[30 — Cold Night? (2)]

My heart sped up.

I had the feeling I shouldn't have said that.

The odds of regretting this slip-up were sky-high. So…

Why the hell did I ask her that?

"..."

Ruru's eyes widened slightly, then she turned back to the horizon without answering.

The silence that followed was unbearable.

My whole body trembled with anxiety, and in the few seconds between my question and her reaction, dozens of thoughts ran through my head.

I couldn't tell if it was regret, indecision, nerves, or just the desperate urge to fix what I'd said with some cheap excuse.

Would it work if I covered it up?

Was it still possible to back out?

I knew I should break this heavy mood, but… for some reason, I wanted to hear her voice.

"Ah…" She sighed.

Even in the cold night air, I felt sweat roll down my temple.

"Why do you always do this, Destroyer-sama?"

I… was I wrong?

No. Damn it, Ruru, what are you doing to me?

You're confusing me.

'Always this,' 'always that.' Everything that comes out of your mouth exposes how close you were to the old Katou.

Why?

How?

Coincidence? I don't buy it.

There's no way someone who was that close to the old Katou hasn't noticed the change.

"W-what do you mean, Ruru?"

My throat was dry. My voice cracked.

"I don't like it when you act that way, Destroyer-sama… It feels like… you're pushing me away."

"...!"

What the hell is this?

My breathing suddenly got heavy.

This blanket is too damn thick. It's getting hot.

"I-I can't hear you if you talk so low, Ruru."

"Hm…" Our shoulders brushed. "I don't know where you got that idea… but forget it. Destroyer-sama is Destroyer-sama."

She turned toward me.

Our eyes finally met.

"I've known you long enough not to mistake the person standing in front of me, don't you think?"

"R-Ruru…"

"I mean, maybe there's something wrong with your memory, Destroyer-sama. But you're still the same as always… You're still the exact same Katou-sama I knew…"

Badump, badump.

"Y-you…!"

"Yes, Destroyer-sama?"

"You're way too close!!!"

Ruru flushed red and shuffled to the edge of the balcony. Not that it was that far.

That's when it hit me; the stupid move I'd made.

It was impossible she hadn't noticed. But if I had really misread this and she reacted badly to my question, what the hell would I have done? Jump off the balcony?

Hah… reckless play.

Still… the truth always sets you free. Her answer made me reli— no, satisfied. That's it. Her answer left me satisfied.

The first time Ruru told me about the old Katou's behavior, I found it weird how much he acted like me. Until then, it was just curiosity, but the pieces were starting to fit together.

Apparently… I'd lost more memories than I thought.

Now then…

What the hell do I do with this?

"My god, Aria. What were you trying to do?" Ruru muttered, leaning on the railing. Her posture was stiff. Completely uncomfortable.

Well, I couldn't blame her. After all, I was the one who ruined the night by dragging in a delicate subject.

"Ah…" I took a deep breath.

I didn't know if I should, but…

"Thank you, Ruru." I draped the blanket over her shoulders.

"D-Destroyer-sama?"

"..."

"A-are you really sure? The blanket's big enough, we could both fit under it." She held one side out for me.

"No, it's fine. I'm hot."

"Oh, right…"

Truth was… once I took it off, the cold came back with a vengeance.

But whatever. Too late to take it back.

Fwooosh~

We stayed there a while, staring up at the sky.

I'd forgotten to bring my watch, so I had no idea how much time had passed.

There was a neat trick to tell the approximate hour by the constellations, but… unfortunately, I hadn't paid attention in that practical astronomy class.

"Haa~"

Ruru stifled a quiet yawn. She looked tired.

Time to kick her out and go slee—

"...!"

I felt a touch. Our pinkies brushed on the railing.

…Given the space, that kind of accident was normal, right?

"E-eh… Ruru, I think it's late, don't you?" I pulled my hand back. "We need to sleep so we can wake up early and train."

"Y-yes, you're right."

She hurriedly folded the blanket over her arm and handed it to me.

"H-here… Destroyer-sama."

Then something clicked in my mind.

"Wait, Ruru… Aren't you forgetting something?" I held out my hand.

"F-forgetting what?"

…Clever girl. Almost slipped past me.

"Tch, don't play dumb. I'm talking about the key."

"W-what k-key?"

I kept my hand out. Her behavior only confirmed my suspicion.

"I… ah. Fine." She gave me a copy of the room key. "But if I do, how will I get in when I need to talk to you?"

I have no idea how she manages to say these things with such an innocent face.

"I-I mean if you're in danger, Destroyer-sama! Don't get the wrong idea!"

"I seriously doubt you'd use the lock in those cases instead of just breaking down the door, Ruru."

"But… but—"

"How about this. If you insist, then I want the key to your room too. What do you say?"

"H-huh?!"

…Wait, what the hell did I just say?

"Oi! It was just an example, Ruru! See what I meant? Anyway, now that you know, go to bed."

I rushed her toward the exit.

Guess sleep deprivation was starting to make me go insane.

Before she left, I caught her sleeve.

"Hey, Ruru…"

She turned back.

"Did you say something, Destroyer-sama?"

"G-good night."

"...Yes. Good night."

And just like that… the insomnia finally ended.