Narumi Sena: ...Ah, right! I promised Akari a while ago that I’ll meet her tomorrow.
Narumi Sena: We plan to have tea in Hoshiya so I’ll buy some cake for you when I go home. What kind of cake would you like～ I’m so looking forward to it!
Narumi Mona: (You’re changing the subject just like always...)
The next dayー
Narumi Mona: (Why... was Sis crying yesterday... Is it something to do with work...?)
Narumi Mona: (I wanted to ask if something had happened but she’s definitely the type to keep it to herself... I guess I’m the same.)
Narumi Mona: (But it’s tough to worry by yourself... I wonder if there’s something I can do for her...)
Narumi Mona: Hmー...
Narumi Ayako: What’s wrong, Mona? Idols aren’t supposed to scrunch up their eyebrows!
Narumi Ayako: Here, cheer up with this!
Narumi Mona: ...?
Mom happily lined up 2 yukatas in front of me.
Narumi Ayako: Ta daー! Your mom made yours and Sena’s yukatas♪
Narumi Mona: Wow...! And look at that, they have the same patterns as the yukatas we had back then.
Narumi Ayako: I found some excess fabric so I kinda made it! So? Are you cheered up?
Narumi Mona: Yup! Thank you!
Narumi Mona: (Speaking of which, I went to the summer festival with Sis wearing the matching yukatas that Mom made...)
Narumi Mona: Mom, when did you say the summer festival was?
Narumi Ayako: It’s Sunday of this week!
Narumi Mona: (If we go, I wonder if that’ll change her mood... When Sis comes home... I’ll try inviting her.)
It’s been a few years since we came to the summer festival as sisters. Even though I thought it’ll divert my sister’s work worryー
Narumi Sena: Geez, you don’t have to eat that quickly... Won’t it get all over your mouth?
Narumi Sena: Ah, watch out for your sleeves, Mona. It might get soaked.
Narumi Mona: (I’m always bothering her... At this rate, she won’t confide in me...)
Narumi Mona: (But she needs someone who she can complain to... That person has to be me... Probably...)
Narumi Mona: (No, it definitely has to be!)
Because we were reluctant to part with the fireworks that we saw, it was the standard for us to look forward to hand-held fireworks when we head home.
To be someone she can grumble to, I told her what I’ve always been thinking.
Narumi Mona: Sis, urm...
Narumi Mona: When you’re not fine, you shouldn’t say that you’re fine, ok?
Narumi Sena: Eh?
Narumi Mona: You might be the senior but we probably have more or less the same experience, that is...
Narumi Mona: I think I can understand the anxieties you’re going through.
Narumi Sena: Mona... Thank you
Narumi Mona: ...Yea.
A few days laterー
Narumi Sena: I’m backー
Coming back from work, with a big exhale, Sis eased into the living room’s sofa seat next to me.
Narumi Mona: Welcome back, Sis... Are you ok?
Narumi Mona: (If I ask her if she’s ok, maybe, Sis would...)
Narumi Sena: Yup, I’m exhausted...
Narumi Mona: (Eh, did she just say...『I’m tired』?)
Mona: I don't want to see LIPxLIP anymore. They're literally everywhere. You could pick out a completely unrelated issue and there'd probably be a post about it with their faces on it. The hype never seems to stop ugh...
Disclaimer: I’m not a pro translator, bear that in mind.
Masterlist here
A bear shaped hamburger steak, a panda shaped rice ball, some salad, bacon filled potatoes and rolled omelets.
That’s what Ayako packed in a lunch box, decorating it with hearts.
“Mom, I’m going to be late for school!” Ayako’s second daughter was sitting on the sofa in the living room watching Today’s Lucky Fortune-Telling on the TV. Mona had just started high school this year.
“Yes, I understand.” Ayako felt satisfied with her work, smiling. “It’s all done.”
She was just about to close the lid of the bento when she stopped, taking her phone out of her apron pocket. “Oh, wait.” She took a picture of it so she could post it on SNS that she’d just joined recently.
Soon, her older daughter, Sena, came into the living room, yawning sleepily. “Good morning...”
She’d just graduated high school and was working as a model now.
Sena took out a pack of milk from the refrigerator and walked to the table.
“Oh, mom, the bento looks delicious.” Sena commented, picking up one of the omelets and eating it.
