “Yankee days”? Mom used to be a Yankee?

“Come to think of it, when I was searching the house to assess the situation, I came across a photo of my mother that made me think she was quite flashy back in the day…Don’t tell me that the woman who sometimes comes to visit my mother is my mother’s sister?

“I knew you were powerful, Mom. ……”

I will ask for more details if there is any opportunity to do so at some point.

Then I got ready and left the house, but I have a feeling that the way I spend my time will not change that much once I reconnect with Ayana.

Still,…… I still think I’ll move on as I see fit.

“I’m still kind of stuck with it.”

The past that was hidden from Towa, the feelings that Ayana had hidden, and the relationship that was uncovered,……, I understand what has happened so far, but I still have a strange feeling that something is stuck in my throat.

[……Nasty. Ayana is in trouble.]

“Eh?”

I suddenly thought I heard someone’s voice.

It was a voice that evoked a sense of nostalgia, but I never heard it again.

I don’t think I can just dismiss it as my imagination, after coming this far.

Every little thing I do is connected to this world.

And above all, there is a strong possibility that it is something that awakens memories that have been covered up in me. …… So I think it is important to pay attention to it as much as possible.

When I headed to the usual meeting place, they were already there.

“Good morning, Towa.”

“Good morning, Towa-kun.”

Good morning, Shu. Ayana too.

I was so happy to see Ayana, even after what happened yesterday, she was just as usual.

And it’s the same for me, but still, with the new change of heart, I’m sure something will change drastically.

That’s exactly why I was getting the feeling that the relationship between the three of us was about to change drastically.

Corner him….. Corner him…..

Make him suffer…… Make him suffer….

And finally, take away the most precious thing. …… Then there will be nothing but despair, no?

I will never forget the words that you guys uttered.

I will never forget the tears he shed.

So I will [rob you of everything].