Chapter 366: The Sun and the North Wind (1/2)

“Oh? You’re not denying it, I see.”

Even Sakura was having fun with this conversation.

“Yeah, I was just thinking the same thing.”

He responded in a joking manner, no longer hesitating.

“Oh dear, what a terrible person.”

“If I could, I’d like to not only strip your real clothing off, but the clothing you wear in your heart as well.”

“My mistake. You aren’t a terrible person, you’re a sex fiend.”

“I didn’t think you’d say that, but okay.”

“Sure, why not? That’s what I would call someone who seeks to strip someone of the armor worn for years in their heart.”

“I see, maybe you’re right.”

Taiyou said, nodding.

“So, you still haven’t answered my question.”

“You mean the conversation about fantasizing?”

“Yeah.”

“I have done no such thing.”

Sakura declared.

Taiyou was surprised, because he had not anticipated the answer, nor the way in which it was delivered. She had given such an immediate, direct answer that he was stunned.

“You sure?”

“Yes, indeed.”

“Is it okay if I ask why? If there is a reason of course.”

“Alright then…”

This time, she slightly hesitated.

Taiyou waited. There did seem to be a reason, so he intently poised himself to listen.

At length, finally ready to speak, she began her confession.

“I am a fragile woman, you see.”

“Sarcasm?”

“No.”

“I don’t…really get it.”

“I mean that it’s easy to avert my eyes from the truth, but once I begin to face it, I cannot stop myself.”

“…Ahh.”

He somewhat understood what she was trying to say. Even Taiyou himself had experienced something like this. Knowing nothing made him feel at ease, but as soon as he realized the truth, he would constantly fret over it.

“Hence why I always did what I could to not fantasize over it. After all, I would be fine as long as I didn’t let that happen.”

“Oh…”

Taiyou nodded with a serious look on his face before asking her a question.

“So that’s all you thought after suppressing your feelings? ‘To think it would like the same man that girl does’ ?”

“Indeed, that is correct.”

“And that’s a problem of the heart? You weren’t influenced by any outside factors?”

“Well you’re on quite the offense today.”

Sakura said before she looked up at the ceiling. After a moment, she made a lonely face and spoke again.

“Yes, I wonder.”

“You wonder?”

“Well, I did say this earlier. That I did my best to not think about any of that.”

“Right…”

“So I also averted my eyes from the reason. I no longer know anything. Besides—-”

Sakura said, lifting up the corner of her mouth. It was the saddest, loneliest face he had ever seen her make.

“I’m a woman with heavy baggage.”

“Heavy baggage…”

“Indeed. Heavier than any woman in your possession, and heavier than any woman you can imagine.”

“Really.”

“So I’m sure that—-”

“But you know…”