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

じゅうはち | eighteen

もののけ | kaiju | monster

18

[A lengthy chapter ahead]

Soshiro

I STOOD THERE, FROZEN, as if my feet were nailed to the floor. Every fiber of my being screamed at my muscles to move, to just fucking move and rush to her side. But I couldn't. It was like an invisible force was holding me back, preventing me from going to her. My heart pounded in my chest, each beat a painful reminder of my helplessness.

Then I saw him. The guy I resented the most, Kazuya, appeared in a flash. My blood boiled as I watched him carefully lift Kiyomi's aching form. His hands touched her with a tenderness that made my stomach churn. I couldn't tear my eyes away from the scene, each second dragging on as I stood there, rooted to the spot.

Kazuya's presence was a slap in the face. How could he just appear out of nowhere and take control of the situation? My eyes darted to the way his hands cradled her, and a surge of frustration coursed through me. That should have been me. I should have been the one to help her, to be there for her.

But I wasn't. I stood there, useless, as Kazuya carried Kiyomi away, her pain evident in every movement. My eyes followed them until they were no longer in sight, the image of Kazuya holding her etched into my mind like a cruel taunt.

I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. Why couldn't I move? Why did I let him take her away? The fury and frustration bubbled up inside me, threatening to explode. My throat tightened, and I struggled to breathe, the weight of my failure pressing down on me.

But what was that...? I know I saw it. My eyes didn't lie. Kiyomi clung to him as if he were her lifeline. As far as I knew, Kiyomi wasn't in a relationship. I knew that damn well. But what if that had changed? Don't tell me they are... My thoughts were abruptly interrupted by the hushed voices of some soldiers gossiping nearby. I wished I could tear my ears off to avoid listening.

"Did you hear? Looks like the Lieutenant's sickness is getting worse," one soldier said, his tone hushed but clear.

"Yeah, I saw her collapse earlier. And the one who came to her aid... wasn't that her boyfriend?" another chimed in, a hint of curiosity in his voice.

"That's the rumor I heard. Apparently, the guy even became a doctor just to treat her. There's no doubt those two are dating," the first soldier replied, his voice tinged with certainty.

I stood there, each word they spat like poison to my ears, making them bleed internally. So they're together... Even I, who witnessed it, would come to that conclusion.

I really thought I was ready for this day, ready to hear such things without feeling anything. It's been years already. I shouldn't be affected, nor should I be feeling so worked up seeing them together.

I know I've moved on.

I'm totally over it.