CHAPTER 37: THE COILS CLOSE IN

«Unfortunately, I finished late at university tonight and didn’t have time to bring you anything. I hope I’m still welcome,» Miori says, a faint smile on her face.

Truth be told, looking back, Aoshi would’ve preferred if she hadn’t brought anything the day before either. The sweet, lingering scent from the picnic basket Miori left behind hadn’t gone unnoticed by Eliss — who had never been more jealous in her life.

In the end, though, Aoshi managed to get away with it by simply telling her that Ayane and Takuma were the ones who’d brought it.Of course, he then had to ask his two friends to back him up, but Ayane turned out to be even more jealous and insistent than Eliss — only to take it all back later and claim that it had actually been Takuma who’d brought it, taking advantage of her absence to continue their erotic visual novel alone together.

In short, a web of lies and needless drama that could’ve easily been avoided if Miori hadn’t forgotten the basket there — though it was obviously anything but accidental.

Tonight, Miori is wearing a sky-blue sweater with a neckline a bit bolder than the one from the night before, a white skirt that reaches just above mid-thigh, and tall brown cowgirl-style boots.

It’s an outfit that leaves Aoshi breathless for a moment — but strikes him even harder when she crouches beside his futon, just like she did the previous night. This time, however, her shorter skirt reveals much more in that position, inevitably drawing his gaze, which sticks helplessly to her firm, toned thighs despite his best efforts to hide it.

Of course, Miori notices those glances right away — after all, she didn’t choose such a revealing outfit because of the heat.

«Yeah... unfortunately, I’ve got bruises there too — not just on my legs...» Miori murmurs, her way of letting Aoshi know she’s noticed his wandering eyes on her thighs.

«Y-Yeah, I can’t help noticing... you’re covered all over,» he replies, in a clumsy attempt to take the hint she’s just given him and turn his shameless staring into something excusable.

«Forgive me for not covering them up tonight like I usually do. I didn’t mean to shock you with such a sight, but... when I’m here, I just feel free,» Miori whispers with a gentle smile.

Aoshi’s eyes widen instantly, his lips parting slightly as his heart begins to race as if an engine were revving to life, struck head-on by those unexpected yet deeply stirring words.

«When I’m here — away from Renji and from all those eyes that always expect me to be perfect and flawless... I... I don’t feel ashamed of the marks on my body, nor do I have to pretend to be someone I’m not. I can just be myself, without fear of being judged — or worse. I just hope you don’t mind if, when I’m with you, I let myself wear clothes I could never even dream of putting on anywhere else... but I don’t really get any other chance to.»

«D-Don’t even say things like that!» Aoshi bursts out. «If I invited you to spend time here, it’s because I want you to feel free to be yourself — without anyone judging you or treating you unfairly! Think of it as your little corner of peace — or maybe the opposite: a place to let out everything you’ve been holding in. Or maybe like an actor’s dressing room after a long day on stage, where he can finally step out of his role and just be himself! Miori — I know I don’t mean much to you, but... I want to help you. I really do. And if spending just these few minutes with me each day is enough to make you feel a little better, then... I’ll find a way to make sure that even after I recover, you’ll still have a shoulder to lean on, to let out your stress or frustration... or even cry on, if you need to!» Aoshi exclaims, his voice burning with emotion, his determined gaze locked on Miori’s.

«During the short time we’ve spent together these past few days, I... I think I’ve come to know you better than during the entire month we were together. I used to think you were a cold, sadistic girl who enjoyed making others suffer — but I know that’s not true! The real Miori is the one standing before me right now — sensitive, fragile, but trapped inside a cage that keeps her wings from spreading! I’m truly happy to have seen this side of you, the one everyone else overlooks—the one I much prefer to the cold, flawless, unreachable Miori you show the world...» Aoshi finishes, offering her a warm, sincere smile.

«Aoshi...» Miori murmurs softly, almost a wistful whisper, her eyes faintly glimmering.

But this time, it isn’t an act.

Her breathing grows slightly uneven, as if a weight pressed down on her chest as she heard those words so full of concern and kindness — words no one had ever spoken to her before, and that, until now, she’d never even wanted to hear. She made him believe she was the one being dominated and used by Renji, not the other way around, and yet those words still struck deep — even if not for the reasons Aoshi believes.

That feeling of being trapped, forced to appear perfect in every way, unable to truly be herself—it isn’t so far from the truth.

Miori remains utterly silent, her gaze fixed on Aoshi but lost in emptiness, as if he weren’t even there. Her lips quiver faintly, and so do her legs, as though her body were crossed by a series of quiet, shivering chills.

W-What is this feeling...? Why are that idiot’s words affecting me like this? They’re just sentimental nonsense coming from a fool who actually believes that loser Renji is mistreating me. They shouldn’t mean anything — and yet... why do I feel so moved?

N-No one has ever dared to treat me with such compassion — as if I’d ever need the pity of a pathetic loser like him! Don’t be ridiculous! This is nothing short of humiliation!

I only put on this little act to break down the wall of distrust he’d built between us at first, but now things are slipping out of my control, and this moron is starting to take way too many liberties for my taste! Until now I’ve just been testing the waters, careful not to move too fast — but from his words, it’s obvious he can’t wait to pounce on me. Otherwise, what would be the point of that sweet little speech of his?

There’s no such thing as kindness for its own sake — only convenience. I’m sure the only reason behind those words is to take advantage of an emotionally fragile, sensitive girl, to finally do what I never even let him dream about when we were together — not because he actually cares about my fake problems.

Well done, Aoshi — you’ve clearly improved with girls since I dumped you, I’ll give you that. Enough to earn yourself one night with the most desired woman in all Japan. Tomorrow night, Aoshi... you’ll be mine, I promise you that.

«Thank you so much, Aoshi. You can’t imagine how happy it makes me to know there’s someone like you I can rely on. The only one in this filthy, unfair world who’s ever spoken to me with such kindness and understanding... who’s ever treated me with such care and attention. You’re so sweet, so sensitive, so kind...»

Miori blushes instantly and lowers her gaze to the floor. Her eyes grow red and glossy until tears spill down her cheeks — after a brief pause she was back to playing the role of the poor, heartbroken girl once again.

«...Eliss is really lucky to have someone like you by her side. I truly envy her. You know, I’ve always dreamed of living a movie-like love story like yours — one made of connection, of genuine affection, of mutual support when life throws obstacles your way... It’s a dream I once managed to live for a fleeting moment, only to lose it to the cruelty of this world. And that’s what hurts me more than anything else.

But still, even if only for a short while, I’m truly happy that I was your girlfriend, Aoshi. The month we spent together is a precious memory I’ll carry in my heart forever — in fact, the most precious one of all. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for giving me that single glimmer of light in an endless darkness.»

Aoshi’s eyes grow misty, moved by what feels like the most sincere and heartfelt words he’s ever heard. Words of gratitude that fill him with a pleasant warmth — the kind that comes from knowing you’ve truly helped someone in need.

At the same time, though, Miori’s words rekindle the thought she’d planted in his mind the day before — a thought he’d tried to push away, forcing himself to forget completely: that maybe — just maybe — things between them weren’t really over. Yesterday it had only been a vague suspicion. But today... yes, now I’m sure — Miori still loves me. No, she never stopped.And me? Do I still feel something for her? Damn it... I never thought I’d ever think about Miori that way again. But now that I know the truth — that the cruelty she showed me wasn’t really hers — I can’t even bring myself to hate her anymore.

Still, even if I did return her feelings, with Renji in the picture it would be impossible to even think about getting back together. And the worst part of all this... is that, somewhere deep inside, I can’t help but feel sorry about it.