Mona watched her with a frown. “Mom, sis, you two have bad manners.”
“Mm. It’s delicious!” Sena smiled, chewing on the omelet. “Maybe I should ask mom to make my lunch again?”
“Your manager prepares you lunch, doesn’t she?”
Sena sighed as she wrapped the lunch. “Right. But it’s usually just salad and yogurt.”
“Well, you’re a model, I guess it can’t be helped.” Ayako put down a plate of cut up fruit for Sena.
“That’s right. After all, big sister, your face has become more round recently.” Mona told her. Sena pressed her hands to her cheeks.
“Eh?! What, really?!”
“Hey, Mona, don’t say that.”
“But she’s always eating chocolate and snacks in the middle of the night.” Mona turned away.
“Ehh~ I weigh myself everyday, but I still couldn’t get into my costume for the shoot the other day. I don’t know what to do!”
“It’s okay, you’re still cute as always.” Ayako patted Sena’s head to comfort her.
“And after all this, I want mom to make a bento for me tomorrow...”
“Hey, you’re an adult now, so you have to make it on your own. You worked so hard in high school.”
During her third year of high school Sena had suddenly asked her, “Mom, teach me how to make a bento!” Which caused Ayako to smile.
She missed her old cooking class, when she wanted to make a bento for that guy.
Well, she was her daughter, after all.
Ayako looked at the framed photos on the shelf. There were wedding photos, photos of her daughters birth, and entrance ceremony photos on display.
Even her younger daughter was at the age where she could fall in love now.
And besides, both Sena and Mona have found their own dreams and are walking straight towards them. Both of them are her treasures, and she was so proud of them.
“Sis, you don’t normally cook, huh?” Mona asked.
Sena laughed nervously. “Uhh...only occasionally.”
“Ah...that doesn’t sound right. What do you think, mom~?”
“Hey, Mona, your lunch is ready.”
“...You’re definitely hiding something. Both mom and sis.” Mona puffed her cheeks.
Ayako glanced at Sena.
“That’s not true, it’s just Mona’s imagination, okay?” Sena shook her head, her cheeks turning red.
Mona scowled. “Is that really true?” she frowned at her.
“Everyone’s lively here. What’s going on?” Smiling, Yusuke entered the living room while wearing a suit.
“Nothing!” Both of their daughters said.
“Hm?” Yusuke glanced at Ayako.
“Nothing.” Ayako smiled and handed him a bento.
“Thank you.”
“It might rain later this evening, so make sure you bring your umbrella.”
“I know.” Yusuke replied, putting the bento box in his bag.
“Come home as soon as possible?”
“Hmm.”
“Answer me!” Ayako pointed her finger at him.
“Yes.” Yusuke replied immediately.
Ayako laughed lightly.
“...I better get going.”
She wrapped an arm around Yusuke’s neck and kissed his cheek as she usually did. “Have a good day! ♡”
“They just can’t get enough of this, day in and day out.” Mona said in exasperation, while Sena laughed with a soft “ahaha!”
“Well, I’m a little envious...I think?”
“Eh, you are, sis?!”
“Oh, I have to get ready now. Mona, aren’t you going to be late if you don’t head out now?” Sena stood up and left the living room and to the bathroom in a good mood.
“Ah, I didn’t realize the time!” Mona grabbed her bento and quickly left.
Ayako and Yusuke glanced at each other and laughed. Even though their family grew, they were still lovers who hadn’t changed at all.
Ayako knew she would forever be in love with her Mister Darling.
Disclaimer: I am not a professional translator so please excuse any and all wonky translations. Also, like the previous chapter, there’s a small screenshot image, so I’ll be using the MV again for it.
Masterlist here
After graduating the vocational school in the spring the following year, Ayako decided to get a job at an apparel maker that she’d been dreaming of for a long time. She started working there as a designer.
It’d been two years since she started dating Yusuke.
Everyday she went to work and then returned to the apartment they lived in together.
Yusuke was also busy with work, so the number of dates they went on together were limited, but they still enjoyed them. They even went on trips sometimes.
Ayako wanted to have a lot of memories with the two of them, so she spent some money and bought herself a nice camera.
One day, during a planned meeting, she was entrusted with creating a design.
Unfortunately, all of her designs were rejected and tossed out.
Instead, the design that one of her coworkers had made was chosen. Ayako was so depressed about it she wanted to cry that day.
