Oneshot: “It Was a Fake Confession Prank, Wasn't It?” My Dying Husband Asked Me.

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Translator: Soafp

https://ncode.syosetu.com/n4784iv

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“Mika… can I ask you something?”

“…Yeah.”

With a voice slightly trembling with tears, I answered.

After a breath, my husband opened his mouth.

“It was a confession prank, wasn't it?”

“……Eh?”

At those words from my husband, who was hovering on the verge of death, I felt a huge shock.

I thought he hadn't found out.

Memories from back then suddenly flashed through my mind.

---

That was when I, Mika Tachibana, and my husband, Hinata Shiota, were in our second year of high school.

I was categorized into the group called the “popular kids.” One time, I lost a certain game we played among friends, and as punishment, I had to take a penalty.

“Hmm, how about this! A confession prank!”

“Eh~? Seriously~?”

“Well, Micchan lost, so it can't be helped. Okay, punishment decided!”

“Hmm… fine. But who am I supposed to confess to?”

“Let's see… how about Shiota?”

“Ehh, Shiota?”

Back then, Hinata was quiet and unsociable—or rather, it would be more accurate to call him stone-faced. He was always expressionless, hardly talked, and as a result, he was somewhat avoided in class.

He was in a kind of semi-outcast position.

In reality, he was athletic, smart, and more capable than most. He wasn't disliked; it was just that no one really tried to talk to him.

But back then, without knowing him at all, I decided on my own that Hinata was boring, and even as a prank, I really didn't want to do it.

I even wished he just wouldn't show up at the confession spot.

If the present me could talk to the me back then, I'd probably say, “Cherish him more!”

That's how little I knew about him then—and how much I love him now.

The day of the confession prank.

Hinata came right on time to the back of the school building. The classic spot. The love letter. Everything about the situation proved it was a confession. Everything except for my actual feelings.

I wasn't into it at all, but if I didn't go through with it, it was obvious I'd be kicked out of the group.

“Um… I like you, Shiota-kun! Please go out with me!”

I stretched out my hand, my face twisted in disgust while I looked down. Even though it was a prank, I tried not to let it show.

After about ten seconds, Hinata finally spoke.

“…Yes. Please take care of me.”

When I looked up, I saw Hinata hesitate slightly before reaching for my hand, then he pulled back and didn't take it.

Relief mixed with confusion washed over me. Looking at his face, I saw a faint, lonely smile.

It was the first time I saw that expression—an expression I would come to see many times later.

---

“──Shiota-kun, where should we go this week?”

“Want to see a movie, Tachibana-san?”

Our relationship continued for a while.

“──Hey, Hinata-kun? Are you free Saturday?”

“Yeah. Want to go to the amusement park, Mika-san?”

And little by little, I started to notice Hinata's charm.

“──Mika, can I plan our next date?”

“Sure, Hinata. I'm looking forward to it.”

After graduating high school, we both went to the same university.

My friends were surprised: “I can't believe it lasted this long from a prank,” they said. When one of them added, “With that Shiota, huh,” I almost smacked her.

I wanted to slap my past self too. What was I thinking, saying I hated him? Hinata, who was so kind!

Once we started living together, I noticed his kindness, his thoughtfulness, and his many good points even more.

He was always someone who paid attention to details.

He would always walk on the roadside, adjust his pace to match mine, and listen seriously when I was troubled. For movie dates, since I disliked sitting right next to strangers, he would always book us end seats.

At home too, Hinata was always making things easier for me.

He did the cooking and cleaning I wasn't good at. Because I had allergies to dust, he always kept even the smallest places in my living area spotless.

He lined up my shoes neatly without me noticing, organized our stuff, and kept everything tidy.

Of course, I also did what I could for him, but even then, Hinata was an amazing boyfriend.

But still, every now and then, Hinata would show that same faintly lonely expression. He would look at me with slightly downcast eyes.

“Hinata, did something bad happen?”

“Ah, no, it's nothing. I was just spacing out.”

“Really? As long as you're okay. But if something's bothering you, tell me, okay?”

“Yeah. Thanks.”

Even so, all he gave me was that faint, lonely smile.

---

When we graduated university, we got married, and Hinata married into my family.

When I asked why, he said, “Because I don't want to take you away from your family.” I didn't care much either way, but knowing he did it for my sake made me happy.

