“There are plenty of animals that will use a substitute to slake their lust.”
“In those cases, the stronger one will take on the male role.”
“Apparently, it's in their instincts to leave behind the strongest genes.”
“!”
“Get stronger. I'll be cheering you on.”
One time he had fallen asleep standing behind a curtain.
He seemed to like sleeping in cramped places where people weren't likely to see him instead of in a bed.
I picked him up and carried him into the bedroom.
...His eyes were shut tight.
I went home, then headed toward the darkroom to watch a movie.
The paper theatre was still scattered about.
I picked it up regardless of the order, then began to rip them apart.
“Sorry, Juro.”
“Maybe I shouldn't have remembered anything.”
“...”
“You should always smile around children so you don't end up ruining their dreams!”
“...”
“Now, smile!”
“...”
“You're still frowning!”
“...”
“There you go! That's the spirit!”
The oranges rolled away when I lowered myself into the same tub.
He was about to get out, as if to chase after them.
“You don't mind, right?”
“It's cramped.”
It'd take too much effort to refill it.
Besides, the water will go down if you get out.
“Do you remember the day we first met?”
“...”
“I was the one who beat Shin'ichi to death.”
I remembered.
It wasn't something I could forget.
My parents covered in blood. The unfamiliar boy.
He didn't look like a human or a kaiju, but a "black shadow."