Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16817330649941556887/episodes/16817330663139215823
As I sat down to read a book, I was tapped on the shoulder from behind.
[Sup. How’re you doing today?] [Yeah, I’m doing well.]
Eiji is the only one who would do such a thing. I could tell by his voice.
“How about you?”
His face was grinning. I somehow guessed what he was going to say next.
“Newly-married life.”
“Cohabitation.”
I knew the heat naturally rose to my face as I answered immediately.
“C-cohabitation is pretty amazing, too, isn’t it? We’re only in the first year of high school. We’ll be a second year high school student soon.”
“……Well. I’ve been through a lot.”
“That’s true, but still, it’s still not something you can do very often, is it? I mean, are there any problems happening?”
“……”
I couldn’t help but fall silent at Eiji’s words. I stared at Eiji.
“……You see. Aren’t you too clumsy?”
“W-what?”
“You’re worried about me, aren’t you?
The environment has changed drastically.
From living alone up until now, we are now suddenly living together as a couple. There may be some kind of problem…it’s not strange if I’m under some stress.
“No problem. For now.”
“Is that so?”
“Yeah. But it’s important to talk about it. I thought we knew each other pretty well, but we still had some differences in values.”
“Well, of course. Even family members do not know each other at all. I don’t think they talk much about their roles at home either.”
Eiji nodded his head.
The couple’s cohabitation failed and they broke up. I’ve heard of this in stories, and I’m sure it’s a common occurrence.
“…..Right. I’d like to ask Eiji one thing.”
“Oh? What is it? Ask me anything.”
It sounds like he’s speaking lightly, but I know that if I actually ask him about it, I’ll get a serious answer.
“For Eiji…..is there anything I should do to avoid a breakup?”
Nagi and I are ‘engaged’. But if we’re stuck in the bond of “fiancee”, we might make a big mistake someday. I might make her look sad.
Because I want to walk with Nagi forever. I want her to keep smiling.
“In order not to break up, huh. We’re also in the process of starting. ….No, there is.”
Eiji seems to have thought of something.
“I’ve seen it happen more often than not.”
“Let me hear it.”
“The ‘waking up from a dream’ thing.”
“What do you mean?”
I couldn’t swallow it all in one word, so I asked Eiji to continue.
“It’s something that sometimes happens after mutual love or unrequited love is fulfilled. You know, they say love is blind, right?”
“Yeah.”
“After you’ve been together for a while, your vision will broaden, even if you don’t want it to. Then you start to see the bad things about the other person.”
I see.
“For example, often being late, and always being taken care of. It might have been fine until now. But little by little, resentment builds up, and then it explodes all at once. There are a lot of cases where the breakup starts with a fight.”
“……Being taken care of, huh.”
“It’s ‘from one to ten.’ You can’t go wrong with that. It has nothing to do with Souta in particular. I can definitely say that.”
Eiji said strongly while looking at me.
“If you’re thinking about marriage, there is no way you can enjoy this situation where you being taken care of. Such a person is accepting this situation because they wants to be “comfortable” now. I don’t think Souta would do such a thing, and I believe so.”
“…..Yeah. I won’t.”
“Then there’s no problem. Souta is also helping out, right?”
I nodded at his words.
Nagi said she wanted to cook, so I was responsible for the housework, mainly cleaning. I’m doing what I can properly.
“By the way, what’s the solution?”
“Well, it’s going to be a discussion and a search for a compromise. Are you doing enough to keep things reasonable?”
“We’re doing it.”
“…Then there’s nothing to talk about. I’m sure you two will be fine.”
“No, just knowing that what I do is meaningful is quite a reward.”
Let’s keep talking to each other from now on.
“Thanks, Eiji.”
“It;s fine. By the way, don’t take my opinion….or any other person’s opinion for granted.”
“Yeah, I know.”
It doesn’t change the fact that each person is different after all.
I’m going to try to find my way and Nagi’s way little by little.
◆◆◆
“Oh, that.”
“That one.”
I was told that a security guard would pick me up on the way home. There were several cars attached next to the school gate.
As I was walking toward the school gate, I saw a figure get out of one of the cars.
“Hmm?”
“……Hm.”
The figure got out of the car and stood right next to me, smiling.
It was Nagi.
“N-Nagi?”
“Fufu. I’m here.”
Nagi is approaching me softly. Even though she is right in front of me, she doesn’t stop walking—
She stands tall and puts her mouth to my ear.
“I missed you, Souta kun, so I came here because I wanted to see you.”
That’s what she whispered to me.
Something tingles down my spine and I want to ignore everything…..and hug Nagi.
Somehow, I forced myself to suppress that urge. Nagi grinned.
“Seriously, looks like I don’t need to worry.”
