Chapter 121
That Summer’s Memories (4)
My little sister fell asleep again.
While she slept, I dashed outside. It was still too early for the sun to set. In the rain, I went searching for an escape route.
Tomorrow morning, once the rain stops… I’ll take my sister and escape.
Dragging my aching leg through the rain and walking around for so long, I managed to roughly establish a route.
I returned to the cave and took a short rest.
“—!”
My head hurts.
Maybe I caught my sister’s cold. So what if I did?
As long as I can still move, it’s fine. My whole body is covered in wounds, but who cares.
I gave all the peaches I managed to pick and all the water to my sister. That should be enough to last her until tomorrow morning.
“…Haa… haa…”
“Tsukiyo, hang in there, hang in there.”
“…Yeah.”
Holding my sister’s hand, I desperately kept encouraging her, imitating Seiya. There wasn’t much else I could do.
But I absolutely wanted to save this beautiful girl—someone loved by everyone.
And then dawn came.
The rain stopped, and the sun began to rise. The fever made me nauseous… but this wasn’t the time to complain.
I carried my sister on my back and went outside. The route was already set. If I followed it, I should be able to reach the west side.
Seiya and the others would surely come this way too…
The weather had cleared thanks to the heavy rain, but the path was muddy and slippery. Still, I couldn’t afford to lose. Dragging my bruised, aching leg, I desperately pushed upward.
Steps that wouldn’t be a problem alone became difficult with my sister on my back.
Climbing over light rocky terrain, I kept aiming upward somehow. I had secured her with my clothes, so she wouldn’t slip off.
Thirty minutes… an hour… I kept walking desperately. With the sun shining, it was unbearably hot. But by now… I wasn’t even sweating anymore.
Just a little more, just a little more, and I could move to the west side.
“Ah…”
A landslide had blocked the path.
With my sister on my back, there was no way I could climb this earthen step.
Should I go alone?
But I can’t just leave my sister behind…
What should I do… what should I do…? Somehow, irritation bubbled up inside me.
If she really matters to you, then you should’ve shown up already.
“Hurry up and get here! What the hell are you doing, Seiya?!”
“Shut up. Don’t yell.”
A man stood atop the blocked pile of earth, illuminated by sunlight.
Ah… he looks just like a hero.
Chestnut-colored hair, a well-shaped face… yeah. Heroes really do come when you call them properly.
The man I had been waiting for—Kaminagi Seiya—descended to where I was.
“Taiyou… you—”
“I’m fine. More importantly, carry my sister. She’s had a high fever for a while. We need to get her to a hospital fast.”
“…Got it.”
I handed my sister over to Seiya, and together we climbed over the landslide step.
As expected of Seiya. Even while carrying my sister, his movements were agile. I really can’t compete with him.
After passing the blocked area and walking a little farther, we reached a familiar road.
“Seiya-kun! Taiyou-kun!”
Ah… Mizuri-san…
Behind her were Houjou-san, Kudo-san, Urihara-san, Yumizaki-san, Sera-san, and Hii-chan. Everyone was looking at us with worry.
It’s okay. The sister everyone was worried about is right here. As long as we get her to a hospital, she’ll be fine.
We arrived near the cottages.
“We’ve called a helicopter. It should arrive soon.”
“I’m sorry, senpai. Could someone bring some water?”
Sera-san and Urihara-san immediately moved and went inside the cottage.
Seiya turned to face me.
“Taiyou… this is thanks to you. I’m really sorry you ended up covered in injuries.”
“I’m fine. Please prioritize my sister.”
I didn’t do anything worthy of thanks. Being worried over by Seiya makes me feel oddly embarrassed.
Everyone gathered around Tsukiyo, calling out to her.
From far away, I could hear the sound of the helicopter.
I stepped away from the group.
“Taiyou-kun?”
Mizuri-san called out to me.
“I’m gonna go to the bathroom for a bit. I’m at my limit.”
“Geez… are you really okay?”
“I’m about to pee.”
“That’s not what I meant!”
The restroom was a public toilet next to the cottage.
Honestly… I couldn’t stand any longer. Knowing my sister would be saved made me relax too much.
If I collapsed now, emergency treatment might be delayed. I don’t want her treatment to be delayed because of me.
This is everyone’s happy ending.
My whole body aches. My head hurts like hell, and my throat and stomach are completely dry. Well… it’ll probably get better if I sleep.
Dragging my legs, I somehow made it into the public restroom.
“This is rough…”
What happened after that… I don’t know.
