I Want to Hear Your Voice - Chapter 17-3

“What did he mean by sacrificing everything for a wish, Satori?”

Satori gasped as he heard Sousuke’s voice coming from right beside him. When he looked, Sousuke was looking at him doubtfully. It was as if Sousuke was convinced that Satori had already known the answer.

Satori turned pale. If Sousuke were to find out about his contract with the Dragon God, the kind Sousuke would surely feel responsible for this.

“I-It’s nothing.”

“…Satori?”

Satori panicked and shook his head, then a voice that sounded like thunder came from above his head.

“—Mortal. That tiny spirit wanted to see you so much that he made a contract with me. If you do not consider him as important enough that you are willing to give up everything, then that tiny spirit will disappear.”

Sousuke turned pale at the Dragon God’s words. He glanced at Satori as if he was shocked.

“Is that true?”

Now Sousuke has found out about all of this. Even though I didn’t want him to know.

Satori bit his lips tightly and shook his head while facing down.

Satori’s wish was to be able to see Sousuke once again. It would be enough if he could see him, hear his voice, and spend a little time with him if possible. He didn’t want to leave Sousuke with even the slightest bit of sorrow. He didn’t want Sousuke to be sad because of him. Satori, who had never been needed by anyone before, believed that it was possible to do that. He didn’t know that meeting someone and influencing each other was not something that could be done one-sidedly.

“Why would you do something like that…?! Satori…!”

(Was that what I was to you, Satori? Am I that unimportant to you that you can just toss me aside that easily? Do you think I won’t feel anything even after you’ve gone….?)

Sousuke grabbed Satori’s arms tightly and shook his body violently. Sousuke’s voice that sounded hurt tormented Satori’s chest even more.

“Did my feelings of love for you hadn’t reached you…?”

(No, wait, am I the one that made him feel that way…?)

All of sudden, the face of Sousuke that was staring at Satori became distorted. Water that could be from the rain or tears had made Sousuke’s cheeks wet.

—Sousuke is feeling hurt.

When Satori came to the realization that he was the one who hurt Sousuke, his heart jumped up and down and his body trembled. Satori realized that he had made a horrible mistake.

“…Sousuke.”

The icy eyes of the Dragon God narrowed as if they were glowing.

“It is not amusing even if a single tiny spirit were to disappear. In exchange, shall I take that human as a substitute? How will you spend your life after you lose that human?”

The air that touched Satori’s skin was filled with killing intent.

Satori gasped, his face had turned pale. He immediately stepped in front of Sousuke with his hands outstretched, as if to protect him.

“That’s not what you promised.”

Satori looked up at the icy eyes as if glaring at it. He was going against his fate for the first time. 

“Satori, stop it.”

(Get away from there.)

Sousuke tried to stop Satori from behind by force. Even though he was pulled back and his back was being covered, Satori held his position on the ground and never moved from that spot.

I don’t care what will happen to me. I don’t mind even if I lose my life. But if Sousuke were to disappear from this world…

His heart was filled with despair, as if his vision had gone dark.

“…No. Help. Please help Sousuke.”

“How foolish.”

The eyes of the Dragon God that looked down at the two became even colder.

“What will you gain from caring about a mere human? They only think about themselves and betray others without hesitation. What will you gain from trusting them? This human will leave you someday.”

Satori felt like the Dragon God was talking about himself as he asked those questions.

Was that what happened to the Dragon God? Was he betrayed by someone before? Did he feel hurt at that time? Satori thought about that, but of course, he couldn’t ask those questions.

Satori shook his head quietly. His heart told him that this was not true. He didn’t have a single regret about liking Sousuke.

“That’s fine. I don’t mind if that happens. If I can be together with him now, it’s already enough for me. I have received a lifetime’s worth of happiness from Sousuke.”

“Satori, stop. Get away from there.”

Sousuke tried to force Satori to take cover behind him. Satori was too absorbed and he resisted Sousuke.

“I beg you, Dragon God. I have already prepared myself for this a long time ago. Please at least spare Sousuke from this…!”

“That’s enough!”

Sousuke slapped Satori on the cheek. Satori was startled and became wide-eyed.

“How many times do I need to tell you for you to understand?! You’re important to me just as much as I’m important to you! I want to protect you! Why can’t you understand that?!”

“You idiot!”

Satori’s chest tightened. It was not the time for this, but Satori felt happy about Sousuke’s feelings.

“Sousuke…”

While hesitating, Satori touched Sousuke’s hand. Sousuke held that hand back without hesitation.

“Hey! You’re a God, right? You have the power to do anything, right? If so, then help us! Don’t be so stingy!”

Satori was startled when Sousuke suddenly shouted at the Dragon God.

“So-sousuke…?!”