Some days after the school trip—
Yuzuru and Arisa were at the hospital together.
“A-are you sure… it really won’t hurt?”
“It’ll be fine. The doctor here is good.”
“…I’m trusting you, you know?”
They were there for an injection—
A flu vaccination.
Though Yuzuru had already had his, so only Arisa would be getting one.
He was simply there to accompany her.
“You don’t have to be so scared. Everyone gets them.”
“I-is that so…? If that’s the case…”
Right then—
“Uwaaahhhhh!!”
A piercing scream echoed from the examination room.
Arisa let out a small shriek and clung to Yuzuru.
Her face stiff with fear, she stared at the door.
…Moments later, a crying toddler and what seemed to be his mother came out.
“S-see! It does hurt! Y-Yuzuru-san… y-you lied to me, didn’t you?”
How could you, I trusted you!—that was written all over her face.
Yuzuru sighed.
“That was a kindergartener… you’re in high school.”
“S-so what does that have to do with anything…?”
“Kids cry over the smallest things… even just tripping. But you’re not like that, right? You wouldn’t cry just from falling, would you?”
“W-well… that’s true, but…”
It’s not that painful.
That child just reacted dramatically because he’s little.
Yuzuru tried to reassure her.
“Look—there, that kid. He looks like a primary schooler, but he’s not crying, right?”
“…That’s true.”
“If even a primary schooler can handle it, then you—being in high school—will be absolutely fine.”
“Y-you’re right!?”
His words seemed to give her a bit of confidence.
Her expression brightened slightly.
But then—
“Yukishiro-san. Yukishiro Arisa-san.”
“Eek…”
Her face clouded again.
“Y-Yuzuru-san…”
“It’s okay. I’ll come with you.”
Encouraging her, Yuzuru led her into the examination room.
At first, the doctor and nurse looked like they were thinking—
Why is this unrelated boy coming in too?
But seeing Arisa trembling with nerves, they seemed to understand.
They allowed Yuzuru to stay by her side.
“I-I’m scared… I’m really scared, Yuzuru-san…”
“It’s alright. I’m here with you.”
He gently held her hand.
Feeling his warmth, Arisa seemed to relax a little—
“Alright, Yukishiro-san. Please stay still…”
“Kya!!”
The moment the nurse took her arm, Arisa cried out.
Her arm tensed up again.
“I-is it… is it happening now!?”
She squeezed her eyes shut.
The nurse applied disinfectant.
“Ugh…”
Arisa let out a small whimper.
Then asked—
“I-is it over…?”
“Calm down, Arisa. That was just disinfectant.”
“N-no way…”
She trembled visibly.
The nurse looked slightly exasperated.
Yuzuru, feeling deeply embarrassed, instinctively bowed his head a little in apology.
“This might sting a little…”
At last, the needle approached.
“Ah…”
It pierced her pale skin.
“And… three, two, one…”
Her expression tightened.
“Mm…!”
The needle came out.
In that instant, her face stiffened—
And then—
“All done! Keep pressing there, please.”
“Haa… haa…”
Arisa opened her eyes, relief washing over her.
With tears welling up slightly, she turned to Yuzuru.
“I-I did it! Y-Yuzuru-san! I did it!”
“Y-yeah… you did well.”
Yuzuru felt incredibly embarrassed.
“Phew… I suppose this means I’ve taken one step closer to becoming an adult.”
“Y-yeah… I guess so.”
Back in Yuzuru’s room—
Arisa puffed her chest out proudly, and he gave an awkward smile.
…It was just an injection.
But he didn’t say that.
For Arisa, it had been a big step.
Probably. Maybe.
“…But, Yuzuru-san. You lied, didn’t you?”
“…Huh?”
“…It hurt.”
She looked at him with dissatisfaction.
Apparently, she felt deceived.
“Well, I mean… it wasn’t that bad. And you handled it, didn’t you?”
“I did, but… it still hurt.”
“Well… it is an injection. A little pain is unavoidable.”
You’re getting a needle stuck in you—it’s not going to be completely painless.
“But… it hurt!”
“…Alright, alright. My fault.”
“…That sounded half-hearted.”
“N-no, I mean…”
Even Yuzuru couldn’t fully relate—
To being this scared or upset over a simple injection.
But—
“Still… you did great, Arisa.”
“…Do you really mean that?”
“Yeah. …Thank you, Arisa. For going through with it—for me.”
He might not fully understand—
But he could appreciate it.
That she’d overcome her fear and made the decision to go through with it.
“N-not for you… I just thought… being scared of injections at my age was embarrassing…”
Blushing, she turned her face away.
Then asked—
“Um… Yuzuru-san.”
“…You want a reward?”
“…Yes.”
She nodded shyly.
Yuzuru gently pulled her into an embrace.
And then—
“Mm…”
Just as she wished—
They shared a deep, lingering kiss.
