The fall. [Arc 13 end]

If I was going to fall like this, I am surely going to hit in my head pretty hard, which is not a good thing. I might even get unconscious and bleed if that happens. But the thing I am more worried about is his expression. I didn't even fall yet and he seemed like he was already blaming himself for this accident.

I closed my eyes accepting my fate. There was nothing I could possibly do while floating in the air while gravity is hugging me closer to itself...

"What...?" In that moment, I felt a swift breeze, a swift motion. I felt a presence very close to me. I could not see his face, but I could only feel his warmth. I opened your eyes, and just as I expected, Kuze-kun wasn't there.

What the heck is he doing, he is in the football club, ain't he? He won the national trophy, didn't he? He had a bright future, hadn't he? Then something like this would hamper his career badly if he were to get injured.

It was in seconds notice, but he hugged me by my waist as I was falling and cushioned my fall.

"What the heck are you doing!? Did you get hurt!?" I asked him as I got away and looked. He was definitely not in good shape. Is it.. because of me?

"It's nothing, Miko-san. Anyway, it would've been worse if you fell like that."

"Still... your life is more valuable than mine... so why... did you protect mine..." I was feeling guilty. He looked like he was in pain, and a lot of pain. I examined the injury, and it was on the leg. How would I respond if he couldn't play football anymore because of me?

I picked him up and supported him as much I could to help him walk over to a taxi, where I took him to the hospital nearby. By the time his adrenaline went out, he was in visible excruciating pain. He was feeling nauseous.

"I am so sorry..." Tears was falling off my eyes uncontrollably by then. I could do nothing but offer my shoulder for him to rest, and I was the one who caused this...

"Don't make such a face, Miko-san. You look best while smiling. And besides, I decided to save you myself. Please don't make my efforts useless by blaming it on yourself.."

"What the heck are you talking about now. Just stay quiet and concentrate. It must be painful." He closed his eyes trying to free himself from nausea.

As we went to the doctor, he told that he had a ligament tear in his knee and that it would take about three months to recover. It was a fatal injury and the doctor warned us that he might have to stop playing football if a similar injury occurs in the future.

I still feel guilty whenever I think about this. I used to visit him every day in the week. It was I guess a month after he completely recovered that he asked me out. I still feel that guilt that I was the one who reduced his chances of becoming better at football, but regardless, he chose me for some reason. Although we went to different high-schools after graduation, today we are here, enjoying the cultural festival at our school. What more can I ask for?