Kays Translations

Chapter 25- Know Love

My father's car, driving down the road like a normal car with its lights tucked away, was caught in rush hour traffic on his way home.

As if to break the silence that descended on the car, which was gradually slowing down with the brakes, my father spoke.

“Is Irena always a-ah?”

“...... yeah.”

Nina-chan, sitting next to me, is still holding my wrist.

The reason why Nina-chan is sitting next to me is because Irena has other business to attend to.

She said she was going to Haneda Airport, got into a cab and quickly disappeared.

So my father had to take Nina-chan home with him.

Nina-chan kept holding my wrist for a long time and wouldn't let go.

She held my wrist so long that I thought she might have a hand print on it. I don't go out of my way to ask her to let go, so I let her do whatever she wants.

“When did Irena become like that?”

“About a year ago....”

“One year ago....... Ah, so that's how it is.”

My father nodded as if he had reached a point.

About a year ago.

This coincides with the time when Nina-chan was last taught magic by Irena.

I think something must have happened, judging from the way my father talks about it, but I have no idea. I want him to tell me what happened.

But he doesn't say anything about it.

I guess he thinks it's better not to tell me.

So I'm sure it's not something that can be easily touched on.

But if the information is this complete, even I can at least guess what happened.

Something must have happened to Nina-chan's father a year ago.

But it is only a guess.

But as I was thinking about that,

“But mama’s always like that, so I'm fine. It's okay now. I'm going to exorcise the monster and get back at mama.”

“I see. You want to be an exorcist.”

“That's right! I'm going to be an exorcist who surpasses my mom. I'm not going to let that dent me!”

And while I was at it, the hand that was holding my wrist somehow held my hand from the outside. This way was less painful, so I let Nina-chan do as she wanted.

“That’s why I want you to help me out, Itsuki.”

Because rather than being depressed, it’s better to be like Nina-chan.

I nodded and smiled at her.

“Yes. Leave it to me.”

At that moment, I noticed that my father, who was watching her in the rearview mirror, was smiling at her.

“Don't do anything dangerous, you two.”

“I know, we’ll be fine.”

I know it's obvious, but it's no good if I die in the process of getting stronger. I want to be strong so I don't die, not because I want to be strong.

And the same can be said for Nina-chan.

No matter how much Nina-chan wants to be an exorcist, if she dies in the process of getting used to monsters, it would be a loss. That's why we won't do anything dangerous. That's a given.

“But first I have to get stronger. I'm going to get stronger and stronger and exorcise more and more monsters!”

Nina-chan breathed as she said this.

Then she turned to me.

“So, Itsuki, from now on, let's practice not only after school but also in the morning.”

“What? In the morning?”

“That's right. We will practice in the morning and look for monsters in the evening. That's how I'm going to become an exorcist!”

I thought as I looked at Nina-chan, who sniffed at that.

She's really enthusiastic about this.

I hadn't seen Nina so enthusiastic since the entrance ceremony, so I couldn't help but feel nostalgic. No, the entrance ceremony was a month ago.

It took us 45 minutes to get from the park to Nina-chan's house because we were stuck in traffic.

“Am I in the right place?"

Nina-chan nodded to my father, who stopped the car and asked her so.

"Yes! Thank you!”

“You can come and visit us again. I can always offer you some tea.”

Nina said thank you again to my father's words and finally let go of my hand and got out of the car.

“Itsuki, at times like this, you should see her off home.”

“Yes!”

I got out of the car and followed Nina-chan.

The sun had set completely, and as I stepped out onto the sidewalk, illuminated by the lights of the tenants on the first floor, and the lights of the cars, I thought for a moment that it was brighter than daylight.

No, that would never happen.

Nina-chan stopped at the entrance to the house, and as I walked over to her, she said secretly so that only I could hear her.

“Itsuki. Thank you for today.”

“It's okay. You always invite me over, so I should be thanking you.”

While I was saying that, Nina-chan took out the house key - the one with the card - from her school bag. High-tech.

“And I'm sorry.”

“Huh? What's wrong?"

I asked back, amused by Nina-chan's sudden apology.

She looked at my wrist apologetically.

“I know your hand hurts, doesn't it?”

It was true that my wrist had a bright red handprint on it.

I knew it was there.

If I showed this part of my wrist to a stranger, they would say it was the work of a monster.

“Speaking of which, why did you hold my hand?"

“...I don't know."

What’s that initial silence?

No, I know what's going on. I do that a lot.

That's what It is. It's the silence when you first try to say something and change your words in the middle of it.

But if I knew that much, I wouldn't have asked Nina-chan deeply.

If she didn't want to say anything, there was no need to ask her.

“But I think I held it too tight. I'm sorry I made your hand hurt.”

"It’s fine. don't worry about it.”

"But......"

Nina-chan looked at my reddened wrist.

Well, it’s certainly red enough to make her worried.

But she didn't really need to be concerned about it.

“It's all right. Your hands were so soft. You can continue to hold them without worrying.”

"...Hmmm. is that so? Well if that’s what you say, then it’s fine.”

Saying that, Nina-chan’s expression looked as though she wasn’t totally convinced.

So, here's one more push.

“Nina-chan. We’re going to practice early tomorrow morning, right? What time do we start?”

“How about 7:15?”

"Yes, Let’s do that. See you tomorrow.”

“See you tomorrow.”

I nodded, and Nina-chan said shyly.

Then she unlocked the entrance with her card key and headed for the elevator.

I watched her back until I couldn't see her anymore.

*******

I touch the card key to the entrance of the room.

I hear the sound of the key unlocking, and the door opens.

After hearing the sound and then pushed the doorknob.

I smell the strong scent of the room fragrance my mom bought me.

I shut the door and locked it tightly.

Because by doing so, I feel like the monsters won't be able to get in.

“....Strange.”

Weird, I thought.

I held Itsuki's hand as my eyes went dark in front of the monster and I felt like I was about to fall over. Then my breathing calmed down a bit.

I thought if I kept holding it, I might get used to the monster, so I held it the whole time I was in the car. I think to myself that was weird. Then I secretly took it down from my wrist in the car, thinking it might grip back. I don't really know why. But I thought it would be nice if he held it back..

That's why it was weird.

Itsuki is my rival, and my mom only talks about Itsuki at every chance she gets. That's why I don't like it. Even though I didn't like it, I was glad Itsuki was by my side. I don't know how I feel. I don't know how to put it into words.

I turned on the light in my room and saw my face in the mirror.

My face was so red that I couldn't help but say, "That's weird," one more time.

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