With money borrowed from our parents, we held a wedding. We invited some friends and had a small ceremony.

It wasn't a big wedding, but I was so happy. Everyone celebrated with us, and it filled me with joy.

Still, even then, Hinata's face carried that faintly lonely smile. I never understood why.

“Hey, Hinata? I love you.”

“Yeah, I…”

“…Hinata?”

“I love you, Mika.”

“Fufu, thank you!”

No matter what worries I had, hearing those words from him always made them lighter.

Even though it all started as a prank, I was glad I met Hinata.

The first night after becoming husband and wife.

Until we got married, Hinata never went beyond kissing me. Since I had no experience either, I was too embarrassed and too scared to take the initiative myself.

But now—it was our true wedding night.

After dinner, I told Hinata I wanted to do it today. He averted his eyes awkwardly, then after a while, nodded.

And so, we ended up on the bed.

“…Are you really okay with this?”

“…Yeah, I'm fine. Come here.”

“…………”

Even then, Hinata hesitated to touch me, and he didn't look happy.

“You don't want to… do it with me?”

“No, that's not it… I just wondered if it's really okay for me to be the one.”

“You're my husband. Of course it's okay.”

“But still…”

Hinata kept hesitating, mumbling as if struggling to get the words out.

Growing impatient, I decided that if he wasn't going to come to me, then I'd go to him—and pushed him down.

“M-Mika?”

“If you won't come, then I'll go. You're not getting any sleep tonight.”

“Eh, wait, hold on—!”

I won't go into details, but let's just say—it was good.

---

Memories of all the times I'd spent with Hinata flooded into my mind. And in every one of them, I now realized: he had done it all knowing about the prank confession.

Since when…? Since when had he known?

“…When did you find out?”

“…Before you confessed to me. I happened to overhear it. ……It was like eavesdropping… I'm sorry.”

“Don't apologize, Hinata. I'm the one at fault.”

So he knew from the very beginning? Even knowing, he still chose to date me?

The lonely smiles, taking my family name, his hesitation to touch me—it was all because he knew? Then… just how long had he been suffering?

Hinata had been working so hard, constantly exhausted from overtime, when he was hit by a car recklessly driven by an elderly man. He was rushed to the hospital.

His condition never improved. The fact that we could even talk now was a miracle.

At the very least, I had to be honest with him.

“Hinata.”

“Yeah…?”

“I love you, Hinata. I really do. That's the truth. Yes, it all started as a prank, but I truly love you.”

“I see… hehe, that makes me happy.”

Hinata smiled weakly. But it wasn't that lonely smile—this time, it was a happy one.

“…You know, even though I knew it was a prank, I was still glad when you confessed to me.”

“Eh?”

“Because I liked you, Mika. Even if it was just a prank, even if I knew you didn't really like me… just being able to dream for a little while made me happy.”

…What? He didn't accept my confession because it was a prank, but because he actually loved me? Then I'm not worthy of someone as kind as Hinata.

I was awful. I cared more about my place in the group, and hurt someone's feelings with my actions. I was the worst.

Hinata paused, then continued.

“…I thought you'd dump me right away. So I tried to act like a gentleman, so you wouldn't have a bad memory of it.”

“I… see…”

“But you never did. Until we moved in together, I was always scared…”

I had noticed Hinata's good qualities. That's why I couldn't let him go.

I didn't want to lose him. I couldn't live without him.

“When we got married, I was really happy. …Though I was still a little scared.”

“I'm sorry… I'm so sorry…”

“Don't apologize. …That first night, I honestly hesitated. I didn't know if it was okay for me to touch you, if someone like me had the right.”

That's why he never laid a hand on me. I thought it was because he cherished me, and though it made me happy, it also frustrated me.

But in truth, he had been doubting himself all along. Because of me, he had always been unsure.

“…I'm grateful to you, Mika. Thanks to you, these past eight years were wonderful. Just being with you made me happy. …It's all thanks to you.”

“No… I just didn't want to let you go…”

“Even so, I was happy. …If possible, I'd like my last memory to be of your smile. Let's talk about something fun, okay?”

Hinata was getting weaker and weaker, yet he still tried to sound cheerful, still wanted to talk happily with me. Even at the end, he was thinking of me.

