V4 Epilogue

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Translator: Soafp

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Shyugi Touren. That was the name of the man. Although he went by the name “Touren,” he was nothing more than a son-in-law.

The “Touren” family, deeply rooted in Kyoto, was known as an old and prestigious family.

Shyugi, too, was the son of a wealthy family, but there was a distinct difference in their status.

Shyugi met Tsubaki when he was ten years old at a party attended with his parents.

In front of Shyugi, who found the adults’ boring conversations to be easily avoidable, Tsubaki approached him modestly.

Meeting someone of the opposite sex unexpectedly, Shyugi was left speechless.

Like a fragile and lovely princess who had jumped out of a story, Tsubaki captivated him with her smile that bloomed like a flower. Enchanted by that smile, his gaze was nailed to her. Shyugi fell in love at first sight.

The girl’s name was Tsubaki Touren, the youngest of the Touren family with an older brother and sister.

Finding out they were the same age, Shyugi’s heart raced unexpectedly when he realized he had met someone to talk to by chance.

It didn’t take long for the two of them to naturally become friends.

Watching the harmonious relationship between the two, adults would jokingly say things like, “An engagement would be nice,” and Shyugi took those words seriously, never doubting that they would eventually end up together.

It was Shyugi’s first love. Tsubaki felt the same way.

So, the two became close friends during their short time together. However, the time they spent together was brief.

This was because Shyugi’s family lived in Tokyo, and there was a physical distance between him and Tsubaki, who lived in Kyoto.

Nevertheless, their relationship continued. Despite living in different places and attending different schools, Shyugi didn’t want to sever their connection. They began exchanging letters, sharing updates on their lives.

This relationship continued for several years. When Shyugi finally got a mobile phone, making communication easier, he was delighted. However, around that time, the frequency of their exchanges gradually decreased. It was unavoidable.

As they entered junior high school, their circle of friends expanded. Juggling academics, club activities, and their own affairs, the visible world was everything to them.

Busy days, fulfilling days. Friends nearby were more important than those far away. It was a natural inevitability. There were countless factors that could lead to estrangement. Shyugi became anxious.

However, he never gave up. He pleaded with his parents, left his home, and decided to enroll in the high school in Kyoto where Tsubaki lived. Living in a dorm, facing restrictions on freedom, none of it mattered. He was just single-mindedly determined.

From now on, Shyugi felt his chest pounding with the premonition that happy days were about to begin.

Tsubaki had an older brother and sister. Both of them were kind, but the presence of her talented siblings made Tsubaki feel inferior.

She was constantly compared and scrutinized by those around her. While her parents laughed it off, assuring her not to worry, it seemed like they didn’t have high expectations for her, making Tsubaki feel miserable.

Unable to rebel against her parents or gather the courage to engage in delinquent behavior, Tsubaki’s personality gradually became self-deprecating.

Eventually, the letters from Shyugi, which were once a source of joy, became burdensome, and her replies grew more infrequent.

Tsubaki remained oblivious to Shyugi’s feelings expressed in those letters – how much her childhood friend loved her.

A turning point in Tsubaki’s gloomy days came when she was in her third year of junior high. During a class trip, she was confessed to by a classmate.

She didn’t harbor any romantic feelings for the person, but Tsubaki sought an escape.

Above all, it felt pleasing to be acknowledged for the first time, not as a brother or sister but for herself.

Tsubaki accepted the confession, and gradually, she regained her brightness and cheerfulness. The two eventually enrolled in the same high school.

It was at this high school that Tsubaki reunited with Shyugi.

When Shyugi learned that Tsubaki was in a relationship, he was deeply distressed.

Tsubaki was surprised by Shyugi’s earnestness, but there was nothing she could do as she already had someone else.

The people around Shyugi didn’t leave him alone.

Desperate to become someone worthy of Tsubaki, he put immense effort into studying and sports, transforming into a dazzling and attractive individual.

This was different from Tsubaki, who had spent her junior high days in a haze. The inferiority complex that had long been dormant resurfaced.

Tsubaki couldn’t bear Shyugi’s devotion. She couldn’t wait for Shyugi. This made her feel miserable about herself. Since their first meeting, Tsubaki had also harbored feelings for Shyugi.

