SCPK 122

Chapter 122

That Summer Memory ⑤

For me, Seiya Kannagi, the most terrifying thing in the world is losing my family.
I have to protect my precious younger sister and my uncle, who lives far away and supports us despite struggling with his own life, no matter what.

Back then, when the landslide poured down on Tsukiyo under the moonlight, I cursed fate.
I hadn’t realized it at all and couldn’t move—except for one man…
My best friend, Taiyo Yamada, moved at the same moment as the landslide, shielding Tsukiyo, and fell down the cliff.

I needed to reach them as soon as possible, but with the heavy rain and the island’s undeveloped eastern region, traveling at night was impossible.
So, I spent an entire day feeling helpless.
Finally, early the next morning, when the rain stopped, I immediately set foot in the eastern region.

“Hurry up and come! What are you doing, Seiya!”
“Shut up. Don’t yell.”

Hearing that voice lifted my spirits.
My sister was safe… just thinking that brought me real relief.
But seeing my friend carrying Tsukiyo on his back chilled my heart. His body was battered and broken—scratches and cuts from his face to his legs. Tsukiyo didn’t have a single scratch. How could that be?

Taiyo cut me off before I could ask. He insisted repeatedly that helping Tsukiyo, who had a high fever, was the priority.
I wanted to check on Taiyo too, but seeing the determination in his words and expression, I set that aside and helped him carry Tsukiyo to the cottage.

As soon as we reached the cottage, we did everything we could to treat Tsukiyo, and an emergency helicopter, called by the other members, arrived from the mainland. It was a relief that the island was so close.
Tsukiyo was loaded onto the helicopter, and I, along with Senior Kudohara, who knew me well, went with her.
We had to get to the hospital quickly.

“Wait!”

Mizusato came running over, her face panicked.

“Taiyo-kun—he hasn’t come here, has he? I haven’t seen him for a while.”
“What!?”

He had been insisting he was fine the whole time, but now I realized I hadn’t heard his voice for a while.
A bad feeling struck me, and I immediately got off the helicopter.

“Do you know where he went last?”
“He said he was going to the bathroom…”

The bathroom was a short distance from the cottage.
We had to get Tsukiyo to the hospital quickly, but we couldn’t just leave Taiyo.
I rushed into the public restroom—and there, right by the entrance, Taiyo was lying face down. I shivered involuntarily.

“Taiyo! Hey, hang in there!”

His face was pale. When I unzipped his jacket, I saw a deep chest wound—the inside of his clothes soaked with blood.
His legs were swollen, likely from internal bleeding due to impact. Could he really have carried Tsukiyo in this state…?
He was in far worse condition than Tsukiyo.
I lifted Taiyo carefully, trying not to shake his head, and carried him back to the helicopter.

“Hurry up and get on! Please!”

◇◇◇

Tsukiyo had a high fever, but after receiving an IV, her condition quickly stabilized.
Taiyo was in serious danger and required emergency surgery, but it ended safely, and his life was no longer at risk.
I contacted Taiyo’s parents and apologized. I had stayed at their house a few times before, so they recognized me.
I had expected harsh words, but as I thought, they were warm people. They worried about Tsukiyo and encouraged me, which I truly appreciated.
They were wonderful people… if only my and Tsukiyo’s own parents had been like them…

That night.

“…Where is this…”
“You’re awake.”

Taiyo finally opened his eyes.
I was going to give him both thanks and scolding.