It was a design that she had been thinking about for a long time, staying late at the office every night to get advice from her seniors, and she was confident about it. But from her point of view, her coworker’s design was still better.
During the break, Ayako texted Yusuke with a while standing near the staircase.
> My design was rejected.
Yusuke immediately responded with a short message.
> Tell me all about it when you get home.
> I’ll be home soon.
_
Ayako was still feeling depressed when she got off of work, and she returned to the apartment sadly.
“I’m home!” She called, opening the door and entering. She noticed Yusuke’s leather work shoes at the entrance.
Despite being busy, Yusuke had gotten home early.
“Yusuke~!” Ayako took her shoes off and rushed inside.
Yusuke, who was in the kitchen wearing an apron, smiled at her. “Welcome back.”
The tears Ayako had endured fell down her face at a rapid pace. She ran over and hugged him tightly, causing Yusuke to nearly drop his burning pan as he let out a shout of surprise. She pressed her face to his side and squeezed his arm.
“...Good work, today.” Yusuke said gently.
“Yeah. Yusuke..?”
“Hm?”
“The miso soup you’re making...it smells burnt...”
“Eh? Oh!” Yusuke turned down the heat quickly and removed the lid from the overflowing pot. It was hot, and he muttered “ow!” as he put the lid in the sink.
Ayako couldn’t help but laugh as she hugged him.
(Thank you, Yusuke.)
Because of him, she felt better.
* * *
On the weekend, Ayako got out of the bath, and poured coffee in two mugs and relaxed in the room. Yusuke sat by the bed and flipped a page in his guitar magazine. Ayako laid on the bed playing on her phone.
Tomorrow’s weather forecast was going to be sunny, then cloudy, and maybe a bit rainy later.
“Hey...”
“Hm?”
“Let’s go on a date tomorrow.”
“Hmm.” Yusuke continued reading his magazine, giving only an ambiguous response.
Ayako sat up and hugged him from behind. “Are you listening~?” She turned her head and looked at him from above.
“I’m listening.” Yusuke finally said. He glanced at her. “Where did you wanna go?”
“Somewhere fun tomorrow.” Ayako smiled as she answered, and moved back. “Let’s get up early tomorrow!” She got off the bed and went to go brush her teeth.
Tomorrow was going to be a perfect date!
_
The next morning, Ayako pulled Yusuke, who was still sleepy, out of bed and pulled a dress out of the closet.
“Hm. This is good, but....this one isn’t bad either.” She jumped out of the bedroom with a watermelon patterned dress and a jellyfish patterned dress and stood in front of the mirror.
Yusuke was still in the living room.
“Yusuke, Yusuke! Which do you prefer?” Ayako showed him the dresses that she held in both hands. Yusuke stared at them for a moment before he pointed at the jellyfish patterned one.
“That one.”
“Then, I’ll wear this one!” Ayako smiled and ran back to the bedroom. She changed her clothes immediately, and chose the jacket for Yusuke to wear. “Okay, he can wear this one!”
She ran out of the bedroom with the jacket in hand.
“Yusuke, Yusuke!”
Yusuke was brushing his teeth in the bathroom and mumbled out a “hmm?” around his toothbrush.
“Wear this jacket!” She smiled and gave it to him.
* * *
The two ended up going out for lunch an an Italian restaurant that Ayako had planned, but it started raining before she knew it. There were puddles everywhere as heavy rain fell.
“It said it would rain in the evening.” Yusuke said, looking up at the sky while avoiding the rain using the eaves of the store. He glanced at her. “What should we do?”
“It’ll clear up while we walk.”
Besides, Ayako had an umbrella. She smiled.
Yusuke suddenly opened a large umbrella. “Ah, right.”
Ayako glanced at him, and Yusuke tilted his umbrella towards her. It looked like Ayako didn’t actually need her umbrella after all. She gripped it tightly, and walked side by side with him.
“Oh, you were here…I’m glad.”
Yusuke had ran over to her with an umbrella while she sat in a narrow alley crying from a broken heart.
Did Yusuke remember that day too?
It was a bit of a bitter memory, but before she knew it, it turned into a happy memory.
A smile crossed her face.
She didn’t like rainy days, but she did like the sky after it rained.
