"...Yes. Well, it seems there are no particular issues. Good work today, Ruka-chan."
"Thank you."
The day after the seed distribution, I came to the distribution room for a health checkup and consultation. Ohno-san was in charge, and during the consultation, she mainly gave me advice about daily life and mental care.
"By the way, Ruka-chan, didn't your mother come with you today?"
"Ah, yes. My grandfather threw out his back, so my mother had to take care of him."
Since the seed distribution started, I've been instructed to avoid going out alone as much as possible to avoid trouble with my ex. I usually come to the distribution room with my mom, but today I'm alone. Ohno-san seems concerned about that.
"...I see. If it's a problem, should I have someone escort you?"
"Eh, that would be too much trouble. I haven't heard from Toru recently, so I think it's fine."
"Is that so... Well, if you say so."
Ohno-san's expression looks slightly troubled. It's only about 30 minutes by train from here to home, so I don't think we need to be that nervous...
"I'll be fine alone. I have a personal alarm, and look, I recently bought this online!"
I took out a pepper spray from my bag to show her.
"Whoa, you're carrying something like that? Is that okay?"
"Hachisu-san recommended it. Apparently, it's technically against the law, but he said it's okay if you have a legitimate reason. He even gave me a business card to show if I get stopped by the police."
"Hmm~ Maybe I should get one too~"
"Eh!? Ohno-san, are you being stalked too?"
"Nah, I was thinking I might use it on Hachisu if it comes to that..."
"Please don't, you'll seriously get arrested for that lol"
On my way back from the distribution room, I stopped by the shopping center near the station. It's full of fashion brands, cosmetics, and stylish accessory stores, and even has a cinema complex. It's one of my favorite spots near home because it's so convenient.
"Ruka? Long time no see! How have you been?"
"Ah, Rino-chan! It's been a while! Are you back here?"
The person who called out to me at the accessory store was my classmate Rino-chan. We were close friends in high school and often hung out together, but after she went to college in Kansai, we completely lost touch.
"Yeah. It's winter break now, and I have job hunting preparations, so I came back early."
"I see~ Are you planning to work here, Rino-chan?"
"Yeah. You're working at your dad's company, right?"
"Yeah, yeah. Just being a carefree office lady lol"
"The president's daughter~ Lucky you~"
"Ahaha lol what's with that lol it's not that great lol"
Excited by this unexpected reunion with an old friend, we went to a café in the complex. After chatting for about two hours, we made plans to hang out again soon and went our separate ways. This turned out to be a mistake...
"Uh oh... It's already dark..."
Leaving the shopping center, I looked up at the completely darkened sky and muttered to myself. It was past 6 PM. The streets were glittering with Christmas illuminations.
"Oh well. I'd better hurry home."
I decided to take the shortest route home. It involved cutting through a large park—a bit scary at night, but it would get me home the fastest.
"...Brrr!"
A sudden gust of north wind made me shiver. This was a forest path with no one around. Though I wanted to hurry, the darkness kept me from walking faster.
Crunch!!
The sound of dry leaves being stepped on made me stop in my tracks.
"Rukaaa... You look well..."
That familiar voice was unmistakable. My childhood friend and ex-boyfriend, Nagata Toru.
"T-Toru!? Wh-what are you doing here...?"
"You've been making a fool of me, haven't you... you bitch!"
The heaviness in his voice conveyed his anger. Cold sweat ran down my back.
"Wh-what!? Don't come any closer! I'll call the police!"
"Do whatever you want... I'm gonna kill you and then die myself..."
Though his face was hard to see in the dark, his bloodshot eyes were clearly visible. Toru and I had fought many times before, and his eyes always looked like this right before he hit me.
"N-no..."
My whole body was trembling, and I couldn't speak properly. I had my personal alarm and pepper spray for situations like this, but I'd completely forgotten about them. I stood there frozen, shaking. My legs were paralyzed, and I couldn't move.
"Let's get along in the afterlife... I'll apologize a lot..."
Toru slowly closed the distance while raising his right hand. I couldn't see clearly, but there was no doubt he was holding a weapon.
No way... Am I really going to die here...? No... I can't believe it... Why? Why why why!?
As I trembled in fear, Toru swung his right fist down. I reflexively raised my right arm to block. A sharp sound cut through the air, and fresh blood gushed from my arm.
"KYAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!"
I screamed. Toru was holding a knife. My right arm felt hot... It hurts it hurts it hurts!!
