Chapter 23
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The smoke, caught in the light streaming through the window, was drawn into the ventilation fan.
Not long ago, during a break from work, I managed to finalize the settlement with Mishima.
My decision not to push for a criminal sentence was lenient, even by my own standards. Nevertheless, securing a decent amount of compensation and a restraining order should suffice.
Besides, I also got Mishima to agree to never press charges against Tsubaki.
“Kawakami-san.”
I turned around to find Tsubaki standing with a school bag slung over her shoulder, dressed in her sailor-style school uniform.
“Oh, school starts today, doesn’t it?”
“Yes.”
“Isn’t it a bit early to leave?”
“No, trains can be delayed at the beginning of the month.”
“I see.”
…Although I’ve been too busy to deal with it, it might be better to move closer to the school.
“Um, since classes end in the morning today, I thought I’d do some grocery shopping on my way back. Is there anything you’d like for dinner?”
“Well, anything is fine today…”
“Got it. Then how about just boiled eggs?”
“I’d appreciate it if you didn’t go that far…”
“Hehe, just kidding.”
A smile, appropriate for her age, appeared on her well-formed face.
“In that case, I’ll decide once I’m at the store. If you think of something you want, let me know.”
“Got it, will do. Thanks.”
“No problem. I’m off then.”
“Okay, take care.”
With a slight bow of her head, Tsubaki left the room.
In the end, my relationship with Tsubaki remains undefined. We take turns doing housework, have brief conversations, occasionally go out, and sleep in separate rooms.
If Mishima were still a friend, she’d probably ask, “What’s in it for you, Kawakami?” about my current lifestyle. But even so…
I glanced at the urn placed in the corner of the room.
I extinguished my cigarette, stopped the ventilation fan, and walked over to the corner. The white wrapping had turned gray from that night, but fortunately, the urn itself was undamaged.
And—
“Good morning, Mayuko. Tsubaki is starting school today.”
—inside was her.
When I opened the lid, the urn was packed with something that looked like white tiles.
To be honest, it doesn’t feel like this is Mayuko. Yet, as long as I see her face like this every morning, Tsubaki won’t have to recall hers ever again.
“…I’m heading to work today too, so I’ll leave soon.”
“…..”
Naturally, there was no reply.
The last time I saw her was in a dream on the day I was hospitalized. Since then, I haven’t even had the recurring nightmares of our farewell that used to torment me.
Though I have no concrete proof, I doubt I’ll ever see her again, not even in dreams.
But that’s okay. What I need to do now is to continue this unnamed relationship until Tsubaki can live on her own.
“…See you then. Once everything is over, I’ll definitely come to see you.”
“…”
No matter what I said, there was no reply.
In the living room filled with morning light, only the sound of the second hand of the clock echoed.