Chapter 78: I received bittersweet Valentine’s chocolate from my childhood friend 1

I received bittersweet Valentine’s chocolate from my childhood friend 1

In the morning chill, I woke up.

Filling my field of vision was the familiar ceiling of my room.

Stretching on the bed, I turned towards the window as usual.

Upon opening it, a cool breeze blew in, causing my body to shiver.

“Chilly…”

On the smartphone’s home screen, the date read ‘February 13th’.

It had been a month and a half since that Christmas night.

Three months had almost passed since the last time I had sex with her.

Looking back, it couldn’t be said that time had flown by.

Although I was busy with work on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, I somehow managed to participate in the first shrine visit.

The sight of Aya in her orange-colored kimono is still vivid in my mind. I’ll never forget that impact.

Blushing while shyly saying, “It’s a rental”, she gathered the attention of the worshipers present.

With the well-trained core strength from the club activities and her inherent good posture, Aya perfectly carried the furisode, exuding an incredible charm.

I remember struggling a lot to restrain the urge to undress her kimono and fulfill my desires.

Every time I saw Aya, I wanted to hold her and just being together made me want to attack her.

Even though it was a decision I made myself, enduring the constantly surging desires felt like torture.

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After the January exams, I finally began to devote my weekdays to work.

Thanks to that, my time with Aya was limited to the morning when we went to school and lunch break, with occasional communication through messages.

“Sigh…”

Taking a deep breath while gazing at the cold February sky.

The breath I exhaled was still visible. According to the weather forecast on my smartphone, it seems to snow tonight.

The long days of trials are finally over.

Looking back at the text messages exchanged with her last night.

“I passed.”

“I passed too.”

Just two short messages. Thanks for reading on ManaNovel!

But words beyond that weren’t necessary.

Important things are conveyed when we meet. That was our unspoken understanding. However.

“I’m really glad.”

I murmured softly.

I was so happy that I spent the night staring at this short message until dawn. As a result, I’m quite sleep-deprived today.

We’re both going to the same university.

Within the goal guided by intuition, we have grasped the best outcome.

Now… it’s my turn.

“Ryuji, how about school? Oh, sorry!”

Somehow, my sister was standing at the entrance of the room.

“I’m taking a break in the morning. I’ll talk to Chiharu-san about the exclusive job”, she said.

“Oh, right, today. I’ll reply later”, I responded.

My sister ruffled her messy black hair. Unusually, it seemed she had no work today, as she was casually dressed in loose sweatpants and a sweatshirt. It appeared she intended to catch up on sleep later.

“I’m going to change soon, so get out.”

“Alright. Oh, by the way, I have something for you”, my sister said, tossing something towards me.

Upon catching it, I found a transparent wrapped Western confectionery. The label read “Hokuhoku Sweet Potato.”

“What’s this?”

“I found it when I went to the countryside for work. It looked delicious, so I bought around twenty of them. I’ll give you one. Consider it a Valentine’s chocolate from your sister.”

“It’s sweet potato-flavored.”

“It suits you perfectly.”

This sister of mine is still irritating as ever.

“I’ll gladly accept it.”

“Well, I just thought I’d give it to you, but Ryuji, you don’t really like sweet things, do you? You’re not good with sweet stuff.”

“Then, don’t give me sweet potatoes.”

“If you don’t want it, give it to someone else”, she said before leaving the room with a yawn.

In her own way, did she actually worry about the reply matter? I couldn’t quite understand her principles of action. Perhaps even with the power of intuition, my sister’s heart would remain unreadable.

But somehow, it felt strangely relieving.

I changed into my school uniform and left the house.

Upon reaching the station front rotary designated by Chiharu-san, a series of small honks echoed.

Looking at the source of the sound, there was a black, high-rise sedan-like car. Was that an SUV? I had seen it a few times on TV.

The door window rolled down and Chiharu-san, wearing black sunglasses, beckoned.

It felt like a scene from a movie and I was momentarily stunned.

Then, Chiharu-san took off her sunglasses, looking a bit flustered and gestured again.

Hastily, I ran to the car and, prompted, got into the passenger seat.

“Ryuji-kun, I was getting anxious because you didn’t notice at all!” she exclaimed.

“Sorry about that.”

