Chapter 65: Kamishiro Hisui (Alicia's Feelings)
Sitting on the edge of the stone bath with only my feet soaking in the hot spring, I try to cool down my overheated head.
The cold breeze feels nice.
I think back to what just happened.
There were some parts of the conversation I didn’t fully understand, but I’m pretty sure Hisui and Alicia were arguing over me. That much is clear.
I like Alicia—but is it wrong to also want to stay close with Hisui, my childhood friend?
I thought that since we’re the same gender now, it would be easier to get along. But things didn’t turn out that way. Life isn’t so simple.
『……Alicia, are you okay?』
『……I’m sorry, Ikuto-san. It seems my behavior upset Hisui-san.』
『You don’t need to apologize to me. Still… why did Hisui get that angry, I wonder?』
It’s rare for Hisui to hurl such blunt, aggressive words like that.
『I think I understand how Hisui-san feels… I’m always being selfish and relying on you, Ikuto-san.』
『I don’t think that’s true. If anything, I’m the one who’s always being helped by you, Alicia… Should I say something to Hisui?』
『Please don’t do anything, Ikuto-san. Even though you were right there, she chose to speak to me directly. That’s why… I have to respond to her myself.』
『Okay. But if you’re ever in trouble, rely on me, okay? I’m your… y–your boyfriend, after all…』
『Yes. Thank you, Ikuto-san.』
Feeling a little chilled, I got back into the bath one more time. After soaking and washing my hair, I stepped out.
Since I’d taken my time, Hisui was no longer in the dressing room. I dried myself off and put on my underwear.
I spotted a yukata provided in the basket and decided to try it on—but it was clearly far too big, loose enough that there was no way I could wear it comfortably.
I gave up and picked up one of the children’s yukatas next to it. It had a cute design, covered in little goldfish illustrations—definitely something made for kids.
After a bit of hesitation, I slipped my arms into the children’s yukata. After all, relaxing in a yukata is part of the hot spring experience. Besides, I wasn’t planning to leave the room, so no one would see me.
Once I finished changing and returned to the room, I found Hisui sitting in the back with a calm, breezy expression. When she noticed me, she smiled softly and stood up.
With her hair down and wearing a yukata, she had an indescribable charm about her.
「You look good in that yukata, Alice. Very cute.」
「It was the only one that fit, so I didn’t have a choice… Honestly, I’d prefer if you didn’t comment on it.」
「Oh? I see. Sorry about that.」
『Hisui-san.』
『What is it, Alicia?』
Triggered by Alicia’s voice, Hisui’s gaze suddenly narrowed. Even though she wasn’t looking anywhere else, the way she looked at me changed completely—it was an icy stare that made my spine freeze.
『I want to answer the question you asked earlier.』
『I’d like to hear it.』
『I love Ikuto-san. And Ikuto-san has told me that he loves me, too. However, the way I am… it’s different from a normal person.』
Alicia continued to speak.
『Hisui-san, earlier you said that I’m not standing on the same ground. I believe you’re absolutely right. I cannot walk alongside Ikuto-san. I can’t even kiss him or hold him in my arms.』
Alicia’s words were delivered in a calm tone, but they were filled with mixed emotions. I could sense even the darker feelings she’d never shown me since I became trapped in her body—hidden emotions she had always kept to herself.
『I want Ikuto-san to be happy. And when the day comes that he finds someone to truly walk beside, I don’t want my presence to become a burden. If Ikuto-san ever falls in love with someone else… I intend to step aside gracefully.』
Her response shocked me. We might not be able to be physically close, but we’d built a strong bond over the past year. That’s why I believed that—even in this unconventional form—our love could work. But now I realized Alicia didn’t believe that at all.
"Alicia… Are you really okay with that?"
『I believe that’s the way things should be. Though… I’ve always relied too much on Ikuto-san’s kindness, so I’m in no position to say anything self-important…』
"How far are you planning to go with this…? Well, fine. If that’s how you feel, Alicia, then I’ll do as I please too."
Hisui smiled at me. But for some reason, the look in her eyes sent a chill running down my spine, and I instinctively tensed up.
"It’s about time for dinner. Let’s enjoy the meal together, alright?"
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