“…Are you sure you really want to come back to work next week?”
“Yeah, I can’t just leave everything to Katsuragi forever.”
“You’re pushing it.”
“I’m just worried.”
I came to the company to report that I was discharged from the hospital, but I ended up having to talk with Katsuragi.
“Is your anxiety about work, or about home?”
“…”
But Katsuragi didn’t hold back.
“You, of course, and your wife, too, are still unstable in many ways? Is it okay to return to work so soon amidst such uncertainty? Maybe it’s better to wait until things stabilize a bit more?”
“No matter what I do, things aren’t going to improve right away, so I want to get back to work.”
“Hey, abandoning the problem so soon? Come on, don’t give up so easily.”
“Who’s giving up?”
“I’ve told you multiple times, but listen to your wife. Little by little. Start with that.”
I thought so, but if I push him away, I’ll lose someone I can vent to.
“…Listen to her, huh? I’m second or even lower to Maya. If I were to reconfirm that fact and then end up getting depressed, what would you do?”
“Well, even if Maya considers you second, why do you think she doesn’t want to divorce you?”
“Well… there are various reasons. Like social status and livelihood.”
“Well, that might be a reason, albeit a small one. Just a little bit, you know. But why though? Why endure being blamed by you, Kazunari, losing your affection, receiving cold treatment? Why go to such lengths to seek forgiveness from you, Kazunari? She is…”
“I don’t know. Maybe she’s a m*******t.”
“No way that’s true. For one thing, if she liked her affair partner more than Kazunari, then what? If it were me, and I was told to divorce, I would. Even if I had to pay alimony, I’d still be with that affair partner.”
“…”
“And yet, she doesn’t want to separate from you, Kazunari. She’s desperately trying to make amends, right?”
“…You don’t want to pay alimony?”
At the point where I’m making excuses in desperation, I’m at a disadvantage.
“Is there even a reason for that? Listen, Kazunari, you’re already deeply wounded. I sympathize with that. But, you should try to understand her true feelings as much as possible.”
“So that’s all you have to say. Look, Kazunari, you’ve already been hurt more than ever. I sympathize with you. However, you should know Maya-san’s true feelings as much as possible.”
“……”
“I believe that by doing so, Kazunari wouldn’t be hurt more than before. That’s what I think, but…”
“…On what basis?”
“I have a feeling that there’s a love for Kazunari in her, even desperate, that doesn’t want to part with you. It’s a weak, I know.”
“…Too weak.”
“Is it? But you know, human hearts can change with simple things. Maybe you’re already the most important person to her.”
“…”
“…Even if it happened now, would it be too late?”
Me, the most important? No way.
I don’t understand why I couldn’t immediately deny it.
Still, if I can’t become the best without being betrayed at least once.
I’d reject it with all my might.
—A normal happiness. To be loved the most, and to love the most. That ordinary happiness is all I ever wanted.