Today was the day.
I had given Sora his two days.
I couldn't give him anymore freebies. I was growing more and more worried by the minute about the condition of his mind, and I knew that if I wanted to fix this, I had to do it now. Despite our deal, Sora tried again to talk me out of it, but there was no convincing me, and I held him to his promise. Even though he'd pleaded to come with us, Sora made Yuto stay behind to look after the shrine while we were away.
As I sat on the porch with my backpack in hand, ready to throw over my shoulder as I waited for Sora so we could go, I spotted Yuto creeping out onto the porch and looked back at him. I could tell immediately by the look on his face that he wanted to say something.
"What is it?"
I kept my voice soft, inviting him to say what he needed.
Yuto fiddled with his fingers.
"No, I.... I just... Um... Good luck out there... Be careful."
I smiled gently.
"Is that really all you wanted to say?"
Yuto made a sulky expression and scuffed his show on the ground.
"... It's the same I've been saying... I want to go with you guys..."
Smiling at him sympathetically, I raised a hand to lightly pet his head. "But we need you to take care of things here... We'll be fine, I promise."
Yuto paused for a moment before continuing in a soft voice that I almost didn't hear.
"... I know that Sora can protect you... And I know you can protect him... But... But I..."
I felt something like a motherly instinct bubble up in my stomach as Yuto came closer and wrapped his arms around me, tucking himself into me like a child who couldn't find his mother.
It made me weak...
"... I don't want to be in the house alone..."
I almost wanted to cry. Yuto didn't want to be left alone...
"...I'm lonely, Ayano... You and Sora have each other... Who do I have...? I'm just a third wheel..."
I thought my heart would break.
Had he always felt like this...?
Instinctively, I dropped my backpack and drew Yuto into my arms, squeezing him tight.
"Have you always felt that way...?"

"...."

"Yuto... I'm sorry.... You aren't alone, I promise. I love you, and Sora does, too."

Yuto tilted his head up to look at me with puppy dog eyes. "Really..?"

"Really."

He started to smile a little, then it faded. "But I still have to stay here alone, don't I..."
My brows drew together for a moment as I looked at him, and then my expression softened as I stroked his head reassuringly.
"You won't be alone. I called Haruka."
Yuto's big blue eyes immediately lit up as he looked at me hopefully. "Really...?"

"Mhm! She'll stay here with you as long as you need."

Yuto looked so happy then that it made my heart flutter.
"Thank you, Ayano...!"
He squeezed me tightly at the waist, and I squeezed back, nuzzling into him.
He was so cute...
I was glad I could help him feel better.
My body jolted as someone in the distance cleared their throat.
Yuto and I snapped up and turned to see a very unhappy looking Sora, a back on his back and his arms crossed firmly over his chest, glaring at us intensely.
What reason did he have to be so grumpy...
Rolling my eyes, I gave Yuto a final squeeze, completely disregarding Sora's eye daggers, and patted him on the head.
"You guys take care of the shrine, okay?"
Yuto smiled brightly and nodded.
"We will! You two stay safe, okay??"

"We will."