NOVEL NEXT Chapter 19
“We are all swept along and driven forward by the currents of our times; there’s no turning back.”
“Dad, I can’t swim. Can I choose to leave?”
“No, you can’t, but Genji, you can choose which tributary to follow.”
How long ago was that conversation? So distant that even Genji, with his excellent memory, couldn’t pinpoint its origin. He couldn’t fully grasp his father’s words at the time, but he clearly remembered every word.
“Some things are unavoidable. If you don’t seek them out, they will come looking for you. It’s better to arm your mind in advance.”
The faces of Minakawa-senpai and his father overlapped, merged, and shifted like a dream, yet were incredibly real.
Now, “it” – the torrent – was sweeping in.
The sensation of being adrift in tumultuous waves made Genji feel dizzy. Suddenly, he felt a heavy drop, as if plunging into an abyss…
Genji jolted awake in terror, only to find himself lying on a futon in a tatami room, with Airi sitting beside him, her expression grave.
“What… what happened to me?” Genji tried to sit up, but the slightest movement made the room spin.
“You’ve been unconscious for several days, Genji. It’s Tuesday now.”
So, I’ve been sleeping at Miss Somezaki’s house since Saturday!? Genji’s head throbbed painfully, and he gasped in shock.
“Do you remember what happened on Saturday?”
After lunch, he visited the rescue station with Miss Kimura for the afternoon.
In the evening, Miss Kimura prepared Russian-style meat patties, canned beef stew, Olivier salad, creamy mushroom soup in puff pastry, plus pancakes and desserts.
As expected, Aden drank vodka and became tipsy. Rin frowned, as usual.
Then… what happened next?
His head ached terribly, making it impossible to remember. He hadn’t drunk any alcohol, so why the blackout?
Seeing Genji’s confusion, Airi revealed, “You’ve been using some special medication, haven’t you?”
That couldn’t be; he had always been healthy and hadn’t visited any hospitals or pharmacies since arriving on the island. Wait, could it be…
Genji pulled out the stress relief spray from his pocket. Since experiencing the light, pleasurable sensation, he had been using it more frequently.
“You used it three or four times just on Saturday. Are you sure it’s okay?”
The psychological counselor, Tanaka-senpai, had said that the spray, developed jointly by the pharmaceutical and agricultural science departments, was a health product with no addictive properties. It could be used for stress, tension, insomnia, and many seniors at the institute also used it.
Genji had carefully examined the ingredients listed on the packaging with a magnifying glass, only finding components like theanine, GABA, and Indian ginseng.
“Indian ginseng can induce sleep. Theanine and GABA, used together, can relieve irritability and calm the mind. However, GABA is hard to cross the blood-brain barrier and overconsumption can cause bodily harm, leading to low blood pressure, motor coordination issues, nerve damage, and even coma. But, I think there’s more to this spray than meets the eye. May I have it analyzed by a professional?”
“Of course.” Genji handed the spray to Airi, feeling uneasy.
Then, the girl made an unexpected suggestion: “Do you have free time recently, Genji? Would you be willing to stay here for a while?”
Genji was taken aback.
Didn’t Miss Somezaki say to be wary of everyone? Why would she invite someone she barely knows to stay in Soshie Town? Wouldn’t the deity’s descendant mind?
Noticing Genji’s bewilderment, Airi explained, “Last Saturday, Miss Kimura mentioned the rescue station was short-staffed, and you agreed to help. But I felt you weren’t quite lucid, so I wanted to confirm.”
Help, of course, help! This is a great opportunity to gain trust! Genji readily agreed.
“Genji is so straightforward and cute. Aren’t you worried I might be a bad person? There are so many bad rumors about me on the island.”
A fleeting smile appeared on Airi’s face, captured by Genji. He was disturbed by this rare expression, his heart pounding rapidly.
Come to think of it, Minakawa-senpai also called me “straightforward and cute.” Genji inwardly sighed.