“It’s okay. By the way, it’s my first time seeing Ryuji-kun in a school uniform. You really are a student.”

“Well…”

“We’re going to take a short drive. Is that okay? With Ryuji-kun dressed like that, it would be awkward to go to a store. As long as we make it in time for the afternoon class, it’s fine, right?”

“Yes, I appreciate it.”

If a popular celebrity and a student in a school uniform were seen together in a cafe, it could lead to unwarranted suspicions.

“It’s fine, it’s fine”, Chiharu-san said cheerfully, placing her sunglasses on her head and starting the car.

At the first traffic light, Chiharu-san tried to take something from the rear seat. The proximity between us in the front seat brought the distinct scent of her stylish perfume to my nostrils.

Chiharu-san, dressed in casual clothes today, seemed to be in plain clothes rather than her usual attire. She wore a white jacket with simple jeans. Under the jacket, there was a black camisole, revealing a daring cleavage.

“Ah, found it. Ryuji-kun, want some sweets?”

Chiharu-san had a paper bag from what seemed like a high-end pastry shop.

“No, I’m okay, thank you.”

“Just in case, you know, for today… Well, not really today. It’s more like a formality…”

“Sorry, I actually don’t like sweets.”

I responded with a feigned indifference.

“Eh, really? That’s news to me.”

“Chiharu-san, the light is green.”

“Oh, right.”

Chiharu-san returned the paper bag to the rear seat and resumed driving.

The atmosphere is different from when we meet on set. It feels much more casual. She seems a bit flustered and the contrast with her polished appearance is striking. Perhaps this kind of unfiltered character is what attracts many people.

“This car is nice, you know.”

Chiharu-san proudly boasted.

“Yes, it’s bigger than I thought.”

“You can load a lot of costumes, props and it’s convenient for picking up models and staff. Still greedy for work as always.”

She’s still quite ambitious when it comes to her job. Surely, sticking with her could lead me to many good opportunities.

“Ryuji-kun.”

“Yes?”

“I heard you’ve been working on various sets recently? I asked an acquaintance editor-in-chief the other day and it seems they asked you to share some work. Interested?”

“Yes, I just want to make money.”

“I’m impressed, but you have to take care of your health. You shouldn’t push yourself too hard.”

“No, probably now is the time when I have to push myself the hardest.”

“Does that have anything to do with becoming my exclusive?”

Chiharu-san abruptly cut to the chase, activating the turn signal and pulling the car over to the side of the road.

I exhale softly, shifting my gaze past Chiharu-san to the scenery outside the window.

It’s an unfamiliar landscape. Somehow, it seems Chiharu-san has brought me to an unknown town.

“I apologize for keeping you waiting for my answer. I’ve thought about it seriously—”

—Don’t refuse.

My brain sends a strong warning, making me feel unsteady.

—Don’t refuse.

—Don’t refuse.

—Don’t refuse.

A ringing sound echoes and a multitude of images floods into my mind.

All of them depict scenes from that apartment.

Countless memories of different futures.

Me heading to work, with Aya smiling as she sees me off.

Her hairstyle and words vary slightly in each vision.

Yet in every future, I’m on my way to Chiharu-san’s set.

Surely, in the future guided by intuition, the option of refusing Chiharu-san’s exclusivity doesn’t exist.

—Don’t refuse.

—Just maintain the current relationship.

—Don’t sever fate.

It’s an unprecedented warning.

Even the voice of the impersonal intuition feels urgent.

“Ryuji-kun?”

Suddenly, I snap back to awareness, meeting Chiharu-san’s gaze. Her eyes are shaking with uncertainty.

I exhale once more and deliver the prepared words.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t accept the offer for exclusivity.”

“Why? I mean, it might sound conceited, but opportunities like this don’t come often. Wasn’t it for the sake of your girlfriend that you wanted to earn more?”

“I truly apologize, but I’ve already made up my mind.”

One by one, images in my mind begin to disappear.

The numerous futures that were once expansive are gradually narrowing.

This direction hits deep in the heart.

“Please… Can’t you reconsider? I felt from the first time we met that I could do great work with you. I appreciate your work, but it’s not just about that…”

Chiharu-san leans forward, grabbing my shoulder.

If there weren’t a seatbelt, it feels like she would engulf me in her urgency.

