Chapter 62 – From Now On (3)

It was during the winter of my third year of middle school.

I think it was around Christmas when my parents divorced. I remember that it was snowy when it happened.

The reason for the divorce was that they had some kind of conflict with each other. It wasn't an affair or anything, though I haven't asked them the details.

My parents didn't get along badly, on the contrary, they got along really well. My dad was a busy man, he left early in the morning and came back late at night. He always treated mom well whenever he came back though, and he always took care of me whenever he had the time to.

That was why even though I had no friends, I never felt lonely. Both my parents were there for me.

My parents always seemed happy and our house was filled with joy.

However, things changed when dad received a promotion and he got even busier than he already was.

There were times when he was so busy that he couldn't return home. He was young and he got his promotion early, which was why he had to show his sincerity by working even harder than before, that I understood.

'I'm going to work hard so the both of you can take it easy.' I remember his words as he patted my head.

Both me and my mom supported his decision. We couldn't see him often, but we decided to be patient for his sake.

Thinking back, that was probably the first trigger for their divorce.

Stuck between his family and his job. At first, both of them were thinking that they were doing everything for the sake of each other, but because being apart for extended periods, the trust between them gradually disappeared.

Before they knew it, their love for each other turned into something else entirely.

The last memory I had of my family was when both my parents were signing their divorce papers.

* * *

"…Well, it isn't much, but that's my story. Both mom and I were devastated for a while, but we are doing better now."

"…And your father?"

"I haven't seen him lately, but he still occasionally contacts me. Maybe I'll see him again on New Year's Eve."

I didn't know the details about things like money and such, but my mom said that he sent some money to a bank account under my name for my tuition every month.

"Anyway, that's why I don't really want to use words like 'I love you' or 'I will never betray you' like that. Words are cheap. I might love you now, but who knows what the future holds? That feeling might change over time."

I've seen a living example of that after all.

I know that I'm an indecisive person. That's why I can't comfort her with sweet words like she expected me to.

I mean, if I could, I would have nailed myself a girlfriend or two already, or at least made some friends.

But I couldn't, that's why I'm like this.

"That's why, instead of doing that, I'll wait. You're feeling anxious about being my lover, so I will do my best to treat you well as a friend and erase that anxiety of yours."

"I see…"

"I think that's my best option here…"

I pointed to the floor of my house and told her,

"Umi, next week, I'll be waiting for you here, in this house. Of course, you're free to do whatever you want, but if you need me, I'll be here for you."

Continuing to do the things that I've always done for her.

That was the best answer I could give to her.

"…Maki…"

"W-what is it?"

"You know, you're a troublesome man."

"Well of course. I've been a loner for all my life, there's a reason for that."

"Jeez, honestly… What the hell are you thinking…"

After saying that, she let out a chuckle.

Her expression right now was the best I've ever seen from her.

At least for now.

"Fine, I get it. So the question of whether we should be lovers or not will be put on hold, alright?"

"Sure. Like I said, I'll wait for you, so take your time."

"Thank you, sorry for being such a pain in the ass."

"It's fine, that's the Asanagi I know, I'm used to it."

"Why are you suddenly calling me by my family name? Maki, that's just too much."

"I mean, we're just friends now, right?"

"That's not a reason to suddenly act distant. This is why you're a loner, you keep distancing yourself from other people."

"Who cares? I'm fine as long as you're here with me, Umi."

"T-that's… W-well, I'm happy to hear that, but…"

Her face suddenly turned red.

I wonder what Amami-san would think if she were to see us right now.

Our idiotic couple act.

"Ah, jeez! Let's stop talking about this! Who cares if we're lovers or not? We should just do things at our own pace! That's fine with you right, Maki?!"

"A-ah… yeah, sure…"

"Then, it's settled! That's what we'll do from now on! Anyway, let's play another round! Turn the game on, Maki! I'm going to win today!"

"Okay, sure…"

So we decided to go back to our routine, but…

"You know what, Umi?"

"W-what?"

"It's hard for me to play if you're clinging to me like this."

"I feel like doing it, got a problem?"

"…Nope…"

We stayed like that until she had to go home.

I knew that this probably wasn't the right thing to do and since we liked each other, we'll have to step out of our comfort zone eventually so that we could officially become lovers.

But for now, I think it's fine for us to live our life happily like this for a while longer.