“Actually, everyone’s accusations are directed at Onikari Take-no-Mikoto and the deity’s descendant, not Miss Somezaki. Even… even Kasahara, who orchestrated the kidnapping, thinks you’re just a victim.”
“Really…” The girl’s eyes narrowed slightly, her calm voice tinged with a hint
of challenge, “You must have seen my archery and swordsmanship skills.”
Indeed, Aden had mentioned that besides managing shrine affairs, Miss Somezaki also maintained the area’s security, often practicing archery and hand-to-hand combat.
He almost got hit by an arrow during the collision ceremony, and before he could recover, a sword was inexplicably pointed at his face. Genji still shuddered at the memory.
“So, how could anyone think someone could abuse me?”
So, the injuries on Miss Somezaki’s arms were really just training wounds? But why so many scars specifically on her arms?
“My hands are stained with blood. Don’t think of me as a helpless victim. Genji, you probably don’t know that the person who dismembered intruders is me…”
“…!”
“I and the notorious deity’s descendant are bound together, indivisible. Even so, do you still want to stand by my side?”
But didn’t Miss Somezaki have an ambivalent attitude towards that family? She always avoided discussing her marriage; wasn’t that because she resented it?
“You don’t know anything, Genji. You arrived on the island cluelessly, and now you want to help me…” Airi stood up, her cheeks slightly flushed, “It’s better not to rush into a decision.”
With that, she left the room.
Why is Miss Somezaki acting so strangely today? Watching her lonely back, Genji felt a mix of emotions.
Regardless, since he promised Miss Kimura, he was determined to keep his word.
The bedroom was already prepared with breakfast, toiletries, and clean clothes. After getting ready, Genji went to help at the neighboring rescue station.
He was assigned basic tasks like organizing, distributing food, and checking records, which he completed quickly. He could only lean back in his chair, sighing out of boredom.
“Genji, why the long face? Are you tired?” Nagareta brought him a drink to cheer him up.
“Does Miss Kimura know what’s been going on with Miss Somezaki these past few days? Something seems off.”
It was an ordinary question, but Nagareta suddenly looked down, smiling awkwardly. Genji was puzzled by her reaction.
“Well… Do you really not remember what happened on Saturday night?”
Genji shook his head: “I only remember the dinner was lavish, but not much after that.”
“Ah, it seems you really forgot. How should I explain this… it’s a bit embarrassing…” Nagareta sighed too.
Did I do something excessive after using the spray, upsetting Miss Somezaki? Genji racked his brain, trying to recall the night’s events, his heart in turmoil.
“Well… Genji, prepare yourself, I’m going to say it.”
“Please tell me, Miss Kimura!”
As if making up her mind, Nagareta took a deep breath, then whispered:
“You hugged Airi tightly and said some very intimate things. But Airi didn’t seem angry, just blushed terribly. She didn’t say a word and left for a ritual.”
“Wait, that’s too much information… my brain can’t process it…”
His heart felt like it was being hammered, the sound echoing and amplifying in his mind, creating endless ripples.
No wonder Miss Somezaki talked to me like that today… It’s all because I kept using that spray!
At that moment, Genji wished he could bang his head against the floor in apology.
“Don’t worry, Aden was already drunk, Rin is tight-lipped, and I absolutely won’t say a word!” Nagareta gestured a zipped mouth.
Of course, she can’t say; otherwise, I’ll be torn apart by the deity’s descendant! Genji buried his face in his hands, wailing internally.
“Maybe I should go back to Endomuki residence…”
“Eh? Airi said it’s better for Genji to stay in Soshie Town. She’ll try to find out about the spray. It’s safer here than elsewhere, and if something happens, you won’t be targeted by strange people. Besides, Airi told the guards that you can only leave with someone accompanying you. Just stay here and relax.”
Is this… house arrest? She still hates me, right? Genji crouched down, hugging his head.
“You don’t have to worry too much about the deity’s descendant’s opinion, because…” Nagareta suddenly stopped, “Never mind, you’ll find out when you need to.”
Ah, because of what? Please don’t leave me hanging!