Chapter 82: Declaration

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Translator: Soafp

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I have too much on my mind, and my heart remains unsettled.

Nevertheless, the feeling that I must settle this and move forward in a different direction has grown stronger.

Eventually, the day arrived—what would likely be the final day—her last pay off of the alimony.

“…Excuse me, I’m coming in.”

Firstly, I felt uneasy about Maya’s somewhat more reserved entrance into the house than usual. She also had something wrapped in her hands.

But first and foremost, I needed to accept the alimony handed to me and check the contents.

One, two, three…

“…Wait a minute, wasn’t today supposed to be the full payment day? It seems a bit short?”

The alimony I received was less than expected. So, in a matter-of-fact manner, I inquired.

“Uh, well… I’m sorry. I couldn’t prepare the full amount… Could you please wait just a bit longer?”

Maya responded hesitantly.

Upon reflection, the pace of my repayments up until now had been abnormal. I understand that I must have pushed myself quite hard financially, especially considering my recovering health.

Even if the payment amount fell short this time, I couldn’t bring myself to get angry.

Actually, I seriously thought it might be okay to call it quits now.

So…

“Well, I’ll definitely give you the rest next month…”

“No, it’s fine.”

“…Eh?”

I interrupted Maya’s words.

“I’m fine now. I’ve received your sincerity. So, let’s consider this fully paid.”

“Uh, but… then…”

“It’s okay. From now on, we should both look forward and live our lives.”

“…What do you mean by that…”

Maya seemed somewhat unconvinced.

But at this point, there’s no need for either of us to be tied down by the past.

“In truth, I’m dating someone with marriage in mind. I want to live my life with her from now on. So, let’s let go of the past. Let’s move forward positively.”

“……………….Eh……………….”

Thereupon, Maya uttered only a single word and fell silent.

I wonder if she hadn’t expected to be forgiven by me so easily.

I don’t understand the reason for her silence. Since I said I forgive her, I had expected her to be pleased.

“…… Is t-t-that so… And… um, do you… care about her…?”

“Yeah. I’m hoping to live happily together with her from now on.”

“…………”

I didn’t say that the other person was Katsuragi’s sister. I thought it unnecessary to say.

For some reason, I couldn’t say it.

──Pull yourself together. You swore to yourself to settle things today.

“Well, it’s because of that. I can’t meet with you anymore. It would be troublesome if I were suspected. And there’s no need for past grievances in our future happiness. I understand that Maya struggled to pay this much in such a short time. Taking that into consideration too, I’ll forget all past mistakes. So, Maya, please don’t dwell on the past and walk forward in life. Well done.”

Even after I said that, Maya remained frozen for a while.

But as if to disguise her pale complexion, she suddenly said,

“…… Congratulations. I wish… from the bottom of my heart… for your happiness…”

She opened her mouth hesitantly.

She couldn’t put her thoughts together, but she had to say something. That sort of feeling.

I’ll accept that as Maya’s sincerity too.

“Yeah. If possible, I hope you find happiness in the future too, Maya.”

“……”

“Thank you for being a part of my life until now.”

So, I say this half-heartedly, half-sincerely.

For the last time.

Accepting my “thank you,” Maya suddenly bowed her head.

“…… Thank you, too, very much……”

She replied with a voice that seemed to let out a sob. Tears seemed to spill onto the floor.

She must have been so happy to be forgiven by me.

I’ll choose to believe that.

And so, Maya left with unsteady steps.

“…… If you’d like, please eat this……”

Leaving something like a stacked box behind.

After Maya left, I wondered what it was and checked inside the stacked box. Inside were a lot of breaded pork cutlets.

…………

Come to think of it, today is certainly…