episode_0058

It’s unbelievable.

So, from Vita’s point of view.

‘Why is he here…?’

No, really.

“Bianca, you… ”

A low voice is heard through the sound of pouring rain. Vita is caught in his arms and is too dazed to answer.

Carlyle also couldn’t speak after that.

The rain is still falling, and the embrace is getting wet.

Vita’s amethyst eyes widened in surprise, then closed tightly.

Why are you here?

Carlyle Schultz said.

“Are you okay…?”

For some reason, Vita doesn’t want to answer the other person.

My pride is hurt for no reason.

Why, why.

A state of being held so tightly that it is difficult to breathe.

As if confirming his own existence, Vita’s two cheeks were caught in two rough hands.

“Are you okay, Bianca-!”

They lock eyes with Carlyle’s sunken golden eyes.

No, it wasn’t.

He thought it had subsided, but what Vita was facing was a burning golden eye. Emotions swirling inside the golden eyes.

Vita saw how fiercely and passionately it moved.

The sound of raindrops falling in the forest at night, the sound of the wind blowing.

All those sounds disappear in an instant.

“Wake up, Bianca.”

Instead, a slightly locked, slightly urgent bass dominated Vita’s hearing.

Carlyle touches her body here and there as he speaks.

Arms, legs, and even the back. Check carefully to see if there are any injuries.

Vita was slightly dazed, then came to her senses and barely managed to speak.

How did you get here, how did you find yourself?

That’s what I was trying to say.

But what actually came out of Vita’s lips were quite strange words.

“Why did you come here…? So, you… ”

We hugged each other again.

“You’re okay, you.”

It’s a little absurd. Even Carlyle’s face seems to brighten up a little.

What the heck, this guy.

“What, what the…?!”

“Looking at you building up your self-esteem.”

I can’t believe that guy is laughing so hard.

So, still. Vita can’t believe it. Because the person she never expected is right in front of her.

“I heard it rolled down from above.”

Carlyle spoke to Vita.

“Check if there’s any injury.”

“… Rice, not so much.”

Vita tried to answer.

So, this is it.

What should I say?

For some reason, I suddenly feel like crying and my throat is sore.

“You’re not hurt, really…?”

For some reason, I feel that way when I have my head stroked by Carlyle and hear his affectionate voice.

“… Yeah. Luckily.”

Although there was still a hint of suspicion on Carlyle’s face, it was true that he wasn’t really hurt that much.

“Anyway, you… ”

Because I said I was okay.

Only then does Carlyle sigh deeply in relief.

“Don’t do this again.”

The voice that I hear at first glance seems angry.

“… What are you.”

Vita’s amethyst eyes looked only at one place.

The face of Carlyle Schultz.

The worry and urgency I felt earlier, and the relief I feel now. Vita saw all those emotions with her own eyes.

I saw a whirlwind of emotions swirling around.

It feels strange.

“Thank goodness, really… ”

Meanwhile, Vita continued to be held in her partner’s arms.

Fortunately, continue.

Carlyle probably whispered those words five or six times, burying his head deep in Vita’s neck.

For a moment, I was struck dumb. I thought for a moment, absentmindedly, if this was just a strange dream.

‘How, Carlyle…’

I don’t know if I found it.

Alone in this dark forest, in the rain.

What about your partner Emily?

Many thoughts came to mind, but the most important thing right now is nothing else.

It’s dark and cold in the mountains, and it’s raining.

It’s scary and hard. Honestly, even just a moment ago, I felt bad because I was like this.

Just, all of a sudden. For no reason.

I felt a surge of sadness, tears welled up in my eyes, and I collapsed. It was a bit childish, but it felt like I was left alone in the world.

It makes me feel wronged that I’ve turned into a woman again.

It was difficult, in many ways.

‘I’m fine.’

I’m really okay.

I kept telling myself that, but in reality, it wasn’t okay.

***

Swaaaah-

It’s still raining, my shoulders and head are wet and clammy, it’s so uncomfortable.

But there’s Carlyle. He’s right here with me.

“Okay, now.”

And now it’s okay. She speaks while holding Vita’s body.

‘Even if you say that…’

Vita was definitely thinking that way in her mind.

Even if Carlyle Schultz hadn’t said that to him, he would have been fine again. That’s what he tried to think.