As they walked slowly along the road to the station, the sun started shining, and the sound of the rain hitting the umbrella grew quieter.
“Wow, Yusuke, look!” Ayako involuntarily stopped and grabbed Yusuke’s arm.
The sun, previously hidden behind clouds, was coming out, and a rainbow shined between the buildings. People who were walking also stopped to look at it, and some got pictures with their phones.
Raindrops slid off of cars and into little puddles, and the rainbow was reflecting off of those puddles and shined brilliantly.
It was true.
It was nice to have sunny days, but it was also nice to have rainy days.
* * *
“Goodnight, Yusuke.” That night, Ayako looked at Yusuke, who had fallen asleep earlier.
Did he hear her?
She leaned over and gently kissed his cheek as he slept.
“I’m Narumi…thank you for having me.”
The day Yusuke first came to the pub to work part-time, he hadn’t smiled. At the time, she hadn’t expected the two of them to ever get to where they were now.
They didn’t even have similar hobbies.
Yusuke, though, taught her to play the guitar a little, and she’d also gone out with Yusuke to see a live show of his favorite band.
They also went on an amusement park date, where Ayako wore a cute yukata and watched the fireworks.
She was happy with the ever increasing memories of the two of them. She smiled as she scrolled through the pictures of them on her phone.
Even when they fought, they slept next to each other, because that’s what they promised.
There were times where Ayako would have a bad day, and he made her smile with his cooking. He always greeted her with a warm “welcome back”.
The future she had dreamed of was just the future of the two of them before she knew it.
What did Yusuke think? Was he happy with her? Did he have fun?
Was he glad to have met her?
She was always happy with Yusuke.
“Thank you, Yusuke...” She whispered and laid next to him.
(I love you.)
* * *
Yusuke gently grabbed Ayako’s hand as she slept next to him peacefully, and slid on a ring on her finger.
When did the future he envision for himself become a future for the two of them?
To love someone, to have a family, to protect his loved ones.
He couldn’t admit it, but he was afraid it was weakness.
“To have such a thing...”
When he realized some of the photos he had torn could certainly be called happiness, he knew it would be irreparable.
On the day of his mother’s funeral, he saw his father sitting in front of her deceased casket without shedding a single tear. He realized that what he was trying to protect in a small way, what he had trampled on as weakness, was tremendously precious and important.
The sound of the TV would echo throughout the house, and conversations would disappear.
Every morning, a ready-made meal would be on the table.
When he went out, he barely muttered “I’m going”, and he regretted being unable to say “welcome back” when his father returned.
His father, who had never been in the kitchen before his mother died, did his best to cook him meals every day.
Yusuke was included in the things he wanted to protect.
He understood now that he was loved and protected.
Someday, he wanted to love someone and become a person who can do the protecting.
A year after his mother died, his father passed away as well, and he couldn’t stop clenching his teeth in front of his casket. He swore strongly under his breath.
And then he met her a year later.
The person who made him smile when he couldn’t bring himself to. Someone who tried hard, who seemed a bit spoiled, and who was still lovely even when she got mad and pouty.
She gave him the happiness that he never thought he’d get back.
(Thank you- I’m glad I met you.)
He gripped her ring finger a bit tightly.
He hoped this happiness would last forever.
* * *
She hadn’t noticed.
A pretty ring was slipped on her finger while she was sleeping.
She was so happy that she pounced on Yusuke, hugging him tightly and kissing him on the neck and cheeks.
She kissed him as much as she could.
_
Three months later.
Ayako was busy preparing for the wedding.
Longing to be a June Bride, Ayako managed to make reservations at a wedding hall in June. From that day on, when she finished work and headed home, she started sewing a wedding dress on her sewing machine everyday.
She was in the room a lot, so it seemed she worried Yusuke, but she wanted to sew her wedding dress with her own hands.
_
The day before the wedding.
After sewing lace on the hem of the dress on the mannequin, Ayako cut the thread.
“It’s done!” She felt so relieved that she sat on the lint filled floor.
She reached for the veil while looking at her finished white dress.
Even for the high school festival, she stayed in her room until late at night sewing her dress. She had been excited to wear that dress and confessing to the guy she liked.
The result was disappointing, and she’d cried in the bathroom with her dress on, she remembered.
It had been a bad love.
But it was fine.
Because she was able to meet the guy she really loved. And she loved him more than anyone else.