“I believe you won’t betray me… I’m sure it’ll be fine. That’s what I think.”

In front of me, the exceptionally composed face distorts slightly. I recognize that almost-crying face.

In one of the intuition-induced dreams recently, Chiharu-san appeared once.

―After work, at the staff’s drinking party. Chiharu-san, who sat next to me, was quite drunk.

“Ryuji-kun, you’re really devoted to your wife, huh?”

“Yes.”

“It’s amazing how you answer immediately. I wish my husband were like you.”

“Sigh.”

“Hey, Ryuji-kun, do you say ‘I’m off to work’ and give her a kiss every day?”

“Yes, I do.”

“How’s that? …Wanna try it with me for a bit?”

“I’ll pass.”

“Kissing might change something, you know.”

“It won’t change anything.”

“Aww, you answered so quickly.”

Chiharu-san flops onto the table. Other staff members tease her, saying, “You’re too drunk”, and “Chiharu-san, you little devil.”

“Sorry, it was just a joke… I’m sorry, Ryuji-kun.”

She says that while still lying down, her profile contorted.

―The current expression on Chiharu-san’s face is just like that.

I vaguely noticed a hint of affection.

I don’t know why Chiharu-san harbored such feelings for me.

But surely, in the future, I would have noticed it and continued with exclusivity for the sake of my stable life.

Politely declining Chiharu-san’s subtle advances, convinced that as long as I didn’t betray Aya, there wouldn’t be any issues.

In reality, in every future, there was not even a trace of a mistake with Chiharu-san.

So, there shouldn’t be a problem.

But…

“Hey, Ryuji-kun, why? We’re surely a perfect match for work…?”

Chiharu-san’s voice trembles with tears.

Why? Well, it’s not for any significant reason.

Aya was smiling.

On Christmas night when I discussed exclusivity, when she showered me with kisses in front of the elementary school.

In dreams, waking up in the infirmary, seeing me off at the apartment’s entrance.

She hid the anxious feelings deep within, keeping them from bothering me.

In every future, she directed those radiant smiles at me.

―No problem.

―That would make you two happy.

Maybe.

It might not be something threatening our happiness.

Just a tiny stain in the bucket of happiness.

But I can’t tolerate even her trivial anxieties.

――No issues at all.

――Rather.

Jealousy, it keeps Aya tied to me.

Is that what you want to say?

To be driven mad by the pleasure of a slight jealousy, an essential element guided by intuition—a necessary part to keep Aya with me for a lifetime.

But I can have her without resorting to such tactics. Without relying on Chiharu-san, I can grasp a happy future with Aya.

For that reason, I struggled desperately this winter.

“Chiharu-san’s proposal is truly appreciated.”

“Then why?”

“I felt that relying on Chiharu-san to support my girlfriend wouldn’t make me the man who could support her in the future. I thought I needed to carve my own path. I’m sorry – this is just my selfish and childish ego.”

I smoothly delivered the prepared words. Because speaking the truth wouldn’t benefit me, Chiharu-san, or anyone else. That’s what I thought.

“So, Ryuji-kun, have you been taking on a ton of work lately? Even though you’re a student, trying to build connections and all.”

“Yes.”

Desperately moving, I can see some possibilities now. I’ve been approached by independent editors who want my help with various things.

“Living well while attending university is usually impossible.”

“I know.”

“As revenge for rejecting exclusivity, I might interfere with you, Ryuji-kun. Well, this industry is small and I could spread bad rumors using the power of a popular figure.”

“You wouldn’t do that, Chiharu-san.”

Even with just a few times working together on site, I can tell she’s not the kind of person to do that.

“…Now, I feel like doing it.”

Chiharu-san lowers the corner of her eyes sadly. Her mouth is smiling in a sad way—a look of someone who has given up on various things.

“Ah… I got rejected.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Well, it’s better than being dumped after becoming exclusive. I’m confident I’d go crazy if that happened.”

“Hmm.”

I reply curtly on purpose.

“Now then, what do you want to do after this? Shall I take you to the station… Oh, or do you prefer going to school?”

“No, I’ll get off here.”

“Eh, here… Isn’t it quite far from school?”

“I’m sorry, I just feel like walking.”

“I see.”

A strange silence lingers.

It’s about time to get out of the car.

