Chapter 5: Things That Can Never Be Severed

“Ugh… I’m so tired. I feel like I’m running low on Akari-chan energy.”

“Me too… It feels like Kei has gone far away or something.”

“Well, it’s a family trip, so there’s nothing we can do about it.”

May 3rd. The first day of the latter half of Golden Week.

Tsukasa, Chikage, and Sakurako were on their way back after shopping at a supermarket near their apartment.

In their hands were shopping bags. Since Kei had gone on a trip, there was no one to cook proper meals for them. So, they had stopped by the supermarket to buy lunch.

Cup noodles, snacks, onigiri—basically, they grabbed whatever caught their eye. As a result, the bags were filled with ingredients that had absolutely no nutritional balance.

“By the way, Chikage, I’m so jealous of you. You got so close to Akari-chan, almost to the point of kissing. Ugh, I can’t handle it! I wanna kiss Akari-chan too… and then, like, do a grown-up kiss? Hehehe.”

Tsukasa wriggled her hips as her imagination ran wild.

“How vulgar. But… I also want to kiss Kei-kun.”

“Hmph… If it weren’t for you two getting in the way, it might’ve happened… Well, I did want my first kiss to be something memorable, so I guess it’s fine.”

“Ah, classic Chikage. Always so romantic. I’d love something like a wall slam followed by a chin lift kiss~”

“Tsukasa, you’re so vulgar. And you have zero taste.”

“Sh-shut up! What about you, Sakurako?”

“I’d like my first kiss with Kei-kun to be under the cherry blossom tree where we first talked.”

“Ah, too bad! The Somei Yoshino blossoms have already fallen.”

“It doesn’t have to be in full bloom. Even if it’s just leaves, buds, or a withered tree, it’s fine.”

“Wow, that’s kinda deep. Oh yeah, it’s already May… The kiss mark I left on Kei is fading a lot.”

At Chikage’s casual remark, Tsukasa and Sakurako’s sharp gazes immediately turned toward her.

“Ch-Chikage?! When did you mark Kei?!”

“Explain.”

“Ah, oops… Was that something I shouldn’t have said? Do you really wanna know? Too bad, I’m not telling~”

“Big Bang Terra, activate! Sunshine Venus Babel, sharp and masterful!”

“Your right to remain silent is denied. Spit it out, now.”

As they continued their loud, chaotic conversation—the kind that would make Kei hold his head in frustration if he heard it—the three of them finally arrived at their apartment.

Unbeknownst to them, a shadowy figure watched from behind a utility pole.

(Hehe… I finally found you…)

A suspicious man in a hooded parka smirked to himself.

In his pocket was a video camera and a kitchen knife.

Everything about him screamed danger, from his shifty eyes constantly scanning his surroundings to his clearly suspicious behavior.

(Tch… too many people around today.)

The man clicked his tongue quietly.

(Enjoy yourselves while you can. The last day of Golden Week will be the day your lives turn into hell…)

With a sinister smile, the man pulled his hood even lower and disappeared into the shadows.

May 5th, 9:00 PM. Campsite.

Sitting in front of the tent, surrounded by the glow of the campfire and Akari, I gazed up at the starry sky while thinking about my future with the three most beautiful girls in school.

Even though this was supposed to be a family trip, my mind was a jumbled mess, and I couldn’t seem to sort anything out.

“What’s with that gloomy face, big bro? Are you upset ‘cause Dad didn’t catch any fish?”

“Well, maybe a little.”

“Don’t blame Dad. He’s driving to the nearby supermarket right now to get ingredients for the hot pot.”

“I’m not blaming him or anything.”

Our father had just recovered from a back injury.

He loves fishing so much that even with his bad back, he insisted on going. This morning, he had declared, “I’ll catch a big one for you,” but now he was deeply disappointed that he came back empty-handed. So, tonight’s dinner would likely be a hot pot made with ingredients from the nearby supermarket.

“Then what’s bothering you?”

“Hmm… It’s not really that I’m bothered. I’m just thinking about the future, that’s all.”

“The future?”

“Yeah, well… For example, let’s say in the future, three girls express their feelings for me. Should I really try to respond to all of them?”

“Are you talking about Chikage, Tsukasa, and Sakurako? The future, huh? Those three have been head over heels for you since they first came over. Why are you bringing this up now?”

