Romance - Part 1

p3
>That day, that moment... If I could have used different words to save you...

>Mm... Ah
>Hah... Ng
>Ah...!!

p5
>Eh...?

>Like I said.

>I've started dating that guy.
>...So I wanted
>to tell you that, Kuroko.

p6
>...D-
>Don't joke arou-...
>...


>...!

p7
>...
>...W-...
>Well I suppose
>congratulations are in order,
>Onee-sama.

>!
>Yeah, thanks!
>So, we're gonna be going on a date next time...
>I knew
>that this day would come eventually.
>...

p8
>I've watched her all this time, so I know.
>How much she's seriously worried about it.
>How much she... likes
>that "ape".

>I understood it all.

p9
>It's far too late.
>I can't tell her...

>that I... loved her.
>If I do that, then that guy...

>...Onee-sama
>looks so happy.
>...I'm sure this is for the best.
>As long as Onee-sama's happy...
>then...


p10
>That's what I thought.
>That's what I thought, and yet...
>Why...

p11
>am I...

>Oh.
>You're home earlier than I expected.
>Weren't you on a date with Kamijou-san tod-...
>!?

>O-Onee-sama!? What happened?
>Ah... Haha. Well, y'know.

>Where's your umbrealla!? ...For now, use this towel to-
>...Kuroko.


p12
>I have a favor to ask.

>...I'm cold.

>...Onee-sama?
>Warm me up.

>Please...
>Onee-sam-
>...Kuroko...

p13
>You can do
>whatever you want, okay?
>!

>That day, that moment...
>Mm
>Ah
>Hah...
>Hah...Ng
>If I could have used different words,
>a different way
>Onee-sama...
>to save her...
>Hah
>Hah
>...ma

p14
>Touma...
>No.
>Don't go...
>Touma...

>Touma...

>Onee-sama.
>Touma...
>Maybe

p15
>Onee-sama...
>Ahn
>she would call my name.

>...i...
>..san
>shi...n
>Hey, Shirai-san!

>..I got a little lost in thought.
>...What were we talking about again?
>Like I was saying,
>we were asking you how your injuries were.
>You've been acting strange lately too...

p16
>Th-That's not...
>It's not just you, Shirai-san.
>...It's Misaka-san too.

>...I won't ask for the details but
>you're being too distant. Aren't we all...

>friends?

>There's no way I can tell them.

p17
>The weakness affixes itself onto my heart.
>The chill of her skin weighing down on me,
>like a cord slowly wrapping around my neck,
>is gradually corrupting me.

>Please make me forget.
>What meaning did those words carry?

>I run away from confrontation.
>I run away from my Judgement duties.
>I just keep running away.
>Honestly...
>I'm starting to hate myself.

p18
>I'm home.
>Ah, Kuroko's back so I'll have hang up.
>Yeah. See you tomorrow.
>Good night.

>A few days after that night, those two quickly made up with each other,
>and Onee-sama acted like nothing had happened.
>Welcome back. You're home early.
>I'm sure this must be a punishment.

p19
>It's... already
>long past curfew.
>Onee-sama...

>I'm home.

p20
>Fufu.
>She looks happy. What a cute sleeping face.

>I'm sure
>that I...
>That...

>That I...
>...Hey, um.

p21
>Hey, um.
>The day after tomorrow, I'm gonna sleep over at Touma's place.
>So...

>I want you to deceive the dorm mother just for one night.
>Is that okay?

>...

p22
>...
>It'd be easier just to give up...
>I should've never fallen in you.

>But the moment I thought that, a rising "signal" shrieked inside my heart.
>That was...

>I'm cold.
>informing me that there was a limit that was just too much for me.