She was going to wear this dress tomorrow.
For that person...
_
On the day of the wedding, it was pouring rain in the morning, but when the ceremony began, it had stopped.
There was a rainbow outside, as if to celebrate their marriage.
Ayako gathered her friends and relatives, Yusuke’s colleagues, juniors and friends from when they were students.
There were more people than she expected to see at their wedding, and it became a lively ceremony.
“Do you swear to love each other for the rest of your life?”
While holding hands, she and Yusuke replied “I do!”
Their eyes met, and they smiled.
They didn’t have to say it, but they were happy.
Ayako was happy to have met him.
Leaving the chapel, Ayako tossed the bouquet. However, she had made a mistake when throwing it and ended up throwing it in the wrong direction. As such, Oki-san, the president of Yusuke’s company, caught it.
A bunch of girls boo’d at him, and he held the bouquet tightly.
“I’ll be happy next!” he started crying.
“Congratulations, President!” Yusuke’s juniors cheered at him.
“Congratulations, Yusuke!”
“Be happy with Ayako!” Yusuke’s friends grinned and applauded them.
He was wearing a suit right now, but it was a little bit flashy, so he stuck out.
Some people dressed in kimonos similar to those of coming-of-age ceremonies.
Yusuke’s eye twitched a little.
“Don’t call me president.”
“President, I made a cute decoration!” Yusuke’s junior, who was in a school uniform, pointed outside.
A light car was parked in front of the chapel gate, and in addition, there were brilliant hearts and illuminated letters on it, spelling out Ayako, Yusuke, LOVE. On the side of it, Ayako wore her wedding dress and Yusuke wore his suit, and they were kissing. It was a cute illustration that had been drawn a bit badly.
When Ayako saw it, she was surprised. “Oh, is that-?!”
Yusuke held his forehead and groaned. “Uh...”
A number of strings stretched out from the rear of the car, with empty cans attached to them.
Moreover, they were cans of alcohol.
Ayako had longed for a bridal car that appeared in some overseas movies, always saying “I want to ride one of those!”
Was this really any different?
Yusuke’s juniors smiled at him happily. “Go on!”
Yusuke glanced at her with an awkward smile. “Well, what do you want to do?”
“I’ll ride it!” She grabbed the skirt of her wedding dress and looked up.
It would be fun!
“What?” Yusuke made a face, but he still picked her up and put her in the passenger seat.
“We’re going!” Ayako rolled down the window all the way and smiled and waved at all the attendees.
Yusuke got in the driver’s seat and started the engine.
They were seen off by everyone’s laughter and applause, and the light car dragged the empty cans which caused them to rattle.
_
The light car sped down the national highway and along the coast.
The breeze from the sea blew threw the windows that remained open.
Ayako held her veil down and stuck her head out the window and shouted. “I love Yusuke!”
“Ayako, that’s dangerous!” Yusuke panicked, quickly grabbing her arm with one hand while the other gripped the steering wheel.
His face was bright red, which was really cute. Ayako laughed.
Disclaimer: Yep, as you can tell, I’m not a professional translator so if the chapters are weird or wonky, keep in mind that I’m self taught! I study on my own and struggle with it!
Masterlist here
At the end of August, Ayako was taking a break in the break room with a few of her seniors. She ate a few peanuts as a snack as she drank some of her barley tea in a paper cup.
“Narumi-kun~? Is there anything you’re interested in particular about him~?” A senior asked her to try to tease her.
She shrugged. “Not really. I just think he’s kind of mysterious.”
“Well, I don’t know much about him either. But isn’t he pretty popular with girls?”
“Hmm. Is that so?”
“A lot of college students come and tell me, but isn’t he pretty good looking?”
“...I don’t think so?” Ayako thought of Narumi’s face wearing his glasses and thought he was rather plain. If he took his glasses off, he’d look a little more masculine.
“Well, I guess he’s not really Ayako’s type. You’re so easy to understand~” Her senior laughed, sipping their drink from their paper cup.
Ayako looked at the table. “Don’t say such things..!” Her heart throbbed painfully as she remembered things she’d rather forget. She’d lost count how many times she’d been fooled by appearances and got hurt.
“He’s fine. He’s serious, he’s a hard worker, and he’s good at his job.”
“I’m not ready to...”