I was at a loss for words. It was true—this might have been a late realization.

At first, their feelings had been something vague, like a hunch, but as time went on, their affection became undeniable.

“So, you’re still dodging them, huh?”

“…Don’t put it like that.”

“You’ve got three beauties throwing themselves at you, and you’re doing nothing? How much of a stick-in-the-mud can you be? They say it’s a man’s shame to refuse a meal served to him, but you’re not like that, are you?”

Akari burst out laughing.

“…Middle schoolers these days are really something.”

“Nah, it’s just that high schoolers like you are an endangered species. But seriously, big bro, aren’t you being a little… stingy as a man?”

Stingy. That word stabbed straight into my chest.

“I’ll give you a psychological test to see just how stingy you are, so sit tight and listen.”

“W-what kind of test is this?”

“Alright, so if you were to start a family right now, would you choose to live in a ‘rental’ or a ‘house you own’? Which would you pick?”

“Rental.”

I answered without hesitation. It was a debatable choice, but under the current circumstances, renting was clearly the better option. …Wait, what’s the point of this test?

“Why didn’t you choose to own a house?”

“Owning a house is a lifelong commitment, right? Once you buy one, it’s not easy to move, and you’re stuck paying off the loan for the rest of your life. That seems like an unhealthy lifestyle to me.”

“See? You really are a stingy man.”

“…What do you mean ‘see’? That’s just your preconceived notion, isn’t it?”

“No, no. Why do you assume it has to be a lifelong thing? If you get rich, you can buy three or four houses outright, no problem. You’re still in your teens, big bro. You need to dream bigger. Don’t limit your own potential.”

Wow, my little sister has grand ambitions.

“It’s the same with this situation. You’ve got three beautiful girls who like you and are even willing to take care of the financial burdens, right? That’s a win-win. Even if the whole school turns against you, even if you get dragged on social media, even if you’re torn about your feelings—accepting their affection is what being a man is all about.”

Yeah, if only it were that easy.

“But still… wouldn’t it just lead to a messy love triangle or some soap opera drama?”

“That’s why it’s like the house thing. Just make all three of them happy.”

She says it so casually.

“But… you can only marry one person, right?”

“Then move to a country where polygamy is legal.”

“You say the craziest things with a straight face. Besides, I…”

I couldn’t bring myself to say, “It’s for your sake.” But Akari understood anyway.

“You’re only looking at the present, so you’re feeling anxious about the future, right? Then why not look further ahead?”

“Further… ahead?”

I remembered the conversation I had with Sakura under the cherry tree the other day.

“Yeah. Set your goals way ahead and run toward your ideal self. That’s how you live a life without regrets. If your little sister says it, it’s gotta be true!”

Akari puffed out her chest proudly.

“I’m gonna use you to get into a good university, land a great job, and get ahead in this competitive society. I’ll become a cool woman in this dreamless country. I’ve got dreams of making it big in the world, you know.”

“Akari…”

“So you gotta become a cooler guy too, big bro. Always be the big brother I can be proud of.”

The crackling of the campfire echoed softly.

Akari tightly grasped my hand. Her hand was small, soft, but strong.

Held by my little sister’s warm hand… I couldn’t let her see me in such a pathetic state. I felt something inside me change.

 

 

May 6th. The last day of Golden Week. Early morning.

After packing up the tent, sorting the trash, and leaving the campsite, our family began the drive back home, swaying in the rental car.

The topic in the car was, of course, how Dad hadn’t caught a single fish yesterday. Akari teased him mercilessly, and Dad was on the verge of tears.

As for me… I couldn’t forget what Akari had said yesterday.

Maybe she was right. I should stop worrying so much about the present. As long as I have the will to move forward, the future can always be changed.

“Hello, oh, Kei? Is your trip over?”

“Yeah. I’m on my way back now. I should be able to make it back early, so I’ll drop by around noon.”

“Be careful on your way back.”

“Okay. Thanks, Chikage.”

“Tsukasa. Take a look at this.”

“Huh? Wha—what is this!?”

“What’s going on? Did something happen over there?”

“Well… it seems like there’s a thread about us on some news summary site, and it’s causing a bit of a stir on χ-Kai too. I’ll send you the URL.”

“Ah, okay.”

