Even Though I Loved You First - Chapter 105.5 [Intermission] Kotone Ichinose & Motherly Reflections

“He’s asleep…” I softly muttered as I still held him in my arms, his soft breathing seemed to overtake the loud sounds of bullet-like water drops falling and hitting the roof.

He’s… so cute… I said with a giggle, taking a peek at his sleeping face. I wonder why, I feel like if it’s Segawa then I can do more than I know I’m capable of, chew more than I can eat. Seeing him so defenseless and calm… his chest going gently up and down in rhythm with his beating heart… It makes me happy.

“…” I reach out and gently touch his cheek.

Poke poke poke

“…What am I doing… really…” I said as I played with his cheeks, carefully as to not wake him up.

“I miss them…” Segawa’s tear drenched face, his weak and quivering voice… It was a side of him that I’ve never seen before. Ever since he joined the student council he has been extremely reliable as an intermediator and has been one of the few people I could confidently say that had earned my trust.

Naturally, while I’m kind to everyone and I don’t keep my distance as noticeably as Karane, I’m always sure who it is that I’m placing my trust in… and Segawa has been someone that I’ve completely dropped my guard around, and yet…

“…that’s no way to live…” I mutter while lightly brushing his bangs aside. I’m not in a position to say how to or how not to raise a child… I’m only a highschooler after all… Nevertheless, I know that you can’t keep a child happy by just giving them material objects… such happiness is nothing but temporary.

A child doesn’t need bills to be paid.

“…zzz…”

“…you really are such a heavy sleeper, huh?” Feeling his soft hair through my fingers, I couldn’t help but smile at the sight of him sleeping on my lap. “…guess Kokoro was right… now I see it…” She’s told me on many occasions how I seem to unconsciously act in a motherly way, I seem to really like pampering others… at least that’s what she and Kei have told me.

“…I won’t let you be alone…” I softly declared. While he might not be able to hear me, I’ll let him know through my actions… and maybe… after all this time relying on him…

He’ll maybe just learn and rely on me…

Soon after, it stopped raining and after a while, Se— Ichirou woke up and soon after, left.