Chapter 249: Shijo Maki: Love is Really Difficult
Watching the Phoenix's tear absorb into Shijo Maki's lips, Yukima Azuma still felt uneasy.
Even though he had successfully summoned a mythical creature at the cost of personal suffering—
His supernatural abilities were rooted in literary skills.
He could only summon creatures that had appeared in published works and gained widespread recognition.
This Phoenix—at most, was merely a slightly stronger-than-usual magical beast.
Would it actually work? That remained uncertain.
Fortunately, after about ten minutes—
Shijo Maki's body temperature dropped significantly, returning to normal.
Placing a hand on her forehead, Yukima Azuma finally breathed a sigh of relief.
At the very least, the fever had broken.
Perhaps it was because of his movement,
But her long eyelashes fluttered slightly.
A moment later, a pair of violet eyes slowly opened.
At that moment, they were still in the same position—
Yukima Azuma holding Shijo Maki in his arms as he had been checking her condition.
Now that she was awake,
He was about to release her and set her down.
After all, given Shijo Maki's tsundere nature and how easily she got embarrassed—
She was bound to make a fuss about it.
But just before he could let go—
Shijo Maki suddenly reached out and wrapped her arms around his neck.
(づ•́ ᵔ •̀)づ
Feeling the warmth and softness radiating from her slender arms,
Yukima Azuma blinked in confusion.
…Since when did Tsundere Maki become so forward?
Shijo Maki, still embracing Yukima Azuma, stared at the boy right in front of her.
"Am I dying?"
(⊃ ˃̣̣̥ ᴖ ˂̣̣̥ ⊂)
Her voice was still hoarse,
Likely from just waking up and not having had any water in a long time.
Hearing her question, Yukima Azuma felt a sudden surge of irritation.
Oh, now she was scared?
What about before?
She had been sick and didn't say a word.
But… since she had just barely made it through the worst,
He swallowed back the scolding he wanted to give her and simply said:
"Stop overthinking. You're fine now."
At those words, Shijo Maki let out a small, wistful laugh.
She knew her own body well.
Before she lost consciousness, her fever had reached a critical level—her entire body weak, her head spinning.
Those were extremely dangerous symptoms.
In the wild, facing a fever that severe—
Other than physical cooling methods, there was almost no way to treat it.
Yet now, she didn't feel even a trace of pain.
On the contrary, she felt light, almost like she was floating.
Forget the wilderness—
Even in the most advanced private hospital with cutting-edge technology,
It was impossible to recover so quickly, leaving no trace of illness behind.
The only explanation Shijo Maki could think of—
Was that her body had already been completely destroyed by the sickness.
What she was experiencing now was just the last fleeting moment of clarity before death.
With that sorrowful smile still lingering,
Shijo Maki gazed at the boy before her.
"I really am so pitiful, huh? Just when I finally found someone I truly like."
"Love is so difficult… I haven't even done anything yet, it's so frustrating."
"But at least… I already kissed him. Even if it was an accident, it was really wonderful."
"Ne, Azuma-kun… Can you kiss me one more time? As my final wish."
Hearing Shijo Maki's words—
Yukima Azuma's lips twitched slightly.
This girl… seriously?!
"Shijo-san, listen to me. You're not actually—"
Yukima Azuma was about to explain everything properly.
But suddenly—
Tears welled up in Shijo Maki's eyes.
(இ﹏இ`｡)
Large, shimmering drops rolled down her cheeks.
This was clearly her final wish.
Why was he saying such cruel things instead?
Did he enjoy making her suffer?
These thoughts surged in her mind, and her chest ached with grievance.
So—
She lifted her head—
And kissed him straight on the lips.
Fine.
If Yukima Azuma wouldn't do it, then she would.
After all, she didn't have much time left anyway.
His explanations were blocked by her soft lips, unable to be spoken.
Yukima Azuma widened his eyes.
