Chapter 31: Things that change and things that don’t

Reading Settings

Translator: Soafp

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“Haru-kun, is there anything strange about me?” (Natsu)

Spring had arrived, and you were already a working adult ahead of everyone else.

(You’re a shiny new first-year.)

That makes you sound old.

(Age is a taboo topic, right?)

Yeah.

“Hmm, you seem calmer than usual. Don’t worry, you look beautiful today too.” (Haru)

“Oh! No, that’s not what I meant. Not about being beautiful. But, um… thank you.” (Natsu)

“There’s nothing strange about you. You look calm and composed.” (Haru)

(I want to keep that freshness, but also want to appear mature.)

That’s quite a demand.

(Ara, women want it all, don’t we?)

Greedy, huh?

(You’ve learned a lot, haven’t you?)

Yeah.

---

[Haruto?] (Akiho)

“…Akiho, huh.” (Haru)

I had already deleted her contact information.

(Of course, you did.)

But as soon as the call came in, I knew it could only be her.

(Yeah.)

[Yes! Onee-chan gave me your contact info.] (Akiho)

“So she did.” (Haru)

[Haruto, you changed your number and your accounts, so I couldn’t reach you by phone or SNS. It was tough, you know?] (Akiho)

“What do you want?” (Haru)

[What do I want? I thought maybe you missed me by now. I’ve been feeling a bit guilty about what happened too.] (Akiho)

“I see. Well, you don’t need to worry about it anymore. I don’t miss you, and I have no desire to see you.” (Haru)

[You don’t have to pretend to be tough. Oh, by the way, I got a job! So I’ll come to see you this weekend.] (Akiho)

I wanted to make it clear.

(That it’s over?)

“There’s no need for you to come. In fact, please don’t. I have no intention of seeing you again.” (Haru)

[Ha? What are you talking about? Why wouldn't you want to see your girlfriend—] (Akiho)

“We’ve been over for a long time. You made that choice. I’m aware of the situation from Na-chan. If there’s somewhere you want to go back to, you should go back to Toma.” (Haru)

[Heh? So you’re on Onee-chan’s side now too? Everyone’s always siding with her, always taking away what I want!] (Akiho)

(It seems like she's been holding back her feelings for a long time.)

She was always compared to you.

“You let go of it yourself. It’s not Na-chan’s fault.” (Haru)

[Haruto, you didn’t protect me! I was assaulted by Toma, okay? He took pictures and blackmailed me! And you did nothing to help! Don’t make it sound like it’s all my fault!] (Akiho)

“What? Assaulted? What are you talking about—” (Haru)

[You had no idea what I was going through, right? I was suffering, and you didn’t even notice! And now it’s all my fault? Haruto, say something!] (Akiho)

“…Why are you only telling me this now? If you were being blackmailed, why were you dating him too? I don’t know what’s true anymore!” (Haru)

“Haru-kun?” (Natsu)

[Even I don’t care about the past anymore. There’s nothing we can do about it now. So, Haruto, you should just reflect on what you did and come back to me.] (Akiho)

“Reflect?” (Haru)

[Yeah, for not being able to protect me. I’ll forgive you for that. So—] (Akiho)

“The person I need to protect isn’t you. Even if what you’re saying is true, there’s no going back to the way things were. Call me cold or heartless if you want. But this is the end for us.” (Haru)

[What are you talking about? I’m not mad at you. So you don’t have to worry, just come back to me.] (Akiho)

“My place is here. Next to Na-chan, that’s where I belong. You need to find your own place. Goodbye.” (Haru)

[Haruto? Wait—] (Akiho)

(You were confused.)

It was hard to tell what was true and what was a lie.

(It’s something we may never understand.)

“Haru-kun, are you okay?” (Natsu)

“Na-chan…” (Haru)

“Can you tell me?” (Natsu)

---

“Hey Imai, I heard you're being transferred?” (???)

“Yeah, starting in April, I'll be at the Motomachi plant.” (Toma)

“Oh, that's great. You've been complaining about not having anywhere to go.” (???)

“I'm not a surfer, you know. The only thing I like to ride is a woman.” (Toma)

“You’re the worst.” (???)

“I'm well aware. But even so, I never have trouble with women. Must be my charm.” (Toma)

“Well, don't get too wild. The headquarters isn't far.” (???)

“I’ll keep that in mind.” (Toma)

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“I can't forgive him!” (Natsu)

“Na-chan…” (Haru)

“I know we can't be sure what's true, but considering Toma's actions, it's entirely possible.” (Natsu)

“Yeah, I think so too.” (Haru)

“…Haru-kun?”(Natsu)

“Hmm?” (Haru)

“If what Akiho said is true, then what about you—” (Haru)

“There's nothing I can do about it now.” (Natsu)

“I know.” (Haru)

“I’ll just do what I can right now.” (Natsu)

“And what's that?” (Haru)

“Take care of you, Na-chan. That's all I can do.” (Natsu)

Because there's no going back.

(That's right.)

“So don't worry. I'll always be with you, Na-chan.” (Haru)

“Okay.” (Natsu)

---

“Well, I'm off.” (Natsu)

“Okay, take care.” (Haru)

“…What should I do?” (Natsu)

“About what?” (Haru)

“I can't kiss you goodbye! It'll mess up my lipstick.” (Natsu)

“Oh, that's quite the dilemma.” (Haru)

“Ah! You're making fun of me, aren't you?” (Natsu)

“No, I'm not. Come here.” (Haru)

“Fufufufu, you know me so well.” (Natsu)

“Since you're not in a suit, it won't wrinkle, right?” (Haru)

(A goodbye hug.)

You were hoping for one, weren’t you?

(…You know me so well.)

It was pretty obvious.

“Sorry I'll be home late for dinner.” (Natsu)

“I can make something simple, you know?” (Haru)

“I really want to do it all, but let's see how it goes and talk about it later.” (Natsu)

“Of course. Don't hesitate to lean on me a little.” (Haru)

“I always do, you know?” (Natsu)

“Really?” (Haru)

“Yeah. Okay, I'm off.” (Natsu)

“Alright, take care, and… mm!” (Haru)

“Mmm… ahh, I just couldn't resist. I'll sneak off and reapply my lipstick later. See you!” (Natsu)

“Good grief.” (Haru)

You haven't changed.

(I never will.)

Because you like me?

(Because I love you.)