You Do Not Need to Hold Back
Yuuki’s life at school had improved greatly compared to a little while ago. That said, it could also be described as simply having returned to how it used to be.
His study materials were no longer being ruined, and no one was causing him physical harm, so he was able to spend his days at school with a sense of security.
Today also ended without incident, and he stood up from his seat.
The students around Yuuki had already left in a hurry to go home, or perhaps they had gone to their clubs, because no one was at their desks anymore.
Yuuki did not particularly mind that and left the classroom while thinking about his part-time job.
Ever since Yuuki sent a letter to Kyousuke, Kyousuke had begun to initiate more contact with him, just like Yume did, and Yuuki often found himself giving vague replies because he did not know how he was supposed to respond.
It was not that Yuuki disliked it. He simply did not know what to say most of the time, and he wondered if there was some way he could improve that.
However, there was no way he could return to how he had been back when he was dating Ayaka.
While thinking about such things and walking from school toward his part-time job, someone suddenly stepped into his path.
When he looked to see who it was, he found Shinjou Saya, the girl who had recently become the reason for him to consider getting purified.
Yuuki did not want to get involved with her, so he tried to avoid Saya and head toward work, but she blocked his way and would not let him pass.
With no other choice, he decided to raise his voice in protest.
“You are in the way, so could you move aside, Shinjou-san?”
From Yuuki’s attitude alone, she should have been able to tell he found her bothersome, but Saya seemed to be of a different sort.
“I am sorry, but there was something I wanted to tell you, Yuuki-kun.”
Yuuki grew wary and narrowed his eyes at what she might say, only for Saya to speak words that were, as expected, completely off the mark.
“Because you are getting caught up in something bad again. This time, I want to be the one who protects you.”
Fed up with her words, Yuuki ignored her and managed to force his way past her this time.
“Back then, I did something wrong. This time, I want to protect you, Yuuki-kun.”
He heard an annoying voice from behind him, but Yuuki ignored it and tried not to think about it as he quickened his pace, wanting to get as far away from Saya as possible.
Recently, unpleasant things had kept happening, and just when it seemed everything had finally settled down, this happened. He let out a long sigh and shifted his thoughts to work in order to forget what had just occurred.
As he continued walking while thinking about Kyousuke and the others, he somehow found himself already at the café.
When he entered, Kyousuke was there as usual, and something inside his chest settled, softening his expression.
“Ah, Yuuki-kun. You are a little early today.”
“Yes. I ended up running a bit.”
Kyousuke gave him a warm smile, and Yuuki felt even more at ease than before as he headed straight to the back room to change.
When he came out to the hall, Yume seemed to have returned and was chatting with Kyousuke.
“Ah, Yuuki-kun, I look forward to working with you today as well.”
“Yes, I look forward to it.”
“Then I will go get changed.”
Yume passed by Yuuki and entered the back room, and Kyousuke spoke to him.
“Yuuki-kun. Did anything happen today?”
Recently, Kyousuke said that almost every day. Yuuki did not find it bothersome, but until yesterday, he had thought it was simply excessive worrying. Today, though, Saya had approached him, so he was unsure whether he should tell him or not.
He had caused Kyousuke trouble not long ago, and he worried that he might trouble him again.
“You do not need to think about it as causing trouble. You told me, did you not? I am your father, Yuuki-kun. So you do not need to hold back. We are family.”
Kyousuke stepped closer to Yuuki and patted his head.
Yuuki had been torn about whether to tell him, but Kyousuke’s words pushed him forward, and he decided to speak.
“It is about what just happened.”
“I see.”
From there, Yuuki told Kyousuke what had occurred a short while ago.
After hearing it, Kyousuke frowned and called out to Yume, who had just come out into the hall.
“Yuuki-kun, may I tell her?”
“Yes, it is fine.”
Kyousuke explained what Yuuki had said, and Yume made an unpleasant expression equal to or worse than Kyousuke’s.
“Yume, can you walk home with him not only in the morning but also after school starting tomorrow?”
“Yes, I can. Ah, but I cannot on days when I have fourth and fifth period.”
“Then, can I ask you to look after Yuuki-kun on the other days?”
“Yes, of course. But Yuuki-kun, is that alright with you?”
Yume looked toward Yuuki with a searching gaze.
Yuuki knew that Kyousuke was doing this out of kindness, and he also understood from the previous incident that Yume felt the same way. Even so, he felt like he was relying on the two of them for too many things, so it was hard for him to say yes.
Seeing that, Yume began to speak.
“It is alright, Yuuki-kun. I do not want you to hold back unless you dislike being with me.”
“I do not dislike it, but.”
“It is alright. I would be happy just to walk home with you. That alone would mean a lot to me.”
Since Yume said that, Yuuki hesitated but answered her.
“Would it be alright if I asked for your help?”
“Yes.”
Yume smiled brightly and accepted Yuuki’s request.