And what had I ever given him in return? He had always been the one giving, while I had only ever received.

The only thing I could give him was my feelings.

“Hinata… I love you… so much.”

“Yeah. Thank you.”

Tears welled up and blurred my vision. Then, with a warm hand, Hinata gently wiped them away.

Hinata, always so kind. I would never betray him again.

“…Mika.”

“…Yeah.”

“I love you…”

“Yeah. I love you too! We'll meet again, okay?”

“…………”

Hinata smiled at my words, then the strength left his hand holding mine. The long, steady beep echoed through the hospital room, pressing the cruel reality upon me.

---

Years later. I came to visit his grave.

“Hinata. It's already been a year since you've been gone.”

As I poured water over the headstone and cleaned it, I spoke to him.

“Hinata, I brought Yuka with me today. She's grown, so I thought it was about time.”

A small hand was holding tightly onto my left hand.

“Mama, whose grave is this?”

“This is your father's grave, Yuka.”

“Papa?”

“Yes. This is your papa.”

“Hm…”

I gave a small smile at Yuka, who didn't quite understand, then continued talking to Hinata.

Not long after Hinata's death, I found out I was pregnant. The child was Yuka. The life Hinata had left behind. I worked desperately, for her sake.

This was the first time I had brought her to meet him.

“Yuka really takes after you, Hinata. She’s kind and considerate. I just hope she doesn’t turn into someone awful like me.”

No one is here anymore to deny that. Hinata is gone.

So at the very least, I want to pass Hinata's kindness down to our daughter. Even if I'm a single mother, I want to raise her to be someone admirable.

“Papa…”

Yuka looks up at the gravestone. Tears are faintly welling up in her eyes.

“…!”
“Papa! Uuueeehn! Paaaapa!”

“Yu… Yuka?”

Suddenly, Yuka bursts into tears, crying out loud.

I quickly pick her up and pat her back gently.

Yuka is a kind child. Sensitive, compassionate. And smart, too. She must have realized in her own way that her father is gone, far away, and that's why she feels so sad.

She may not fully understand it herself, but I know that must be what it is.

“Yuka, it's okay. Papa is always watching over us.”

“Sniff… really?”

“Really.”

“…Ehehe, Papa…”

Still sniffling, Yuka waves at the gravestone with a teary smile.

Where are you now, Hinata? I look up at the wide, endless blue sky and ask silently.

Where are you now?

──Hang in there, Mika.

I swear I hear those words spoken behind me, and I turn around in shock. But no one is there.

“Mama, what's wrong?”

“Oh, nothing.”

“Mama looks happy!”

“Something just made me happy.”

“Then I'm happy too!”

Hand in hand with Yuka, I leave Hinata's grave behind.

Wait for me, Hinata. For both of us, I'll raise Yuka well and show her many things.

I think I hear a faint “Mm” in reply, but I don't look back. I keep moving forward.

[Hinata Shiota's perspective]

──Mika, hang in there.

From now on, I won't be here anymore. I'll never be able to stay by Mika's side again.

It may be hard. It may be painful. But I'll always be on your side, always watching over you.

Live long for the both of us, and enjoy life.

I couldn't say it out loud, but with that thought, I closed my eyes.

Being with you made me happy.

[Mika Tachibana's perspective]

At last, my time has come. Lying in the hospital bed, surrounded by my daughter, her husband, and my grandchildren, I will pass away.

Warmth. Such warmth.

I am blessed. A good husband, a daughter, a son-in-law, grandchildren. To live and die surrounded by kind, loving people—how lucky I am.

I've seen so many things. The challenges and efforts of my daughter, my son-in-law, my grandchildren. I wonder if I managed to pass on what Hinata gave me.

Compassion is something that carries forward. If that's true, then kindness must be as well. The kindness Hinata gave me—I'm sure I was able to pass it down to the next generation.

“Grandma… are you going to die…?”

The youngest, still just in elementary school, looks at me with worried eyes. My daughter and her husband are still close and happy together, and my eldest grandchild is already an adult.

“Yes… I think so. Soon, my husband will probably come to meet me.”

“Mom…”

“…It's okay. I'll always be watching over you.”

Together with my husband.

I'm coming to see you now, Hinata. Let's talk about all the years we couldn't share.

I'll love you forever, Hinata.