Chapter 63 I’ve kept you waiting for a long time

Shimizu gazed into Amemiya Iori's eyes that were full of trust and expectation, and the bitterness in his heart surged like a tide.

"Iori, how long have you been waiting here..."

Shimizuken's voice trembled slightly. He looked at Amamiya Iori, only to see her gently shaking her head with a faint smile on her face.

"How long... well, I can't remember. But even though I may have waited a little longer, I know that Shimizu-kun will never abandon me, so I believe that Shimizu-kun will come back."

"..."

Shimizumi's mind was filled with a myriad of thoughts. He opened his mouth, wanting to respond to Amamiya Iori's expectations, but something seemed to be stuck in his throat, making it difficult for him to speak.

His emotions could not be turned into words, so he could only try to calm the waves in his heart by breathing repeatedly, otherwise he didn't know what would happen to his brain.

[Countdown to World Collapse: 5:25]

"Iori, time is running out, follow me."

"Ok!"

Just as Qingshui saw the little Amemiya Iori on his waist, she nodded obediently and ran towards him with a smile on her face, but she herself bumped into the invisible wall.

The petite Amamiya Iori fell to the ground in pain, and a blush suddenly appeared on her fair forehead.

"Qing, Qingshui-kun, I can't seem to get out..."

Amemiya Iori's voice was choked with sobs, and her eyes were filled with tears, as if she would cry at any time. The look of this little girl made people feel even more distressed.

Shimizu was in deep thought, his eyes became deep and focused. When Amamiya Iori built this wall in his heart, he might not have realized that he would be trapped in it forever.

For her, this wall is more like a self-protection mechanism and a means of escaping reality.

However, as time went by, the wall gradually became thicker and heavier, and she became more and more afraid and less willing to face the oppressive world bound by her personality.

Shimizu squatted down, so that his eyes were level with Amamiya Iori's, stared at her, and said: "Iori, in this world, the only one who can help you get out of it is yourself."

This wall is the wall of heart built by Amamiya Iori himself, and the only one who can break it is Amamiya Iori himself.

What's more, this is the world of Amamiya Iori's heart. In a sense, she is the strongest. As long as she wants, she can do anything...

"But I'm still so young and I don't have the strength..."

Qing Shuijian interrupted her and said firmly and gently: "No, you do. Of course you do. As long as you really take that step forward, you will find that the power you have is much stronger than you think."

Shimizu Mi knew very well that what Amemiya Iori needed now was not his protection, but her own growth and breakthrough.

He cannot always be her support, he needs to guide her to learn to face and overcome the inner obstacles.

Shimizu continued, "Iori, you can't always pin your hopes on me, and you can't hide behind me like you did that time. If you do that, you will only stop moving forward forever."

"What I want to see most is the Amamiya Iori who is bathing in the sun and shining brightly, not the Amamiya Iori who hides behind me and never sees the light."

There was deep expectation in Shimizumi's words.

However, Amemiya Iori seemed to have her inner pain touched, and she shook her head like a child throwing a tantrum.

"No, no, I'm too ugly without the mask. Shimizu-kun will definitely not like it."

There was a hint of trembling and despair in Amemiya Iori's voice, and her fingers were tightly grasping the corner of her clothes, as if looking for some support.

"Shimizu-kun must also like the masked 'Amamiya Iori' like those people, not me..."

After listening to this, Shimizu Mi realized that over the years, even Amamiya Iori herself had gradually fallen into such a misunderstanding - she believed that only by wearing a mask and catering to the preferences of others could she be better and more popular.

This distorted self-perception was like an endless whirlpool that gradually swallowed her up. She became afraid to show her true self and afraid that others would see through her inner fragility and insecurity.

"Like 'Amamiya Iori'? Did I ever say anything like that?"

Shimizumi's eyes were extremely serious, which completely stunned Amamiya Iori.

"Eh……?!"

"Iori, I have never said that I like 'Amamiya Iori'. Rather, what I hate the most is the person named 'Amamiya Iori'."

"You put on a mask without my permission and disguised yourself as someone else. You also told me that you liked me, loved me, wanted to marry me, and wanted to give me eight or ten children."

"If you think so, take off that mask, come over here and tell me in person!"

Qing Shuijian's eyes were full of sincerity and determination, as if they could penetrate the fog in other people's hearts.

"Iori, as long as you are willing, I will always be by your side, supporting you and encouraging you."

Shimizu reached out to Amamiya Iori, who was curled up with her knees hugged, and the scene was just like the first time they met. His words were like a ray of light, penetrating the haze in Amamiya Iori's heart and illuminating her heart deeply.

The hesitation and confusion in Amemiya Iori's eyes began to be replaced by determination and courage.

She knew that she could no longer hide behind this wall. She needed to face it, to grow up, and most importantly - she could not let down the person she loved.

Amemiya Iori clenched her fists tightly, took a deep breath, and then swung her fist hard, hitting the invisible wall in front of her.

it hurts!

