もののけ | monster | soshiro hoshina (Kaiju No. 8) (COMPLETE)

さん| three

もののけ | kaiju | monster

03

Soshiro

I DON'T KNOW IF KIYOMI TOOK THAT AS A CONFESSION, but I just did confess without even realizing it. The words had slipped out naturally, almost as if they had a will of their own. Did she take it seriously? Or did she think I was just caught up in the moment? Should I confirm it again? But that would only make me seem desperate and awkward.

I was so caught up in my thoughts that I didn't even realize Kiyomi had been calling my name. I blinked, snapping back to reality to find her looking at me with a stern expression.

"Are you listening to me?" she demanded, her tone strict. We were studying for our upcoming midterms, and she was clearly in serious mode.

"Yeah, sorry," I mumbled. "What's up?"

"If you were listening, then what's the area of a circle with a radius of 7 centimeters?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

I smirked, the answer coming to me with ease. "It's 154 square centimeters," I replied confidently.

Kiyomi narrowed her eyes at me, a small smile playing at her lips. "Good. But I can tell something's bothering you, Soshiro."

I shook my head, trying to dismiss her concern. "It's nothing. Don't worry about it."

She studied me for a moment longer, then shrugged and turned back to her book. "Alright, if you say so," she said, her back now resting against mine. We were sitting on the floor of her home library, a place that had become our usual spot for studying or just reading quietly. There was a peacefulness in being with her, a sense of comfort that I cherished.

We were still in our school uniforms, the afternoon sun casting a warm glow through the windows. Kiyomi groaned softly, shifting her position and resting her head on my lap while still reading her book. It had become a habit of hers, and I didn't mind at all. In fact, it had become my habit to play with the strands of her blonde locks, letting the silky texture run through my fingers.

As I flipped through the pages of my textbook, Kiyomi sighed softly. "You know, Soshiro-kun, I am glad you always accompany me here," she said. Her tone was normal, no hint of her usual playfulness, just a touch of gratefulness that made my heart ache.

I paused in my gentle playing with her hair, looking down at her. She continued to read her book, her eyes focused on the text, but there was a heaviness in her words.

"My mom and dad are always busy fighting for the safety of our nation," she continued, her voice quieter now. "And I'm here alone with just the guards, my maids, the butler, and my little sister."

Her words struck a chord within me, a deep understanding of the loneliness she must feel. "Kiyomi," I said softly, my fingers stilling in her hair. "You don't have to thank me. Being here with you is where I want to be."

She glanced up at me, a small smile playing at her lips, but her eyes still held that distant sadness. "I know, but it means a lot to me. You've always been there, even when things get tough."