Chapter 30: Love

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Translator: Soafp

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“I’m back.” (Natsu)

You ran into my arms.

(Did I manage to smile well?)

Maybe you looked just a little lonely.

(I see.)

“Oh, welcome back, Na-chan. And welcome back to everyone else as well.” (Haru)

“Yeah, we're back. Thanks for picking us up, Haruto-kun. Natsu, you probably want to talk with him alone, right? We'll take the train, so you two can have a lovey-dovey drive home.” (Yuki)

“Yuki? It's okay. Haru-kun went through the trouble of renting a big car, so let's all ride back together.” (Natsu)

(Yuki is such a kind and considerate person.)

You’re loved.

“No need to be shy. We can cuddle up when we get home.” (Natsu)

“Ah, I wish I had a boyfriend like you.” (Ryoko)

“Maybe not in this lifetime, Ryoko.” (Yuki)

---

“So, what happened?” (Haru)

“…Well.” (Natsu)

Was it hard to talk about?

(I didn't know where to start.)

I made you worry.

(It's important, after all.)

“Na-chan?” (Haru)

“Yeah, it might take a while, but please listen.” (Natsu)

“It's okay. I'll listen until the end.” (Haru)

“Okay, well—” (Natsu)

(You listened calmly until I finished.)

I was surprised.

(But you didn't show it, and you were so considerate of my feelings.)

You were deeply anxious.

“…I see.” (Haru)

“I'm sorry for not telling you sooner.” (Natsu)

“No, don't apologize.” (Haru)

“You probably thought you'd never have to deal with it again, right?” (Natsu)

“I don't know. I thought it might come up again in the future.” (Haru)

(Fufu. ‘The future,' huh?)

Yes, a future with you.

“…Is that so.” (Natsu)

“Well, yeah. I'm not going to make a big deal about our families, but, you know, uh… well, look.” (Haru)

“Huh?” (Natsu)

(Were you embarrassed?)

…Maybe a little.

“You know, like when we have kids someday.” (Haru)

“Huh? Oh! Yeah! Right, kids. Our kids…” (Natsu)

You were embarrassed too, weren't you?

(It was a serious conversation, but then it suddenly turned into a happy one. The contrast got to me.)

No, not quite.

“Well, we'll be fine, but for the kids, you know.” (Haru)

“…Haru-kun.” (Natsu)

“Hey! Don't start getting all cuddly now. We're still in the middle of a conversation.” (Haru)

“Hehe. Just a little, please?” (Natsu)

“Oh, come on. If you sit on my lap, I won't be able to look you in the eye while we talk.” (Haru)

“It's fine. You'll look down at me, and I'll look back at you.” (Natsu)

“Huh? Look down, and then… oh, you just want to kiss me!” (Haru)

“Hehehe. Your lips are right there, after all.” (Natsu)

“You're not a mountain climber, you know.” (Haru)

(I was just so happy.)

You look good with a smile.

“Ah, geez, let's get back to the conversation.” (Haru)

“Yeah, sorry.” (Natsu)

“Even if Akiho calls me, it'll be okay. I don't feel anything for her anymore.” (Haru)

“Are you sure it's not painful?” (Natsu)

“Well, I can't forgive the fact that she betrayed me, even if I don't know her reasons. But still—” (Haru)

“But still?” (Natsu)

“I'm happy now. Even if Toma and Akiho were to show up in front of me, it wouldn't hurt. Because the past doesn't matter anymore, not when I'm this happy now, and looking forward to the future.” (Haru)

“…Haru-kun.” (Natsu)

“It's all thanks to you, Na-chan. If I hadn't met you again, I'd probably still be stuck in that dark place.” (Haru)

Thank you.

(I'm so glad I could be of help to you.)

“Haru-kun, if anything happens, I'll be by your side.” (Natsu)

“You're so reliable.”

---

[Akiho’s dad side]

“Dad, welcome home.” (Akiho)

“I'm home.” (AKiho’s father)

He returned home and checked on his daughter.

This had become a habit over the past few months.

[Delusional disorder.]

Regret gnawed at him for not being able to support his daughter, who had succumbed to a mental illness.

“Have you had dinner?” (AKiho’s father)

“Not yet. I was waiting for you, Dad.” (Akiho)

“Sorry to keep you waiting. How's work been lately, Akiho?” (AKiho’s father)

“Dad, is that all you ever talk about? You're always asking me about work.” (Akiho)

He hardly had any common topics to discuss with his daughter. So when he tried to start a conversation, it naturally gravitated towards work.

“Don't make it so difficult for me. Hmm, you went on that training trip recently, right? What did you like the most?” (AKiho’s father)

“Paris was great, of course. I even visited some real brand-name shops. Though, they were so expensive I couldn't buy much.” (Akiho)

“Did you go to the Louvre?” (AKiho’s father)

“I did, but I'm not really into paintings, so it wasn't that exciting for me.” (Akiho)

“I see.” (AKiho’s father)

“Oh, and guess what? I also went to Mont Saint-Michel!” (Akiho)

“That's a popular tourist spot. What did you think of it… Akiho?” (AKiho’s father)

The conversation was going as usual. There shouldn't have been anything out of the ordinary.

“Yes! Mont Saint-Michel! That's where Onee-chan gave me Haruto's contact information. I need to call him; he's been waiting for me!” (Akiho)

Suddenly, Akiho became excited, her expression resembling that of a high school girl again, just like when she had been dating Haruto. She stood up and was about to leave the living room.

“Wait, Akiho. You can call him after dinner.” (AKiho’s father)

He quickly realized something was wrong. He knew Natsuki would never give her Haruto's contact information. But what was true and what was false? Akiho believed everything she was saying, so he couldn't judge based on her expression or tone of voice.

“But Haruto—” (Akiho)

“There's no rush. Eat first, and then you can take your time calling him.” (AKiho’s father)

No confrontation, no denial. What his daughter needed now was love. He could see that just by looking at her face. So what could he, as her father, do for her now? What did she really want?

“I don't want Onee-chan to hate me.” (Akiho)

“Eh?” (AKiho’s father)

“No, it's nothing.” (Akiho)

He couldn't allow her to cause any more trouble.

It was only right to apologize to him.

After that, he would need to ask for his understanding.

Natsuki would surely find someone else.

But who could help Akiho recover and make her happy, despite her illness?

“Thanks for the meal. Ah, I'm so nervous about talking to Haruto again after so long.” (Akiho)

It didn't matter how he felt.

He would ask Haruto to give Akiho another chance.

After all, her happiness lay with him.