"You'll miss your chance if you keep dwelling on it." The senior said jokingly, "I might try to get with him.”
Ayako looked up quickly and saw a mean smile on their face. “Don’t you have to get to know him first?”
“Ayako’s being very cautious now, but isn’t that just you becoming a coward?”
She felt shocked by her senior’s blunt words. She stared down at her reflection in her barley tea, her grip on her cup tightening.
“Love is like a lottery, isn’t it? If you don’t draw it, then you won’t even know the result.” The senior smiled and stood up. “I’m off~”
“Thank you for your hard work.” Ayako decided to stay in the break room while her senior left.
_
The last group of customers who had stayed until the closing time came to the counter, ready to leave. She took the bill and finished paying, then bowed her head. "Thank you very much.”
Narumi was doing the cleanup. He put the plates or mugs on his tray and wiped down the tables.
Ayako stared at his back unconsciously.
Not now...but maybe in the future?
She was really starting to think about it.
She wasn’t a good judge of character, so she could be wrong again. She always had a misunderstanding with love and didn’t want to fail again.
Even if she didn’t, she had just cried because she’d gotten dumped the other day.
She knew she seemed lonely and desperately looking for love. She didn’t like that image.
“Isn’t that just you becoming a coward?”
She recalled the voice of her senior in her mind.
“What’s wrong?” Narumi suddenly asked, looking at her.
“Narumi-kun, are you done cleaning up?”
“No, there’s just something a customer forgot.” He handed her a folded umbrella.
“Ah...oh. I see. Thank you...” She accepted it and put it in a basket behind the counter.
“What happened?”
Ayako hid her expression and glanced at his face.
“You seem depressed today.” Narumi stared at her worriedly.
“I’m not depressed at all. I’m full of energy...” Ayako faked a big smile. She was just thinking about stuff that she couldn’t say out loud.
The sound of her heart suddenly picked up, beating faster as she talked, and she felt nervous. She’d never felt this way before.
“That’s fine, then. I was just wondering if something else happened.” Narumi turned back to return to the tables.
“Ah, Narumi-kun!”
Narumi stopped at the counter and looked back at her.
What she wanted to say suddenly disappeared from her head, and she started stammering. “Oh, um...” If she didn’t say anything, she’d look weird. “What kind of ramen do you like?”
(Why am I so nervous!?)
Narumi put his hand to his neck and thought for a moment. “...Shrimp...wonton?”
“Shrimp wonton is delicious! I also love it~!” She hadn’t meant to bring up small talk, but her face was getting all hot for some reason.
“...Are you hungry?” He asked.
Ayako responded with a quick “Yes! I was so busy I barely had half of my meal...”
Actually, she had a large amount of fried rice and made a mistake in ordering, so she ended up having leftover fried chicken and edamame.
But-
“Then are you going out to eat after this?”
“What?” Ayako asked in surprise.
“Well, I think some places are still open.” Narumi checked his watch. It was already 12:00. “Oh, it’d be bad if you got home too late...”
“Let’s go!” Ayako answered quickly. She had school in the afternoon tomorrow, so she didn’t care if she was a little late. Besides, her apartment was within walking distance, so she didn’t have to worry about the trains.
“Fujita-san really wants to eat ramen...” Narumi’s expression softened.
_
The two of them finished their work quickly and Ayako returned to the break room. She quickly took out a makeup pouch from her bag she had in her locker. She tried her best to comb her hair and tie it up again before reapplying foundation. Though, she didn’t have her favorite pink lipstick with her.
“I left it at home!” She wailed. It was a color that was too conspicuous to wear while working part-time, so she didn’t bring it. She had no choice but to apply her usual pinkish beige lipstick in a hurry and check her face in the mirror.
“Fujita-san, I finished cleaning...”
Ayako heard the sound of soft knocking and replied quickly. “Yes!”
Narumi came into the room. Ayako grabbed her bag and rushed to close the locker door. Surprised by the sound, Narumi looked at her, stopping his movement.
“...What was that?”
“It was nothing at all!” Ayako smiled and slung her bag over her shoulder.
(From now on, I’ll be more fashionable at my part-time job!)
_
The ramen shop that Narumi took her too wasn’t very far from the pub where they worked part time. And even though it was after midnight, the small store was busy.
The two of them sat at the counter and both ordered the shrimp wonton ramen.
