Heartbeat Towards the Beginning

p3
>I love Takina.

p4
>I fell in love with the slight warmth lying deep within her cold eyes.

>I wasn't able to apologise to Takina, who was kicked out of the DA because of me,
>but I was finally able to be brave back then.

>I wonder if you'll come to love me, who's changed just a little since then...

>Hey, Takina.
>Let's watch another movie tonight~
>No way.
>Whose fault do you think it is that we're running late?

p5
>But it's the sequel! You wanna see what comes next, right!?
>I don't care. Please show a little consideration towards the next day.

>Eh~ But...

>You enjoyed it too, didn't you, Takina?

>...Well, it wasn't boring, I guess.

>Geez~ Still can't be honest with yourself, I see.

p6
>But I actually woke up in the morning, Chisato. You wouldn't wake up no matter how much I tried, so it's your fault.
>Sorry, sorry. I'll wake up properly tomorrow~
>You always say that but you never do.

>Ah!
>T-Takina!
>Erika?

>Long time no see.
>Yeah! Today's the update, right?

>Yes... We were almost late, though.

>Aw, come on.
>I said I was sorry, Takina! We made it in time, didn't we?

>That's not the point.
>You should at least sort out your own underwear by yourse-
>Hey, hey, hey!
>Don't talk about that here!

p7
>Come on! We better get going~
>...

>...We're about to go get our stamina checked. I'll see you later.

>Ah, right. Later...

>By the way, Takina-san.
>Yes?

p8
>What's your relation with that Erika girl?

>Relation...? Hard to say... Former colleagues, I guess?

>Hmm...
>What about it?

>Eh? W-Well that girl... um...

p9
>was making a...
>g-girly face...

>...Huh?
>Of course she was. She is a girl.
>No, that's not what I...
>Argh! Geez! Just forget it!

p10
>Ah~
>It's finally over~....
>It really sucks having to go all the way into the mountains every time.
>Well, they let you do what you want to make up for it...

>I'm gonna buy some drinks.
>What do you want, Chisato?

>Hmm, let's see...
>Something delicious!
>...
>I'll just pick something at random.

>Still looking as dumb as ever, I see.

p11
>Fuki!
>By yourself? That's rare. Where's Takina?

>She's here too. Did you need something?
>...Well, kinda.

>That girl's been the hot topic around the DA lately...

>Oh~? Has the DA finally noticed Takina's charms?
>...Yeah, something like that.

>...Seriously?

p12
>How should I put it? She's been excessively popular since that operation.
>...Oh?

>Basically she's caught the eye of a lot of people,
>so I'm worried that there's gonna be a weird ruckus from her being here.

>You say that, but it's actually Takina you're worried about, isn't it?
>...Of course not.

p13
>Honestly. Can no one just be honest with themselves?
>I don't wanna hear that from you.

>...What's that supposed to mean?
>You're so easy to read.

>Keep that up and someone's gonna take Takina from you.

>What the heck...?
>Take her from me...? That's not really...

>...Well,
>I've got a mission to go on.

>Later.

p14
>Here.

>Thanks!
>Wait, this is...
>I picked this because I thought you'd like it, Takina...
>Did I get it wrong?

>Not at all!
>I really love this!

>...That's good to hear.

>I should've known you'd pick this, Takina.
>You my biggest fan or what?

>...What are you saying?

p15
>Phwah!
>I feel so alive~
>It doesn't look that delicious to me.

>Eh~ It really is, though?

>...
>Wanna try it?

>Alright...
>J-Just a sip...
>...Y-Yeah.

p16
>Th-
>This is surprisingly good.
>Right~?

>...?

>Chisato?

>They're eyeing Takina, huh?

p17
>?

>For someone who can instantly detect bloodlust, she sure is dense when it comes to people showing her favor, huh...

>Keep that up and someone's gonna take Takina from you.

>...Hah.

>What do you think love is to us?

>...What's this all of a sudden?

>I mean, we could die at any moment, right?

p18
>When you think about having someone you love, knowing that you'll end up parting someday...
>aren't feelings like love or romance a really scary thing to have?

>Having those feelings is scary?

>I don't think so.

>Eh? How come?

>Well, it's because I already have those feelings.

p19
>I used to think they were unnecessary.

>But you changed that, Chisato.
>Right in this very spot, you changed my everything.


>Please

>take responsibilty.

>F-...
>...For now, let's change locations, shall we?

p20
>Hey, um.
>...About what you were saying earlier.

>Was that, um, erm, y'know...

>...For the longest time, I had no idea

>what my feelings towards you were...

>But when you disappeared, I realised what they were.
>You had become such a huge part of my life, Chisato.

p21
>Life without you was so dull.

>I want to see you smile. I want you to be happy.
>I want to touch you more.

>If you say those feelings are love,
>then I must be in love with you, Chisato.

>I'm sure that, ever since that moment...
>I've been in love with you.

p22
>...Y'know, I'm scared.

>Just because I've got a new heart doesn't mean I'll stay healthy forever.

>I'm scared that we'll one day have to part and you'll become sad, Takina.

>You're important to me and I like you a lot...
>That's why I didn't want to realise that my feelings went beyond that.

p23
>...
>Parting is scary, you say...?

>...Of course it's scary.
>But what about it?

>Regardless of if they're a Lycoris or not, people die suddenly.
>That's why they put all their effort into enjoying the things they want to do while they can.
>That's a valuable lesson that you taught me, Chisato.

>Putting a lid on the feelings you have now because of a future you couldn't possibly know...

p24
>...doesn't sound like the Chisato I love.

>T-...

>Takina~
>Uwah! What is it?

>I had no idea you thought of me like that...
>I-I'm just trying a little honesty.

>Honesty, huh?
>I've... been running from not just my own feelings, but yours too...

>I'm sorry. Thank you, Takina.

p25
>I love you.

>...
>I lo-...

>...don't hate you either.
>Hey now! You said you loved me earlier, didn't you~!?

>...I love you, Chisato.

p26
>I-I'll go make us some coff-
>Wait.

>Chisato.

p27
>Chisato...

>I want to touch you.
>More.

>Takina...

p28
>Um, Takina-san? ...Is it me, or do you seem used to this?
>...I've been studying for a moment like this.

>Eh? You've been studying stuff like this?

>The heck? That really turns me on.
>...Shut up.

p29
>Fufu
>Wh-What is it?

>Well, I didn't really understand what you said at the time, but...

>you're making a really girly face right now, Chisato.

>Wha!?

>It's really cute.

p30
>...Hah
>If I've got a girly face, then you've got the face of a wolf, Takina.

>...You may be right.

>I want to eat you, Chisato.

p31
>Mm...

>...Takina?

>Chisato...

p32
>Please don't disappear and leave me behind again...

>Th-That was, um... Sorry...

>Don't worry. I'm not going anywhere.
>My important place is by your side.

>So...

p33
>let's be together forever, Takina.

>...That goes without saying.