"Aahhh... Ruka... Poor thing... I'll put you out of your misery now..."
Toru closed the distance with a pitying tone. Having fallen on my butt, I clutched my right arm and scrambled backward, grimacing in pain. Tears blurred my vision, but I couldn't care about that now. I had to run... but my legs wouldn't move.
"DIIIIIIEEEEEE!!!"
Just as Toru raised the knife to stab me—
THUD!!
A tremendous impact sent Toru flying onto his back.
"Uchiba-san!! Are you alright!?"
The owner of the voice stood protectively in front of me, blocking Toru, and declared:
"Nagata Toru! I'm arresting you for attempted murder in the act!!"
That voice was unmistakable! It was Rin-san! Rin-san came to save me!!
In my moment of absolute crisis, my savior had arrived. Overwhelmed with relief, I collapsed on the spot.
"U-Uchiba-san!! Are you alright!?"
While Rin-san was distracted by me, Toru quickly got up and ran away.
"St-stop!!"
Toru's figure grew smaller in the distance, but Rin-san didn't chase after him. No—she couldn't. I had collapsed in front of her. She picked me up, tied my bleeding arm with a handkerchief as first aid, and then grabbed her radio.
"This is Hongo. Assault incident occurred. Victim is injured. Requesting emergency transport. Immediate arrangements needed. Location is..."
Rin-san accurately relayed the situation, arranged for an ambulance, and ordered Toru's pursuit. Then, she looked down at me with concern. Under the light, her face was pale, and her eyes seemed slightly moist.
"I'm so sorry. I promised to protect you, and yet this happened... I don't know how to apologize..."
Her voice was filled with regret and frustration. Even though Rin-san wasn't at fault, she was apologizing from the bottom of her heart. I thought again about how incredibly responsible she was.
Several dozen minutes later, I was sitting in the hospital waiting room. Fortunately, the wound was shallow, and I didn't need to be hospitalized, which was a relief. Now, I was gently rubbing my bandaged right arm while waiting for the detective in charge to arrive. Rin-san sat beside me, keeping her arm around my shoulder the whole time.
"Ruka-chan!! Are you alright!?"
Ohno-san arrived at the hospital before the detective. She must have rushed here—her hair was disheveled, and sweat was pouring down her face.
"I'm fine. Sorry for worrying you."
"I'm so sorry. I should've insisted on sending someone with you. Ahh... to let you get hurt like this..."
"I-it's okay. Please don't worry. Hongo-san saved me, so it's alright."
"Ahh... Rin-chan, I was too harsh on you earlier. Thank you."
"Not at all. I'm glad you contacted me, Ohno-shishou. Though I let Uchiba-san get hurt, we avoided the worst-case scenario."
Ohno-san had been worried about me and contacted Rin-san... And yet, I went off fooling around... I really wasn't being careful enough...
"So, what happened to Nagata Toru?"
"Well... he fled the scene and hasn't been found yet. But headquarters has issued an emergency alert, so it's only a matter of time."
"I see. Once we catch him, we'll make sure he never shows up in front of Ruka-chan again!"
"Nagata was already on probation for an assault case two years ago. This incident is being investigated as attempted murder, so he won't avoid jail time. I'm not a prosecutor, so I can't say for sure, but he'll likely get a substantial sentence."
"Eh!? Toru was on probation?"
"Yes. You didn't know? Two years ago, he got into a dispute with a clerk at an arcade in Tokyo and was arrested for assault."
I was shocked to hear about this incident. Two years ago was right around when we broke up, so it made sense I wouldn't know. Toru had always had a short temper, and he'd hit me many times, but I never imagined he'd been arrested. If I'd known, I never would've gotten back together with him.
"Well, anyway, he's done for now. At least Ruka-chan can feel safe."
"Yes. Thank you for everything."
"Mhm. So... Rin-chan, what's the plan now? I just spoke with Ruka-chan's parents, and they said she can't go home today?"
"Correct. We've determined her home is unsafe until Nagata is apprehended. Of course, we'll station officers there, but as a precaution, we've arranged for Uchiba-san to stay at a hotel."
"I see, that might be best. Rin-chan, you'll stay with her the whole time, right?"
"Of course. I won't leave Uchiba-san's side until Nagata is caught."
"Won't leave my side"... That's...
Her words made my cheeks flush uncontrollably. Spending the night with Rin-san...? I desperately tried to suppress the indecent thoughts bubbling up and kept my face down to hide my grin.
How inappropriate of me.