The ramen was brought in quickly, and it was light and the wontons were fluffy, and it was all delicious.
Ayako really wasn’t hungry, but she drank all of her soup.
“Thank you~” The employee said as the two left the shop. It was raining before she knew it.
Narumi opened his vinyl umbrella and pulled her aside. “Is Fujita-san’s house nearby?”
“Eh? Ah, uh, yeah. It’s close...”
“Then I’ll walk you. It’s late, after all.”
“...Sorry. And thank you.”
The two then began walking. Ayako squeezed the handle of her bag that was on her shoulder while listening to the sounds of the rain. She already had an umbrella in her bag, but it was too late to tell him that. She looked down.
Narumi didn’t want them to get wet, so they had to huddle under the umbrella, and their arms kept touching.
They probably looking like boyfriend and girlfriend-
“Narumi-kun...do you have a girlfriend, or..?”
Narumi stopped walking for a second, and then continued, though he was walking at a slower pace.
“I haven’t really thought much about it.”
“Is there anyone you want to go out with..?” Ayako looked upat him.
“Is there someone Fujita-san likes?”
“I like...” Ayako swallowed the words she was about to say and laughed. “Well, no one! I just had my heart broken the other day, after all...”
“Do you care?”
“Eh?”
“About...the person you were dating before.”
“Nope! Don’t care! I even forgot about it until now!.” She laughed and waved her hand to the side.They’d only been dating for a week and barely even held hands.
“That’s good...” Narumi mumbled, looking towards the front. He had a smile on his face.
Curiously, Ayako stared at him.
“So why don’t you get one? Surely...”
“I doubt there’s any girl who wants to go out with me.” He said casually, and it hurt Ayako’s heart.
Before she knew it, her legs stopped. Narumi noticed and he stopped as well. He tilted the umbrella towards her so she wouldn’t get wet.
“Fujita-san?”
“That’s not true. I’m sure of it. They may even be nearby.” Ayako said in a light tone, ready to gently smack his arm. But her hand stopped.
It wasn’t a good idea to fall in love with him.
(...It really is no good.)
She felt that way, and she couldn’t stop feeling it.
“If there’s a girl who wants to try...”
People walked by them as they stood on the sidewalk.
“Then...I’ll probably consider such a girl.” Narumi looked at her and smiled.
Ayako’s heart pounded and she stared back at his eyes, her lips tightly shut.
* * *
At the beginning of November, the trees started turning red. When her part-time job was over, Ayako left the store with Narumi. She rubbed her arms at the brisk cold.
She was wearing a coat, but she hadn’t brought a muffler today.
Narumi, who was walking next to her, was wearing a black muffler and a black coat, and pushed his hands in his pockets. Underneath his coat was a gray hoodie with realistic brown bear.
Honestly, it was kind of ugly.
Narumi wore this hoodie in rotation once every three days.
Where did he even get it?
“Narumi-kun, you wear that hoodie a lot...do you like it?”
“Eh, no, not really...it’s just...easy to wear.” He was the type of person who didn’t care about clothes. If he paid attention to fashion, he’d look even cooler. Instead of a hoodie, he should wear a fashionable jacket with coordinated shoes and a cool bag.
Ayako internally tried to match some shirts and jackets for him.
He would look cool and warm. A brown jacket would look good on him. Navy blue too.
“...”
“Fujita-san?” Narumi looked at her, worried about her sudden silence.
Maybe cool wouldn’t be any good. After all, it would be a problem if he got popular with the girls.
“...It looks great! That brown bear hoodie!”
“Thanks..?” Narumi looked down at his hoodie under his coat. “I think it’s neat too.”
Ayako looked away. “Sorry, Narumi-kun. You’re in a hurry, right?”
The traffic light turned red, and Narumi and Ayako came to a stop. While waiting, her phone began ringing. She glanced at her cell phone. It was from her roommate.
As soon as she answered, her roommate started talking.
“I’m sorry, Ayako!”
She was apparently going to live with her boyfriend, and she was leaving the apartment at the end of the month.
“Sorry for the trouble- it was just so sudden!”
It was going to be a heavy burden to pay the rent, which was previously split between the two, by one person. She was going to have to find a new roommate now.
“I’m really sorry. My boyfriend and I already decided an an apartment, and I really like it!”
She was told sorry so many times that she couldn’t take it anymore.
