Yamiyo no Hotaru

Chapter 136

 'Haah... haah...!'

 Through the damp marshland and into the forest, I sprint. My field of vision violently sways, blurring everything. My breath is ragged, but I keep running desperately. I'm running to escape the terrifying presence closing in from behind. To save her.

 'Haa... haa... haaah...!!'

 I gasp heavily, and there's the taste of iron in my mouth. I can't hold back, and I involuntarily look down. Nausea hits me. Bitter bile drips from my mouth. My sweat pours like a waterfall, splattering on the ground.

 Still, I couldn't stop. I couldn't afford to stop. Not just for my sake but also to save her.

 'I'm okay! It's alright!! We've made it out. Hahaha, how about that, you b*stard!!'

 As I turned forward again, I laughed twistedly, masking my impatience and fear. I acted as if I were triumphant, even though I didn't know what I was saying anymore. All I knew was what I had to do.

 But the warmth on my back was growing colder by the moment. There was no response. There was no time. I panicked. I rushed. I ran. I kept running. Run. Run. Run...!

 'Haa, haa, d*mn... d*mn...!!'

 How did it come to this? Why did things turn out this way? I didn't understand. Why... Why am I the one still alive? Why me? Again, why me...!?

 'Hey, you okay? Are you still alive? Ugh...!? Pull yourself together!! You're alive, right!?'

 In a faint murmur, my expression, previously one of despair, seemed to have a glimmer of hope. I called out desperately. I kept calling out. To ensure that she didn't lose consciousness. To believe that there was still time. I didn't want to go through that again. Once was enough.

 'It's getting... sleepy... Is it okay if I'm left behind?'

 'Don't be stupid! It's too late for that now! Besides, wouldn't you do the same...!?'

 It was a really late conversation. The most dangerous part was already behind us. It would be foolish to waste all the effort we had put in up to this point. Above all, those words should have come from my mouth.

 I, who had begged for help in such a pathetic manner, would be despicable if I abandoned her in the same situation.

 'Ha, haha... Stubborn, aren't you? Trying to act cool?'

 'Showing off in front of girls is a guy's privilege...!!'

 With a dry, bitter smile rather than a metaphor, I laughed and responded in kind. It was an obvious display of bravado. I couldn't hide my desperation. There was no room for pretending. That's how it sounded, a small, contemptuous chuckle, next to my ear.

 But I didn't mind. As long as she was alive, even if she laughed at me...

 'Then... um. Can I ask you a favor? It's a bit... heavy.'

 'Just a little!'

 '...Afterward, I'll treat you to some dango. The expensive ones.'

 'Seriously!?'

 The last request she made was so faint that, despite all my concentration, it was barely audible...

 ...

 ...

 ...

 "Hey, idiot, wake up. Time to get ready for departure."

 "...Ah."

 I was shaken by my colleague, or maybe I had just awakened from a dream. I looked around, surrounded by the dense forest. I sharpened my senses. As far as I could sense, there were no signs of anything beyond the ordinary.