Chapter 2084: Promise

"I will," I whispered back before continuing to sit on the chair beside Yuika-senpai.

Daringly, I pushed it closer to her before extending my arm to her back and eventually settling it on her shoulder.

As soon as we made that contact, her tension heightened. She glanced at my side and there, our eyes made contact.

"Onoda-kun..." She mumbled quietly as she started making an effort to calm herself down.

Although my move made her tense up, Yuika-senpai was really showing that she was not going to push me away again. I guess she was pretty dedicated when she finally made up her mind to give me a chance to get close to her.

"I may have pushed you too much from my questioning but thank you for opening up to me, senpai," I gently caressed her upper arm and shoulder while carefully ensuring not to make it come across as sexual.

Well, she probably won't think like that anymore. Besides, there's Minori-senpai watching

over us.

Still looking up at me, Yuika-senpai shook her head, "... It's nothing. I decided to tell you about it."

She put on a small smile, perhaps to assure me.

Looking at her like this, I couldn't help but picture her as a more approachable girl. But because of one incident, she closed herself up like this. It's quite sad.

"Mhm, So the scar must be the result of something more horrible than just his suspicion."

Although I wouldn't say I heard enough about that 'friend' of hers, it's pretty easy to deduce how he acted after Yuika-senpai denied his assumption.

He must've confessed to her after it to reinforce his hold on her and told her not to get close to anyone else but him.

But Yuika-senpai wasn't thinking about him in that way and rejected him. He didn't take that lightly and that's the result.

I know enough deluded guys to figure out their pattern. It was a mental immaturity that I probably never experienced. That's not to say everyone will act that way.

That's why it makes me wonder how much of a trash you can be to hurt someone you like? And physically at that?

Somehow, I feel a little relieved that my past self never resorted to that. Only the guys had the privilege to eat my fists.

"Yes."

"Alright. I won't ask for the specifics anymore. I'm sorry that happened to you."

Noticing how the tension was slowly leaving her body, I moved my hand from her shoulder to her head. Starting with gentle pats, I eventually switched it to thoughtful caresses. I particularly comb her hair with my fingers while making sure not to accidentally brush against her scars. It's just a way to bring her comfort.

Thankfully, it's effective.

Little by little, Yuika-senpai let her head fall to my side, it landed on my cheek at first, giving me a short window to inhale the fragrance coming from her hair. Then after that, she gradually slowly slid down to my shoulder. When she found the most comfortable spot for her, Yuika-senpai opened her mouth again.

"... It was my misjudgment. But because of it, I became afraid of getting closer to anyone else. It was... painful. Not only because of the wound but also because I trusted him like a brother. It broke my belief that those close to me will protect me from harm."

Although I wasn't in a position to say I fully understood her pain, it was truly a heartbreaking thing to experience.

"Did it happen last year?" I asked.

"No. It's during my 3rd year in middle school. My parents brought me away from that place after it. I luckily got into the same class as Haru."

Ah. That's why Haruko also got her. That girl must've noticed her gloomy outlook just like the other girls that surrounded her when she enrolled in this school.

"Haru approached me first. She told me her story with someone. She said she got thrown away but she still couldn't forget about him. I empathize with her but in the end, she ended up comforting me when I opened up..."

"... Alright. That someone must be me. In any case, I'm glad you found comfort with each other."

"She didn't paint you as horrible, Onoda-kun. She said it's because of you that she understood her worth to people."

Huh... Haruko never told me about this.

I was the reason she didn't want to take up a leadership role anymore. Unlike Shizu who just needed a push to switch off her mask, Haruko found herself tired of serving everyone. She decided to become selfish and only move for herself and those she cared about.

"I... I was prejudiced against you because I lumped you with that guy. Seeing how everyone seemed to be falling for you, I thought you were tricking them. When I told Haru about this... she said I will understand you soon enough." Yuika-senpai continued. This time, she lifted her hand and attempted to put it on top of mine. However, she pulled it back right away.

This girl... she's really trying so hard this time. She must think that I resent her for all the hostilities she threw my way.

"It's normal to be wary of me, senpai. Who goes around and makes girls fall for him left and right? Only me, I guess." I said before chasing after her hand.

When I caught it, it was trembling and cold. Nothing like the warmth of her breath that brushed against my neck and face.

As I curled my fingers to tighten my hold on it, she raised her head. Maybe to figure out why I grabbed her hand.

When she saw me smiling at her, Yuika-senpai hurriedly lowered her again before replying, "Y-yeah. It seems to be that way. And yet, nothing indicates that they hated to be with you. I was simply blinded by my experience with a guy as well as Haru's experience with you. I'm afraid you'll throw them away in the future..."

So, that's why, huh? She also cares for them a lot.

"I won't ever do that." I firmly said.

"Un. I can see that now. Even Aunt Yayoi looks at you with full trust. I heard what happened to her. Uhm. This is late but thank you for stepping up for them."

"You won't think I did that to also get in her pants?"

"Is that the case? Now you're trying to paint yourself badly."

I chuckled at that, making her a little miffed. A moment later, the hand I was holding flipped

over to squeeze mine.

Yeah. That's her attempt to reprimand me. Pretty adorable.

"Sorry. I can't help it. It's just yesterday that you're still making a face towards me. Now, I can

get this close to you.

"Y-you earned my trust. Can you promise not to break it?"

"I promise. But I bet that's not enough to assure you, right?"

Yuika-senpai swiftly nodded.

"What about this? Haruko and the others will be backing you up if I ever break it. Because that will mean I'm also breaking their trust. Not to mention, Minori-senpai there will surely hunt

me down."

I pointed at the girl on her other side who was still watching us carefully. Although she was not reacting to this sudden closeness that I initiated, I could feel her fiery gaze that was ready to burn me if I ever did something funny with Yuika-senpai.

"Indeed. You better hide if that happens." She smirked and gestured with a finger gun.

Yuika-senpai alternately looked at us before settling her eyes on me, "Don't exaggerate it... I

believe you, Onoda-kun."

"Thank you, senpai."

"Un..." Yuika-senpai hummed and her whole body gradually relaxed.

For the next few minutes, I continued brushing her hair and holding her hand.

It only stopped when she somehow realized that we'd gotten too close as she returned to her previous position, her beautiful face crimson red.