Childish love affairs were not meant to last, and Tsubaki and Shyugi went their own way.

However, it was now impossible for Tsubaki to approach Shyugi. It would be shameless. Shyugi had many friends of both genders and had become close to someone who had sincerely consoled him during his heartbreak.

Moreover, Tsubaki didn’t believe that she was suitable for Shyugi now. In the end, while they remained aware of each other, their paths did not cross, and they continued to pass by each other.

Shyugi and Tsubaki reunited at their alumni reunion.

After becoming working adults for several years, some had achieved a certain status, some pursued their dreams and succeeded, while others faced setbacks. Life experiences were etched on their expressions, adding depth to their words.

Shyugi was astonished by the transformation he witnessed in Tsubaki after several years. Somewhere in her smile, there was a shadow, a powerlessness he had not seen before.

During the time Shyugi was unaware, Tsubaki had faced considerable hardships. She had married at one point, only to suffer from domestic violence and harassment from her husband.

Even after divorcing, the wounds had not healed, and Tsubaki remained cautious about entering into a new romantic relationship.

Shyugi was consumed by regret. For what purpose had he chased after Tsubaki? He regretted not forcefully taking her. This was partly because he felt betrayed.

Even after learning about Tsubaki’s breakup, Shyugi couldn’t take any action. At that time, Shyugi also had a significant other. And now—

Shyugi was married. He had a child. However, whether there was love between him and his wife was questionable. There had been love, but it was lost because Shyugi’s enduring affection for Tsubaki had been exposed. It was a pure and unsullied love that he had harbored since he first laid eyes on Tsubaki.

After the alumni reunion, somehow they found themselves alone. Perhaps fueled by alcohol or driven by years of emotions, Shyugi and Tsubaki ended up together.

It was a one-night mistake, a common and cliché affair.

Guilt and growing regret enveloped Shyugi. However, he couldn’t leave Tsubaki alone. He wanted to save her.

From middle school to high school, and even when Tsubaki was suffering in her marriage, Shyugi never forgot her. However, he was always too late. He shouldn’t have given up.

Even though Shyugi didn’t desire to be connected to Tsubaki in this way.

He had married his wife through a matchmaking arranged by his parents, and he felt a sense of duty and responsibility.

His independent wife was highly capable, and his parents liked her. However, their marital relationship had grown cold. Shyugi had to make a decision. He couldn’t continue like this.

His actions were socially and morally unacceptable. He had already crossed a line.

Regardless of how much criticism he would face, he couldn’t abandon Tsubaki. He couldn’t just leave her.

The foolish man had been making the wrong choices all along. Now, to seek true love and reach the right answer, Shyugi decided to abandon everything. Literally, everything.

Shyugi divorced his wife, paid a considerable alimony, and threw away all his assets.

The remaining amount was shouldered by his parents, despite their anger.

After repayment, Shyugi became estranged from his parents. There was no objection to that. He couldn’t cause them any more trouble. His existence had become nothing but a stain for his parents.

There was no dispute during the divorce negotiations. Not even emotionally. They efficiently and dispassionately handled what needed to be done through lawyers. Expressionless, the marital relationship came to an end.

He lost his family, his home, his custody rights—Shyugi even discarded his name to become a son-in-law in the Touren family.

Tsubaki’s parents, though they didn’t express it openly, welcomed this decision. They had been worried about their daughter’s haggard appearance. They still remembered Shyugi, who had once been close to their daughter.

However, what Shyugi had done couldn’t be easily forgiven. Sacrifices demanded compensation.

Tsubaki’s parents promised Shyugi’s ex-wife all kinds of support and provided substantial financial assistance.

As if guided by destiny, Shyugi and Tsubaki came together and got married.

Then Tsubaki became pregnant, and a girl was born. Her name was “Kikyo.”

The foolish man who sought true love reached the “correct answer” with his beloved woman.

—All while everything remained painted with lies.

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The rain was pouring heavily. In front of the apartment, a girl with an umbrella could be seen. Spotting him, she didn’t mind getting wet and started running.

“Onii-sama, Onii-samaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!”

Her cries blended with the sound of rain. The girl’s heart had reached its limit. Nevertheless, she made it in time.

Her half-brother embraced her. Embraced her small body. Just as his aunt had done for him in the past.

End of Volume 4