I opened the link from Lien in my browser and peered at the bulletin board.

The thread, which was also trending on χ-Kai, had this title:

[Sad News] High school boy, rejected and now making a crime threat lol

Although the names were withheld, the article was littered with phrases like “one of the three beauties of Tōryō High,” and there was a screenshot of an account on χ-Kai making a criminal threat.

Reading the content, I gasped.

Do you know the three beauties of Tōryō High?

I was rejected by them.

So I’ve decided to commit a crime.

I’ll sell the video for 50,000 yen.

This kind of opportunity won’t come twice.

DM me before the account gets suspended if you want to reserve it.

What… is this…?

The thread’s creator probably assumed it was a high school student who got rejected, based on the keyword “rejected.” But this was clearly directed at Chikage, Tsukasa, and Sakurako… someone wrote this to vent their hatred toward the three of them. If that’s the case, then who could it be?

A male student connected to Tōryō High who might hold a grudge against Chikage and the others.

…I can think of one person. Someone who films “videos” to humiliate women.

There’s only one person I know who uses such methods. But I don’t know if he’s still behind bars or if he’s out on probation after a trial.

I spoke to Chikage over the phone.

“Chikage… don’t go outside, okay? Don’t take a single step out of the house until I get there.”

“Ah, okay. Don’t worry so much, Kei. Posts like this happen sometimes. It’s probably just someone using us as an outlet for their stress.”

Chikage is strong. But it’ll be too late if something happens.

It was the same when my mom died in a car accident. That iron monster that ran the red light and crashed into her… If only I had held her hand back then… I still regret it to this day.

I never want to feel that way again. If there’s any danger to everyone, I’ll risk my life to protect them.

Wait… When did I start thinking of the three of them as such “important people”? Really, when did that happen…?

Was it because of the conversation I had with Akari yesterday that helped me sort out my feelings?

“Even so, please be careful. If any suspicious people show up, call the police immediately.”

“Got it. I’ll do that.”

I hung up the phone, put my smartphone away, and felt a surge of anger.

Even if it’s just a prank, it’s gone too far. What if it’s a real crime threat? The police, who only act after something happens, can’t be relied on in situations like this.

“Dad, sorry. Can you speed up, just enough to not break any traffic laws?”

“What’s going on, big bro?”

“What’s wrong, Kei? You look so serious all of a sudden.”

“The people I care about might be in danger.”

“People you care about?”

“Dad. It’s about this.”

“Ah, Akari…”

“I see. Kei’s at that age, huh.”

“Dad…”

“Alright. We’ll drive safely but at top speed. Make sure to fasten your seatbelt.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

Dad stepped on the accelerator, and the car sped up.

Our destination was the usual apartment.

As I prayed for everyone’s safety, I glanced at Dad’s profile as he gripped the steering wheel.

“Until I get there, I mean… haaaa… Kei is just too cool, I feel like I’m going to lose it… ah, Kei, Kei, Kei… I love you! I really love you!”

Chikage buried her face in a cushion on the sofa, kicking her legs excitedly.

“Chikage, you look like you’re in some kind of bliss, huh?”

“It’s a familiar sight. The happy chemicals in her brain must be overflowing and being released outside her body. It’s the cycle of happiness.”

“That’s just incomprehensible at this point.”

Tsukasa and Sakurako shared the same thought as they watched Chikage grinning on the sofa.

“By the way, isn’t the person who wrote this super gross? Using us as material for their own… you know. That’s seriously the worst.”

“Tsukasa, watch your language.”

“Oops, ohohoho. Let’s keep it classy from here on out.”

“Is Kei here yet?”

“If he’s not here yet, then he’s probably still on his way.”

“Chikage’s the type who feels time slows down when she’s waiting.”

“Not really… but, you know, it’s been a while since I last saw Kei, so I can’t help but overthink things.”

“I’ve got an illustration deadline coming up, so time’s flying by for me.”

“Tsukasa, that’s work. Chikage’s talking about love.”

While Tsukasa and Sakurako were chatting, the doorbell rang.

“Could it be Kei?”

“There’s some guy all dressed in black out there… and he’s holding a knife.”

Tsukasa operated the intercom in the living room, peering at the figure standing at the entrance through the monitor, muttering uneasily.

“A… a knife?”

