Chapter 16: For real

Posted on July 20, 2022by Soafp

Translator: Soafp

[Asuka Nomi PoV]

“─ ─ ─♪”

　I was in a good mood that day, to the point of humming a song.

　I woke up early today and made lunch for Hiroto. Fufu, I’m very happy that it turned out so well.

Hiroto will be happy with it.

　I seasoned it to his liking and packed his favorite foods in addition to the hamburger steak.

　Imagining Hiroto’s happy face made my spirits soar.

　I had reserved a table for two in the cafeteria space and was waiting for Hiroto to arrive.

　After about seven minutes of watching the people coming in and out of the cafeteria, I spotted Hiroto.

He was tall and thin, with slightly curly hair. Oh, he has a sleeping habit. So cute.

　I smile lazily at him.

I can’t let him see my dumb face like this. I checked my face on my phone once and got up from my seat.

“Hiroto, over here!”

　I shouted, and Hiroto immediately noticed me.

　He came to me through the crowd of people.

“I’m sorry I made you wait.”

“No, I just got here a few minutes ago.”

—-What a cliché thing to say.

　Suddenly I came back to myself and my cheeks almost turned red, but even this exchange was fun.

As for Hiroto, he had fourth period P.E., so it took him a while to get here.

“You got us a good seat for just now.”

“….You know that, don’t you?

　I puff out my cheeks in a miff and give him a scowling look. …… Rude. As soon as it was lunch time, he saw that I had taken a seat.

　But even this exchange makes my spirits soar. I didn’t notice it when we were dating. I guess it’s true what they say about noticing something until you’ve lost it.

　Hiroto takes the seat opposite me and stares into my eyes. He stares at me so intently that my heart skips a beat.

“U-uhm, let’s have lunch. I made hamburgers just like you wanted.”

“Thanks.”

　I handed Hiroto one of my lunch boxes.

The only thing I can hear is my heart pounding noisily in the midst of the bustle.

　I turned away from him to hide my red face.

“Y-You don’t have to worry about it. It’s my way of making lunch.”

I made my lunch while I was making Hiroto’s lunch.

　Hiroto gives a bitter look and quickly checks the contents of his lunch box.

“Uwa, isn’t this really elaborate?”

“T-This is pretty normal, right?”

　Everything was homemade and took a lot of time and effort. It was hard work, but it wasn’t difficult at all.

　It was fun.

　Hiroto picked up his chopsticks.

“Then, let’s eat.”

“Go ahead”

　Hiroto started eating the hamburger steak.

　I watched him eat.

“….A-and? Is it good?”

“Yes. It’s really good.”

“I-I see. Well, of course it is, since I’m the one who made it.”

“As expected of you, Asuka.”

Hiroto cheered me up as I was getting into a good mood.

　I relaxed the corners of my mouth and decided to start eating my lunch.

Uh, you know, if you want, I can make you another one tomorrow.”

　I made such a suggestion as I was enjoying my lunch.

　If I make Hiroto’s lunch, we can spend the lunch break together. Besides, I would be able to kill two birds with one stone, and even get a hold of Hiroto’s stomach. I really am a genius!　

　I glanced at Hiroto’s face.

　Then he put his chopsticks on top of his lunch box with a more serious expression than ever before.

“I have something I want to discuss with Asuka.”

“What do you want to discuss?”

　What is it?

　I couldn’t figure it out.

“Yes. I don’t really understand our relationship anymore. “

“Ex-boyfriend and an ex-girlfriend?”

“Is that so? I don’t know what’s different from when we were together.”

“U-uhm, but Hiroto told me not to worry about it.”

That is true. I don’t mean to be like this …… anyway, I just don’t think it’s good to be in an iffy relationship like we are. If this keeps up, I don’t know why we broke up.”

　Hiroto gently dropped his gaze and scratched his neck in annoyance.

　　I squeeze my hands so hard that my skirt wrinkles.

　If I had to say it, this is the only place to say it.

　That’s what I thought.

“T-then… …… can’t we go back to the way we were?　I mean, we got back together… l-look, we had an argument the other day, right?　I’ve complained about it in the past, but I’ve never had anything like that from Hiroto,…… and to be honest, part of me was happy. From now on, let’s say what we want to say to each other. If there’s something wrong, we can fix it right away,……, and Hiroto won’t have to keep it bottled up, right?　T-that’s why, you and I—-“

“Yes, I think that’s an option.”

　Hiroto agrees with me in a calm voice and with a smile on his face.

　I smiled and raised my voice higher than usual.

“R-Right!　Then, from now on—“

“─ ─ I think we should break up, you and I.”

　Hiroto interrupted me with the same voice as usual, in a matter-of-fact tone.

　U-uhm, …… eh?　

　I twisted my cheeks awkwardly.

“W-We’ve already broken up, haven’t we?”

“Yes, but I think it was a bad breakup. It was a one-sided breakup on my part, and I forced it on Asuka.”

“That’s true, but…”

So, why don’t we break up after having a proper common understanding?　Of course, Asuka doesn’t have to pay attention to me in a strange way in the future. …… But I think we should keep the distance as we break up. Otherwise there’s no point in breaking up.”

　My mind went blank.

　I don’t understand what Hiroto is saying. I don’t want to understand.

“Why …… are you saying that?”

“I don’t think the current situation is good. I’ve been given a lot of opinions, and I’ve thought it over myself.”

“I don’t understand ……. I don’t understand. What’s wrong?”

“We’re broke up, you know. I don’t think it’s good for either of us right now.”

“Then why don’t you get back together?　Make me your girlfriend again.”

　I hit the table with a bang.

　Hiroto asked in a calm and collected tone.

“I will say what I don’t like in the future, because this time around, I’ve realized some of my not-so-good habits.”

“……Yes.”

“But you know, every time I do that, I think Asuka listens to what I say. On the contrary, I think you would be sensitive to even my trivial remarks and listen to what I say. Am I wrong?”

“I will listen”

　Because I don’t want Hiroto to hate me.

　I was able to build a relationship with Hiroto again. I don’t want to make him feel bad about it.

　If I could stay with Hiroto just by listening to him…

“But I don’t want that. It will be the same thing again. This time, I think Asuka will reach the limit of her patience.”

“…….That won’t happen”

“Of course, it is better to fix what is wrong. However, it’s not the same as being at the mercy of others.”

“Yes, maybe, but ……”

　I say, biting my lower lip hard and trying to squeeze it out.

　I don’t know why, but tears were welling up in my eyes.

　I was simply overwhelmed, and Hiroto gave me a serious look as if he was giving me an ultimatum.

“Let’s break up, for real this time”

　That’s what he told me.