Amemiya Iori subconsciously retracted his hand because of the pain and showed a painful expression.

This time, the punch did not bring about any substantial change, but she did not back down. Instead, she continued to punch more firmly.

Amemiya Iori's fist hit the invisible wall again and again, each time accompanied by a sharp pain.

Her fists gradually became red and swollen, but she did not stop.

"Why! Why! Why are you stopping me and Shimizu-kun from meeting!" Amemiya Iori shouted loudly, her voice full of anger and unwillingness.

She didn't want to be bound here any longer, nor did she want to stop moving forward. She wanted to express her feelings freely and spend every beautiful moment with Shimizu.

"Why do I have to play that fake role! Why do I have to put on a fake smile for you! Why do I have to play this childhood sweetheart game with you!"

"I am Amamiya Iori! I am not a puppet controlled by you! Even if it is me, I will be sad, I will be upset, I will be angry, and I will also... have someone I like!"

With all the suppressed emotions bursting out, Amamiya Iori punched the invisible wall one punch after another. His fists were already stained with blood, and countless blood that broke through the skin flowed freely on the skin that was no longer white.

But she continued to punch without fear.

She was petite and didn't have much strength, so even if she hit someone she wouldn't get hurt. But suddenly, the wall made a crisp sound, and a crack appeared in the space in front of her, as if a mirror was broken.

Then came the second, third...

At this moment, perhaps as long as Qingshui Jian punched it, the wall would be completely shattered.

But he wouldn't do that, because he knew that this was Amamiya Iori's own battle, and she needed to use her own strength to break down this wall.

Otherwise, Amamiya Iori would not be able to grow as she should.

As time went by, Amamiya Iori's fist gradually broke the boundary of the wall. Another fine crack appeared on the wall, like a ray of hope.

Seeing this crack, Amamiya Iori became more determined and continued to punch hard.

"I've already told you that I have someone I like! So! Let me meet Shimizu-kun!"

The hoarse voice could not suppress her inner emotions. Her right hand clenched into a fist. Although it looked insignificant, at that moment, her fist seemed to have endless power.

There was a loud bang.

The moment the small fist fell, an extremely incredible picture appeared on the invisible wall!
Cracks suddenly appeared in the space in front of him, and these cracks spread rapidly like a spider web.

In just a moment, due to the excessive number of cracks, the wall could no longer bear it. It was like a mirror hit by a heavy hammer, and it instantly shattered into countless tiny pieces, falling to the ground with a crisp shattering sound.

The moment the wall was broken, the entire sky suddenly darkened. The darkness covered the entire world like a huge curtain, and the surroundings fell into pitch darkness.

There is no sun and no moon.

Amemiya Iori couldn't see clearly and didn't know what was ahead.

It’s so dark, so dark that it makes people’s heart palpitate and panic.

The joy and sense of accomplishment in my heart were instantly swallowed up by endless darkness.

She couldn't see clearly ahead and didn't know where to go next. This helplessness and confusion made her feel unprecedented fear.

She tried to find Qingshuijian, but she could not see anything in the darkness and could only hear her own heartbeat echoing in her ears.

The palpitations and panic made her tremble involuntarily. She felt as if she was standing on the edge of a huge black hole and could be swallowed up at any time.

Various emotions such as anxiety, confusion, restlessness, fear, etc. continue to grow in the darkness.

"Shimizu-kun...where are you?"

Amemiya Iori's voice sounded unusually weak and trembling in the darkness. She wanted to call out Shimizu Mi's name, but the darkness made even her voice weak.

at this time,

Light appeared in front of her!

"I'm here!"

Shimizumi's voice was calm and firm, as if there was a magical power that gradually calmed the panic in Amemiya Iori's heart.

Amamiya Iori looked up in surprise, and in the darkness, a right hand shining like the sun reached out to her.

At this moment, Amamiya Iori seemed to understand what it meant that what your heart desires is the light!

Now she seemed to use up the last bit of her strength as she rushed forward and held that hand.

The familiar warmth from her palm helped Amamiya Iori find her direction again. She was no longer afraid of the darkness and confusion.

The next moment, the world became bright again and everything became clear. The man who had waited for her for many years appeared before her with a dazzling light all over his body.

She did it!
She also had an unprecedented sense of satisfaction and pride.

Even Shimizu would praise her, right? Definitely, right?
"Shimizu-kun!"

"Iori, long time no see."

Looking at that gentle look, a smile appeared on Amamiya Iori's face.

Then, Shimizu watched the little girl in front of him grow up visibly, little by little, in front of his eyes.

In the blink of an eye, the little girl in front of him grew into Amamiya Iori!

"Honey!"

Amemiya Iori buried her head in Shimizumi's arms, feeling his thick and broad chest, while Shimizumi also hugged her tightly with his arms.

Gradually, not only Shimizu Mi, but also Amamiya Iori in his arms began to emit a little light. Although it was weak, it was really glowing.

At that moment, she felt like she had returned.

(End of this chapter)