Chapter 26: Apology by Katsuragi

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Translator: Soafp

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“Sorry.”

When I showed up at Katsuragi’s house as promised, the first thing he did was bow his head deeply, leaving me completely bewildered.

“…What’s with this, all of a sudden?”

“I’m sorry. I might have disregarded your feelings, Kazunari.”

“……”

“I knew you were the biggest victim in all of this.”

“……”

“No, I thought I understood, but maybe I was just making things worse.”

I remained silent, not out of dissatisfaction towards Katsuragi, but because I didn’t know how to respond.

“And seeing the current situation, I admit I might have felt some sympathy for your wife… no, for Maya. Watching you firmly reject her desperate pleas for forgiveness made me feel that way.”

“……”

“But that was my mistake from the start. If there’s anyone to blame, it’s Maya. As your friend, I should have been on your side no matter what. Apologizing won’t heal the wounds in your heart, but please forgive me.”

I didn’t want to see my best friend bowing down like this. It triggered flashbacks.

Before I could say anything,

“…Aniki. Kazunari-san is confused.”

A voice came from behind Katsuragi, and I couldn’t help but look.

Long, dull blonde hair. Her face was striking like a modern girl, and if she had been smiling, she would probably be considered beautiful. But she lacked the vigor typical of a young woman. It might be rude to say, but she gave off a vibe of someone who had given up on the world, and it made me feel a bit uncomfortable.

“…Oh, I’m sorry. I called you by your first name suddenly. It was rude of me, but I didn’t know your name, so I just used what Aniki said.”

“Ah… don’t worry about it.”

She apologized for something trivial, and I replied lightly. This girl… is she the sister Katsuragi mentioned before? I think I can see a bit of resemblance.

“Sorry for the sudden introduction. I’m Mari Katsuragi, his younger sister. Nice to meet you.”

“…I’m Kazunari Ono. Likewise, nice to meet you.”

At that moment, Katsuragi finally lifted his head from his bowing position.

“If you want a divorce, I promise to fully support you. So, please forgive me.”

“…Thank you.”

For some reason, I found myself saying those words to Katsuragi.

What is this feeling? Maybe it’s because this is the first time someone has sincerely tried to understand me. Not that I’m unhappy about it.

“…Hey, Aniki. Shouldn’t you at least serve our guest some tea?”

“Oh, right…”

A brother being bossed around by his younger sister. Katsuragi has sides to him that I didn’t know.

……

Mari-chan, huh. I see, I remember Katsuragi mentioning that she got hurt when her boyfriend cheated on her. That must be why she seemed to lack spirit.

When someone’s heart dies, it shows in their appearance. The exterior reflects the state of the heart.

It might be inappropriate, but I felt a bit of camaraderie with her—Mari-chan. Even if it was just a shared sense of being hurt.