Chikage couldn’t believe her ears. But Tsukasa didn’t seem to be joking.

“Chikage, call Kei right now and tell him not to come. Sakurako, call the police.”

“Got it.”

“Wait, hold on! What’s going on? Why isn’t it Kei… why is there some creep here?”

The previously relaxed atmosphere instantly turned tense, filled with anxiety.

“If this guy knows we live here and rang the doorbell, then this is definitely bad news… Both of you, keep your voices down.”

“Got it. What if Kei… is already on his way?”

“Chikage. Calm down. Panicking is the worst thing we can do.”

As Chikage fumbled with her phone in a panic, the sound of someone banging on the front door echoed through the room.

Bang bang bang bang! Bang bang bang bang!

“Open up! I know you’re in there!”

Threatening words came from outside the door. Chikage was so terrified she nearly dropped her phone. The man’s voice continued relentlessly.

“…What do we do? Kei’s not answering. He hasn’t even read my message.”

“Wait, you just sent it, right? But if this guy and Kei run into each other, it’s gonna be really bad…”

“Hello, police? Yes, yes. There’s a suspicious person trying to break into our house… Yes. Right now, he’s banging on the door and shouting.”

While Sakurako was reporting the incident to the police, the man outside continued to violently pound on the door.

“I called them. Chikage, any word from Kei?”

“Uh, hold on… No. Still no read receipt.”

Bang bang bang! Bang bang bang! Bang bang bang!

“Come out here, you bitches!”

The man started kicking the door. The sound reverberated throughout the house, fueling their fear.

In fact, it was precisely because of this that Chikage’s mind was consumed with the thought that they couldn’t let this man meet Kei.

“Sakurako, Tsukasa. I… I don’t want to drag Kei into this. If this guy is the one who posted on χ-Kai, then Kei has nothing to do with it. This is our problem…”

“We know. We don’t need you to tell us that. If the door opens, you two run. I’ll buy us some time…”

“Idiot! Don’t try to act cool all by yourself… There’s no way we’re letting Sakurako be the decoy alone! We’ll use our trio power to charge at him and make a run for it…”

Chikage, Tsukasa, and Sakurako stood at the entrance, exchanging glances and nodding. The sweat on their foreheads spoke volumes about the terror they were facing.

Their hands trembled as they gripped the doorknob. But they weren’t afraid.

For Kei’s sake.

For Akari’s sake.

For Kei’s sake.

That resolve pushed aside their fear and drove them forward.

They turned the doorknob and flung the door open…

There stood the man, clutching a knife, his bloodshot eyes glaring at them.

In that instant.

Their courage and determination shattered, and the three of them froze in place.

But in the next moment.

“Uwooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooh!”

A familiar voice echoed through the hallway, and the man in black disappeared from their sight.

Ten minutes ago.

I get out of the car in the parking lot of the convenience store across from the apartment building.

“Is this okay?”

“Yeah, thanks, Dad.”

“Huh? There’s someone yelling over there.”

Akari, who got out of the car with me, looks around nervously and points to the apartment building across the two-lane road.

“Over there. Up high.”

From where we are now, I can see the balconies and windows of the apartments.

Following Akari’s finger, I see Room 503, which I know well.

I strain my ears. Yelling. Even from this distance, I can hear the angry voice coming from the “other side” of that room. I quickly pull out my phone from my pocket, turn it on—it’s almost out of battery—and open LINE.

“Don’t come, Kei. There’s a man with a knife in front of the room.”

A message from Chikage Karasumaru.

“Are you okay? Call the police first,” I type back, but the battery dies.

Damn it. Not now… The post from χKai earlier flashes through my mind. What if the person yelling is the one who posted that? What if something happens to the three of them?

“Akari, leave this place with Dad right now. Go as far as you can.”

My tone must have been cold.

Akari, looking pressured, asks, “W-what’s going on?”

“Chikage and the others might be in danger. I have to go.”

“W-wait, wait, wait! What kind of danger? Big bro, you look scary!”

Akari clings to my arm, trying to stop me.

“What’s going on?”

Dad gets out of the driver’s seat and runs over to us.

“Dad, stop him! Big bro… he looks scary. This is bad. It’s the same face he had when… when Mom died…”

Akari’s face is pale, and her voice is trembling.

