What would you like for dinner today?
Today? Hmm.
As he lounged aimlessly in the living room, his mother asked him this question, prompting him to cross his arms in thought. There wasnt anything in particular that he wanted to eat, so a part of him felt that anything was fine.
Meat and potato stew?
Those words had spontaneously left his mouth. Meat and potato stew wasnt a particularly unusual dish, but his mothers eyes widened in surprise, not expecting him to come up with such a choice.
Thats an unusual pick. Well, not that it matters.
It was no wonder shed found it unusual, since the words had come out of his mouth unknowingly.
What do you think? About my meat and potato stew?
Its hella good.
Hed been thinking about how strange it was for a while now. The memories of a person who wasnt him kept flashing through his mind, and he repeatedly tried to remember it only to find himself stuck at an impasse.
It wasnt his own voice, yet it somehow felt familiar, and even though hed never heard it before, a strong feeling flooded his chest that he didnt want to let it goand even that was something he didnt entirely understand.
After that, time passed. The hands of the clock pointed to the evening hours, and when he got out of the bath and it came time for dinner, he stared at the meat and potato stew on the table as he had requestedand scooped some into his mouth.
Its delicious.
The stew his mother had made for him was very tasty. Although it wasnt to the point where hed go crazy for it, it was enough to make him eat it with so much gusto that his rice disappeared in minutes. When he clasped his hands together and said his thanks for the meal, his mother said this.
Its a very nice feeling. To see you eating my food so heartily.
Well, it was just that good, so.
Thank you. It really makes me happy to hear you say that.
I see.
Embarrassed, he left the living room. He really didnt know why a single meal had inspired such strange feelings in him, and he spent the rest of the time in his room in a daze.
I wonder what this feeling is.
He stood up and picked up the book that hed put away. He flipped through the pages and stopped at the page with the smiling face of the books heroine, Shizuna.
Shizuna.
Just the mention of this characters name warmed his heart, and at the same time, it made him lonely, wondering why she wasnt by his side. Her warmth, her touch, and her voice Even though it shouldve been impossible, it seemingly lingered in his memory clearly, bewildering him.
This is bad; doesnt this mean Im too far gone?
While there were a certain number of people in this world who spoke of manga characters as theirwaifus, he gave a wry smile, wondering how the hell hed reached this point in his life.
While there were a certain number of people in this world who spoke of manga characters as their
waifus
, he gave a wry smile, wondering how the hell hed reached this point in his life.
Ah.
At that moment, his hand, which had been turning pages over once more, stopped. Hed come across one of the scenes in which Shizuna uttered certain lines to Sohei, words shed uttered after she changed from her pure and innocent image to a flashy and flamboyant one.
I was dyed by him. You see, I wanted to be dyed in his colors. He dyed the weak and frail colors I had before!
When he saw the scene, he inadvertently screamed that she was wrong.
He didnt know why, but he still couldnt help but shout He shouted that she was wrong, and continued his words while gazing at the Shizuna in the book.
Youre wrong Shizuna isnt that weak. She has her own colors She has her own unique colors!
Ah, good morning, Ryuichi-kun.
Shizuna?
When he opened his eyes, it was Shizuna who greeted Ryuichi. He was sure Chisa had been with him before he fell asleep, but just as he thought that, Chisa came out of the bath, wiping her head with a towel.
Youre awake, Ryuichi.
Y-Yeah
As he was puzzled as to what was going on, Chisa explained to him. After Ryuichi went to sleep, she invited Shizuna to come because she felt lonely alone with Ryuichi.
So thats how it is.
Yup Was it a bother?
No.
Like hell you could be a bother, he said as he reached his hand for Shizuna. As he heard Chisa using the hair dryer to dry her hair, Ryuichi thought back to the dream he had just had.
Although it was a dream, he felt bad that hed forgotten Shizuna, even if only a little. It was her words and the promise he had exchanged with her that brought back his forgotten memories.
You said youd stay by my side from now on, right?
Yes, that I did.
She nodded her head. Yes, Shizuna had promised him that, but it was by no means something that should be a one-way thing. He had never really thought about it before, but Ryuichi couldnt just be on the receiving end; he had to give back to her as well.
I might say something a little bit unmanly-like.
Okay, what is that?
Shizuna could also sense something from the air about Ryuichi, but she waited patiently for his words. Ryuichi paused for a moment, looked Shizuna straight in the eye, and spoke.
I will be there for you too, Shizuna, now and in the future. I will protect you as you stay by my side with your colors so that they never become cloudy.
With that, he kissed Shizuna on the cheek. From her point of view, she mustve been confused and wondering what he was talking about all of a sudden, but he laughed and told her not to ask him any more questions.
As both Shizuna and Chisas eyes widened in amazement at Ryuichis unusual appearance, he muttered these words inwardly, not knowing if they would reach their intended recipient or not.
Mom, Dad Ill be okay.
Ryuichi would never thank his parents, nor could he. Buthe, who resided within Ryuichi, and his parents were different.
Ryuichi would never thank his parents, nor could he. But
, who resided within Ryuichi, and his parents were different.
He, who had become Ryuichi, smiled, knowing that although he would miss his family and his parents who were wonderful enough to fill his heart, they had loved him properlyso he would be okay now.
Hey, seriously though, whats up with you?
Thats right. Did you eat something bad?
You two are seriously being rude, you know?
If he was with these girls, he was sure he would be able to keep smiling. That was the kind of warmth he had by his side.
Afterword
This may be sudden, but its been decided that this work will be adapted into a manga. Its label will be Ganga Online. It will be a while before it actually takes shape, but thanks to everyones support, we will be able to deliver the story of Ryuichi and Shizuna as a manga.
We will keep you posted on Twitter and other media, but for now, I would like to announce that the manga has been officially decided on.
HamletJr's notes:
I kid you not, the day after I released yesterday's chapter (i.e. today), my laptop magically unbricked itself. Incredible. Anyways, next chapter should come in two days.
Thanks for reading!