[Creative] Helios Episode 6

At Yusei-kun's incredibly blunt way of speaking, I lowered my eyes and managed to convey my thoughts.

“I’m an adult, so I think I understand. Ever since I was little, I’ve lived my life believing that my role is just that. Romance is something that can be nurtured later, and even if that doesn’t happen, I think it’s fine as long as it’s with someone I can trust.”

“But Nagi-sensei, that just makes you a pawn of your family!”

It was the first time I’d ever seen Yusei-kun raise his voice, even if he was trying to keep it restrained. His beautiful face, which didn't lose its composure even when angry, was a little scary.

“Is there... a problem with being a pawn?”

Yusei-kun’s eyes widened, and he was speechless. I suppose the world I live in is different from that of ordinary people.

“I was born into the Kawasaki school, which carries this long history, and I think there is nothing more honorable than that. Being a pawn is, if anything, a source of happiness for me.”

When I said this while looking into Yusei-kun’s eyes, he dropped his gaze diagonally downward before turning back to face me.

“...Is it excellent blood that you want? If so, please choose me.”

“...Huh?”

“Nagi-sensei, I love you. I have for a long time.”

“...Excuse me?”

“I became obsessed with the koto because you were my teacher, and that’s how I got this far. If you want the blood of an excellent performer, I should be a candidate too. Above all, unlike a marriage without love, I have affection!”

“Yusei-kun, um...”

Yusei-kun, who is usually so considerate, wouldn't let me get a word in today. He let his clear voice grow uncharacteristically raspy as he continued, as if to stop me.

“I’ve been with you for five years now, Sensei. We know each other’s personalities inside and out, and our playing is perfectly in sync. Isn’t that right? I’ve been crazy about you, Nagi-sensei, and I won’t get tired of you in the future either. Surely that’s much more reassuring than marrying some random person who just popped up, right?”

“Yusei-kun, I...”

“Anyway, if you’re in a hurry to get married, please make me a candidate too. All right?”

Saying that, Yusei-kun quickly gathered his things and prepared to leave.

“Wait, Yusei-kun!”

Yusei-kun looked back just a little as I tried to stop him, still unable to keep up with what was happening.

“A marriage without love is just painful... Thank you for your hard work!”

He said that and left like a storm. I couldn't tell if I’d been picked a fight with or confessed to. I sat down on the cushion, stunned, but I couldn't sort out my feelings. I lay on my back, looking up at the coffered ceiling, and remained in a daze while staring blankly at the wood grain in the panels.



I don't know how long I’d been like that. Eventually, the head of the family came in with my mother. I felt awkward because I’d shown them such unrefined behavior, but they didn't seem to care, and with an expression that made it hard to tell if they wanted to laugh or were troubled, they said this.

“Nagi, if you had someone you liked, you should have told us before the matchmaking meeting.”

“Yes?”

Everyone is saying strange things today. When I looked, my mother was grinning and squirming, which was unsettling.

“That boy with the blue hair came and told us earlier. He said, ‘I will make Nagi-san happy, so please let me marry her.’”

“...Huh?”

Yusei-kun... to go as far as telling the head of the family, he must be serious.

“That’s right, Nagi. That sweet, milk-chocolate-like handsome guy said that line so seriously that I almost got a nosebleed. You don’t have to keep it a secret just because you’re dating your student.”

“W-wait a minute! I’m not dating Yusei-kun! Besides, I only just heard how Yusei-kun felt a moment ago!”

“Oh, so it’s a one-sided love on his part. So, what do you think of him, Nagi?”

“I like Yusei-kun, but since I only just heard it, honestly, I don’t really know in that sense.”

My mother was squirming even more.

“Oh, you! You’ve caught two handsome men—you’ve got flowers in both hands!”

“Koki-san is just a matchmaking candidate!”

“Hmm, Koki-san, is it?”

With a sly, strange smile on her face, my mother muttered suggestively.

“How is the blue-haired boy’s koto skill?”

The head of the family asked a question typical of the head of the family.

“He is the best among my students.”

