Story of a Rhythm Game Couple

Chapter 20. Emotions

"Ouch!!"

Sana lost her footing and fell to the ground.

"Ouch! Did you get hurt, Sa-chan?"

"A-Asahi-kun, are you alright?"

Not only did Sana trip, but she also tumbled on Asahi. Realizing this, she quickly got up on his legs.

"Now, don't ask me my own question, will you?"

"It's my fault..."

"I told you, that's fine."

If anything, Asahi felt relieved that he was able to catch Sana and somewhat mitigate her pain.

"Time to go home, Sa-chan."

This was usually the line when Asahi asked Sana to double-check her stuff before taking her home. However, instead of her typical "yeah" response and bag-stuffing, she stayed motionless, her head facing downwards. Her happy expression was fading into a portent of gloom.

"Hey, Asahi-kun..."

"Y-Yes?"

Sana called out to Asahi in a rather quiet voice.

Asahi tried to sit up, but he couldn't move at all since Sana was still resting herself on his legs. As much as Asahi wanted Sana to get away from them, he preferred to remain quiet because it seemed like she was trying to say something.

"Come on, you're acting really weird right now. What's wrong with you, Sa-chan?"

There was no answer. It was dead silent.

As Asahi was still on the ground, looking confused, she fled into his chest and embraced him tightly.

"Wha... wait..."

"Don't..."

Sana began to hold onto Asahi even more tightly, as if she hadn't heard him. Her emotions had gotten the best of her, and she was sobbing uncontrollably. She kept burying her head in his chest, unable to stop this emotional flow.

"Don't... leave me..."

She gripped Asahi's shirt so firmly that no kind of force would be able to loosen it. Her sudden outburst caught Asahi off guard, leaving him unsure of how to respond.

"Now, now... I'm right here..."

"Don't make me go home..."

"..."

Realizing Sana wouldn't listen to him, he decided to calm her down first. He wrapped his left arm around her back to hold her closer while rubbing her head with his right hand.

"I'll pamper you to your heart's content, so just cry your heart out, okay?"

Even Asahi himself couldn't believe he said all this. Although it was already late for her to start going home, Asahi still made the decision to hug her and give her attention for as long as it took to bring her back to her senses.

The room was filled with Sana's wailing. The atmosphere was just really depressing.

"Are you alright now?"

"I guess..."

After about ten minutes, Sana seemed to have regained her composure. As a result of the long weeping, her cheeks turned blushed, and her nose kept running. With a pack of moist tissues nearby, he wiped her face clean, not letting her do it herself.

"I think you must have a good reason for that... But if you're not down to tell me about it, that's fine."

"...Thank you!"