It wasn't that he had never been forcibly kissed by a girl before.
But a misunderstanding as absurd as this was truly a first.
A sweet fragrance spread right under his nose.
A scent like the most enticing cake, making Yukima Azuma instinctively seize the initiative.
Shijo Maki attacked based on emotions.
But before long, she was completely dominated by Yukima Azuma.
Her heartbeat accelerated, then accelerated even more.
Only when their breath reached its limit did Yukima Azuma finally release her.
Shijo Maki, who had been brimming with momentum just moments ago, was now as soft as a puddle of water.
The kiss had melted her.
And yet, right after, Yukima Azuma suddenly frowned.
This sweet scent, so rich it stimulated his taste buds... why did he feel that it didn't match Shijo Maki's natural fragrance?
He immediately sensed something was off.
"Call... call me Maki, okay?"
(｡Ó﹏Ò｡)
Shijo Maki spoke softly.
That "Shijo-san" thing felt way too distant.
If possible, before dying, she wanted to hear Yukima Azuma call her name just once.
"Mm, Maki."
Yukima Azuma responded without hesitation.
He didn't intend to explain anything anymore.
After all, in just a little while, Shijo Maki would realize the truth on her own.
There was no such thing as an embarrassment that wouldn't happen.
Who told tsundere girls to never listen when people talk? She deserved this!
Placing her down, Yukima Azuma carefully began to determine the source of the scent.
The sweet fragrance, like cake, was indeed coming from Shijo Maki.
But the true source... wasn't actually her.
Moreover, Shijo Maki herself never had such an overwhelmingly sweet scent.
It was a purer sweetness, fresher.
...
Shijo Maki was left alone in the cave.
Yukima Azuma stepped outside.
Watching Yukima Azuma leave, Shijo Maki had no intention of stopping him.
All of her wishes had been completely fulfilled.
Before dying, she had been able to kiss the person she truly loved, to hear him call her name.
Shijo Maki was already satisfied.
She simply thought that Yukima Azuma didn't want to face the truth that she was about to pass away.
Thinking this, though she wanted to cry even more, there was a bit of happiness in Shijo Maki's heart.
She quietly closed her eyes, waiting for the sensation of losing consciousness completely.
But after a long time...
Shijo Maki opened her eyes.
It seemed... she didn't feel like she was dying?
( ╹ -╹)?
She sat up, reaching out to touch her forehead.
It seemed like the fever was gone.
Wasn't this supposed to be the final flicker before death? She had never heard of a death flashback lasting this long.
Gradually, Shijo Maki realized something.
Her cheeks burned like a cloud of fire, instantly turning bright red.
⁄(⁄ ⁄•⁄-⁄•⁄ ⁄)⁄
If the fever had already subsided... then what exactly had she just done!?
Just recalling even a little bit of what had happened—
Shijo Maki crouched down, holding her head.
Shijo Maki: Someone kill me! Free me from this embarrassment! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!
༼;´༎ຶ ༎ຶ༽
┻━┻ ︵ヽ(`Д´)ﾉ︵ ┻━┻
A major life memory was now rapidly transforming into social death.
At this moment, Shijo Maki truly wanted to die.
...
Shinomiya Kaguya returned, carrying two unidentified sea fish along with several sea urchins.
The moment she stepped inside, she saw the girl two generations younger than her curled up on the ground.
"Maki-san? Are you okay?"
Shinomiya Kaguya looked at her with a puzzled expression.
"I'm fine!"
Shijo Maki responded without even lifting her head.
Today, she really didn't have the face to see anyone anymore.
Shinomiya Kaguya: ( ಠ_ಠ ) ?
Did something happen?
...
Elsewhere.
Yukima Azuma wandered around the central area of the deserted island.
Then, at the back of the island, he found a natural path.
The vegetation on this path was relatively sparse, and the incline was low, making it easy to climb.
Following this path, Yukima Azuma began his ascent up the mountain.