“I see. Regardless, he is your partner. Whether it’s Koki-kun or the blue-haired boy, do as you like. Just don’t forget to be polite to your partner.”

The day after that Saturday, which had been a busy day for my heart, Koki-san came to pick me up. When I asked him about editing and posting videos, he agreed to teach me. Since it was better to do it sooner, I ended up meeting Koki-san two days in a row.

At 10:00 AM, a Toyota Century pulled up to the gate, and he let me into the passenger seat. Just the two of us in the car. My heart beats louder when I’m with this person. Maybe it’s because we haven’t known each other long.

He guided me to his corner unit on the 7th floor of what looked like a very high-class apartment building, and after locking the door, Koki-san warned me in a serious tone before I could even take off my shoes.

“Nagi, I’m the one who invited you, but you shouldn’t follow a man home so easily. You’ll get eaten.”

“Are sea otters delicious even if you eat them in the morning?”

He suddenly chuckled, placed his hand on my shoulder, and gave me a kiss on the forehead that made a sweet sound.

“You look delicious anytime. You’d follow anyone as long as they handed you a shell, wouldn’t you?”

I’m always being made a fool of by this person.

In Koki-san’s study, professional electronic equipment was neatly lined up. I was made to sit in front of the PC, and Koki-san sat to my right to teach me. I was worried about whether I could really edit videos, but Koki-san’s explanation was easy to understand. At this rate, I might be able to do it myself in the future without bothering Koki-san.

I was happy to have understood the explanation, so I smiled at Koki-san and thanked him. Then, he suddenly pulled me close and hugged me.

“Nagi.”

He whispered my name in my ear. Koki-san’s body, the parts that were touching me, were very hot. My own heart was beating so fast and hard that it felt like it might break.

“Nagi.”

He loosened his grip slightly and called my name again. When I looked up to see his face, he lowered his husky voice even further and whispered while staring at me intensely.

“I don’t want to let you go.”

“Huh?”

Before I could ask, he suddenly covered my lips. A hot, sweet kiss that seemed to awaken my senses. It was like the Rachmaninoff I heard on YouTube that time. My hands, my feet, even my fingertips were tingling. It was a pleasure that felt like something was being dragged out of me, even though it was gentle. I couldn't help but cling to him tightly.

When the long kiss ended, we looked at each other, flushed.

"You act like you've never had any experience with men, yet you're quite used to this."

"...Huh?"

"When you make such a sweet, inviting face, I lose all restraint."

"I wasn't... inviting you..."

My head was still spinning, and I couldn't think straight.

Koki-san pulled his body away and patted my head. I didn't want him to pull away.

"Sorry. I thought about taking things a bit slower, but it looks like Yamada-kun might get in the way, so that's no longer an option."

Hearing Yusei-kun's name brought me back to my senses instantly.

"Did he already do something to you?"

Koki-san seems to see right through everything just by looking at my subtle expressions. He furrows his brow slightly and peers into my face.

"He told me he loved me. He said that if I was going to marry through an arranged marriage, I should consider him as a candidate because he has feelings for me."

"I see. And... what do you want to do, Nagi?"

"Me? I don't know. I've known Yusei-kun for a long time and we're comfortable with each other, but I've never seen him in that way."

Koki-san let out a sigh.

"He's a formidable rival. He's good-looking enough, and he's skilled at the koto. He seems quick-witted, too, so I wonder how he'll make his move next... So... what do you think of me? Which one do you want to choose?"

"I think Koki-san is a valuable person who is perfect for the Kawasaki school. But it would be presumptuous of me to weigh Koki-san and Yusei-kun against each other, and since I've only just met you, Koki-san, I don't really know. I can't choose between you."

"I see. ...So Yamada-kun said he has feelings for you."

"Yes."

"He values love, then. Let me tell you. What's important in marriage is..."

"What's important?"

"It's a contract."

...Excuse me?

Koki-san looked at my dazed expression and grinned like a mafia character in a movie.

Continue here.

Read the previous episode here.

Read the first episode here.