144: She Stepped into the Cage

"Honestly, I don't understand today's young people. Do you think self-harm is a game? What are you all thinking about all day!" 

"There are things in life that you can't overcome, but think about your parents who raised you. How heartbroken would they be if they knew?" 

"If you really died, how devastated would they be?"

In the hospital, the cleaning lady was mopping up the blood on the floor while grumbling warmly to herself until she left.

Chisato sat by Iroha's hospital bed, watching her pitiable face, which seemed on the verge of tears. He couldn't help but smirk.

"Why does it hurt so much…"

"Serves you right for acting recklessly."

Although Chisato said such words, his face clearly showed pain and concern.

Seeing his expression gradually become more animated, Iroha understood that she had succeeded.

"Even if it's painful, if you ever do something like this again, I will follow suit without hesitation!"

Iroha said earnestly.

Whether it's guilt or a sense of duty, she had made up her mind and would not change it.

"…"

Chisato sighed, his voice hoarse and dull.

"Are you an idiot? Just because I'm like this?"

"You're not useless!"

Iroha, rarely angry, glared at him with round, expressive eyes.

"You're better than anyone. You're just going through a low period now. Once this period passes, everything will get better."

"Whether it gets better or not doesn't matter anymore. I miss your sister-in-law. This is the last time I'm saying this to you." 

"Stop throwing tantrums, Iroha, and don't try to stop me anymore."

"Your sister-in-law is important, but am I not important too? Don't my parents matter?"

Iroha nearly shouted this, using all her strength. 

Her expression was one of extreme pain, and seeing her like this made Chisato's heart sink further.

Ignoring the freshly treated wound on her wrist, she cried as she leaned in to hug Chisato.

"I don't care. I've already promised your sister-in-law in my heart, and I'm determined to stay by your side forever." 

"Don't think you can just leave. If you really want to die, I'll follow you." 

"If you can harden your heart and bear to see your parents live out their lives alone and die lonely and childless, then go ahead."

"…Too sneaky, threatening me like this."

Chisato murmured.

"I'm sorry, it's the only way I could think of."

"What value does someone like me have to make you do this?"

"It's not about value."

It's about the fact that I, who have been cared for by you, and have done wrong, need to bear the consequences.

Iroha tightened her hug on Chisato's hand.

What she had never noticed before was that, although he didn't look very strong, his chest was surprisingly broad and warm.

In the hospital, Iroha was firmly declaring that she had bound her life to his, intending to counteract his death wish with her own.

[The two of them, in tacit agreement, did not inform Iroha's parents about the self-harm, preventing them from worrying.]

[After returning from the hospital, the relationship between you and Iroha slowly began to change.]

[Perhaps because they had openly discussed things and felt fearless, she gradually stopped listening to you and started acting more like she did during her teenage years.]

[She no longer called you "brother" but addressed you by name and began to encroach on your personal space, forcing you to accompany her when going out instead of letting you be alone at home.]

[As time went by, she began to control your intake of cigarettes and alcohol.]

[Not only that, but she also dragged you along for morning runs, shopping, dining out, and going to the movies.]

[Even if you refused, it was futile. She used every method, from persuasion to tantrums, leaving you unable to resist.]

[Household chores were now something she insisted you participate in.]

[In your apartment, there was first a cat, then a pair of rabbits, and later a dog was added.]

[Iroha became increasingly intimate with you. The long period of living together had made her accustomed to your presence in her world.]

[Since she had discovered your somewhat frightening physiological reaction when she woke you up one morning, her feelings for you had begun to change from simple familial affection to something entirely different.]

[She hadn't even realized that she had started to enjoy watching you struggle in the mornings and play around on the bed.]

[A new, indescribable feeling had developed between the two of you.]

[You had repeatedly ordered her to leave your apartment and go home, but she had always ignored you.]

[A year later, after dinner and playing games with Iroha, it was deep into the night.] 

[After you had finished washing up and lay down in bed, you groggily sensed her crawling into your bed in the middle of the night.]

[First person perspective…]

In the room, an orange night light was on.

Chisato slowly opened his eyes and met Iroha's timid, shy gaze.

"What are you doing?"

"It's so cold today."

Iroha said, trying to snuggle into Chisato's arms.

Chisato pushed her away and moved back.

"Go sleep in your own room and turn on the air conditioning."

"No… I don't want to go back. It's cold even with the air conditioning on. It's warmer under your blanket."

"…"

Chisato remained silent for a moment.

"Then sleep here. I'll go to your room."

"No, together!"

Iroha boldly hugged Chisato's arm tightly, not letting him leave.

Chisato stared at her.

"Do you know what you're doing right now?"

"I know. Your sister-in-law told me to do this."

"I'm your brother."

"But we're not related by blood."

"…"

Chisato didn't want to argue further and turned away.

This reaction made Iroha a bit frightened.

She tentatively reached out, but Chisato slapped her hand away.

Iroha felt somewhat wronged.

Recently, her interactions with Chisato had been warm and harmonious. She thought he should have moved on from the past by now.

She also felt that her proactive approach tonight could successfully bring their relationship closer, but it seemed like things weren't going as she hoped.

Something was missing.

Iroha slowly sat up from the bed and left the room.

The door behind her was locked with a loud click.

She angrily turned around and muttered, "Damn Chisato."

On her way back to her room, she cradled her chest and sighed deeply.

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