Editing City Series:Volume8b Chapter15 (section)

===Aoe’s Sight Mode: In DT Castle===

'''<Aoe’s Over Reload>

Her claim in the message was belied by the worried tremor in her voice.

But she didn’t hesitate or stumble over her words.

Aoe realized Yuo had leaned more deeply against him after hearing her own voice.

Her eyebrows were drooping.

A window opened above her somewhat lowered head.

<That’s right. I need to thank you, but I also need to apologize.>

Her shoulders trembled just a bit, she breathed in, and another window opened.

Aoe read her words in silence.

<nowiki><I’m</nowiki> sorry.>

She shut her eyes and pressed her cheek into his chest.

<nowiki><I’m</nowiki> sorry.>

She rubbed her cheek against him even though it bent and squashed her ear.

<nowiki><I’m</nowiki> sorry!>

“I know,” he said, his voice shaky.

He saw the words she had wanted to tell him for so long.

The window over her head wrote out an apology.

It contained the words he needed to hear and it contained her will.

<nowiki><I’m</nowiki> sorry for worrying you and for forgetting you.>

She let out a choking breath.

<nowiki><I’m</nowiki> sorry…I can’t remember you.>

“Don’t worry about it.”

He held her more tightly in his arms.

“I felt the same.”

<Yes. We’re the same.>

Her nod sent tears spilling down her cheeks.

These were not from Aoe. They were her own tears.

The tears flowed as she let the emotion take over.

They wet his shoulder as he said something more.

<nowiki><I’ve</nowiki> forgotten so much, but…but from now on…>

She roughly took in a breath and truly addressed him for the first time.

She did not know who he was, but her past self had used a certain term when talking about him.

So she followed that example and redefined their relationship using it.

He was no longer just a stranger to her. He was…

<Senpai.>

She nodded and finished her thought while weeping.

<From now on, I will always be by your side, Senpai.>

'''<Aoe’s Sight Mode has ended>

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