Chapter 9: Cheating

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Translator: Soafp

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“Welcome, Haru-kun. Please come in.” (Natsu)

(You had a sullen face since morning.)

Well, it was a woman's apartment, after all.

(That's a lie. You were just reluctant.)

“…Good morning.”

“Thank you for coming even though you're busy. I'll make some coffee now.” (Natsu)

I was nervous.

“Here you go. Use this for milk and sugar.” (Natsu)

“Okay.” (Haru)

Because I didn't know what you were thinking.

“I never expected you to be here, Haru-kun. Oh, it's a bit late, but congratulations on getting into university. If you ever need help, just let me know. I might not be much help, but I'm still your Senpai, after all.” (Natsu)

“Senpai, let's skip the roundabout stuff and get to the point.” (Haru)

I urged you to move forward.

(I wanted to enjoy the moment of our reunion a bit longer.)

“Okay. About the photo from the other day—it was taken two years ago during winter break. I happened to see the two of them together. At the time, I thought you and Akiho were dating, so I asked her about it. But she told me that you had another girlfriend, Haru-kun. She explained that you had cheated, and that's why you two broke up.” (Natsu)

I was shocked.

(Yeah. I was deceived for six months longer than everyone else.)

That's right.

But I wasn't surprised anymore.

When it started or why didn't matter anymore.

“So?” (Haru)

“Well, I couldn't believe that you, Haru-kun, would cheat, but I also trusted Akiho, so I just kind of accepted it.” (Natsu)

(Because ever since I started middle school, I didn't see much of you.)

We went to different middle and high schools.

“But then the other day, you said it hadn't even been a year since you broke up. That's when I thought something was off. I wondered if it was just a memory mistake, but the photo proved it wasn't.” (Natsu)

“What's the point of proving that now?” (Haru)

“Eh?” (Natsu)

“What's the point of doing this now? To make them apologize? To break them up? NONE OF THAT MATTERS! NOTHING WILL CHANGE NOW. NOT THEM, NOT MY FAMILY—NO ONE TRUSTED ME BACK THEN!” (Haru)

Only your sister seemed uninterested.

(She was like that.)

“What do you want to do, Haru-kun? I just gave you more options. Options that you didn't have. But what you do with them is up to you.” (Natsu)

“IF THAT'S THE CASE, THEN JUST LEAVE ME ALONE! I DON'T NEED MEANINGLESS OPTIONS!” (Haru)

It's over.

I've closed the door on the past.

I don't want to remember.

There's no need to remember.

“Hey, Haru-kun. Are you going to stay closed off like this forever? Does Haru-kun even need to be closed off? The Haru-kun I know is a kind boy with a smile that suits him.” (Natsu)

“That's just your assumption, Na-chan! I'm not that kind of person! I lie, I get jealous! There's no such thing as a person who's just kind!” (Haru)

(That's right. No one like that exists.)

Everyone carries a shadow somewhere.

“I know. I'm the same.” (Natsu)

“Then why don't you just leave me—” (Haru)

“Because I got involved in an affair.” (Natsu)

“Eeh?” (Haru)

“I was two-timed. It's awful, you know? I'm terrible, aren't I?” (Natsu)

“…Yeah, affairs are terrible.” (Haru)

(Were you surprised?)

Yes, I was.

You were always the model student.

“I’m a terrible person too. After all, I was involved in an affair. I didn't know he was married, okay? He never told me there was someone else. But that doesn't change the fact that it was awful, right? He was married, so he was in the right, and I was wrong for being the other woman, even if I didn't know. ‘I didn't know' isn't an excuse, is it? But you know what? I got hurt too—both emotionally and physically. Even so, I managed to get through it somehow. If I could do that, then there's no reason why you can't too! Betrayed? By Akiho? By your family? Me too. But that doesn't mean everyone is going to betray you, Haru-kun. You're just scared. Scared of trusting someone, scared that if you trust and get betrayed again, you'll get hurt. That's all.” (Natsu)

“Yeah, I'm scared. How can I trust anyone that easily—” (Haru)

“Can you live all alone? Without relying on anyone, doing everything by yourself?” (Natsu)

“I can. I've been doing that this whole time—” (Haru)

“No, you can't. Even now, you're relying on people you don't know. You trust them, even if just a little. And that's okay. Drawing lines isn't wrong, but don't start by denying everything just because you can't trust. I'm not Akiho! Even if we look alike, I'm not her! We're different people, and it hurts when you deny me like that. Just trust me a little, please.” (Natsu)

(Girls need to be treated gently.)

It's not that easy.

Girls are complicated.

(You're being mean saying it like that.)

You're imagining things.

No matter the age, a girl is still a girl.

(You're so sly.)

Am I?

(Yes, you are.)

“What do you want me to do? What do you want from me, Na-chan?”

“Move forward.” (Natsu)

“Ha?” (Haru)

“Stop being trapped in the past. You'll never forget, that's true. It hurts too much to forget. So if you can't forget, then make it so it doesn't matter. Be happier than they are. People don't trust you? It's not your fault. Just hold your head up high.” (Natsu)

“It's not that simple—” (Haru)

“It's not simple, but it's not impossible either. It just takes effort, and it's all on you. No one else matters. You just need to find a little courage.” (Natsu)

Courage, huh?

(Yeah, courage. Or even just energy.)

“So first, why don't we start by eating together?” (Natsu)