Chapter 139: You Finally Called Me Sister Again
I don't know how long I slept.
When Akikawa Kyousuke woke up from his sleep, the night had already fallen outside the hospital.
Because the wound on his neck had been sutured, Akikawa Kyousuke could still feel sharp bursts of pain radiating from his neck whenever he turned it.
Of course, injuries of this degree were already common for Akikawa Kyousuke, and he paid them little attention.
After shifting his gaze from the window, he noticed a woman lying beside his bed.
Through the bright moonlight streaming in through the window, Akikawa Kyousuke could clearly see the chestnut-colored braid tied into a ponytail at the back of her head.
It's Okino Yoko.
Akikawa Kyousuke thought to himself.
After this period of getting along with her—and especially the scene two days ago at the film exhibition, where Okino Yoko had rushed to pull him out of Hota Yoshitoki's office regardless of the danger—Akikawa Kyousuke could see that Okino Yoko genuinely cared about him.
If she were just an ordinary sister who cared about her younger brother, that would be one thing.
But obviously, Okino Yoko wasn't actually the sweet, airheaded heroine image from morning dramas in the eyes of the public.
Of course, Akikawa Kyousuke didn't think that a simple-minded idol could become Japan's top female star within just six or seven years of debuting in high school.
Akikawa Kyousuke had no intention of delving into Okino Yoko's secrets.
As long as he knew that Okino Yoko wouldn't harm him, that was enough.
Speaking of which, since Okino Yoko is here, Miss Itakura is probably taking the blame again.
Akikawa Kyousuke couldn't help but think to himself.
Indeed, Miss Itakura Misaki, the agent, was the unluckiest person in this whole incident.
To allow Kyouji Toda to show up and find him, Kyousuke had deliberately sent Misaki Itakura away.
And now, after being hospitalized due to self-inflicted injuries, Misaki Itakura would undoubtedly vent her anger on Okino Yoko.
While Akikawa Kyousuke was lost in thought, he noticed Okino Yoko, lying beside his bed, slowly sitting up.
---
In no time, two identical pairs of blue eyes met in the air.
Okino Yoko first showed an expression of surprise, then quickly turned around, took a mirror from the dressing table, and checked her makeup.
She doesn't want me to notice that she just cried.
Akikawa Kyousuke glanced at the slightly darker, damp spot on the sheets beside him and thought to himself.
"Ku-chan, you're awake. Why not rest a bit longer?
If you have a neck injury, try not to move it."
Okino Yoko quickly recovered from her slight panic and spoke to Akikawa Kyousuke in a gentle tone.
"Alright."
Akikawa Kyousuke responded.
Perhaps noticing that Akikawa Kyousuke no longer seemed sleepy, Okino Yoko began to inquire about his condition with concern.
---
As they chatted, Akikawa Kyousuke noticed that Okino Yoko seemed hesitant to speak several times.
She was clearly struggling internally about whether to bring something up.
Finally, Okino Yoko appeared to make up her mind and decided to abandon her inquiry.
But just as she was about to give up, Akikawa Kyousuke spoke up on his own.
"I've been accused of being the killer in my mother's car accident again, and the detective wants to force a confession out of me."
After Akikawa Kyousuke said this, he noticed the mature and gentle expression that Okino Yoko always wore freeze instantly.
Her eyes widened for a moment, and then her expression quickly shifted.
Genuine surprise rarely lingers on a face for more than a second.
Okino Yoko's quick effort to mask her reaction only revealed the enormous waves Kyousuke's words had caused in her heart at that moment.
---
"How... How could such a thing happen?
This is too much. It's simply too much."
Akikawa Kyousuke heard Okino Yoko murmur in a soft, confused voice as her delicate lips moved unconsciously.
He also noticed the subtle furrow of her brows, the momentary clench of her jaw, and her lip curling inward briefly.
All were signs of anger.
It's perfectly normal for a sister who cares about her younger brother to show anger after learning that he's been wronged and injured.
But what slightly concerned Akikawa Kyousuke was that Okino Yoko had deliberately suppressed her emotions—whether it was surprise or anger.
---
You don't want to show negative emotions in front of me?
Are you afraid I'll worry, or do you have other concerns?
As Akikawa Kyousuke speculated about Okino Yoko's intentions, he suddenly noticed her palms trembling slightly.
He reached out and held Okino Yoko's hand.
---
He saw a moment of surprise flash across Okino Yoko's face, but she didn't show the slightest hint of resistance when he grabbed her hand.
"Sister Yoko, your hands are so cold."
Akikawa Kyousuke smiled at her.
---
There's a connection between changes in body temperature and human emotions.
For instance, fear triggers a fight-or-flight response, redirecting blood from the skin to muscles and internal organs, which can lower the surface temperature of the skin.
Anxiety often results in a persistent feeling of unease, sometimes causing cold extremities like hands and feet.
Sadness and shock can also lead to a temporary drop in body temperature.
---
However, for Okino Yoko to have such constantly cold hands, it could only mean fear and anxiety—two emotions often experienced together.
Her microexpression at this moment also aligned with this observation.
Akikawa Kyousuke tried to use his words to encourage Okino Yoko to open up to him.
But he hadn't expected that after hearing what he said, Okino Yoko would freeze in place.
---
On her delicate, flawless cheeks was an expression resembling that of a little girl who had finally found her long-lost, precious doll.
Her slightly red and swollen blue eyes, from crying earlier, instantly brimmed with tears.
Okino Yoko stubbornly bit her lower lip, as if trying to suppress her emotions.
Yet the tears still fell uncontrollably, like broken beads sliding down her porcelain-white cheeks.
---
"Hey, Sister Yoko, what's wrong?"
Akikawa Kyousuke wore an expression of alarm and spoke in a panic.
Then he felt Okino Yoko's palm in his hand suddenly tighten, gripping his hand firmly.
At the same time, Okino Yoko used her other arm to wipe the tears still streaming from the corners of her eyes.
---
The small hospital room immediately echoed with her cries of evident joy.
"Kou-chan, you finally called me 'Sister' again."
(End of Chapter)