Chapter 53: Responsibility

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Translator: Soafp

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[Katsuragi PoV]

Konno felt responsible all along. I can kind of understand that.

She’s definitely straightforward and has some tough sides, but her sense of responsibility is strong.

But even so…

“You shouldn’t take all the responsibility upon yourself.”

These kinds of issues usually shouldn’t be pressed by outsiders.

You have to wait and see what conclusion the person who was cheated on comes to.

Heartache can’t be easily healed.

“Still…”

Konno said that, then fell silent again.

I tried to guess what she meant.

“Are you saying there are things that only you can do? Yes, that's for sure. There are things that only you can do. But I think you should only do them when you are relied upon.”

“…”

“Do you not think it’s rather arrogant to try and move others as per your own wishes, as per your own thoughts? I hate to say it, but it feels like they’re just going to go the way they’re going to go. Interfering would only complicate matters. It’s probably best to watch silently without getting involved, both verbally and physically.”

At that moment, the ordered coffee arrived. I briefly took my eyes off Konno and immediately sipped the coffee. Why does this Mandheling taste more bitter than usual?

“…You’re trying to say I’m wrong, aren’t you, Katsuragi?”

Meanwhile, Konno muttered while staring at the Kilimanjaro in front of her, not showing any sign of drinking.

Again, I thought, our coffee preferences are completely opposite.

“It’s not so much about being wrong. I’m just asking you to refrain from hitting someone who’s already feeling cornered with what you think is right.”

I lifted the coffee cup, pretending to take a sip, and replied like that.

“For example, even if you understand it intellectually, when others give you a logical argument that you can’t follow through with, people in positions like Kazunari tend to resist. Because humans are driven by emotions.”

“…”

Konno, too, remained silent, undoubtedly pondering various thoughts.

Interfering at the wrong time can turn even the best advice into a nuisance, I thought. Advising someone to suppress their emotions isn’t right. When people are truly vulnerable, poorly executed sympathy is often better than a perfectly sound argument that falls on deaf ears.

“…I wonder if I have the right to watch over them…”

“…”

Like I care.

Without saying those words, I focused on finishing the bitter coffee.

Well, despite the unnecessary aspects of it all, I think taking action to distract Kazunari’s thoughts with retribution against that middleman, Naoki, is probably as useful as it gets.

At the very least, I’ll position myself within reach to lend a hand whenever Kazunari feels overwhelmed.