"Mister Hikaru."
Suse approached.
Her hand rested on Kagura Hikaru's shoulder.
The pressure was light.
"Don't mind me, go after her."
"...What?"
Kagura Hikaru turned back in astonishment.
What he saw was Suse's serene smile.
Within it lay bitterness and helplessness.
But there was more blessing than anything else.
She spoke:
[Like, like, like... it's a pity... like, like, like]
"Who the person you really like is, you must have realized it by now."
[Like, like... I will willingly withdraw... like, like]
"Stop depending on me."
[Like... as long as you're happy... like]
"I did save you, indeed, but repaying kindness in this way—even I would be angered."
What's she saying?
Kagura Hikaru felt a sting in his eardrum.
Instinctively covered one side of his ear.
The noise he felt at the train station that day re-emerged.
He belatedly realized, Suse's heart voice was gradually normalizing!
If it were before, of course, he'd welcome it.
But not now, absolutely not now!