“Kei… tell me what’s going on.”

I quickly explain the situation.

“…Hey, don’t do anything stupid. If what you’re saying is true, you should leave it to the police.”

“Yeah, big bro. Don’t go. Chikage and the others probably locked the door. Just wait.”

“Sorry. But if something happens, it’ll be too late.”

“I won’t let you go, Kei. I promised your mom I’d protect you guys. If something happens to you, if I lose you too, I… I…”

“…Dad. Would you say the same thing if Akari was in danger?”

Dad looks away from me, his face twisted as if he’s biting down on something bitter.

Akari looks like she’s about to cry.

“T-then I’ll go! …Ow, ow, ow, ow!”

“Big bro! Dad’s back went out again!”

“Dad, are you okay?”

Seriously? Now of all times? Ugh. But despite everything, the icy fear in my heart melts just a little at the warmth of Dad and Akari’s bickering. Sigh.

“Don’t worry. I’m not going in unarmed.”

Thanks to Akari’s suggestion that I could practice my swings at the campsite, I brought my shinai (bamboo sword) on this family trip.

I pull the shinai bag out of the back seat and show it to Dad and Akari.

“Kendo is about protecting people, that’s what my sensei said. Now’s the time, Dad.”

“Y-you idiot… You’re as stubborn as Kyoko. Just… don’t go overboard. You get out of control when you have that shinai in your hands…”

Typical of Dad to worry about the other guy, not me.

“Ugh, whatever! What’s wrong with you two? What kind of parent lets their son go in a situation like this? The Kyosaka family is full of idiots! Big bro, you idiot, you dummy! Just… go play the hero already!”

Akari, half-resigned, slaps my back.

“Big bro… don’t push yourself too hard.”

“I wouldn’t leave you and Dad behind. I’ll take the scolding later.”

“Idiot…”

I sling the shinai bag over my shoulder and run across the two-lane road toward the apartment building. I love you, Akari.

He was there at the end of the hallway on the fifth floor of the apartment building.

A suspicious man, dressed entirely in black, was gripping a kitchen knife and standing in front of a door.

The door was open. How did he unlock it? Or something like that.

But before I could even think about that, my body was already moving.

The moment I realized that Karasumaru Chikage, Tsukasa Ono (Tsū-chan), and Daigo Sakurako were in danger—I lunged at the suspicious man blocking the entrance.

“UOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH!”

As soon as the man noticed me, I tackled him with my full weight.

“Gah!?”

The man was sent flying sideways, slamming into the floor back-first.

“Close it! Lock it!”

I shouted instructions to the three of them, who were frozen in fear inside the entrance.

“K-Kei…”

“Hurry!”

Chikage staggered to her feet and quickly locked the door.

…That was close. Any later, and…

While I was thinking that, the man slowly got up and pointed the kitchen knife at me.

Staring at the dull, gleaming blade, I swiftly pulled out my bamboo sword and gripped it tightly.

As I tossed the bamboo sword bag onto the floor, the man began to let out a creepy, cackling laugh.

“Tch… damn it! I can’t believe… you showed up, Kyosaka Kei. Playing the hero, huh? Hehehe.”

The man laughed ominously. I recognized that voice.

“You’re Rokujō, aren’t you? …Why are you out of prison?”

I had a feeling it might be him. And now, that feeling had become reality.

Rokujō tore off his hood, exposing his face to the air.

His eyes were bloodshot, his jaw and cheekbones protruding, making it obvious how emaciated he was.

“My old man hired a damn good lawyer, that’s why! You don’t even know what a suspended sentence is, do you? Are you stupid or something, huh!?”

“You’re the stupid one, Rokujō. I thought you were smarter than this.”

I don’t know what’s driving you, what’s making you so angry that you’re waving a knife around in broad daylight, shouting in front of someone’s door. But…

“If you let anger take over your rationality, you’re no better than a wild animal.”

“Shut up! You’re just a worthless piece of trash, even if you film it! Why are you sticking your nose in and lecturing me!?”

Rokujō glared at me with bloodshot eyes, swinging the knife wildly as he shouted. His tone had changed, and his words were incoherent. He’d lost his ability to think clearly. His mind had clearly snapped.

“Whatever… hehehe! I was planning to get my revenge on you too!”

“Revenge, you say?”

