*Outside a Mansion*
Three cars pulled up at the entrance of a mansion.
From two of the cars emerged a group of guards who secured the area.
From the last car stepped out Jeanne and an older man with gray hair dressed in a black business suit.
After issuing a couple of orders to his subordinates, a group of servants arrived carrying a stretcher.
With delicacy, they removed the last occupant from the car.
A handsome young man with tousled hair and a white lock shaped like a flower.
The young man was unconscious, yet his body was extremely hot and sweaty, occasionally emitting hoarse groans.
Seeing him placed on the stretcher, Jeanne couldn't help but shed a few tears as she stayed as close as she could to her son.
The man, observing Jeanne's behavior, sighed and simply followed them inside the mansion.
However, before everyone could enter, a trembling figure appeared in the distance.
The guards quickly protected the couple and confronted the figure. It was none other than Komi-San.
Seeing who it was, Jeanne's expression relaxed slightly, and she gestured for the guards to stand down.
She hadn't met Komi-San in person, but she knew who she was from the conversations she had with her son and the photos he showed her of the girl.
She couldn't help but smile as she remembered the first time she saw her appearance.
*Flashback*
Upon seeing the appearance of the girl named Komi Shouko, Jeanne took her son's hands and said solemnly,
"Hito-Chan, whatever you do, you have to take care of this girl. From her appearance and what you've told me about her personality, she seems like an incredible person. Make sure to take good care of her," Jeanne said very seriously.
Tadano: "Come on, Mom, there's no need to be so serious. Besides, that's what I'm doing. Don't be surprised if I bring her home to introduce her to you today or tomorrow," the young man said confidently.
Jeanne nodded and said, "Well... but make sure you don't make me a grandmother too soon, okay? At least finish high school..." the woman joked.
Tadano: "Mom!" exclaimed the young man.
Then they shared a look and laughed for a while. That was until a mischievous voice spoke up.
Hitomi: "Pfft... HAHAHA! If you can do that, then I can find an Ikemen just by going to the classroom," the girl teased.
Tadano: "You! Little brat, come here!" the young man shouted as he began to chase the girl.
Hitomi: "AH! Murder! Mom, your son is trying to kill me! Help!" the girl shouted in feigned distress, but the smile on her face only widened.
Jeanne smiled at how well her children got along.
*End of Flashback*
Feeling a bit better now, Jeanne called the young girl over. Komi-San timidly approached the woman.
Jeanne: "Oh, dear, how did you get here?" the woman asked.
Komi-San was very shy in front of Tadano's mother, but after gathering enough courage, she spoke softly.
Komi: "I-I came to see T-Tadano-Kun, b-but when I got closer, I saw them taking him away in suspicious cars, and I ended up following them... please forgive me if I've overstepped any boundaries," the girl said.
Jeanne couldn't be angry with the girl; she was very cute and gave her a feeling of needing to protect her, like finding a lonely little kitten on the street. The woman smiled and reassured the girl.
Jeanne: "Don't worry, dear. Although following strangers is dangerous and impolite, I can see you had good intentions. Besides, you're a friend of my son, and it's good to see you in person. My son always talks about you," the woman said kindly.
Komi-San's eyes sparkled upon hearing that Tadano-Kun talked about her to his mother.
Her mind couldn't help but drift off into a sea of possibilities, one wilder than the other. She was like this until she noticed how the woman's gentle expression gradually broke and showed a distraught and deeply worried expression while a few tears fell from her eyes. Seeing this, Komi-San immediately snapped out of it and couldn't help but be scared by how Tadano's mother looked.
Jeanne: "My baby... he... he hasn't woken up since yesterday... he has a strange fever... I've tried everything... but he won't wake up. I... I'm scared. I don't know what I would do if something happened to him," the woman said as tears ran down her face, clinging to Komi-San.
Komi-San was surprised by the sudden hug. But understanding the situation quickly took action. She didn't know much about how to comfort others, so she decided to imitate Tadano-Kun's actions and gently rubbed the woman's back. In a low and friendly voice, she said.
Komi: "It's okay... everything will be okay... he'll get better... he's always been a good person, and good things always happen to good people." She said the last part unconsciously.
Jeanne gradually calmed down thanks to the girl's comfort. After wiping her face with a handkerchief, she thanked the girl and invited her inside.
