11. A Woman Named Tokiwa Uguisu
――――I’ve found him, my prince――――
“If Suou-san ever harasses me again, will you protect me like you did today?”
“Well, if it’s something I can do.”
I’ve never heard such delightful words in my twenty years of life. This is the first time I’ve felt happiness; it’s not a fantasy, it’s real love. That day, I, Tokiwa Uguisu, finally managed to meet my prince and we got married without incident.
“…Ufufu, thank you. I’m going to be so happy.”
In the seemingly bright and admired world of being a righteous hero, I was oppressed and fought a lonely battle. The pressure of the world’s expectations and the tension of never being able to reveal my true identity; rushing to the scene, risking my life to save the lives of the citizens. If I made a single mistake, countless lives would be lost, and I bore that responsibility on my small shoulders as I fought for world peace.
The enemy was never just the Shadows; it was also my fellow teammates, Suoh-san, Nadeshiko-san, and Kiba-san, who were pitiful girls who had drowned in the excessive power of being heroes. They used that power for their own selfish desires, arrogantly believing that they were special for helping people.
That’s not what a true hero of justice should be. Sure, we may have powers that others don’t, but that doesn’t mean we’re privileged. Everyone has their own individuality—some are smart, some are fast, some are good with their hands—and we just happened to be suited to be heroes. But to use something as precious as the power of love for your own gain, that’s not the kind of hero that children should aspire to be.
I tried to reason with them many times, but they wouldn’t listen. Eventually, I started to get bullied by my teammates. To my regret, Philance Red’s power of love could generate energy several times greater than mine. On top of her naturally high physical abilities, she also wore her hero suit under her clothes all the time, indicating a high level of fighting spirit. She was probably used to fighting even before she became a hero, so I, a powerless person, had no chance of winning against someone who had no qualms about resorting to violence.
The other two heroes also sided with Suoh-san, looking down on me, oppressing me, and making fun of me. Honestly, I wanted to die. My body was covered in wounds inflicted by my teammates and the Shadows. Dr. Gentian pretended to be neutral, but he was afraid of upsetting Philance Red, the strongest member of the team, so he turned a blind eye.
Still, I’m a hero, so it doesn’t matter how much I’m hurt, as long as many people can be saved. I would fight on, thinking of the wonderful prince who would one day find me.
“I don’t know what happened, but she’s apologizing now. Why don’t you forgive her, Akane-san?”
That’s when he appeared, my prince charming on a white horse. He showed up before me as I was being bullied by Suoh-san as usual, and without asking why, he protected me. He was like a prince from a fairy tale, kind , compassionate, and handsome.
Even though he was devastated of the formidable Philance Red, he didn’t cower and instead stood up for me, a pitiful wretch. I realized right away that he had come to save me, the heroine in the midst of a tragedy. He was my prince, and mine alone.
No, since we’re already married, it would be more accurate to call him my husband. We didn’t need to exchange any explicit words; we knew that we had fallen in love the moment our eyes met that day, that we had Found our soulmates.
“Sora-san… What a lovely name.”
And so, we became husband and wife. Before, I had fought for the sake of my unknown beloved, but from now on, I would save the Earth with my burning love for you, my love for my family. The Shadow disaster are still rampant, and Suoh-san and the others continue to treat me like an enemy, but with Sora-san’s love, I can keep going. No matter how hurt I am, no matter how much I suffer, as long as we have each other , we can keep fighting.
For you, my beloved, I can endure any pain. That’s what I believe.
“…He’s not here again today.”
Why is it? Why hasn’t my happy life with you, my destiny, begun yet?
It’s been almost a week since Sora-san and I met and became a family. I’ve been waiting for my husband in the unused room marked “Blue.”
“Sora-san, why…”
I knew that Sora-san was living in his family home. I figured he must be busy with paperwork and moving preparations since he had just joined the team. But it’s been six days, and there’s still no sign of him coming back to this room . I want to register our marriage soon, but…
“Even though we’re newlyweds, he could at least show his face…”
Unfortunately, I don’t know Sora-san’s contact information or his family’s address, so all I can do is wait, trusting in you. But why do I feel so uneasy?
“No, no, Uguisu. You have to believe in Sora-san.”
