Chapter 15
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Fortunately, Mishima did not show up, and the day came to an end as we sat down for dinner.
I still received a ton of messages on my smartphone, but I didn’t reply to any of them. The last message I saw, “Fine, do whatever you want.”
She said it herself.
Following her words wouldn’t bring any bad karma.
“Thank you for your hard work.”
Across the table, she slowly bowed her head.
“Thank you. And thanks for making dinner, too. Good job.”
“No, it’s only natural since you’re letting me stay here.”
That being said, I think it’s best to stop taking for granted a life where a meal consisting of one soup and three side dishes is provided.
Besides…
“I told you this morning not to worry about that, remember?”
“……”
Her slender shoulders trembled slightly.
“Is the air conditioning too cold?”
“…No, I’m fine.”
“Really?”
“Yes. More importantly, please eat before it gets cold.”
Since she insisted she was fine, I decided not to press further.
Thus, our usual silent meal began.
“……”
“……”
Even if our relationship had changed, it was hard to suddenly start chatting away.
We used to laugh for hours over trivial things…
“Um, Kawakami-san?”
“…Yes? What is it?”
“About what you said this morning, does that mean we’re… lovers now?”
“That’s right. Have you changed your mind?”
“No, it’s not that. I just wondered if we should… do the same as last night… again tonight?”
I nearly choked on the pickled vegetables.
“…We don’t need to do it every day.”
“I see…”
“Right. I’m not that young anymore. We should only do it when we both feel like it.”
“I understand…”
It would be a lie to say I didn’t want to touch her.
But…
When I glanced away, the urn stood there.
It seemed to be silently reproaching me.
…Maybe it would be easier if she never felt like it.
Yet—
“Then I’ll let you know when the time is right.”
—she forced a smile.
“…Okay. Just don’t push yourself.”
“Yes, I understand.”
I wanted to see her smile, so why does my chest feel tight?
“Kawakami-san? Didn’t you like the food?”
“No, that’s not it. I’m just dreading going back to the office tomorrow.”
“Is that so?”
“Yeah, it’s been a while since I last went in.”
There couldn’t be any other reason for this tightness.
If it’s just that, I should plan something to lift my spirits.
“Is there somewhere you’d like to go this weekend?”
“…Huh? Why so suddenly?”
“You thought the movie and shopping were sudden too, right?”
“Oh… yes, they were sudden, but I mostly enjoyed them… So why this time?”
“No big reason. I just thought having fun plans with my girlfriend might help chase away the gloom.”
“I see…”
She lowered her long lashes and murmured, “Somewhere I’d liked to go.”
“Sorry, was it a bother to ask you so suddenly?”
“No, not at all! It’s just that… I haven’t really gone out with anyone on weekends…”
…Indeed.
That man would never actively go out with his family.
“…Well, there’s one place I’ve always wanted to visit.”
“Oh, where?”
“Um… near the school my mother attended, there’s a sunflower field.”
…A sunflower field?
….
Hey, Hikari, are you free this weekend?
Oh, sorry. I have a part-time job that day.
I see, that’s too bad.
Did you want to go somewhere?
Yes, I wanted to see the sunflower field.
Sunflower field?
Yes! I saw photos, and it looked beautiful!
Really? Where is it?
Two stations away from the school!
How about tomorrow? Since it’s summer break.
They don’t open on weekdays…
I see… Will it be past it’s peak next week?
Yes… It’s been hot early this year.
Then next year… We have to go together!
Yes! Definitely!
Promise!
Don’t forget it and schedule time for work instead, Hikaru!
Rude! I won’t do that!
…Probably.
Hey, that’s mean, Hikaru!
Haha, sorry, sorry!
Just kidding!
….
“…Kawakami-san?”
She looked at me anxiously when I came back to reality.
“Uh… should we choose another place?”
“…No, that’s fine. Let’s go there this weekend.”
“Really? Thank you so much!”
A joyful smile appeared on her face.
Ah, this is the smile I wanted to see.
“I’ll look forward to this weekend!”
“Yeah. Me too.”
Finally, I can keep that promise.
Our memories shouldn’t end in such a dark place.