His vacant blue eyes looked at Komatsuse. He sat up. He had a very long dream, or perhaps it wasn't a dream, but his memory.
Joyce… He clutched his chest, as if he could still feel the pain. Komatsuse, who was beside him, saw Yoizumi clutching his heart as soon as he woke up, thinking he was unwell, and asked anxiously.
He looked at her with his clear sapphire eyes, which were identical to Joyce's brown eyes. A complex expression flashed in his eyes, and he said softly, "I'm fine."
Komatsuse only breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that he was truly fine. Then she stared at Yoizumi's face. She felt that Mr. Yoizumi seemed a little different after waking up, but she couldn't quite pinpoint how.
"What's wrong?"
Komatsuse waved her hand, suddenly remembering something, and said, "Mr. Yoizumi, you've been asleep for a month. Is it really okay not to eat?"
During Yoizumi's unconsciousness, Komatsuse had tried to feed him, but then she thought that Yoizumi was a demon and might not need to eat. After several days of not feeding him, Komatsuse saw that Yoizumi's complexion was improving during his sleep, so she felt at ease.
It was just that Grandma had been quite startled that day. Ishii Kawa and Komatsuse had helped Yoizumi back home, and all three of them had a lot of bloodstains on them. If Komatsuse hadn't reacted quickly, the old woman probably would have fainted on the spot. Later, when explaining the whole story, some dangerous details were omitted. The old woman only knew that monsters had entered the village and that Yoizumi had risked his life to protect the villagers.
During Yoizumi's unconsciousness, almost all the villagers came to her house, practically wearing out their doorstep. Everyone was concerned about this hero, and so many food and daily necessities were sent that their house was almost overflowing. Grandma made all sorts of nourishing dishes every day, and Komatsuse volunteered to feed him herself, even chasing Grandma out, claiming that she felt too embarrassed to feed him with Grandma watching.
In the end, all of Yoizumi's food went into her mouth. Thanks to him, Komatsuse had gained a lot of weight. By mealtime, she couldn't eat anything. Grandma worried for a while, but seeing that she hadn't lost weight but had actually gained some, she let her be.
Thinking of this, Komatsuse reached out and pinched the soft flesh on her stomach, sighing with resentment. Fortunately, it was finally over now. She touched her face, which had also become much rounder, feeling a little troubled. She had to start dieting soon.
"It's okay, I can replenish myself by sleeping."
Komatsuse nodded in understanding… No, wait!
Mr. Yoizumi's speech has become normal!
"Hmm," though he himself didn't know why it was so.
"Oh, that's right, Mr. Yoizumi, your nichirin blade." Komatsuse picked up the nichirin blade from the bedside.
"Everyone originally wanted to fix it and return it to you, but even the best blacksmith in the village couldn't repair it."
"It's fine." Even though his speech had become fluent, Yoizumi was still unaccustomed to speaking too much. Since this nichirin blade was broken, he would look for an opportunity to get another one in the future.
"Ah! Mr. Yoizumi, you're awake! I have to tell Grandma; she'll be so happy!" Komatsuse excitedly ran out. The door to the dim room was opened. It was already noon, and the sunlight at the doorway cast a shadow.
The weather was so good, yet he couldn't step out. During the day, except for rainy days, there was no way to go out, but Yoizumi disliked rain.
Rain, it submerged too many things: tears he wanted to shed, words he wanted to say, people he wanted to remember. After the rain, all that remained was a tranquil silence.
"Can… you tell me… your… name?"
Joyce's last words echoed in his mind. Yoizumi lowered his head and his eyelashes, his voice barely audible.
"Yoizumi, it was given by a very important person."
"She said,"
"She hoped I would be as dazzling as sunlight and as clear as spring water."
In a daze, he seemed to hear Joyce's overly lively voice.
"What a good name, Yoizumi!"
His sapphire eyes widened slightly, and a faint, almost imperceptible smile touched his lips.
"Hmm."
And,
"Thank you…" "Grandma!"
"Mr. Yoizumi is awake!"
Komatsuse ran into the old woman's room and shouted.
"It's good that he's awake, it's good that he's awake! I must make more delicious food to celebrate!" The old woman, who was about to rest, heard the news, got up happily, and walked towards the kitchen, pondering what to cook.
"Komatsuse, come and lend a hand."
"Coming!"
"Komatsuse!" A loud male voice came from the doorway. Komatsuse looked over at the sound and saw a familiar figure standing there—it was Ishii Kawa.
Ever since Ishii Kawa bravely stepped forward and risked his life to protect her from mortal danger last time, Komatsuse's attitude towards him had changed significantly; at least, she no longer treated him with the perfunctory disregard she had before.
"Ishii-kun, good afternoon. I have good news for you, Mr. Yoizumi has woken up." Komatsuse said with a smile, her eyes sparkling with joy.
Upon hearing this news, Ishii Kawa's face immediately showed a look of surprise mixed with joy: "My benefactor has finally woken up!" Recalling the thrilling scene at the time, Ishii Kawa still felt a lingering fear. The agonizing pain of his chest being torn open by sharp claws was something he would likely never forget.
He had originally thought he was surely going to die this time, but he never expected to be saved by Yoizumi, whom he had always looked down upon. Not only that, but Yoizumi also successfully defeated the terrifying monster with his superb martial arts, safeguarding everyone's lives.
Now, Ishii Kawa's heart was filled with endless admiration for Yoizumi. After all, what man wouldn't revere someone with extraordinary skills and powerful martial arts? Especially when that person was also his savior.
Over the past month, Ishii Kawa had frequently visited Yoizumi, partly to check on his benefactor's health, and partly hoping to use the opportunity to see the beautiful Komatsuse more often.
Now, knowing that Yoizumi had woken up, he could no longer suppress his excitement. He took large strides and rushed towards Yoizumi's room.
The door was open, and the room was somewhat dim. Ishii Kawa walked in and saw Yoizumi sitting by the bed, looking out at the scenery. Hearing the sound, he turned his head and saw Ishii Kawa. Yoizumi nodded slightly as a greeting. It seemed that he had successfully rescued him before he finally fainted.
Ishii Kawa walked up to Yoizumi, took a deep breath, and knelt directly on the ground, knocking his head several times on the floor with a thud. He said in a deep voice, "Benefactor, thank you for saving me. I apologize for my previous offenses towards you and beg for your forgiveness!"
Unexpectedly, he would kneel. Yoizumi helped him up, and his calm, distant voice sounded, "I don't mind. There's no need to dwell on it."
Ishii Kawa smiled shyly. Indeed, he was a man of great magnanimity. No wonder Komatsuse liked him. He had a good appearance and strong abilities. He probably had no chance. Thinking of this, Ishii Kawa's mood instantly dropped. Compared to such a person, he was completely incomparable and had no chance of winning.
Clenching his fists, Ishii Kawa was somewhat unwilling. With his green eyes, he mustered up the courage to meet those clear sapphire eyes. If there was even a tiny possibility, even one in a thousand or one in ten thousand! He wanted to contend for it.
"How can I become as strong as you? I want to become brave; I don't want to be a coward."
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