Chapter 38

If I had to name the person who’s been closest to me since I returned from the other world, it would undoubtedly be Shin.

For the past few months, I’ve been living in the same house with Shin, eating the same meals, sharing the same daily routine.

Shin is usually at home unless he’s attending university, so naturally, we end up spending a lot of time together.

And during that time, we’ve talked a lot. We’ve spent so many hours side by side.

Since coming back to this world, I’ve hardly interacted with anyone besides Shin.

That day in May, I returned from the other world, brainwashed Shin on the spot, and moved into his home.

Even after that, for the first two months, I barely left the house except for grocery runs. This past month, I’ve started going out a little more, but even then, it’s usually with Shin.

Of course, I’ve had some small talk with the neighbors. I know the names and faces of the people who live on the same floor.

But that’s all just surface-level neighborly interaction. There’s no one I’d say I’m close to.

…Yeah. Thinking about it now, most of my memories from these past few months are connected to Shin.

In fact, trying to remember anything not related to Shin is harder.

In short, I’ve spent all that time with Shin—watching him, being with him.

And because of that, I feel like I’ve gotten to know a bit about what kind of person he is.

There’s still a lot I don’t understand about what he’s thinking, but I think I’ve at least grasped the core of who he is as a person.

…Which is exactly why, right now, I can tell—Shin’s changed a little.

“Okay, let’s go.”

As he said that, Shin quickened his pace.

It wasn’t much, but something about the way he moved made it clear—he intended to take me with him, even if it meant dragging me along.

And that... caught me off guard.

“…Shin, you’ve changed a bit.”

“Huh?”

I spoke my thoughts without thinking.

But it really was surprising. I’d never seen him like this before.

“The Shin from a little while ago would’ve backed off if I said no.”

Shin has always been the type to adjust himself to those around him.

It’s not like he never speaks his mind, but whenever there’s a disagreement, he’s always the first to back down.

That’s why, in all this time, Shin and I have never fought.

Not that we’ve had many disagreements to begin with. And even the rare times we did, Shin would just withdraw before anything started.

He’s the kind of person you could call gentle, in a good way—or weak-willed, in a bad way.

And now, that same Shin is trying to take me along, even if he has to force it.

That’s something the old Shin would never have done.

“Yeah… maybe you’re right.”

Shin seemed to agree with that assessment.

Then suddenly, his expression twisted.

“…Is this… not okay?”

He asked with a worried look on his face.

That caught me a little off guard.

“Huh? No, that’s not it at all. …Yeah. I think it’s better this way.”

There’s no way it’s a bad thing for Shin to voice his opinions to me.

If anything, it would’ve been bad if he didn’t.

We’re this close—how sad would it be if he felt like he couldn’t even speak his mind?

“…You really think so?”

“Yeah. You should speak up more, Shin.”

Now that I think about it, maybe Shin had been holding back around me all this time.

Granted, it’s been way too long for that, but if he’s finally stopped doing that, then I should be glad.

That thought made me smile without realizing it.

…Huh? Wait a second?

Something pricked at my awareness—like a truck passing just out of sight.

It was still a faint sound, but I could feel the presence of a large truck behind us, closing in at a decent speed.

It seemed like it was on a trajectory that would take it close to us.

…Still, it probably wouldn’t hit us.

Old habits from the other world kicked in, and I instinctively assessed whether it posed any threat to me.

And I concluded that it didn’t.

Even if the truck swerved at the last second, I could avoid it easily.

Honestly, even if I got hit head-on, I’d probably come out without a scratch.

People didn’t call me a monster for nothing.

…No need to worry.

Besides, I was in the middle of talking with Shin. Compared to that, a truck was a trivial matter.

So I pushed it out of my mind.

…And that’s exactly why, when it happened, I didn’t understand what was going on.

“Ah, careful.”

“Eh? What?”

Before I knew it, Shin had pulled me into his arms.

I had no idea what just happened.

…No, that’s not quite right. I did know what happened—Shin grabbed me by the shoulders and pulled me against his chest.

What I didn’t understand was why.

When I looked up in confusion, I saw Shin gazing down at me with a relieved expression.

…He’s close. It feels like we’re hugging.

No, he is hugging me.

But… why?

There’s no reason for this. For him to hug me out of nowhere—it’s like we’re lovers or something—

“—Ah.”

And just like that, the thoughts I’d had before we left the house came flooding back.

…That’s right. A trip. A couple. A boyfriend.

Random words started bouncing around in my head.

I’d finally managed to forget all of that by focusing on how Shin had changed, and now—

“…Ugh.”

My heart was pounding. My shoulder, where he held me, was burning up.

I felt dizzy, like my vision was warping.

“Yuu, are you okay?”

“Y-Yeah. I’m fine.”

I managed a response somehow.

No good. My brain wasn’t working right.

“Yuu, let’s go.”

“…Y-Yeah.”

Once Shin let go of me, I was able to think a little clearer.

I started walking after him, all while trying to process what just happened.

…Finally, I began to piece it together.

Shin had pulled me close right when the truck passed.

Earlier, he said things like “that was dangerous” or “are you okay,” so I think he was trying to protect me from the truck.

So… I’m sure Shin didn’t mean anything weird by it.

“…Haa.”

…I know that.

And yet, my head still wasn’t cooperating.

Even though his hands were long gone, my shoulder kept burning like his touch was still there.

My heartbeat didn’t return to normal until we finally arrived at the phone store.