Chapter 19
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Have you ever heard that men and women handle memories of past relationships differently?
There’s that common saying that women overwrite and save with each new relationship, while men create a new folder and save under a different name for each relationship.
Now hold on a second, some of you might be thinking that worn-out adage is unreliable and even embarrassing to mention. But you’re the ones who need to wait.
This isn’t just some saying tossed around over drinks or at a family restaurant after school to fill the conversation. At least the part about men saving in folders is spot-on.
「So where’s the proof? Show us the evidence then,」 you say?
The proof exists. I’m the proof.
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The moment I woke up, I sensed something approaching.
It took me a little while to realize it was a person, perhaps partly because I had just woken up and my vision wasn’t fully clear compared to normal.
Eventually, I noticed that not only my vision, but my body’s movement was restricted.
As I started to panic, she sat down beside me and cradled me in her arms.
No cries of surprise escaped my mouth. Even if I wanted to, my mouth was bone dry.
In the meantime, her face drew closer to mine until her lips met my own.
The instant I felt the squishy sensation of her lips, some liquid flowed into my mouth.
The liquid was extremely bitter. Out of normal human reflex, I instinctively wanted to spit it out. But she wouldn’t allow that. With her lips still pressed to mine, she poured the liquid into my mouth cavity once more.
This abrupt 「you’re not done until you drink it (by force)」 situation, like a salesperson being power harassed, threw my emotions into utter chaos.
Does this count as a kiss!?
Seriously!? So this is my first kiss then!?
No, no, wait a sec… There’s no way a kiss involves forcing down such a bitter juice, right!?
They say when lips join together, that’s a kiss, no doubt about it!
It’s true! Her lips were soft!
Then does mouth-to-mouth resuscitation count as a kiss too?!
As I furiously debated in my head whether this qualified as a kiss or not, my vision finally cleared. I saw her looking intently at me, lips parted from mine.
It was the white girl I had faintly glimpsed before losing consciousness.
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「You were on the verge of death.」
The white girl told me, her expression unchanging.
「If I hadn’t found you, you would have died just like that.」
Lacking any roundabout phrasing, she stated the bare facts, giving off an impression of emotional detachment.
Gazing intently at her, what I sensed from her was the sparseness of her very existence.
But that’s not to say she lacked presence. It’s a bit contradictory and hard to put into words, but I couldn’t feel from her that innate atmosphere that all humans share.
Despite having a human form, what emanated from her was the distinct aura of an existence clearly different from humans.
「You can’t speak, can you? That’s to be expected, since you were unconscious for a whole week.」
Her aura could perhaps be described as 「divine」 or 「godlike.」
And of course, that was in large part due to her appearance and bearing.
Her long white hair shimmered with the luster of the finest silk, each strand defying gravity as it floated lightly at the ends.
Above all, a single piece of white cloth, somehow exuding a divine aura, clung to her body as if to protect and cherish her. Without ever compromising her dignity, it enveloped her like a kimono, a single mystical garment created by a master artisan.
「Ah, aah…」
I wanted to say 「Thank you for saving me.」 The words wouldn’t come out properly.
「It’s okay. I understand.」
As if reading my mind, she responded.
「Don’t think about unnecessary things. Just rest.」
Still expressionless, she continued.
「It’ll be alright.」
Reassured by her words, I drifted back to sleep.
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This was my first encounter with the white girl.
That kiss with her left a huge impact on me.
As you all know, she had absolutely no ulterior motives.
That’s only natural. She was simply giving medicine she had brewed to me, who couldn’t swallow on my own while unconscious.
It just happened to be through mouth-to-mouth. Nothing inappropriate about it.
At least for her, that is.
Unfortunately, I had inappropriate thoughts. Too many, in fact. I mean, it was mouth-to-mouth after all.
Just think about it for a moment.
I was unconscious for a week. In other words, while I was out for that whole week, she must have been giving me the medicine mouth-to-mouth each time, right?
Wait, what! So by the time I regained consciousness, my first kiss was already long over?
But you know, a first kiss should be shared between two people in love. So this one doesn’t count.
I must be the worst, having impure thoughts about the person who saved my life.
But still! Her lips were so soft!
They were super plump!
I’ll never forget that sensation! – Every time I reflect on meeting her, this internal first kiss debate unfolds without fail.
But it really can’t be helped.
Men are simple-minded fools, after all. So I carefully file away my memories of her in a folder.
There’s no way I could forget her.
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Even after regaining consciousness the first time, I still couldn’t move freely. I had to rely on her devoted care.
Then, around two weeks later, I finally became able to stand and walk.
And that was also around the time my story started moving again.
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