Mugi

VI. Topless

Mugi
Topless

“Why did you ask?” she laughed awkwardly.

“Just curious. Your boyfriend must be lucky to have you.”

“I don’t have a boyfriend, and I’m not interested.”

We proceeded to exit the restroom. The shower room was just beside it. I wonder when I could take a shower.

“Why? Is romance not your kind?” I asked.

“It’s not like that. I just don’t like men,” she replied with a serious tone. She might have bitter pasts with men or perhaps, father issues.

“Did you have a relationship before?”

“Nope. I rejected them all,” she proudly replied. I just noticed that her responses on this kind of topic were brief. She’s hiding something.

“Why did you dye your hair red then?”

“Is it bad?”

“No, it looks good on you.”

She smiled. “Well, I dyed my hair ‘cause Ayako requested it. She’s such a mischief.”

Her sister? And she even did the request? That seems new for an older sister being obedient to the younger one.

“Do you love your sister?”

“Of course. She’s the only family I have now. Oh, plus the two boys and you,” she giggled. We’re about to climb upstairs again. I looked at her and she looked at me as well.

“Well? My arms are free.” She moved her brows up and down. I smiled and rolled my eyes. Yurima is a funny person. She’s a good sister.

She carried me like the first thing she did when she brought me there. I kind of feel sorry for her suffering just for me. But I thought sometimes that she wanted it in the first place. She wanted to keep me. I didn’t force her or tell her to care for me.

“Why are you doing this? If you didn’t save me, you won’t be suffering like this.”

“Then if I didn’t save you, does it make me a good person?”

“Who cares about seeing you as a good or bad person anyway? You’re just satisfying the people around you. Why won’t you care for yourself?”

“I don’t want to be selfish, Mugi. At least I’m living with a purpose.”

“Is that what it really means?”

She just smiled at me and didn’t respond. She began to have that huffs and puffs again ‘til we landed on the staircase’s landing. She put me down for a minute.

“You’re heavy. Maybe, the lost blood in your body has been restored,” she chuckled.

“You don’t have to carry me up,” I said as I clung to the stair’s metal handrail, “I can manage.”

“Are you sure?”

I nodded. I lifted my right foot on the next flight, but when I’m going to have my weights up, Yurima held me in my arms and assisted me.

“I don’t trust your strength right now,” she said with her light and always smiling look. I just let her do what she wants. Even I, couldn't trust my strength at that time. I just didn't want to be a burden to her.

We managed to get back safely to her apartment room, and my wound didn’t sting as last time. I get back to bed as I watch Yurima get something in her tote bag.

“Tada!” She imitated the tune of the fanfare as she revealed a black t-shirt with a red electric guitar printed on it. I just creased my forehead.

“I bought this for you,” she said, “I think you have the same size as Ayako so I bought two. Ayako took the white one and she’s wearing it now.”