Even if you say, 'I've finally realized how important you are to me,' you and I are already strangers. - 2

First Love 2

She stopped walking, turned around, and looked up at him. Reiji looked slightly surprised, but then smiled playfully and took a step closer to Tsubaki.

“Oh? Are you curious? Could it be that the young lady prefers older men?”

“!! D-Don’t tease me! That’s not what I meant by that question!”

“Fufu. I’m sorry, I understand. But doesn’t that help ease the tension a little?”

“Ah…”

At his comment, Tsubaki realized how tense she’d been, with her shoulders stiff. Reiji watched her, a girl acting her age, with gentle eyes.

“There’s no need to worry. I won’t go into detail, but I don’t have any family who would grieve if something were to happen to me. I’m also not in a relationship, and I have no intention of starting one. You can rest easy.”

“I see… Sorry for asking something so personal.”

“No, I’m the one who should apologize. I just wanted to break the ice and ended up making a poor joke. Can you forgive me?”

“…I’m not mad. It’s just… I feel sorry for you.”

“You feel sorry for me? May I ask why?”

Though she was just a child, he asked her seriously. Folding his arms and placing a hand under his chin, he looked at her with an interested gaze, which left her at a loss for words.

(Because this is basically just babysitting.)

Even if it was work, having an adult man follow a sixth-grade girl around every day had to be nothing but boring.

And yet, if there were any real danger, he would be obligated to put himself in harm’s way to protect her. He couldn’t take his eyes off her, and the job surely required a great deal of patience.

(But I don’t have the courage to say that out loud. I’m afraid of hearing him agree… and if he denies it, I’ll just think he’s not being honest. I don’t want to make him feel awkward…)

As she silently clenched her fists tightly, a voice said, “Excuse me.”

Lost in thought, Tsubaki was startled when she felt Reiji kneel beside her and touch her hand. She gasped sharply.

“If you grip your hands that tightly, you’ll hurt your palms.”

Gently, he opened her clenched fists with both hands and softly tended to the palms where her nails had dug in.

“Young lady, there’s no need to force yourself to say things you don’t want to. But please, take care of yourself. I’ve already come to see, in this short time, that you are intelligent, a little sensitive, and very kind-hearted.”

“…Why…?”

“Because of my profession, I take pride in being able to read people. I’ve worked with many over the years.”

Letting go of her hand gently, Reiji stood and placed a hand over his chest.

“I don’t expect you to trust me right away. But I hope, little by little, over time, we can build a relationship of trust. Please feel free to ask me anything you need.”

His unexpected sincerity moved her heart. Touched by his earnestness, she hesitantly responded.

“I feel bad asking a bodyguard to do anything beyond protecting me.”

“Please don’t worry. As your father said, I’m now a servant of the Ichijou family. Serving you is my honor.”

Overwhelmed by the brilliance of his sparkling smile, Tsubaki took a step back with an “ugh” and let out a small sigh, surrendering.

“In that case… when I’m feeling down, will you stay by my side until I calm down?”

“Yes. I’ll stay with you until your heart is at ease.”

“And when I’m scared, if I call your name, will you come to help me?”

“Of course. No matter what, I will protect you.”

Her heart fluttered at Reiji’s sweet smile. And from that day on, a long, secret one-sided love began—one that would last for seven years.