Seeing her in such pain, Suzuki Tsubame's heart twisted. He immediately reached out and pulled her rain-soaked body tightly into his arms.
His hand gently patted her back as he spoke in a steady, tender voice. "It's all right now. Don't worry. Even if she took the ID card, it won't do her any good."
His warm breath enveloped the girl's ice-cold body, easing the biting chill of the rainy night.
He understood the pride and stubborn strength buried deep in her bones, and he understood even more clearly the guilt and helplessness filling her heart. He patiently comforted her in a low voice. "You've done wonderfully."
The warmth of his embrace gradually soothed her chaotic emotions. The grievance she had suppressed for so long could no longer be held back, and she buried her face against his shoulder and cried soundlessly.
He had originally thought... Horikita crying would be breathtakingly beautiful.
And in truth, it was.
Yet for some reason, he regretted making this decision. He absolutely, absolutely did not want to see Horikita cry again.
The two held each other tightly. The girl continued sobbing against his shoulder, and only after a long while did her sobs gradually calm.
Her entire body had been drenched by the rain, cold to the bone, yet before long, the temperature of her forehead began to rise sharply.
Suzuki Tsubame could clearly feel the temperature of the forehead resting against his shoulder rapidly climbing.
Clearly, he could not wait any longer.
Suzuki Tsubame immediately scooped the girl up in his arms. Horikita had already completely passed out, her body limp and powerless, showing no reaction no matter how he held her.
Following the path through the woods, Suzuki Tsubame hurried toward the dock.
"Huh? Isn't that Suzuki?"
Hoshinomiya, who had already been