Chapter 23: How to Determine the Truth

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Translator: Soafp

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[Miyabi PoV]

The inside of the taxi was silent.

As the faint vibrations of the car reverberated, I stared down with vacant eyes. The light from the street lamps outside reflected off the window, casting a blurry outline inside the car. In the front seat, Kyoko was watching me intently, arms crossed.

“…Don't be so down.”

Her voice, calm and reassuring yet carrying a hidden sharpness, made me look up in surprise.

“Oh… I'm sorry. And thank you for accompanying me home.”

I lowered my head in gratitude. Kyoko shrugged lightly, a smile playing on her lips.

“Don't mention it. It's for Hajime's sake too.”

“Hajime…”

At the mention of his name, my gaze dropped once again.

He was once someone precious to me. And that same Hajime had seen me almost being kissed by Godai-senpai. In that moment, I was frozen, unable to move. I had wanted to resist, but no words came out, my hands wouldn't move. All I could do was remain stiff as Godai-senpai's face got closer.

Hajime's gaze pierced through me at that moment, and my chest tightened with a sharp pain, something hot welling up inside me. Was it regret? Shame? Or was it the shock of Hajime seeing me in such a vulnerable position?

My heart pounded painfully, and I felt like something was stuck in my throat. Amid the confusion, I didn't know what to do, defenseless…

And then, I was told that Godai-senpai had deceived me. Had I truly believed in him? Or had I only pretended to, out of convenience?

Were Hajime's words the truth, or just a misunderstanding? To find out, I'd have to confront Godai-senpai directly.

But if it turned out to be true? The thought weighed heavily in my chest.

—The truth.

That word echoed in my mind.

The words Kyoko had said to me earlier in the park.

“You leave things to others and only see what you want to see… That's why you lose sight of the truth…”

Had I been blind all along? Interpreting things to suit myself, while turning away from the things I didn't want to believe?

“Was I really not seeing anything…?”

Without thinking, I murmured the question aloud. Kyoko responded coolly with, “Who knows?”

“At least, I believe I understand Hajime better than anyone else.”

After a pause, she continued.

“For instance, did you know Hajime actually borrows my underwear when I'm not around?”

“W-What!?”

I looked up in shock.

“Not to mention, I'd feel a gaze on me in the bath, only to realize Hajime was secretly peeking… There's more too—”

“There's more!?”

“Haha, just kidding.”

Kyoko laughed merrily.

“Mou… don't scare me like that.”

I sighed in exasperation.

“That's what the truth is like.”

Suddenly, Kyoko's expression shifted to a more serious one, her tone sharpening.

“Huh?”

“You almost believed my lie for a moment, didn't you? But the second I denied it, you felt relieved, right?”

I was taken aback, staring at Kyoko.

Her words pierced my heart like a blade.

—You leave things to others and only see what you want to see… That's why you lose sight of the truth…

Kyoko's earlier words replayed in my head.

I hadn't truly accepted Hajime's words.

I knew all along. But I unconsciously wished that if I could justify my own hurt, it would be okay if Hajime suffered too. And I didn't want to acknowledge that ugly feeling, so I avoided facing the inconvenient truth.

“…”

I gritted my teeth.

I had lived my life playing the role of the perfect, intelligent girl, meeting everyone's expectations. But was that really me?

I was furious at myself for living a lie.

I had to once again, with my own eyes, figure out what was right and what the truth really was.

“We've arrived at your destination.”

At the voice of the taxi driver, I lifted my head.

As the door opened and I stepped outside, I saw a familiar figure standing under the porch light.

“Welcome back, Miyabi-chan. I was getting worried since it's so late.”

A sweet, gentle voice. An intelligent gaze. A well-formed face.

It was my cousin, Mizuki Amane, smiling gently.

He was currently a 22-year-old medical student at a prestigious university.

He had an intellectual and calm aura about him.

“Mizuki Nii-san, you're here.”

“Yeah, I had a little business with Keiho Ooji-san. By the way, Miyabi-chan, you've become even more beautiful since I last saw you.”

“Fufu, Mizuki Nii-san, you've become quite the smooth talker, haven't you?”

I smiled and replied in kind.

“I'm not just flattering you… it's true, you know?”

Mizuki Nii-san's gaze felt warm and gentle, as if he were looking at me with tenderness.

Although I felt a little uncertain about his attitude, I knocked on the taxi window and spoke to Kyoko.

“Thank you so much for today.”

Kyoko glanced at Mizuki Nii-san briefly, raising an eyebrow in suspicion.

“That handsome guy?”

“Ah, he's my cousin, Mizuki, the son of my father's older brother.”

“I see…”

Kyoko nodded thoughtfully but didn't say anything more.

“Well then, I'll be going.”

“Alright, take care.”

I thanked her once more and watched as the taxi carrying Kyoko drove off into the night.

Then, from behind, Mizuki Nii-san gently placed his hand on my shoulder.

“You'll catch a cold. Let's go inside quickly. Keiho-ojisan and the others are waiting.”

“…Alright.”

The warmth of Mizuki Nii-san's hand brought a sense of calm to my heart.

His gaze seemed to carry some unspoken emotion, but at that moment, I had no room to think about it.

The crisp winter night wind brushed against my cheeks. The stars quietly sparkled, and the world was enveloped in a serene atmosphere.

I exhaled softly and smiled at Mizuki Nii-san.

“Let's go.”

“Yeah…”

His voice was calm and, in a way, gentle.

When we opened the door, a soft light greeted us.

The fog in my heart hadn't cleared yet. But still, I wouldn't stop my steps.

I didn't want to regret any more.

To find the answers I need, with my own will.