Chapter 16: Mercy Killing

「...Runa...?」

My voice, ready to disappear at any moment, echoed in the deserted hallway.

The sneakers she always wore were neatly placed in the entrance.

Something feels unsettling in my chest.

I roughly kick off my shoes and stand in front of the unnaturally closed door.

──She's probably just sleeping.

I tell myself that.

Steeling myself, I slowly open the door.

「...?」

The moment I saw it, I couldn't believe my eyes.

The smell of iron.

Red liquid.

Runa lying down.

A knife stained red.

In an instant, I understand.

An endless unpleasant sensation covers my body.

「Runaaaa」

Raising my voice roughly, I hold her in my arms.

There was still a little warmth.

──No, she can still be saved. She's breathing a little too.

I immediately call 119.

Hurry, hurry up and come.

I screamed that many times in my heart.

Sunlight streaming through the window illuminates her eyes.

「...It's okay now, Gikei-chan.」

Runa speaks powerlessly with trembling lips.

Those eyes were filled with compassion.

「I love you, Gikei-chan.」

Saying that, Runa gently raised the corners of her mouth.

I unconsciously stroked her cheek gently.

Don't make that face.

I don't want to say goodbye anymore.

「I was bullied at my previous school too, and even though I moved here... I wonder why.」

「Sorry, sorry, sorry.」

Holding her crying form more tightly, I scream.

「I promised to protect you, I'm sorry. I'm sorry I couldn't protect you.」

I hate it.

I hate myself for not being able to keep the most important promise.

Please don't die.

Keep scolding someone like me forever.

The corners of my eyes are hot.

I was crying too.

I hear the ambulance siren.

Still far away.

Please hurry.

That's all I could pray for.

Suddenly, something warm touches my lips.

It tasted soft and painful.

I want to stay like this forever.

But it wasn't granted.

It ended in less than a second.

Her face fell limply to the floor.

Just then, the paramedics rushed in.

Treatment begins frantically.

One of the paramedics looked into my eyes and said.

「Don't worry. We'll definitely save her.」

A while after that, the ambulance flew out of the apartment building with sirens blaring.

In the hospital waiting room. I just prayed.