Jeanne: "Do you want to come in? Hito-Chan will stay here for a while until his condition stabilizes or we know what's wrong with him."
Komi-San nodded and accepted Jeanne's offer. She felt a bit shy entering this grand mansion, but she was really worried about Tadano-Kun, especially after hearing about his condition from his mother.
The older man wanted to say something. But sensing his intentions, Jeanne gave him a stern look with her pair of rubies tinged with a dangerous crimson warning of serious consequences. This made the man immediately shut his mouth and obediently accept.
On one of the walls at the entrance, there was a golden plaque with beautiful calligraphy printed on it. The words written said...
[Shinomiya Residence]
*Some Time Later*
*POV Komi*
I was sitting in a luxurious room.
Every piece of furniture and decoration screamed luxury.
On the bed lay Tadano-Kun, connected to all sorts of medical equipment.
It was a bit sad to see him in this state.
Wanting to do something for him, I approached with my handkerchief and carefully wiped the sweat forming on his forehead.
I felt guilty; he was probably sick to this state for accompanying me the day before.
My heart was bitter and sad; I really didn't want to see him like this.
To me, he was always so brave, reliable, and strong. Seeing him in this pitiful state broke my heart.
I couldn't contain my turbulent feelings, and tears started to flow.
*Sob*
A few fell on his face.
When I went to wipe them away, I saw his eyes tremble for a moment.
Then he opened them and looked at me. His gaze was gentle and affectionate. With a kind smile, he said.
Tadano: "I slept thinking of you, and the first thing I see upon waking is your lovely face. A nice coincidence, don't you think?" he joked with a big smile on his face as he sat up.
Seeing him awake again, I couldn't help but hug him as tightly as I could, sobbing.
Tadano: "Oh come on, don't be like this... Don't put on that sad expression either. I don't think I've done anything worthy of your lovely tears," he said as he took my face in one hand and wiped the tears from my face with the other.
Komi: "Tadano-Kun... Tadano-Kun... Tadano-Kun!"
I couldn't do anything but say his name while hugging him as tightly as I could. Seeing him return to his usual self filled my heart with immeasurable happiness and relief.
Tadano: "Oh, this again? You know, little kitten, there are no thunderstorms now... there's no need to be so scared or sad... save those tears and sadness for my funeral, hehehe." He joked as he rubbed my back.
I couldn't help but get angry when I heard those words. I was so distraught just a moment ago just by seeing his previous appearance; I would die just thinking about seeing him in an even worse situation. I confronted him, and with a very angry look, I said,
Komi: "Don't say that! Never joke about something like that again!" I yelled, I was very angry that he spoke so lightly about such things.
I saw his surprised expression at my outburst. Then he raised his hands in surrender and said,
Tadano: "Fine... fine... I give up, I guess I shouldn't joke about something like that. I'm sorry." He said somewhat embarrassed.
I nodded.
Then I hugged him again.
While hiding my face in his chest, I listened attentively to the beating of his heart.
It was really comforting.
I wanted to stay in his embrace forever.
Komi: "Tadano-Kun," I murmured shyly.
Tadano: "Yes?" he responded in his usual gentle tone.
I lifted my head from his chest and looked at him.
Placing both of my hands on his cheeks, I gave him a warm kiss.
I poured all the love I have stored in my heart.
When we parted our lips, and with a somewhat timid tone, I said,
Komi: "Please... be my boyfriend."
I said with all the courage I could gather, while looking at him with the most serious expression I could maintain. I wanted to appear as a reliable and confident girl as my mother said. However, this didn't last long, and I was quickly overwhelmed by embarrassment, causing my face to turn as red as a ripe tomato. Quickly, I hid my face in his chest again, full of shame.
I couldn't see his face.
But I knew he was very shocked by the uncontrollable rhythm of his heart.
This made me happy in a way.
Tadano: "Komi-San, I..." he wanted to say, but I interrupted him.
Komi: "No! Don't answer me now... please think about it and give me your answer when you're ready." With that said, I quickly left the room.
Author's note: "hehehe, our little Komi has become brave. What will be the result, who knows? Having said that, sorry for the lateness, she is humbled, she is exhausted from the weekend work. Most likely, tomorrow she will also update late. I ask Apologies in advance, that being said, remember to drink plenty of water and I love you very much, your favorite depressive author.
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