“Yeah! This is a chance given to me by God! Hyahaha, Kyosaka Kei, you’ve got a heavy debt to pay for ruining my life!”

“Don’t mess with me… Don’t mess with me, Rokujō.”

The first time I talked to you, I felt something dark and twisted.

That ‘something’ you couldn’t control made you try to harm the people I care about.

Not once, but twice.

“Everything that happened to you is your own fault!”

I shouted, tightening my grip on the bamboo sword.

“Damn it! You sound just like that damn old man! Damn it, damn it, damn it! Everyone, everyone looks down on me!”

Rokujō raised his voice, breathing heavily through his shoulders, his bloodshot eyes glaring. His right hand, gripping the knife, trembled violently, causing the blade to shake from side to side.

“Hehehe, I’ll kill you… I’ll kill you, Kyosaka Kei.”

Shut up… Don’t throw that word around so carelessly in front of me.

You have no idea how heavy the weight of death is. You have no idea how much pain and tears it takes to overcome it…

Even if an earthquake, a tsunami, or a meteor were to come, I swore I’d never make my father cry, that I’d protect my sister’s smile—I made that promise.

Mom… I’m sorry for doing something dangerous. But right now, I want to make one more promise. I want to protect Chikage, Tsū-chan, and Sakurako—my precious people. I won’t make a sad vow to protect them even if it costs me my life.

—I’ll protect them while I’m alive. I’ll protect their smiles!

“Come at me, RokujōOOOOOOO!”

“Die, KyosakaAAAAAAAH!”

Roaring like a beast, Rokujō charged at me.

I took half a step back with my right foot, dodging the blade.

Whoosh—the sound of the blade cutting through the air echoed, and red droplets flew in front of my eyes. My blood. It felt like slow motion. The blade had grazed the tip of my nose, leaving a red streak.

“What’s wrong, Kyosaka!? Is that bamboo sword just for show!?”

Tap, tap—I stepped back, adjusting my stance.

In this narrow hallway, I couldn’t deliver a full-body strike. If I swung horizontally, the bamboo sword would hit the wall. —Then! If I deliberately left an opening, he’d definitely take the bait.

“ORAaaaah!”

I dodged Rokujō’s thrust to the left and swung the bamboo sword down in a small, precise motion, aiming for his outstretched arm. Crack! A dry sound echoed, and the kitchen knife flew into the air.

Clang, clang—amid the sharp metallic noise, our eyes met.

“…You bastard!”

“UOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH—!”

I drove the hilt of the bamboo sword upward into his chin, and Rokujō fell backward.

“Haaah… haaah…”

“…Ugh… my body…”

“Stop. You won’t be able to move for a while.”

“Da…mn it… you… think you’ve won!?”

“If I wanted to, I could’ve shattered your jaw. You’ve got no external injuries. I just rattled your brain.

Dad always told me, “Don’t go too far.”

I made sure to use just enough force to avoid excessive self-defense.

“Damn it… damn it… ugh…”

Rokujo lay on his back, groaning.

“I… will never forgive you… Heh. Just wait… Next time, for sure…”

I can’t say I wasn’t scared of you, consumed by vengeance.

I tried to act without letting you notice, but the truth is, I was scared of the blade…

But compared to the fear of losing someone precious, that was nothing.

Even if you get up, I’ll face you as many times as it takes.

I won’t let someone like you hurt Chikage, Tsukasa, or Sakurako. Never.

“Rokujo.”

It might be pointless to say anything to you now.

But still, there’s one thing I have to say.

“You did something you shouldn’t have. Face the crimes you’ve committed and atone for them.”

The sound of sirens grew closer. Shortly after, several police officers arrived, surrounding me as I stood and Rokujo lying on the ground.

At a glance, it was probably hard to tell who was the victim and who was the perpetrator.

──That was until Chikage, Tsukasa, and Sakurako pushed through the officers and rushed to me, tears in their eyes.

“Kei…”

“Keiiii!”

“…Kei-kun.”

“Everyone, I’m so glad you’re safe. Really, so glad…”

I held the three of them tightly.

I’m glad. I’m so glad everyone’s safe… Really, truly.

When I glanced up at the sky, a beam of light broke through the clouds, as if blessing us.

Mom.

I was able to protect the people who are precious to me.

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