"Isn't it?" Haizaki simply found it amusing.
Utaha averted her gaze, a little embarrassed. She really had thought of that line. Having been seen through by Haizaki, she felt awkward. But since they had already spoken openly today, she could voice her concerns and thoughts.
"Yes. You saved me, and I'm very grateful to you. But that doesn't mean we will necessarily end up together."
Haizaki shrugged. That was the truth. Though it sounded uncomfortable, he could accept it.
He wasn't arrogant enough to believe that, just because he held an advantage in the "Solitary Apocalypse" world, he could trample on or dominate Utaha at will. Nor did he think it was only natural for her to wag her tail, cling to him, or beg for survival.
Human nature can be cruel, ugly, and real—but at times, it can also be beautiful. His own humanity was clearly not the former.
Haizaki even thought that if he were a filthy, ugly person who enjoyed trampling others, abusing them, and savoring the thrill of conquest, he would never have been chosen by the "Trans-Spatiotemporal Human Civilization Salvation System."
Someone intoxicated by their own desires could never shoulder the responsibility of saving the world.
"This is good. Keeping an appropriate distance between us is the best approach for both you and me."
"Mm."
"I'll head back now. Breakfast is at seven-thirty tomorrow morning. Don't forget."
Utaha watched Haizaki's departing figure. Only after the door closed with a click did she let out a long breath. Her whole body relaxed, beads of sweat forming on her forehead and back.
Even she hadn't expected things to develop so quickly. But for it to end like this—this was perfect.
…
Back in his room, Haizaki slurped down his instant noodles.
To be honest, when he realized that Utaha had misunderstood him, his resolve really did waver for a moment.
As a normal man, how could he not be interested in a beautiful girl? Especially a girl with fair skin and an outstanding figure.
But his reason quickly suppressed those desires.
For him, whether something happened or not made a difference. In a sense, he was a rather traditional man. Once a relationship crossed that line, responsibility followed.
And right now, the one thing he absolutely could not do was take responsibility.
In one year, the girl would lose all memories of the "Solitary Apocalypse." After that year, she and he would become strangers.
If something happened between them, how was he supposed to face a girl who had lost all memories of being with him?
More importantly, the apocalyptic crisis was what he needed to confront right now. He could fall in any apocalyptic world at any time.
After weighing everything, he had to restrain himself and hold firmly to his principles—not intimate, not distant—just waiting until the day it all ended.
That way, neither of them would suffer.
…
After finishing the noodles and disposing of the broth, Haizaki washed up and lay down on the soft bed.
After working himself to exhaustion all afternoon, his waist and back ached. He just wanted to sleep. If conditions allowed, he would have liked someone to give him a massage.
In the past, he might have fantasized about Utaha offering him a massage as repayment. In his previous apocalyptic life, he had experienced her massages. But now—keep dreaming.
"Once I return to the Eastern Union, I'll need to start systematic training."
The body was the foundation of everything. His past experiences and this rescue made him deeply realize the importance of having a strong body.
"Yawn…"
Haizaki yawned, turned off the lights, closed his eyes, and his consciousness gradually faded as he slipped into deep sleep.
"Ding dong…"
Vaguely, Haizaki heard the doorbell.
Half-asleep, he ignored it, pulled the blanket over his head, and went back to sleep.
Dreaming about someone ringing the doorbell—seriously.
"Ding dong… ding dong…"
The doorbell rang urgently.
"Yusuke-san, are you still awake?"
Why am I dreaming that Utaha is knocking on my door? Didn't she follow my instructions? Leaving the safe house would mean losing—wait…
Haizaki suddenly sat bolt upright.
"Ding dong… ding dong…"
Someone really was knocking!
He glanced at his watch. Eleven thirty-eight.
In the dead of night—what was she knocking for?
"Kasumigaoka-san, you're not asleep yet?"
"Please open the door first…"
"If it's not important, let's talk about it tomorrow morning."
Haizaki lay back down again.
"Yusuke-san, it's important…"
At that point, he had no choice.
He threw off the blanket and, wearing only his underwear, walked to the door and opened it.
"What is it…"
Yawning, Haizaki looked outside. The girl stood there wearing a black coat, holding a pillow in her arms. Her expression was embarrassed, yet firm, as if she were struggling with something difficult.
What was going on?
Haizaki became much more alert, thinking about why she had woken him up.
"Please let me come in first…"
"Alright, come in."
Noticing the glimmer in Utaha's eyes, Haizaki thought of something and chose to let her in first.
As he stepped aside to the left, Utaha walked straight into the room.
A man's room.
There was a faint, unfamiliar scent in the air—she knew it was Haizaki's smell.
It wasn't unpleasant.
And besides that, there was no scent of privet blossoms.
Focusing on the smell, Utaha suddenly snapped back to her senses.
She hadn't come here to check whether Haizaki had been doing anything unhealthy on his own.
…