Eiji said next to me. Nagi looked at me with a pout, but I understood what he said and looked away.
“……?”
‘W-well, you know. Come to think of it, you came normally, is everything okay?”
“Oh, yes. I heard that the safety of the neighborhood has been confirmed. It’s okay if it’s just a little bit.”
Nagi put her mouth to my ear again.
“To say that those people are excellent is not enough. If it’s really dangerous, we can stop it.”
“Then it’s okay?”
“Yes. Ah, Makisaka san.”
“Hm?”
He probably did not expect to be called by name. Eiji responded in a hushed voice.
“It seems that Makisaka san and the others can be sent there as well. Also, they said they would keep a security guard near the house just in case. Of course, I got permission from Makisaka san’s parents.”
“Oh. Well, I guess that’s how it works. It has something to do with you.”
“Yes. ….I apologize for being involved.”
“No, no, no. Well, I’m the type of person who will stick my head in even if I don’t get involved. It was the same with Souta, right? ”
Eiji gave me a pleasant smile and patted me on the shoulder.
Then, his smile changed. It looked a little awkward.
“That often causes me trouble.”
“At least, that time I was very grateful to you. Thanks.”
If it hadn’t been for that—I don’t even want to think about it.
“I just didn’t like Souta looking like that. Besides, that’s not the only reason.”
“What do you mean?”
“I won’t be able to face Kirika anymore.”
“……I see.”
When I heard those words, I understood. But that’s no reason not to be grateful to Eiji.
Let’s give back little by little when we can. If I ask for a favor, I’m afraid I’ll be refused again.
But I can’t stay here talking forever.
“Shall we get going?”
“I guess so.”
Nagi said and held out her hand to me. We almost went to the car.
“……?”
I froze for a moment, and Nagi tilted her head slightly. My heart pulsed with each gesture.
When I obediently took her hand, she squeezed it back tightly.
“Then I guess I’ll go home too.”
“Oh, I forgot to tell you. Makisaka san’s car is the third one from the front.”
“Oh, that’s great.”
He headed straight for the car–Ah, Eiji shouted.
“Well, you two. ……If you can’t do it, just say no.”
“What?”
“I was talking to Kirika about wanting to go out.”
Hearing Eiji’s words, Nagi next to her let out a small gasp.
“Now that I think about it, I’m looking forward to living with Souta kun…it’s fun, and I talked about it a lot with Kirika chan and Hikari chan.”
Before I knew it, Nagi had changed the way she addressed the two of them.
I was so happy that my cheeks relaxed a little.
“I’ve been listening to Kirika talk about it and I’m kind of curious about it too. Of course, if you can’t, I’m fine with it.”
“It’s fine.”
It was an immediate answer. Even Eiji looked surprised.
“Of course, I have to ask my father and the security company, so it will take some time, but I don’t think it will be a problem.”
“……Seriously?”
“As I told Souta kun, that place is safer than anywhere else. Even if they know where you are, they can’t touch you. It is such a place.”
Nagi glanced at me. I’m totally fine with it.
I would like to have a call in advance because I’m going to be a little busy. I’m sure Eiji and the others will be fine with that too.
“That being said. If you let me know in advance, it’s okay to come and visit.”
“Ah, are you sure about that?”
Eiji looked a little apologetic, perhaps because the conversation went so smoothly. No, that’s not true.
It was written on his face that he was feeling sorry for interrupting.
”Fufu, it’s okay.”
Nagi also realized from Eiji’s expression and smiled thinly—half hugging my arm as if she was bumping into me.
“I love the time I spend with Souta kun. But I also love the time I spend playing with the friends I’ve finally made.”
Her smile was so carefree that even those who were watching her face broke into tears.
“And besides–“
Nagi looks at me. Her eyes are soft and yet somewhat charming.
“I’m going to spend much more time with Souta kun, you know. Right?”
“T-that’s right.”
The way she said it, for some reason, made my heart make a sickening sound.
The fact that I’m living with such a beautiful and lovely girl snatches my brain. I shook my head a little, imagining all kinds of things.
I was not imagining anything at all, but it became a reality.
“That’s the way it is, so you don’t have to be so modest.”
“Y-yeah. I’ll tell Kirika.”
“Yes ! I’ll tell Hayama san too !”
Nagi looked at the car once and the driver gave a small nod. I guess she’s telling me to hurry up and get on board.
“See you later. Call me or Nagi first when you come.”
“Oh, thanks.”
After leaving Eiji and getting into the car, I remembered something.
“I’m sorry, Nagi. I have to go to father-in-law’s for a while. Can you go home first?”
“……? Yes, I understand.”
I went to my father-in-law’s place. Nagi went home.
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