The Twelfth Story

"Don't go" [s.h.i.+zuki]

s.h.i.+zuki caught my right hand when I tried to go.

When I turned to look at s.h.i.+zuki she was smiling. That smile that is supposed to be lovely seems so pitiful that it hurts my heart.

I think I saw this smile before. As I remember I shudder.

When we first meet behind the shrine. When we exchanged words under the moon.

s.h.i.+zuki was smiling as her eyes had no light in them. Some time has pa.s.sed after that and she started to show a real smile. So I forgot how distorted her smile was.

The smile from that time and the smile this time are completely different. Although it is, I can't calm down.

"It is ok; Senjo-senpai isn't a bad person" [s.h.i.+zuki]

s.h.i.+zuki says so as she lets go of my hand while smiling pitifully. But I didn't allow it, as I shake my head in denial while putting strength in my right hand.

— Senjo-senpai isn't a bad person.

When I heard that from s.h.i.+zuki I finally understood that I was wrong. s.h.i.+zuki, contrary to me understands Senjo-senpai's purpose for this meeting.

The Senjo-senpai that I know and the Senjo-senpai that is standing in the courtyard under the outdoor light like an abandoned puppy are totally different persons. Why didn't I notice?

As a part of the three most beautiful girls in the school, the kendo's club captain and ace who is strict with people, but more strict with herself, known as the strongest queen. This Senjo-senpai and "That person" are different persons.

Just as s.h.i.+zuki says.

When I meet Senjo-senpai this morning, she was surrounded by the other club members so I didn't notice any sadness because of her popularity. I was overlooking something essential because of her dignified appearance.

It is that the beauty values have reversed.

"s.h.i.+zuki, this is an order, return!" [Fujimura]

I grab s.h.i.+zuki's hand and order her while staring at her.

Don't let s.h.i.+zuki and Senjo-senpai meet. Something bad will surely occur.

s.h.i.+zuki who is small and delicate can't win against me in strength.

I pull her and hug her as she didn't show any resistance. But—

"I don't want to run away!" [s.h.i.+zuki]

s.h.i.+zuki murmurs as she looks at me with sad eyes.

"Shut up! I won't let you go even if I die. Even if you don't meet it won't matter" [Fujimura]

That leaked out of my mouth unintentionally.

Why did Senjo-senpai call s.h.i.+zuki? I am not certain, but somewhere in my heart I understood.

"That person" is similar to s.h.i.+zuki. So they should not meet.

"Master is bad…" [s.h.i.+zuki]

s.h.i.+zuki laughs weakly and whispers that to me.

"I am fine with being bad, that is fine, so let's go home" [Fujimura]

Anyway, I have to leave this place soon. As my head was full with that thought, I started to walk while forcefully pulling s.h.i.+zuki's hand.

"If I want to meet, I can just meet her as much as I want while keeping it a secret to master" [s.h.i.+zuki]

I had no choice but to stop after hearing what she said.

It is as s.h.i.+zuki says, escaping now won't solve anything.

In secret they can meet as much as they want.

What she said is like taking action against my will. And surely s.h.i.+zuki will put it to practice.

It is impossible to stop s.h.i.+zuki without stopping her mind.

"You… Are you planning to trample on my feelings?" [Fujimura]

I was impatient as I threatened. I was mad at myself for using my feelings to bind her.

"I would like to be a s.e.xual slave who master can be proud of" [s.h.i.+zuki]

s.h.i.+zuki's voice was heard from behind. Although her voice was quiet, I could feel her determination.

"No matter how much I think, no matter how much I do, how long will master stay beside me? Even though we are so close master's back is getting farther and farther. Thinking about s.h.i.+zuki more than anyone else, treating s.h.i.+zuki more importantly than anyone else, just looking at s.h.i.+zuki and no one else…" [s.h.i.+zuki]

s.h.i.+zuki's trembling voice sinks deep into my heart.

"I am afraid. I become scared when I think about master abandoning me. I can't forgive myself for doubting master's words and becoming afraid…" [s.h.i.+zuki]

s.h.i.+zuki says with her trembling voice, as she stares at me while showing me a cramped smile and trembling eyes.

I understand what s.h.i.+zuki is trying to say. I guess it is because I was in the same spot.

"You can be weak. Even if I run away it is good, whether I am right or not is not for you to think. Anyway, I am not planning on letting you go…" [Fujimura]

s.h.i.+zuki is trying to confront Senjo-senpai in order to become a woman suitable for me. But I didn't ask for such a thing.

"You just have to stay by my side in silence" [Fujimura]

I said so and tried to walk. However, even if I grab s.h.i.+zuki's hand, she won't move.

If I pull forcefully ignoring s.h.i.+zuki's will it is possible to leave this place. But, even if I take s.h.i.+zuki's hand, she won't come. That fact is painful. And I thought, until now s.h.i.+zuki desperately clung to me.

"If the other part is a beautiful person, I think there would be reasons to escape, but…" [s.h.i.+zuki]

s.h.i.+zuki's hand was pulled out of my grasp as strength left my hand.

"I can't escape from Senjo-senpai alone!" [s.h.i.+zuki]

I who turned back to that voice, hurriedly rush and hug s.h.i.+zuki from behind her.

"Please let me go! I can't run away! If I want to be beside master, I can't run away!" [s.h.i.+zuki]

s.h.i.+zuki who was hugged from behind by me is desperately rampaging and trying to slip out of my grasp.

Even if I stop her, it is useless. Even if we run away, or I overturn s.h.i.+zuki's will. But my words reached her neatly. That is why s.h.i.+zuki refuses to escape.

The current s.h.i.+zuki is very crazy. In order to stop s.h.i.+zuki, I would have to detain and confine her.

"I understand" [Fujimura]

Translator: Leoito