Chapter 35 - "Baka"
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I walked down the corridor fast—almost running.
Mio had been impossible in the medical room. Sat on my lap the entire time. Wouldn't let me stand. Wouldn't let me breathe. Even in front of Rei. I could still feel the heat of her arms around my neck, her cheek against mine, whispering "don't leave yet" every time I tried to move.
*Embarrassing. Way too embarrassing.*
I muttered under my breath.
"Hmmp."
I pushed open my room door.
Flopped face-first onto the bed.
The mattress sighed under me.
"It was one night… but it feels like ten chapters. Ahh—I mean—I'm really tired. I did this much workout for the first time in my whole life. If I'd focused on the gym back then… maybe I'd have had girlfriends. Just like our cool dude Takeshi."
I laughed—quiet, hollow.
"Haha… those good old days."
I rolled onto my back.
Stared at the sun through the window.
Golden light. Soft. Warm.
The door opened quietly.
Akane stepped in.
I sat up slowly.
She just stood there.
Didn't speak.
Didn't move.
The silence between us felt like it had weight—like every word we didn't say in the hallway last time was still hanging in the air.
I remembered her voice.
*"If you become a personal assistant to a male, you get more pay than most soldiers."*
I swallowed.
"What do you want?"
She looked down at the floor.
"Minister Aiko says… you can continue to use resources."
Her voice was small.
I stared at her bowed head.
"You think I fought for the resources?"
No answer.
Her shoulders were tense.
I leaned forward.
"Why are you looking down?"
Still nothing.
Her fists clenched—slow, trembling.
I felt something ache in my chest.
"You also think of me as an asset."
Her breath hitched—just a tiny sound.
I kept going—voice softer now.
"Am I still just a machine that needs its functions verified?"
Her eyes glistened—tears she wouldn't let fall.
I exhaled.
"If I hadn't made it back from the South—if the mech had been crushed—would you have just filed a 'damaged equipment' report… and moved on to the next pilot?"
Her voice broke.
"Stop it."
Shaking.
I tilted my head.
"Stop what? Stop being human? Stop di—"
SLAP!
Her hand connected—sharp, sudden, stinging.
She looked up—tears finally spilling.
Legs gave out.
She sank to the floor.
Crying—quiet at first.
Then louder—shoulders shaking, hands covering her face.
I froze.
She spoke—voice raw, cracking.
"Then what should I do? I can't show my feelings. What if the same happens to you as Ren… after making contact with Saki?"
I sat down in front of her—slow, careful.
"But he returned. I returned."
She looked at me—red eyes, wet cheeks, trembling lips.
She reached out—fingers brushing my face like she was afraid I'd disappear.
"Ever since I was born… my mother taught me: males are assets. For population growth. I thought so too. But seeing you… it's different."
Her voice cracked again.
"I thought you'd be the same. So I accepted the offer to be your personal assistant. But after spending time with you… I felt strange. I don't know what to do. I can't lose you. So I decided to step out."
I leaned in.
Wrapped my arms around her—gentle, steady.
She stiffened—then melted into me.
"Baka."
She buried her face in my shoulder.
"You don't need to worry about what anyone says. Not your mother. Not some minister. Not orders. It's your life. Do what you want."
She cried harder—clutching my shirt.
Then—through the tears—a small, broken laugh.
"I thought you were just a nerd… how can you talk to a girl like this?"
I chuckled—soft.
"I'd call it the effect of surroundings."
She laughed too—quiet, real, muffled against me.
Both of us—laughing while she cried.
The room felt lighter.
Warmer.
Like something that had been locked tight for too long… finally opened.
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*End*