Man, my heart cracks a little whenever I see another 1 star rating on NU for this novel đ
I know, I know, itâs 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 Iâve done for this chapter is amazingâŠ
Anyway, thanks for reading guys!\nChapter 23:
High School â Fifth Part
Right now, Iâm in the cityâs gym!
Iâm here to cheer for Kenshinâs match!
Yuu: ââŠWow Teruki! There are so many high schools here!â
Teruki: âItâs the district qualifiersâŠoh! Mizukiâs here too!â
Lately, Terukiâs been by my side where ever I go. Even though itâs something I like, I wonder if itâs okay. Either way, Teruki is so obliging.
Iâm happy.
Hiroto: âHey, Iâm also here, you know? YuuâŠ.why are you in the middle, Byakko? Yuu, come over here.â
Teruki: ââŠHouou-senpai, canât you just stand at the side? Itâs been a while since weâve last met. Iâm not sure who else is watching from the audience.â
Hiroto: ââŠJust say it, Byakko.â
Teruki: âBecause I want to protect Yuu, Iâll tell you later.â
Yuu: ââŠWow! Is that Kenshin over there? So cool!
He stands in a dark blue kendo giÂč, 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, Hiroto, Teruki, and I wait at the exit for Kenshin. After a while, the person in question appears.
Hiroto: âYou must be tired, Ken!â
Kenshin: âHirotoâŠsorry for troubling you. Thanks for coming to cheer me on. And Yuu and Byakko too, thanks.â
He says this while glancing at his watch.
Hiroto: âOh, itâs already so late. We shoud hurry on home, Ken. Iâll allow you some time with Yuu. Youâve worked hard today, Thatâll be your reward.â
Teruki: âWhy are you being so generous, senpai?â
Hiroto: âItâs all good, all good. Now, time to head home, Byakko.â
Teruki: ââŠYeah, yeah. Understood. Later, Yuu. Iâll see you in school.â
He strokes my head before turning to leave.
Kenshin and I watch as the backs of the other two shrink into the distance.
Kenshin: ââŠLetâs go.â
Yuu: ââŠy-yeahâŠâ
The two of us walk to our destination, chatting about everything and nothing.
Itâs 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 cents here and there. Iâm so absorbed in doing this that I donât even realize when we reach the station.
Kenshin: ââŠAre you free today, Yuu?â
Yuu: ââŠHuh? Yeah, today is fineâŠâ
Kenshin: âIf itâs okay with you, Iâd like a bit of your time.â
He reaches out for my hand. Looking away from me.
Kenshin: ââŠIf you ever feel lost, just hold my hand.â
I think over his words for a bit, and canât help but laugh at the serious expression on his face.
Yuu: âYes, alright.â
Afterward, we continue our stroll in silence, hand in hand. Every now and then weâd share a smile, making me feel all warm inside.
Eventually we reach the edge of a pier. Itâs about a 20 minute walk from the station. Because itâs 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: ââŠYuu?â
Yuu: âYeah?â
Kenshin: âIâm not anâŠadept person.â
Yuu: ââŠOkay.â
Kenshin: âRight now, my mind is composed solely of kendoâŠthatâs why, I must have caused you to feel lonelyâŠIâve wondered if I made you feel this way. I amâŠafraid. Iâm afraid that Iâve hurt youâŠ.just the thought of losing youâŠis terrifying.â
Yuu: ââŠâ
I take in the image of a Kenshin bathed in the lingering sun.
Heâs also watching me.
Oh, this person is soâŠclumsy. KindâŠand very straightforward.
I pull at his collar with a bit of force.
Kenshin: ââŠYuu?âŠâ
And then, I close my eyes. And I press our lips together.
Kenshin: ââŠWas today the first time youâve watched a match?â
Yuu: âHehe. You were really cool. I could tell youâve put a lot of effort into it. I like the kendo that you do, Kenshin. I think youâre the coolest when youâre trying your best. IâŠwould like to cheer for such a KenshinâŠdonât you think so?â
Kenshin: âYuuâŠâ
Yuu: âIâm fineâŠReally. If I ever get lonely, may I come visit you? I feel relieved when I can come see you. When we meetâŠIâd get to cheer you up, okay?â
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: ââŠYou are my most precious person. The one Iâll always want to protectâŠThatâs why whenever you need my help, just call my name. Iâll always be just one step awayâŠIâm so sorry for not checking up with you after the Training Camp.â
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 couldnât escape if I wanted to.
Yuu: ââŠKenshinâŠâ
Kenshin: ââŠIâm sorry Yuu. Itâs not enough yet.â
Above us glows the moon, itâs first appearance totally forgotten. I tilt my head gently toward the sky. And quietly, I close my eyes.
kendo giÂč: this is like the uniform robes they wear for kendo
(originally was gonna use a picture from google but I donât wana be sued)