Man, my heart cracks a little whenever I see another 1 star rating on NU for this novel š
I know, I know, itās not my story, but STILL.
Inner 13 yr old and everything ^^
One thing people should know about translating with a machine is that it requires you to quickly pick up on context clues. Like for real, the amount of guessing Iāve done for this chapter is amazingā¦
Anyway, thanks for reading guys!\nChapter 23:
High School ā Fifth Part
Right now, Iām in the cityās gym!
Iām here to cheer for Kenshinās match!
Yuu: āā¦Wow Teruki! There are so many high schools here!ā
Teruki: āItās the district qualifiersā¦oh! Mizukiās here too!ā
Lately, Terukiās been by my side where ever I go. Even though itās something I like, I wonder if itās okay. Either way, Teruki is so obliging.
Iām happy.
Hiroto: āHey, Iām also here, you know? Yuuā¦.why are you in the middle, Byakko? Yuu, come over here.ā
Teruki: āā¦Houou-senpai, canāt you just stand at the side? Itās been a while since weāve last met. Iām not sure who else is watching from the audience.ā
Hiroto: āā¦Just say it, Byakko.ā
Teruki: āBecause I want to protect Yuu, Iāll tell you later.ā
Yuu: āā¦Wow! Is that Kenshin over there? So cool!
He stands in a dark blue kendo gi¹, taking control of the whole stage with a cool and dignified attitude.
The subsequent match can be summarized in one world: masterpiece.
Every time Kenshin would pick up his kendo blade, a gust of wind seems to rush through the area. The tournament is an overwhelming victory for my school, Shinjin Gakuen.
After the event,Ā Hiroto, Teruki, and I wait at the exit for Kenshin. After a while, the person in question appears.
Hiroto: āYou must be tired, Ken!ā
Kenshin: āHirotoā¦sorry for troubling you. Thanks for coming to cheer me on. And Yuu and Byakko too, thanks.ā
He says this while glancing at his watch.
Hiroto: āOh, itās already so late. We shoud hurry on home, Ken. Iāll allow you some time with Yuu. Youāve worked hard today, Thatāll be your reward.ā
Teruki: āWhy are you being so generous, senpai?ā
Hiroto: āItās all good, all good. Now, time to head home, Byakko.ā
Teruki: āā¦Yeah, yeah. Understood. Later, Yuu. Iāll see you in school.ā
He strokes my head before turning to leave.
Kenshin and I watch as the backs of the other two shrink into the distance.
Kenshin: āā¦Letās go.ā
Yuu: āā¦y-yeahā¦ā
The two of us walk to our destination, chatting about everything and nothing.
Itās really calming, the atmosphere light and airy, and we talk about games and everyday life. Kenshin just listens as I blabber on, giving his two centsĀ here and there. Iām so absorbed in doing this that I donāt even realize when we reach the station.
Kenshin: āā¦Are you free today, Yuu?ā
Yuu: āā¦Huh? Yeah, today is fineā¦ā
Kenshin: āIf itās okay with you, Iād like a bit of your time.ā
He reaches out for my hand. Looking away from me.
Kenshin: āā¦If you ever feel lost, just hold my hand.ā
I think over his words for a bit, and canāt help but laugh at the serious expression on his face.
Yuu: āYes, alright.ā
Afterward, we continue our stroll in silence, hand in hand. Every now and then weād share a smile, making me feel all warm inside.
Eventually we reach the edge of a pier. Itās about a 20 minute walk from the station. Because itās late, there are not many people around. There are only a couple other onlookers besides us.
We sit quietly by the boardwalk. Our ears catch the rush and tow of the waves. All the while the surface of the sea catches the yellows and oranges of the horizon.
Kenshin: āā¦Yuu?ā
Yuu: āYeah?ā
Kenshin: āIām not anā¦adept person.ā
Yuu: āā¦Okay.ā
Kenshin: āRight now, my mind is composed solely of kendoā¦thatās why, I must have caused you to feel lonelyā¦Iāve wondered if I made you feel this way. I amā¦afraid. Iām afraid that Iāve hurt youā¦.just the thought of losing youā¦is terrifying.ā
Yuu: āā¦ā
I take in the image of a Kenshin bathed in the lingering sun.
Heās also watching me.
Oh, this person is soā¦clumsy. Kindā¦and very straightforward.
I pull at his collar with a bit of force.
Kenshin: āā¦Yuu?ā¦ā
And then, I close my eyes. And I press our lips together.
Kenshin: āā¦Was today the first time youāve watched a match?ā
Yuu: āHehe.Ā You were really cool. I could tell youāve put a lot of effort into it. I like the kendo that you do, Kenshin. I think youāre the coolest when youāre trying your best. Iā¦would like to cheer for such a Kenshinā¦donāt you think so?ā
Kenshin: āYuuā¦ā
Yuu: āIām fineā¦Really. If I ever get lonely, may I come visit you? I feel relieved when I can come see you. When we meetā¦Iād get to cheer you up, okay?ā
With those words being said, Kenshin stares at me for while.
And then he smiles my most favorite smile, big and fluffy, and hugs me while muttering his thanks.
Kenshin: āā¦You are my most precious person. The one Iāll always want to protectā¦Thatās why whenever you need my help, just call my name. Iāll always be just one step awayā¦Iām so sorry for not checking up with you after the Training Camp.ā
He kisses me again, this time softly at first, then increasing with strength. His left hand that was resting on my waist is suddenly placed at the back of my head. I couldnāt escape if I wanted to.
Yuu: āā¦Kenshinā¦ā
Kenshin: āā¦Iām sorry Yuu. Itās not enough yet.ā
Above us glows the moon, itās first appearance totally forgotten. I tilt my head gently toward the sky. And quietly, I close my eyes.
kendo gi¹: this is like the uniform robes they wear for kendo
(originally was gonna use a picture from google but I donāt wana be sued)