hotmtlnovel Chapter 66: NO. 66 - Stay With Me
Chapter 66: NO. 66 - Stay With Me
Chapter 66: NO. 66 - Stay With Me
"You're pouting."
"...I'm not pouting."
[+15 SP]
Nejire's lack of respect for personal space and her constant questions have led Himiko to misinterpret how our Senpai views me. During our after-school ice cream trip with the future Big Three, Nejire has shown excessive curiosity about me ever since I mentioned that I am Quirkless.
Because she didn't have much personal space, our periwinkle-haired Senpai was practically hanging off my left arm while she questioned me about what it was like to be Quirkless. Her actions seemed to irritate Himiko intensely, while Mirio couldn't help but chuckle at the situation.
What caught my attention the most was the annoyed glances Tamaki had thrown me whenever Nejire touched me.
That boy had it bad for the blue-haired bundle of curiosity.
How interesting.
Returning to my current spar, I smiled at Himiko as she ducked under a quick swing from my wooden bokken. I slid in and swung my weapon diagonally at her, and she blocked my strike with a wince. Himiko huffed and decided to go on the offensive.
With quick movements, I blocked each of her attacks with swift precision. The clacks from our bokkens crashing into each other echoed within my dojo as we danced around one another.
"Admit it! Admit that Hado-senpai is cute!" Himiko said with a glare as she slashed the air above my head. Spinning around her, I bumped her back with the bottom of my bokken, causing her to stumble forward.
"Well... Hado is a cute girl. But what does that have to do with anything?" I jumped back as she launched a roundhouse kick at my midsection. "Wait, don't tell me your-"
[+25 SP]
"Don't say it!" Himiko screamed with a red face as she threw her bokken down and engaged me in a hand-to-hand fight.
Seeing her flustered face, I felt a mischievous grin grow on my face. Parrying a left jab, I grabbed her wrist and pulled her in by the small of her back. "Say what? That you're jealous?" Himiko blushed brightly as our chests pressed onto one another. "Besides, I think you're pretty cute, too."
[+100 SP]
"A-ah!" Closing her eyes, Himiko squeaked cutely and swung her right hand up. Unprepared for her punch, my head snapped back as her fist struck my chin.
"Gah! Ma tougue!"
"Sorry!"
Using RCT, I healed my once-bleeding tongue and chuckled at Himiko's embarrassed expression. "Nice one. I can't remember the last time you ever hit me."
[+25 SP]
"That's because there was no last time."
"Ooh... Good job?"
Himiko twirled one of her blonde locks as she stared down at the dojo's wooden floors, a soft blush over her cheeks. "So, you think... I'm cute?"
I stopped rubbing my hair and turned to her with an awkward smile.
"Yeah... I do." At my answer, Himiko took a deep breath and slowly walked toward me. Her determined gold cat-like eyes looked into my own as her face was now barely a few centimeters away.
[+45 SP]
[+10 SP]
Eri was, in fact, not okay.
Even after we had rescued her much earlier in the timeline from Chisaki, it seemed that the dead Yakuza boss's influence on her remained strong like a weighted blanket made of trauma. A trauma I knew the girl tried to hide under her apparent happy demeanor around the house.
Kaina, Eri's official caretaker, had told me that the girl had night terrors a few times a week. Preventing her from getting a whole night's sleep. The only thing that seemed to ward off the nightmares was when Kaina stayed with Eri. It appeared the woman's presence considerably calmed the girl down.
Knowing all this, I should have made my way over to Kaina and woken her up so she could help, but from the bags under the woman's eyes, I saw today. I knew she could use a full night's rest. Besides, Eri was my responsibility as well. It's about time I helped more than just on the financial side of things.
Sighing, I walked inside her room and closed the door behind me. Peering through the darkness, I saw Eri sitting up on her bed with her knees tucked into her chest. Her cheeks had tear stains, and she buried her head behind her knees to avoid my eyes. Off in the corner, Jello turned to me silently before looking over to its ward.
Sitting beside her, I turned to her and placed a hand on her back. "Another bad dream?"
"...yes," Eri whispered with a sob. "I was back in that place. And he was there. He was... c-cutting me again." Eri said as she brushed her arms, which were covered with a long-sleeved shirt. She never liked wearing anything that exposed her scars.
Once I get Idle Transfiguration, I'll make those scars disappear.
"Oh, Eri." With a heavy frown, I brought her into my chest and held her close. Her trembling form pressed against my chest as her soft sobs grew stronger. "You're safe now, Eri. No one can hurt you anymore. I'm here to protect you. We all are."
[+25 SP]
"I know... I just can't forget about him and everything he did." Eri whispered as she grabbed my shirt tightly while her head pressed into my chest, causing her tears to soak into my shirt.
Feeling irrational anger burst into my chest, I took a calming breath and began to rock her back and forth gently. Closing my eyes, I thought back to something my original parents would do for me when I was a small child. I could faintly remember my own mother's voice, but I remembered the lyrics clear as day.
I was never much of a singer, but this isn't about me.
e stop your crying; it will be alright. Just take my hand, hold it tight." I began to sing softly, causing Eri's crying to slowly stop as she turned up to me with wide eyes. Reaching out, I held her hand gently. "I will protect you from all around you. I will be here, don't you cry~"
"For one so small, you seem so strong. My arms will hold you, keep you safe and warm. This bond between us can't be broken. I will be here; don't you cry~ 'Cause you'll be in my heart, yes, you'll be in my heart from this day on, now and forever more. You'll be in my heart no matter what they say. You'll be here in my heart always~."
Once I finished singing, I felt my cheeks burning slightly due to never having sung to anyone before. Pulling away, I smiled down at Eri's wide eyes. "Sorry, I'm not really a good singer, but... my mom used to sing this for me to help me feel better when I was younger."
[+100 SP]
"That was really good, Oniichan. I... like your voice." Eri said her new title for me was seemingly missed by her. "I-I feel a lot better now. Thank you." She said as a small smile grew on her face. "Can you... stay with me, Oniichan? Just until I fall asleep?"
"...you got it."
Laying down on her bed, Eri snuggled into my chest as I hummed the song to her softly. After a few minutes, she finally fell asleep with a soft smile on her face.
Before I could get up to head back to my own room, my eyes began to grow heavy. Despite myself, I quickly fell asleep beside Eri. Her little hand clutching my own scarred one tightly.
-
AN:
I hope you all enjoyed today's tender and mushy Chapter; there aren't too many of these within this story.
Bonus points for those who know where the song Souta sang is from.
Like always, leave me a comment on today's Chapter, and I'll see you all next time!