Chapter 62

No matter what I did, the self-harm scars that seemed destined to leave marks disappeared cleanly with just one touch from the teacher.

I turned my pale wrist, which just seconds ago had been covered in scabs, this way and that.

“It’s always amazing. Like magic,” I muttered in awe.

Immediately, a rebuttal came. “Magic isn’t a cure-all. If severe wounds keep appearing in the same spot, permanent damage could occur.”

“I get it, so stop talking. You’re just telling me not to do it again, right?”

“Right. And don’t even think about arguing that it doesn’t matter because it’s healed now.”

Honestly, I wasn’t entirely sure, but I nodded anyway.

“I won’t do it.”

My confident voice felt a little awkward. It felt like lying had become easier, different from before. Maybe it was because of everything I’d been through, but the change felt too sudden.

“Sigh…”

The health teacher let out a deep sigh, then pulled a bottle of medicine from a drawer and handed it to me.

“Alright then. If anything feels off during your period, just take this.”

So, she’s giving it to me after all. I don’t think I’ll need it, but it can’t hurt to have it.

I bowed my head slightly.

“Thank you, as always.”

“You should be thankful.”

The teacher answered curtly and went back to sipping her tea. I smiled, said goodbye, and left the health room.

Just a few steps away, the health room door creaked open, and the teacher’s voice called out.

“Don’t let that sit for a year or something! It’ll go bad!”

“Come on, I wouldn’t do that.”

Who does she think I am, a kid?

***

After school, it was just me and Sena in the classroom.

While I, being on duty, was tidying up the classroom, she leaned against the window and kept staring at me.

Her gaze was a bit puzzling. How long did Sena plan to stay here? It’s nice to have her around so I’m not bored, but today’s club day. As the club president, shouldn’t she have preparations to do?

Tilting my head, I looked at her with a questioning gaze, and Sena pouted. Her expression showed a determination not to back down.

From Sena, who was clearly sulking, came a voice that anyone could tell was sulking. I didn’t know exactly why, but I must have done something wrong.

“This time, you’re definitely coming with me.”

Ah, right. Last time, I went alone.

I quickly nodded.

“Yeah, I was planning to anyway.”

“You said that last time too, and then you just took off! I just went to the bathroom, and you didn’t even wait for me… When I rushed over, you were already arguing with Decardi. Do you know how shocked I was?”

Sena let out an uncharacteristic yelp. Her gaze was filled with distrust.

I thought she had let it slide since she didn’t say anything, but she was just holding it in. I actually considered going alone again, but that would’ve been a disaster. I forced a smile to placate her.

“Sorry… We had something to talk about, just the two of us. It’s all over now, so don’t worry.”

“Liar. I was there too. You just postponed it.”

“Really. I wouldn’t even be able to meet him without you. Do you think I’m that brave?”

Sena paused for a moment, then reluctantly agreed.

“Well, I guess not.”

“You’re so firm about that.”

“Because it’s true.”

She was still sulking, letting out a small huff. Her cuteness made me laugh for a moment, and I asked, still smiling.

“Yeah, you’re right. So, if I admit it, will you forgive me?”

Sena, who had been full of energy, looked at my smiling face and then sighed.

“…This is the last time. If you leave me again, I’ll really get mad.”

For something called the “last time,” it wasn’t a very scary threat. A single smile made forgiveness too easy.

Of course, I liked that about her. Her firm yet soft demeanor. Some might find her inconsistency annoying, but I felt a sense of kinship with it.

“Scary. I guess I’ll have to stick by you.”

“I’m serious.”

My playful attitude must have seemed like a joke because Sena bit her lip. I admired the mix of irritation and cuteness on her face. The corner of my mouth naturally curved into a smile.

A brief silence hung in the air. Just as Sena’s irritation seemed to be growing, I answered in a soft voice.

“I’m serious too.”

I’m not joking. Of course, I’ll stick by you.

I’ll never let go, not until I die. Even if Sena says she’s straight, as long as I’m alive, she better forget about dating any guys.

I closed the two-step distance between us in two steps. Naturally, I raised my left arm and linked it with hers. I gave her a pretty smile, my eyes curving.

My kind of eye smile. Now, her kind of eye smile. Even if it wasn’t her preference, it didn’t matter. Attraction is about looks, after all.

Sure enough, Sena’s ears turned slightly red. I didn’t hide my satisfaction as I spoke.

