Chapter 85: Something’s wrong

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Translator: Soafp

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After clearly severing ties with Maya, I started a courtship with Mari-san with marriage in mind.

It might sound like an excuse, but I didn’t use Mari-san just to get over Maya. If asked who I currently like the most as the opposite sex, without hesitation, I would answer Mari-san.

I also want to make Mari-san, who has tasted suffering that normal people couldn’t possibly understand, happy.

Because I too have the intention of facing forward in life.

To grasp happiness, to not make mistakes on the path.

From an outside perspective, both Mari-san and I should be in a situation where there’s no one else for each other.

Yet, why is it?

I feel like Mari-san isn’t quite resolved.

To be honest, it’s far from a lovey-dovey relationship, but I also can’t be sure that there’s a calm yet unwavering love there.

Yes, the closest description is an extension of licking each other’s wounds.

Certainly, I can see the intention to become positive. Otherwise, there would be no point in being together with marriage as a premise.

However, that somewhat sober atmosphere doesn’t seem to dissipate.

This might be the recoil from both of us being betrayed by our most important people. Indeed, it’s hard to forget what happened after being betrayed. When you seriously fall in love, the damage is equally great.

Well, even so, I didn’t propose a courtship with marriage in mind lightly, and Mari-san didn’t accept my proposal lightly either. I know Mari-san isn’t that insincere of a woman.

That’s why it’s frustrating.

Well, Mari-san might think the same. “I’m not resolved.”

While feeling this hanging in the air, nearly eight months have passed since we officially started dating. Despite it not being fulfilling, time passes quickly.

When it comes to relationships between men and women, ultimately, there’s only one thing to do. The number of times I’ve slept with Mari-san, I’ve already lost count.

However, even in those acts, it’s not about confirming our love but rather probing each other’s hidden hearts.

It’s not unpleasant, but the feeling of fulfillment afterwards isn’t great.

Well, even so, as long as we don’t say anything to each other. If we continue to pretend not to know without saying anything, I vaguely thought we could reach the ordinary happiness overflowing in the world.

Pretending not to know until death doesn’t bother me. It’s a minuscule fraction of the suffering from being betrayed. If I were to complain about this being painful, it would be like mocking our past selves.

…So let’s just leave it like this.

One day, having resolved again, I was checking out wedding venues.

It’s a remarriage for me, but Mari-san’s first marriage. At least for the wedding, I want to make it something Mari-san desires. That’s why.

After returning home, I never expected that Maya’s father would come to my house, completely unexpected.

“… Kazunari-kun, I’m sorry for intruding suddenly,”

Facing each other in the living room, my former father-in-law’s expression was stern.

The settlement for payment had already been resolved, and there shouldn’t have been anything left to discuss.

Suspicious, I asked him about the reason for his visit.

“… Is something the matter? Visiting without an appointment like this…”

However, my former father-in-law remained silent.

He just glanced sadly at the wedding venue brochures scattered on the table, turning his face away.

Was it something so difficult to say?

Well, no use pushing him. So, I decided to wait until he was ready to speak.

And then, around the time the steam from the tea I brewed for him had dissipated.

Without looking at me, my former father-in-law muttered softly, revealing something shocking.

“… Actually, Maya’s cancer has metastasized. It seems… she has less than half a year to live.”

This time, upon hearing that, I──was left speechless.