“Hey, Ryuji-kun.”

“Yes.”

“I think you’ve noticed, but I… I like devoted people. It’s okay if there’s someone special and I don’t plan on finding a partner anymore… So, you see—”

“Sorry, I’m really clueless.”

“Huh?”

“I’m totally focused on my girlfriend and I’m not great at understanding those things.”

I make the most foolish face I can think of and smile.

“Are you really a student…?”

Chiharu-san smiles somewhat helplessly.

This is probably the end. Seeing her look so refreshed, I think so.

The next time we meet on the site, Chiharu-san will probably offer me sweets again with an innocent face.

“Well then, excuse me.”

“Yeah, see you on the site.”

“Yes.”

“Oh, uh, sunglasses…”

Chiharu-san is looking for the sunglasses on her head.

“Oh, sunglasses, right.”

Saying that, when I was about to point to her head—

――Kissing might change something.

For some reason, the words from the dream, Chiharu-san’s words, come to mind.

At that moment, a high-pitched ringing echoes.

Images flood in through intuition. This is a memory from a few seconds later.

―― Chiharu-san, who had somehow unfastened her seatbelt, hugs me. My attempt to push her away instantly failed and my body falls backward.

It seems Chiharu-san tilted the seat. In an instant, as I hesitated, she immediately covers me.

“Chiha—”

Chiharu-san, aiming for my lips, approaches and I instinctively turn my face away.

“Chiharu-san, please step back.”

Forcibly separating her slender body, she has already taken off her jacket.

“Ryuji-kun, I can… satisfy you in many ways.”

She flips up her black camisole, swiftly removing the purple bra.

Perfectly proportioned breasts spill out, pressing against my chest once again.

I try to undo the seatbelt, but Chiharu-san blocks the buckle with her hand.

Then her other hand touches my groin.

“It’s amazing. No reaction at all… but that’s okay or else I wouldn’t find it challenging.”

Chiharu-san’s approaching body keeps exploring mine.

“Please stop it.”

“Kyaa!”

Lifting her with both arms, I toss her towards the driver’s seat.

Quickly unbuckling the seatbelt, I get up.

In the driver’s seat, she’s still in an embarrassing position, crouched down.

Her eyes are teary and she’s breathing through her shoulders, looking at me.

“What are you thinking?”

“I’m sor… sorry, Ryuji-kun, I—”

――At that point, I cut off the future footage.

What is this?

Is this what’s going to happen in a few seconds?

Maybe I reacted late due to lack of sleep, or I was completely unguarded, not expecting her to attack. I didn’t know the seat would tilt so easily and I didn’t know unfastening the seatbelt would be so troublesome.

But that’s no excuse.

Seriously.

Even though it’s a surprise attack, the future me in a few seconds seems too careless.

“Phew…”

Taking a deep breath, I bring my consciousness back to the current Chiharu-san.

She seems about to lean towards me. I can see her hand reaching for the seat lever.

“Chiharu-san, want some sweets?”

“Huh?”

She freezes in a forward-leaning posture.

I take a package from my pocket and offer it to Chiharu-san.

“Eh… sweet potatoes?”

“Yes, it seems to be a souvenir from my sister. I’m not a fan of sweet stuff, so feel free.”

“Oh, um… thank you. Sorry about… earlier.”

Chiharu-san relaxes her face as if the poison has been drained and lowers her head.

“Well then, Ryuji-kun. Are you really okay alone?”

“Yes, I’m fine alone.”

I also bow my head to Chiharu-san and get out of the car.

Watching the car that flashed its turn signals twice and drove away, I recall the future memory that intuition showed me.

Chiharu-san crying in the driver’s seat, desperately apologizing. I still don’t understand why she clung to me so much.

Maybe Chiharu-san was also trapped by the fate guided by intuition.

If it was just a role to make Aya feel jealous.

…Even such horrifying thoughts come to my mind.

“If that’s the case, Chiharu-san should also be liberated.”

While gazing absentmindedly at the road beyond where the car disappeared, I pondered on such matters for a while.

But where is this, I wonder?

When I check the map app on my smartphone, it’s a place I’ve neither seen nor heard of.

『Sorry, gonna be late for school.』

『I’ll wait.』

After a brief exchange of messages with Aya, I head towards the nearest bus stop for now.