But the truth is,

So, maybe.

It might not have been possible.

‘If this guy hadn’t come… it might have been hard.’

And now Carlyle was treating her like he was soothing her, like he was soothing a child, and not at all funny, so Vita suddenly found herself laughing heartily, thinking that this situation was funny.

So, I don’t know.

I don’t even know why I’m laughing.

“… Yeah, right.”

So Vita answers the other person first. While hugging him tightly.

“It’s okay, I.”

Because it’s really okay now.

It’s not because of the other person.

Just, just.

“You’re an idiot.”

Vita suddenly said. Well, isn’t Carlyle’s condition quite funny?

It must have been dangerous with the rain pouring down like this. Why didn’t he come looking for me like some crazy person?

“You’re really fearless. Even if you don’t have it, you don’t have it at all.”

So Vita suddenly giggled and laughed.

“Well, that’s right.”

Carlyle’s expression also seems to be gradually loosening up.

In the forest where it is raining. A gentle voice is heard.

“Were you scared, alone?”

Vita hesitated for a moment at Carlyle’s words.

“Oh, no… ?”

He lifts his small fist and wipes his eyes, fearing that it might seem like that was the reason he was crying.

Of course it was scary.

But I’m still embarrassed to admit it.

“What do you think of me…!”

I’m trying to get a little worked up.

‘This is a person. Do you think he’s a child?’

Carlyle chuckled.

“Bianca, you’re so scared. You’re so weak physically and mentally. So, I… ”

Carlyle realizes once again how absent-minded he had been in running around.

“Anyway, I’m glad I found it.”

Yeah, really. It’s a godsend.

[Isn’t there anyone there-?!]

I can only explain it as I happened to hear someone’s voice very faintly.

It’s fate. Really. It’s fate helping me.

So Carlyle puts more and more strength into the arm holding the opponent.

And, Vita.

“… … ”

It’s just so hard to keep my lips together.

Being held in someone’s wide arms, feeling the other person’s body temperature, a sense of relief creeps in without you even realizing it.

‘Why, on earth?’

The feeling that had been a mess and confusing until just now suddenly became better.

“There are no serious injuries?”

Carlyle asked again.

“Ah, uh… a little bit raw.”

“That would be really fortunate.”

It was something I realized anew, but whenever Carlyle stroked her head, Vita’s body would tremble slightly. So she cringed.

A feeling of being protected. It’s something I feel for the first time, but it’s also something to rely on.

I realize that about myself and think it’s strange.

For this moment, I just want to be like this.

‘Thank goodness, yes.’

As the Carlyle guy said, how lucky it is that no one was seriously hurt.

Thinking that to herself, Vita simply buried her head in the embrace that was holding her in silence.

If it weren’t for the weight, the affectionate hug might have lasted longer. That’s how long the two of them were looking only at each other.

***

Swaaaah-

The rain was getting heavier and heavier.

I met Carlyle, but things weren’t going well for either of them in many ways.

“Should we avoid the rain for now?”

Carlyle’s judgment was quick. Vita nodded.

The mountains are cold on autumn nights. If hypothermia were to set in, it would be a serious problem, so Carlyle took off his outerwear and wrapped it around the other person.

“You, you… ”

“It’s okay, I.”

He forces Bianca Shamal to get dressed, and then, quite naturally, he grabs her hand and tries to leave.

“Ah, wait a minute… ”

Vita just sat down.

Didn’t you feel that pain in your ankle earlier for nothing?

This is a mess.

“Why, can’t I walk?”

Vita thought for a moment and then nodded.

“… Mom, I can’t walk.”

Your ankle looks swollen.

“Put it on my back.”

Carlyle kneels before him without any hesitation.

But the mountain path at night.

It’s dangerous to just walk, but isn’t it even more dangerous to carry someone while walking?

Carlyle, sensing such worries, approaches the player.

“Don’t worry about useless things. Just bring a flashlight.”

Thud-thud-

The raindrops are getting stronger and stronger. Although the trees are thick and it is raining less, it is not a situation where you can afford to hesitate.

“That, yeah… ”

In the end, Vita was lifted.

Even though I feel sorry, there’s nothing I can do about it.

Hug your partner tightly to avoid falling apart.

I don’t think I would have done this normally.