I tell myself. Sora-san is my wonderful husband, and I can’t allow myself to doubt him. I’m sure there’s some reason he can’t come home. The room designated for Philance Blue, Sora-san’s new home, is where I, his wife, should move in and live with him. It’s perfectly natural. I’ll even put up with Philance Yellow living nearby; I’ve managed to endure it so far. So please, come home soon.
“I can’t stay cooped up in the house. I need some fresh air.”
Even though the custom-made ducts bring in plenty of fresh air, it’s still a basement, so it doesn’t get much sunlight. It’s bad for my health if I don’t go outside sometimes. With that in mind, I headed up to the Shiyundo.
That’s when it happened. My eyes beheld a horrifying sight.
“Oh dear, we’re here already. I wish I could have talked to Sora-senpai alone a little longer.”
“No, I came by train to meet you, so it must have been a lot slower than usual for Momo, right?”
“Huh? When I’m not on duty, I don’t wear my suit and I take the train?”
“Oh, is that so?”
“Ugh! Senpai, do you think I use my hero powers for my own convenience?”
“S-sorry.”
The people who entered the Shiyundo were my husband, Asagi Sora-san, and Nadeshiko Momo-san, who was clinging affectionately to his arm. They were very close, and Nadeshiko-san was wearing a revealing outfit that exposed her thighs and shoulders, giving Sora-san a seductive look.
The two of them entered the store as if to flaunt their relationship, and slowly made their way towards the staff room where I was.
“…How could this be?!”
I cried out in shock.
“Oh? Uguisu-san?”
Tears welled up in my eyes, and I couldn’t bring myself to confront them or get angry. All I wanted to do was run away from there, so I hurriedly returned to the base.
“No way…”
Sora-san was having an affair. This is terrible.
I cried in the corner of the room marked “Blue.” Why does God give me so much misfortune? If you’re just going to take away my happiness so easily, then you shouldn’t have given it to me in the first place .
“This is cruel, it’s just cruel…”
I loved you so much, and yesterday I became a hero for my love for you. I was able to exert ten times my usual strength, and I thought I wouldn’t be ridiculed by the other members anymore!
“Excuse me, Uguisu-san?”
After a while, Sora-san’s voice could be heard from outside the room.
“I asked the doctor and he said you might be in this room, um, this is my room, right? I don’t intend to use it, so I don’t mind, but…”
My room? I don’t intend to use it? This is our new home as a married couple, but he’s talking as if it’s someone else’s business. He must want to say that marrying me was a whim after all.
“Um, you were crying earlier, weren’t you? Are you okay?”
“…”
Ah, even though your heart has moved on to another woman, you’re still worried about me. That’s why I like you. You’re a hopeless person, but I can’t seem to hate you easily. Why do you confuse my heart like this, Sora-san?
“May I come in?”
Sora-san, who has the real key, opens the door and gently approaches me, who is huddled in the pitch-dark room.
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“Uguisu-san, are you okay?”
“…”
I want to be hospitalized by that gentle voice, to surrender my all to it.
“That, I”
When I look up, I see your surprised expression. You immediately smile gently and stroke my hair softly.
“…”
And then you stop, noticing something at once.
“Uguisu-san! Those wounds are…”
You notice the several wounds on my left wrist and up to the joint, and you ask me with a serious expression on your face.
“Are these, by any chance, from cutting yourself?”
“…”
“I’m sorry if I’m wrong. But I can’t overlook this amount…”
Ah, you are kind after all. You’re genuinely worried about me. I’m glad. I haven’t been completely yet abandoned.
Was what happened earlier just a whim, or were you taken advantage of by that woman because you’re so kind?
“I’m sorry for worrying you. But since Sora-san came here… I’m a little better.”
“Don’t say such brave things. Did you do this to yourself? Why…”
Your sincere eyes are looking only at me. Your mind is thinking only about me now, not about Suou-san or Nadeshiko-san. You hold my hand, embrace my trembling shoulders, and look at each of my wounds with a pained expression.
To be worried about by someone I love, it’s such a wonderful feeling.
I was intoxicated by the pleasure of receiving love from someone for the first time, and I didn’t answer Sora-san’s words, but quietly nestled up to him.
I’m thinking only about how to make this moment last forever, how to never be threatened by another woman again.
That’s right, if I hurt myself more, will you look at me?
I will accept all of Sora-san, so make me your home.
try suicide for maximum attention