Stay by My Side

When I opened the door, the faint light spilling from my room gradually illuminated her face.

Once again, my heart trembled at the sight of those golden jewels. I froze, unsure of what to say.

She didn’t speak either. Soon, she broke eye contact, glancing inside my room.

Is this the end?

Unable to process her unexpected appearance, I opened the door fully, allowing the rest of our colleagues to see her.

They, too, fell silent, murmuring quietly among themselves.

“Katy…”

“Isayama…”

We spoke at the same time, both stepping back to let the other speak.

Damn it…

My heart raced.

How could I have ruined our friendship this much?!

“Well, now that I think about it, I wanted to watch a movie tonight…” Hiro said aloud. “I think I’ll head out now…”

“Same here—I left clothes in the presser…”

Amid the awkward atmosphere, the four of them grabbed the empty pizza boxes and prepared to leave.

“Good night…” They passed us one by one.

Blushing, Katy stepped aside to let them out.

Before I could even process her sudden arrival, we were alone.

“I-Isayama, can we talk?” she murmured.

“Y-yes. Please, come in.”

It wasn’t the first time I had let Katy into my room, but I couldn’t explain my fear.

It was still raining outside. Watching her walk toward the window, I felt as though this was the end—and I wasn’t ready to face it.

Another defeat…

“Katy. First of all, I want to apologize from the bottom of my heart…”

“Huh?” She turned toward me, confused. “A-apologize for what?”

Her expression was indescribable—scared, tense, exhausted…

“I’m sorry for putting you in that situation. A partner shouldn’t interfere like that in the other’s life…” I accepted my fate with dignity.

“No…”

“I just wanted to see you smile…”

“That’s not what I came here to talk about…” she said, sounding slightly agitated as she stepped closer to me.

“Huh?”

“Don’t you hate me?”

“Me? No, no, how could I hate you?” I found myself lost once again in those perfect eyes.

“I thought you’d never want to see me again after I hit you…”

“What? I thought you wouldn’t want anything to do with me after you hit me…”

Nervously, I realized I couldn’t bear this torturous uncertainty any longer.

“I’m the one who should apologize. I was just trying to protect…”

“I wanted to protect you, Katy!” I interrupted her.

“Huh?” She paused, surprised. “Isayama, the truth is… I came here to ask you two very important favors…”

Her voice sounded nervous, and she even stepped back to speak.

“T-two favors?”

“Yes, ahem…” She shifted her weight nervously. “First of all, I want you to forget what happened this afternoon and go back to being my partner, like always…”

Katy…

Her words left me frozen.

Go back to being her partner?

Then, she hugged me. Her body was warm.

I couldn’t move. With her head resting against my chest, I was certain she could feel the frantic beating of my heart.

Overwhelmed by the faintest sign of her affection, on the verge of tears, I stroked her soft hair.

“Katy, please…”

“Isayama, I know I’m asking a lot, but please… don’t ever leave my side…!”

“Huh?” I could feel her trembling with nerves.

“Please don’t leave me alone in the dark, I’m begging you!”

Stunned, my hands slid from her head to her back, holding her tightly. Afraid of losing her again.

“Comfort me when I cry, cover me when I’m cold. Drink coffee with me and argue over silly things… Take me to hear the piano and see the fish again.”

“Katy…” Nervous but warm, I let my gaze drift to the city lights outside.

It felt like the universe had stopped spinning. Like the S-Flu had vanished. Like my father was smiling down on me from the heavens. Like I had accepted my robotic hand.

Feeling her presence against my chest, I wanted to stay there forever.

“Help me overcome my fears! Stay with me forever!”

“I swear on my life, I will never leave you alone…” I stated. “I swear I’ll argue with you as much as you want and take you to the piano bar whenever you like!”

Fixing my gaze on her blushing face, I saw the most exhausted but satisfied smile bloom.

“In return, I ask one thing—please, never run away like that again. Even if you lost your memory, remember it. I don’t think my heart could handle it again…” I smiled.

“Idiot…”

“Huh?”

“That would never happen. You have nothing to worry about…”

“…Even if I lost all my memories, I’d fall in love with you all over again.”