Right now, I just feel like doing this.

Thump- thump-

So two people move together along the mountain path in the middle of the night.

It’s still raining, and it’s even dark around here.

Because I am relying so much on the other person.

‘Carlyle is with you.’

Unlike before, Vita is no longer scary.

Nothing is scary when you’re with Carlyle.

‘This guy is fearless and strong…’

That’s it.

That’s all there is to it.

But why aren’t any words coming out of my mouth?

It’s such a strange feeling.

Probably, yes.

Second time after that.

Long ago, Vita almost got into a bad situation with a punk named Nathan. It was probably not long after she turned into a woman.

[Should I try yelling again? Or try acting cute?]

[What are you…?]

I still vividly remember the body of the guy I was laughing at floating in the air.

The situations that followed.

[Are you okay?]

A voice that was ringing low.

[Uh uh… yeah.]

For some reason, from then on, I didn’t really feel any aversion to the other person, and I felt relieved to the point of embarrassment.

In the crimson lights of the street.

Carlyle took the lead first, and I followed. It was a strange feeling, like a strange dream.

‘Even now… it’s like that.’

It feels similar to that time.

But unlike then, Vita knows now.

The feeling I had then, holding the other person’s hand, walking under a streetlight, and the feeling I have now.

‘So, this is…’

I guess that’s what you call will?

The opponent becomes a dependable person. He is a trustworthy person.

I know Carlyle better now than I did then.

‘This guy is secretly unlucky…’

At the same time, he is kind and affectionate, and he is also quite considerate.

When you are by my side, I feel reassured.

So, the feeling of being in a constant mess has improved.

That’s all there is to it.

Riding on Carlyle’s back, relying solely on him in the darkness, Vita continued to think.

So, once again.

I can’t express it.

My heart is pounding and I feel sad for some reason.

‘… … ‘

My fingertips are shaking a little, and I’m even breathing cautiously.

At this moment, I just don’t want to think about anything, I don’t want to be disturbed.

To that extent, this moment is somehow a little bit good.

I feel that way.

Thud- Thud-

As the rain continued to fall, Vita put the coat that the other person had taken off over Carlyle’s head to keep the raindrops from hitting his head.

“Rain, isn’t it right?”

“It’s a little less… ”

After all, he is dependent on Carlyle.

Just be sure to, very tightly.

He put his arms around Carlyle’s neck and held him tightly with all his might.

Because it’s more reassuring. And I don’t want to fall. In the first place, if we stick together, we’ll both get less wet. And it’s also cold.

“… Did I hug you too tightly?”

A chuckle.

Vita was extremely embarrassed by what she heard afterwards.

“Ah, sorry…!”

But when he tries to pull his arm away, it is grabbed again by Carlyle’s hand.

“I meant you were doing well.”

“Ah, what… ”

This guy is always doing well, but why is he getting so angry?

Vita stuck out her lips.

“No, then…don’t say anything.”

“Just. It’s fun.”

A bickering conversation ensues.

It’s somewhat ironic. It feels like this is the first time we’ve been alone together like this since we came on a school trip, and that we’ve had a conversation just for the two of us.

It’s so dark and cold, it’s ridiculous.

I think it’s pretty nice to walk through the forest like this in the rain.

‘So it’s a shame…’

Carlyle Schultz thought.

I have a bad feeling that the rain is getting heavier.

Let’s quickly find a place to go together.

After leaving the assembly point, I came here almost like a madman.

He even rolled down the slope without hesitation. So, although Bianca Shamal doesn’t know it, Carlyle’s body is also aching here and there. It definitely feels like there are quite a few wounds.

But thankfully, I found it eventually.

‘It must have some meaning.’

I managed to find it with great difficulty thanks to a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. But since I came here in a hurry without any thought, I can’t possibly remember the way back.

In this situation, in the forest and at night, I can’t go back relying on just a flashlight.

But Carlyle had seen something by chance earlier.

‘It was like a hut…’

I was recalling something I saw not far away. I barely managed to come close by searching through my memories.

I’m worried about hypothermia.

‘First, it would be good to warm up Bianca’s body.’

So I hurried even harder, and luckily I managed to find my way.

“Ah, over there-!”

The two found a shack-like building, dark and uninhabited, with no lights on.