I went to the hospital and went to Mai’s hospital room, where I found her lying in bed. Half of her face and both of her hands were bandaged, and it was obvious at a glance that she had suffered a very painful wound.
「…I heard you were hurt pretty badly.」
「T–That’s right… Ugh, I can’t move my hands very well, and one eye too… B–But I’m fine because I get to talk to Akihiko like this!」
The sight of her smiling with a body wracked with wounds must have moved many people. Mai, who has always been charming, must be a popular person in the hospital.
But her smile didn’t resonate with me at all.
「So, Akihiko, how was the school festival——」
「What were you doing the day of the incident?」
「Eh?」
「You were alone with Natsuki, weren’t you? What were you doing with Natsuki on that day of your birthday?」
I couldn’t stand to listen to her talk on and on, so I ask her about that time in a roundabout way. I was a little curious to see how Mai would make excuses.
「Eh, ah, t–that… I–It’s nothing, I just happened to meet him.」
「Really, huh? I heard from the police that the two of you were attacked when you two went out the back door of the house?」
I didn’t really hear that story. But I know what they were doing at that time, and I say so to dare to embarrass Mai.
「Ah… t–that’s…」
Mai then bluntly chokes on her words. That’s right, there’s no way she would answer honestly after something like that. No, I might be able to forgive Mai a little if she would just say so. I don’t think I’ll ever have romantic feelings for her again.
「Natsuki hasn’t woken up yet, so I can only hear it from Mai. What, did you do?」
「Uhh, ah…」
Mai, unable to tell even a poor lie, continues to be frightened without answering. I’m sure she thought she would get lots of comfort when I came. You believed that a kind boyfriend would say the right words for you.
But alas. No such boyfriend exist anymore.
「There’s a rumor at school that Mai and Natsuki might have had an affair. I, for one, don’t want to believe that—」
「I–I would never cheat on you! Trust me, Akihiko, not that false information!」
I knew Mai would hide it. I guess she doesn’t really understand how she got herself into this mess. Karen, you did quite well.
「Of course, I would believe you. But, if Mai won’t tell me what you and Natsuki were doing that day, I’m as good as I can be…」
I am surprised at myself, the words come out so slurred, words I never thought I would say. Is it because I am fed by my anger toward Mai? Haha, Mai’s flailing around is so funny.
「…Okay, I’ll tell you.」
「Eh?」
Mai makes some kind of decision and looks at me to get closer to me. You don’t mean to tell me that you really had an affair? Of course, I don’t intend to allow that kind of thing at all, but I might admire her courage. Now, what will Mai say?
「…I–I was… b–by Natsuki… I was raped by him, you know?」
「……Hah?」
I can’t help but to be amazed. Rape? That thing that was moaning while saying it felt good?
「H–He forced his way into my house… He was just so excited. So, when he was about to take me to the hotel to continue… I was stabbed.」
「…」
「…It really, hurts you know. The purity I wanted to give Akihiko was forcibly taken from me… I’ve been in a lot of pain… Uugh.」
Mai cries stale tears while spouting falsehoods. If I only listen to this episode, I’m sure I was encouraging Mai. But I’m watching two people having sex. Really, everything was so flimsy.
「T–That’s why, Akihiko. I–I need you to support me— Where are you going!?」
「Shut up, you fucking slut.」
「Eh!?」
I didn’t want to talk to Mai any longer about anything, so I said a few words of abandonment and unilaterally left the hospital room. Maybe Mai will continue to lie when I tell her I saw the scene. I am sure she would never apologize.
I’m tired. I knew it was a waste of time to meet with her. But since I’ve decided that we’ll never see each other again, that’s all right.
So I left the hospital and headed home.
I did not know that Karen was actually at the hospital and was listening in.