Chapter 21: Maybe he’s a good guy.

Translator: Soafp

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[Haruka PoV]

That was the first time I’d ever been that back and forth.

　Alcohol…I’m a strong drinker.

“Sorry about the other day.”

“Ooh, don’t worry about it. Everybody needs to complain at least once in a while… well, how are things going with your fiancée?”

“….Uhm….”

　It doesn’t work out, everything is empty, a vessel for lies. I am helplessly aware of it.

　Itami-san, my junior, is also worried about me.

“Harada-senpai!　Haruka-senpai would be troubled if you suddenly say so… let’s talk about that after work.”

“Oh, t-that’s right. Sorry…”

“Harada-senpai was also concerned about it. I, of course, was very drunk.”

“Thank you. You’ve been very helpful.”

　In the end, the day passed without me being able to say anything.

“…But what was really going on…?　Please tell me again.”

“…it was just a broken heart.”

“Eeh!?　I’m sorry… well, let’s go out for a drink again, I’ll listen to your complaints!”

“Thank you.”

　I was afraid to say it out loud for fear of the future being decided, but I’m …… relatively okay with it.

　I guess that’s because I’m invincible once I stop lying.

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　Maybe something has changed since that letter.

　Maybe it was because I got to know Toki-kun’s feelings that I had been keeping bottled up.

Maybe it was because I held on to hope and expectation for Toki-kun’s unseen feelings that made me so bitter.

　I guess I feel better now that I know that.

I wonder if I had been pushing myself so hard because I had not been looking around properly since that time, because I had been so timid.

　All right. Invincible, invincible.

　With Toki-kun’s parting gift in my heart, I will live in the present.

　I will stop going back to my parents’ house so often.

　I’ll stop being frustrated and stagnant.

　With Toki-kun’s support, I will be fine in the future.

　Let that be the last …… lie.

That was… Harada-san, wasn’t it?

　He’s probably a good guy.

I should tell him that I don’t have a fiancee.

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“Eh?　Really?”

“Yes. As a matter of fact, I’m not good with men. That’s why I said so.”

I told Harada-san about my fiancee

　I guess because I was setting it up for Toki-kun.

Fufu. My heart is a little lighter.

But, father…President Narimiya…”

“I don’t know. Like I said, he was always trying to arrange a blind date with me, which is why I ran away.”

“A blind date…even now?”

“Yes. But I think it may be time to move on. I was set up again this evening…”

Maybe the visit was a lie. Maybe not but the purpose was obvious. And on a weekday, what was he thinking?

Dad, you’ve always been a bit of a rush…me as well…maybe he’s a good match for me.

“On a weekday…?　What about me?”

“Eh?　What are you… Don’t joke—-“

“I’m serious. I want you to go out with you… and get married.”

“Eh, ……?　Oh, no, ……… I’m ……, or rather, Harada-san. We are work, even though it’s lunchtime.”

“Oh, no, I’m sorry!　I know it’s out of the blue… haha… oh, y-you don’t have to answer me!　It’s a bad habit of mine to rush right into things… sorry.”

“…pfft, it’s all right. You got it wrong. You kind of look like my father. Fufu. Especially the troubled face.”

“I-I see…hmm?　Is that something I should be happy about…?”

“…..I wonder. But it made me happy. But can we do it little by little?　For example, this evening.”

“what….about the blind date?”

“I’m still really no good at blind dates…I had a falling out with my dad a long time ago. It stopped for a while…but it’s one-sided again…If I accept this, it will probably be a rush. And I’m a coward, even though I look like this. So I would accept an invitation from a friend. Even if you ask me out as a junior member…”

“Oh!　You can use it as a cover all you want! I can even have be your fake boyfriend if you want!”

“D-Don’t talk like that! your voice…sorry. Fufu. I’m glad to hear that. Ah, but if I can count on you in case of emergency…”

“Y-yeah!　Rely on me!”

“Yes, I will. Thank you.”

　I don’t want to call father… but I have to.

　I don’t know what to do with the reply… the letter…

I’ll just give it to him…I don’t think I can be invincible yet…

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“I saw him. That was good. It’s a good chance to get to know him!　But I didn’t know there was such a thing as blind dates. I wonder what kind of person he is. I wonder if Harada-senpai can win.”

“I don’t know. He said he won’t accept it, and he’s just going to do his best. All right, work, work!　Itami, come on, let’s go!”

“Hey, my back hurts! Please don’t hit me! …Geez, you’re really simple-minded… It’s better not to talk about her broken heart…. is it Toki-kun… Toki-kun… No way right…”

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