“Let’s stick together from now on.”

Then, I tilted my head and kissed her cheek.

Sena’s soft skin touched my lips. The texture and warmth felt vivid. A soft “mwah” sound spread and then faded.

Sena’s…

She didn’t scream, probably because she had gotten used to physical contact, but she still looked pretty flustered.

Her flushed face and trembling pupils spoke volumes about how she felt.

I was a bit embarrassed too, but seeing her reaction made me forget all about it.

“By the way, I kinda want to increase the amount of physical contact. Is that okay?”

She finally snapped out of it and turned her head sharply.

She tried to act calm, but her first words came out all wrong.

“Uh, I’ve never thought about this kind of physical contact before…?”

“Why? It’s not much different from hugging.

It’s not like I kissed you or anything.”

“Well, it feels different!

Honestly, even when Princess hugs me, it feels a bit sticky….”

I tilted my head in confusion.

We’re always switching roles—sometimes I’m the one initiating, sometimes she is.

It’s like whoever rides the flow of the moment wins.

And Sena isn’t exactly lacking in the sticky and clingy department either.

“You do it too.”

“That’s just a sign of affection…!”

“Same here?

In some countries, people greet each other with kisses.”

“Th-the nuance is different….”

Hmm, I’m not so sure.

I won’t deny there’s a bit of impure intent mixed in, but if she refused, I would’ve stopped right there.

It’s not like I have the strength to overpower Sena anyway—she could’ve easily pushed me away.

But the truth is, she liked it.

Right? Let’s be honest.

“So, did you hate it?”

I asked, letting go of her arm.

Her now-empty right arm flailed in the air.

The flustered look she gave me as she turned my way—it wasn’t my imagination that she seemed a bit disappointed.

“…I didn’t hate it.”

“Then that’s that.

If it’s good, we should do it more often.”

“I never said it was good….”

“But it was, right?”

“…Yes.”

Finally admitting defeat, Sena hung her head low.

To comfort her, I started patting her head, which was now lower than mine for once.

The way she leaned into it without hesitation made it clear she was enjoying it too.

Anyway, with her implicit permission to touch her as I pleased, I let my hands roam freely.

I touched her soft cheeks, brushed her eyelids, and even pushed her bangs aside to place a hand on her forehead.

There was still no resistance.

If a stranger were to touch her face like this, she’d probably feel disgusted, right?

The fact that I was now someone within her inner circle made my heart race.

This feels nice.

I want to do it more often.

I covered her eyes with my palm and asked,

“Sena.”

“Yes?”

“We’re friends, right?”

“Of course.”

Her immediate answer made me happy, but also a little disappointed.

“I guess I’ll have to try harder.”

“…?”

Tilting her head in confusion, Sena suddenly blushed.

She must’ve realized what I meant.

I should start making some progress.

It’d be a shame to stay just ordinary friends.

For now, I want her to keep her eyes on me.

At least until I die.

Well, after that, who knows? But personally, I hope she misses me for at least a year.

Even if everyone else forgets me, I want to stay in Sena’s heart.

Honestly, that’s one of the reasons I’m living so earnestly right now.

If I didn’t like Sena and just wanted to be remembered, maybe I would’ve tried something more impure.

That way, it’d be easier to leave a lasting impression.

But in the end, I’m too scared of being hated to actually do it.

Though sometimes I think, since forgiveness is easier to get than permission, maybe I should just go for it.

Of course, I never actually went through with it.

I just kept overthinking until I set my death date.

I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or a shame.

If I had more time, maybe I would’ve tried at least once.

But it’s probably for the best for Sena.

She doesn’t have to give her body to a corpse or anything.

“…Anyway, let’s go. We’re going to be late.”

“Yeah, let’s go.”

I pretended not to notice her trying to change the subject.

I could’ve pushed further and created a better situation.

But I’ll hold back.

I don’t have much time left, but I’m not in a rush to do anything drastic.

She already cherishes me, and even if I don’t do anything, I think she’ll remember me for a long time.

That’s one of the reasons I decided to move up my schedule.

There’s no need to make her suffer more.

So, this is me being considerate.

Even if the me from yesterday called me a hypocrite, my true feelings haven’t changed.

I reject the gloomy me from yesterday, but I embrace the excited me of today.

I want her to feel pain, but I also want her to be happy.

I hope her sadness in remembering me comes from good memories.

That’s reason enough to be considerate.