Kanna's eyes were wide and glossy, as if she had been crying just moments ago.
I couldn't understand why she was here, now, of all times.
But I knew this wasn't the moment to ask questions.
A part of my heart clenched, full of pity, while the other wanted nothing more than to run away and avoid any contact with Ema's family.
I was perfectly aware that Kanna had nothing to do with Ema's choices, but at the same time, I remembered the words she had spoken to me.
She wanted to help me, but she also admitted that she had liked me for a long time.
I wonder why.
I never understood what was so special about me.
Seeing her in such a distressed state made me feel profoundly uneasy.
I had always been used to seeing her smiling, cheerful, and joking.
"Kanna…? What are you doing here?" I asked.
Unconsciously, my body made the decision to stay, rooted to the spot. I couldn't move.
She lowered her gaze for a few seconds and took a deep, shuddering breath. When she looked up, her vivid violet eyes met mine, and she forced a stiff smile onto her lips.
"N-Nothing. I just needed to clear my head and relax a bit. That's all." She said, her voice attempting to sound casual, yet her entire body was visibly trembling.
It was obvious that something serious had happened.
"Kanna, please tell me everything. You have nothing to do with my situation," I said, trying to keep my voice calm and collected.
"Oh, well. The situation is pretty simple, and I think you've already figured out from this bruise that I had a fight with Ema," Kanna replied, quickly averting her gaze. I noticed a darkening patch forming just above her left cheekbone.
"...What happened?" I asked.
I truly didn't want to hear Ema's name mentioned again, yet for some strange reason, I felt compelled to hear what Kanna had to say.
"I told her she was a bitch and that I was disgusted by how she treated you... but that wasn't even the real problem," she said.
I continued to listen in silence, the air thick with unspoken fear.
"Ema... she went crazy. She brought another guy home for no reason, introducing him to our parents. After he left, she started lashing out at me, blaming me for everything... Then the argument escalated into violence after our parents left the house. Ema was about to kill me, just because I said I would help you. She said I was a horrible sister and that I should just die," Kanna explained, desperately trying to hold back her tears.
Her words struck me with the force of a physical blow.
I would never have imagined such a scenario. Not even in another universe.
Why? Kanna and Ema had always been two inseparable sisters.
"Never one without the other!" they used to say.
Many times, the three of us went out alone in the streets of Tokyo to have fun. Besides that, Kanna was also part of our group of friends before what happened with Benjiro.
"Kanna... is what you're saying... true?" I asked.
Ema had brought another guy home, and it was certainly the same one I had seen with my own eyes at the restaurant. As my mind considered the thought that Ema might have even shared intimacy with him... a wave of searing pain flooded my body for a few seconds.
Intrusive thoughts. It's all normal, I tried to tell myself.
The fleeting happiness I had felt earlier while I was with Evangeline seemed to have vanished completely.
Only anxiety remained. Fear and the sharp, piercing pain that Ema had already replaced me.
"Yes, Fumi. It's true. And that's why I'm not home. I'm genuinely afraid for my life," Kanna admitted, flicking the spent cigarette to the ground.
She looked to be on the verge of tears, yet I had the distinct impression that her distress wasn't solely due to the fight.
And in that exact moment, I realized I had only two possible choices in this situation. I had to ignore her and walk away, or I had to offer her a place to stay.
But I know perfectly well that I am a stupid person, without a backbone, who contradicts himself with every action. Besides that, I am eternally indecisive. I don't even know what I want for myself.
"Kanna, if... if it's not a problem, you could come stay at my place," I said, the words escaping me almost unconsciously.
Kanna looked at me with wide eyes, not expecting such a radical offer.
I was perfectly aware that this was an incredibly foolish thing to do.
Kanna is Ema's sister; my relationship had just ended, and she harbored feelings for me.
Could I be more idiotic? I didn't think so.
It was entirely my own crippling sensitivity to blame.
"As much as I'd like to... I know it would be wrong to accept," Kanna said with a tone that was both sad and almost relieved at the same time, clutching the bruise on her cheek.
Without thinking twice, I forcefully took her hand in mine and started walking, dragging her along with me.
I wasn't going to stand there and listen to more sad phrases or excuses.
Kanna was like that; she put the well-being of others before her own, neglecting herself.
I knew perfectly well she would have stayed on that park bench all night.
"Fumi?! What are you doing?!" she asked, startled.
She was surprised by my sudden decision, yet it was precisely what she had hoped for.
In fact, she walked freely, without offering any resistance.
My house wasn't far from there.
Perhaps... Kanna knew I would pass by here? Or did she just hope for it?
Without speaking, I continued to walk, holding Kanna's hand, ignoring even my own spiraling feelings.
We walked for a while until we reached my front door. It was late now.
Kanna was almost embarrassed.
Why?