Chapter 56: The Real Hero
Sato Shinichi had no idea how he had walked away from the oden stall. Even after confronting the executives of the [Dark] Organization and fighting for three consecutive days, he had never felt this light in his body.
His feet felt soft as if they had no sensation, and his whole body was tingling, as if the sweet words “great hero” uttered by the girl were still echoing in his ears.
Although protecting his girlfriend was something he should do as a man, Kiyomizu’s voice was just too sweet!!!
That cold, slightly shy, coquetting tone directly struck the softest part of Sato Shinichi’s heart, making him feel all flustered.
“Is this really necessary…”
Looking back at the fluttering, pink-hearted figure of Sato Shinichi behind him, who was emitting a strong scent of love everywhere, Kazumi felt herself blushing in reaction to his response.
What was merely a playful action to bring them closer had made the boy react to such an extent that she felt an unusual embarrassment as if she had done something truly significant.
Feeling a bit annoyed, she quickened her pace and walked ahead.
…
After realizing that his girlfriend had walked away, Sato Shinichi snapped back to reality from that pink state and hurried to catch up with Kazumi, walking side by side along the street.
It was the time when the sun was setting, and the street was bustling with office workers heading home, students getting out of school, and housewives rushing to the market for discounted groceries, creating a particularly peaceful everyday atmosphere.
Looking up at the pink sunset, Kazumi thoughtfully lowered her head and gazed at a patch of grass by the riverside in the distance.
She gently tugged at the boy’s sleeve and said softly, “Shinichi-kun, shall we sit over there? The sunset is really beautiful today!”
Her previously cold face seemed to soften under the sunset’s glow, radiating a special vitality unique to a girl in her youth, filling the boy’s surroundings.
“Mm-hmm.”
Without hesitation, Sato Shinichi nodded and smiled, allowing the girl to lead him towards the lawn.
This was perhaps the most comforting place in his heart—this cold girl who had always shut herself away in her world was finally willing to show him such a brilliant smile.
Their first encounter was probably at the entrance ceremony. Due to his height, Sato Shinichi was placed in the front row of boys, while Kazumi, not particularly tall herself, was in the front row of girls.
With just a glance, Sato Shinichi impressed the cold and aloof girl beside him into his memory.
She was not very tall, thin and small, with short hair, dressed neatly, and her cold gaze radiated an aura that seemed to say “stay away.”
Her eyes were cold yet strong-willed. Sato Shinichi was familiar with that look; before being taken in by an old man, he had worn a similar expression while alone in the orphanage.
Wrapping his soft heart with a fierce and cold exterior was the way to avoid harm from others.
And because he had experienced such darkness, Sato Shinichi resolved to become a true hero who could bring light and hope to everyone!
After silently watching her for a while, Sato Shinichi realized that he might have begun to like this cold yet strong and resilient girl.
This was what young love felt like—she might not be the best or the prettiest, but in your heart, she was undoubtedly the most beautiful figure.
After a clumsy confession, all he got in return was the girl’s bewildered response.
The most wonderful thing in the world was probably watching the person you loved step by step out of the darkness, their originally cold expression replaced with a smile, transforming into the appearance that a girl of her age should have.
“What are you zoning out for?”
The girl’s unique cold tone pulled Sato Shinichi out of his memories, and he hurriedly responded to Kazumi in front of him.
“I’m coming!”
Looking at the girl who had already adjusted her skirt and sat down in the distance, Sato Shinichi put on a gentle smile and quickly walked over to sit beside her.
…
By the riverside under the sunset, the boy and girl sat side by side. Kazumi was holding a blade of grass, gazing absent-mindedly at the little river in front of her, lost in thought, while the boy sat stiffly, as if beside a landmine, afraid that if he made a wrong move, it would explode.
[What do I do, what do I do, what do I do???]
Sato Shinichi was feeling flustered. His personality was simple and straightforward—if he had a goal, he could usually rely on his enthusiasm to accomplish it easily.
For example, when Kazumi asked him to accompany her to eat oden, he would have his eyes fixed on the pot the entire time, as if getting food was more important than the date itself.
But now, Sato Shinichi noticed something strange.
Sitting together, what exactly were they supposed to do? Given that he had never experienced anything like this before, Sato Shinichi felt as if he were on pins and needles.
Perhaps instinctively, his emotional intelligence awakened at that moment, and he recalled some scenes from idol dramas where couples would meet in secluded places, which must mean they could do something more intimate.
For example…
An exaggerated face of Sobakada Asada suddenly popped into his mind.
[No way, no way, Sato Shinichi, have you been dating Kiyomizu for so long and have never kissed her?! Let me tell you, Kazumi’s cold personality, when she gets shy, must be exceptionally cute!]
Then his peripheral vision caught the sight of Kazumi’s rosy lips under the sunset, their subtle curve igniting an urge to lean in and kiss her.
His throat tightened, and the scent from the girl drifted slowly towards him, making his heart inexplicably race.
He timidly moved his right hand but quickly retracted it, feeling conflicted and unsure of what to do.
[Would doing this seem frivolous? But we are already boyfriend and girlfriend, so holding hands should be okay, right?!]
Taking a deep breath as if making a decision, Sato Shinichi reached his right hand towards Kazumi.
But the next moment, a small figure with a faint fragrance gently leaned closer, resting her head on his shoulder, gazing longingly at the nearly setting sun, and asked, “Shinichi-kun, what do you think is the true hero?”
