It was like a knife. If it rusted, you did not simply throw it away. You could polish it, remove the rust from its surface, and make it look brand-new again.
But his case was completely the opposite. The thin outer layer was normal, while the inside was filled with rust.
That was the price he had paid. He had nearly drained all the vitality from this body.
"Really..."
"Don't tell me you're about to apologize? That would be pointless. You didn't do anything wrong, Kanae, so what are you apologizing for? I know my own condition, too."
Knowing his own condition yet still acting so calm and composed only made Kanae Kocho feel even worse.
"By the way, did your heart skip a beat?"
"Ah?"
Why had he suddenly said that?
"My sudden rescue, that incredible performance, such a cool scene... shouldn't girls' hearts be racing in a situation like this?"
Even at a time like this, he was still teasing her, leaving her somewhat speechless.
"My heart did skip a beat~"
She answered him gently, a faint blush appearing on her face.
She was not merely playing along with him. She had answered seriously.
"Then you don't mind giving me a lap pillow, right?"
"Of course not."
The moment she agreed, he truly did not stand on ceremony, shifting from sitting beside her to lying on her lap.
His gaze inadvertently turned toward the distant horizon, where the darkness was being driven away, as though that place itself were burning.
In reality, dawn was about to arrive, and the sun was about to rise from there.
So please, hold on a little longer.
"You're not about to cry, are you?"
"I'm not crying."
That was what she said, but he reached out and touched her cheek, wiping away