Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16817330662140414210/episodes/16817330663851659053
I leave the elective classroom. A weight has been lifted off my shoulders, I think again. I had been shaky all this time, but I finally feel at ease.
I walked down the stairs with light steps. Before returning to my class, I ran into a female student.
It was Rika.
“What are you doing here?”
“What are you doing here as well, Masatoshi? The corners of your mouth are upturned. I wonder if it’s something fun.”
Rika was regarded as a monster according to Kisaki’s story. I’m trying to keep my eyes clear, but I can’t say I don’t mind at all.
“Whether it’s fun or not, it’s not something I can talk about in the hallway.”
“I knew it, Kisaki san has been dumped.”
“How did you know that?”
“I know what Masatoshi is thinking.”
She was right, I thought to myself.
“I’m glad to hear that. Now the story is over. That’s great. You can finish it by yourself.”
“Rika, who should have had nothing to do with this, was also involved. I’m really sorry.”
“I’m not irrelevant. It’s Masatoshi’s problem, which means it’s my problem. The fact that I interfered too much is something that I should have reflected on. Now we’re even.”
“Yeah.”
Rika’s smile was bright. It’s been a long time. It was unbearable to watch as she was dominated by something dark and had a dark smile on her face.
“We have to celebrate today. It’s the anniversary of saying goodbye to your ex.”
“That’s so unnecessary.”
“It’s okay, we don’t have to keep celebrating forever. As long as it’s just for today, you can be forgiven for making fun of other people’s misfortune.”
She has a point. What I’m going to do may be setting myself up with Kisaki’s.
But I can’t help but celebrate. At last, a normal life would be restored.
“I understand. Only today will I fall to the ground, right?”
“Of course. The venue will be my house.”
I was looking forward to the day after school. As expected, Kisaki did not attend afternoon classes and had to leave early.
She had been cornered even before we parted. It was hard to stay at school when the king’s move was decided.
Before arriving at the destination house, we decided to go shopping at the supermarket. Today was a party.
“Sweets, juice, and ingredients.”
“I can’t wait to see your homemade food.”
“Because you have high expectations, right?”
Rika is known for being a very good cook. I’ve had it a few times and they were excellent. The more times I ate there, the more they got closer to my favorite taste. Rika’s obsessive care for her clients never ceases to amaze me.
As soon as she entered the local supermarket, she shoved the ingredients into her basket with a steady hand.
“Do you have a plan?”
“How long do you think I’ve been cooking for myself? I’ve got it all mapped out in my brain.”
“I’m at a different stage as you, I only relied on store food.”
“You’re overreacting. It’s just one field of cooking, and Masatoshi can do a lot more than me.”
“You’re right.”
I was in charge of drinks. The main ingredient is carbonated water. It’s not the size you’d find in a vending machine, but a big bottle meant for home parties.
Even the snacks were prepared. We had everything from sweet to spicy.
I finished buying everything. With some difficulty, I carried the bags.
“Well, we bought quite a bit.”
“We can do it. You know my appetite.”
“Hasn’t your stomach stopped expanding?”
“The amount of food in my lunch box is increasing day by day.”
“You have a tremendous appetite.”
“I’ve been in desperate need of energy of late.”
It was still early in the evening.
I relaxed in the living room and nibbled on some snacks.
I told her how I had talked to Kisaki. She seemed to have heard half of the conversation, so it went quickly.
After we finished talking, I poured a cup of soda.
Sitting on the couch, we brought our cups closer together.
“To the victory of our battle.”
“A toast?”
“Yes, a toast.”
A high pitched clink sounded. The ice in the cup shook.
Halfway through the drink, I broke the ice.
“Is it good? A cup of victory”
“Yes, very good. The punishment that should have been given was gone. Masatoshi got to see that woman’s downfall, which he had always wanted to see. How could it not be good?”
“I think it’s good as well. Because it’s all over.”
But I just couldn’t get over it.
“The outburst at the end of the show was the kind of thing I didn’t want Rika to do. I had asked her to keep things quiet, but I ended up roughing her up. That’s what bothers me.”
“No problem. I was rough with her, too. I’m just as guilty.”
“Roughed her up?”
“I was the one who pushed Kisaki into a corner. You knew that, didn’t you?”
I knew that. There’s no way Rika isn’t involved in this case.
“I guess you must have at least a tiny bit of guilt. You can’t escape from the crime you committed. Even if it’s someone you can’t forgive, you are still guilty of verbal abuse.”
“After all, that’s right……”
“But it doesn’t matter, Masatoshi.”
Setting the cup on the floor, Rika quietly approached me. She put her hand towards my knee and stroked it gently as she continued.
“We can’t go back to the past. But Masatoshi is me, and I am Masatoshi. Then we can bear our sins together.”
“Our sins together.”
I was tickled. But it does not lead to a different kind of joy. There was the image of Rika, the Virgin Mary, who engulfed everything and calmed my shaking heart.
“Kisaki is a repulsive object to me, one I would like to erase. But I also feel pity for her, because she has no choice but to live in such a pitiful way.”
“I feel the same way. Just a little bit, like a pinch of salt.”
“Since that woman couldn’t love Masatoshi well, I think I will cherish him even more.”
“Rika.”
“It’s because I have a bad personality. If I can get Masatoshi by using that woman, I’ll do it. That’s why I’m holding a party like this. I’m a terrible woman as well.”
The hand patting my knee stopped. She looked at me with puppy dog eyes.
What do you want from me, Rika?
Depending on how you answer, you may end up ruining yourself. I was afraid that she might fall into the wrong place.
My thoughts were endless, but my answer was clear.
“Don’t deny yourself. Rika, you’re the one who should be with me.”
“I knew it. I’m not wrong, am I?”
“You’re not wrong, I’m sure.”
I was not sure if it was really right or not. Still, I’m sure Rika wanted that, and I wanted her to answer that way too.
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