“Okay...we’ll talk more later.” Ayako hung up and sighed.
What was she going to do now? Move into a cheap dorm?
But the student dorms had a curfew, so she wouldn’t be able to work part-time at the pub.
She had no choice but to quit her part-time job and find a place she could work during the daytime on Saturdays and Sundays. But that was it.
She glanced at Narumi, standing next to her.
Even though they met up everyday, if she quit her part-time job, she wouldn’t be able to see him like this.
Would he even want to meet her again?
They didn’t have an excuse to meet up. They weren’t friends. They were just coworkers. Ayako clenched her hands.
“...What’s wrong?”
“Ah...my roommate is leaving the apartment. I may have to move too.”
“Eh? Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m okay. I just need to look for a cheaper place!”
The traffic light turned blue, and everyone began crossing the pedestrian crossing. Narumi grabbed her arm before she could start walking.
“Why don’t you come to my place?”
“Wh...what?” Ayako felt shocked as he stared at her.
“Even if you’re looking for a cheap place, you won’t find one very quickly, I mean...” After answering, Narumi removed his hand as Ayako put a hand to her mouth. He looked away. “Forget I said that...” He turned his head to the side, his face turning red.
“I have a habit of doing that...”
“A habit?! Is Narumi-kun always inviting girls to his apartment?” Ayako’s eyebrows lifted.
“I’m not that kind of person!”
Ayako lightly swung her bag and smacked his arm.
A person walking by them gave them a strange look as they passed by.
“I just...have a habit of picking up various things.” Narumi hurriedly explained, his hands fidgeting.
“What various things?!”
“Large cats, dogs, flying squirrels...”
"Lies! Flying squirrels don’t just fall!”
“It’s true, one fell in my garden once and I felt the need to protect it. Fujita-san, I didn’t want to leave it alone...I really have no intentions with you.” Narumi shrugged. “Sorry...”
(What...)
Now she felt silly. Her lips pulled down into a frown and she looked down.
Was she really disappointed?
Did she expect anything else?
That was obviously what he meant-
“I don’t really have a man’s room.” Narumi coughed a bit with an awkward smile.
Did he really need to add that?
What if she said she was okay with Narumi?
Would he think she was easy to be with?
She felt like she was going to be careless again.
She thought she was being careful this time, and they did know each other well. She was taking time to confirm she liked this person before making any decision.
She didn’t want to make another mistake again and regret it.
But-
This time it was definitely okay. It wasn’t a mistake. That’s what she felt!
“Assuming you’re acting as a boyfriend...then okay!” Ayako grabbed the strap her bag, her hands shaking. She felt her face burning up.
She may get heartbroken again, and she may get hurt and cry.
But she wasn’t going to regret it, because she liked him.
She wanted to be with him.
(I want to believe this feeling is real...)
She vaguely heard the sounds of horns and people’s voices around her, but it all sounded so far away compared to her pounding heart.
“I can’t believe I said that...sorry, forget I said that!” Ayako laughed nervously.
Narumi stared down, his muffler having come undone and hanging loosely on his neck.
Slowly, he removed the muffler and wrapped it around her neck. It felt fluffy. Her chest tightened, and she closed her eyes to stop the tears from falling.
Narumi was kind, so she couldn’t help but get her hopes up.
Her eyes slowly opened when his forehead gently touched her own. Narumi stared at her face.
“Is it really okay? I likely won’t be what you hope for...”
“You’re...already different from what I thought.”
He was unexpectedly strong and patient. She thought he was a college student, but he was just a part-time worker. She thought they were the same age, but he was one year older.
His sense of fashion was a bit dull.
But everything about him was good.
Ayako gripped his hand tightly in hers. She could really get used to the heat that transmitted between their palms. The two looked at each other and smiled.
Disclaimer: I’m not a professional translator, but anyway here’s chapter 2 of the Miser Darling Novella...
Masterlist here
The first Friday night of August.
When the store closed, Ayako headed to the back door with an empty beer bottle case in both of her hands. She struggled to open the door, when she heard a voice from behind her.
“Let me help.”
An arm extended out from the side and pushed the door open for her.
“Thank you!” Ayako tried to turn, but then the beer bottle case was lifted from her hands, and she was surprised to see who had helped her.
Narumi held the case in one hand, and another in his other hand, but his face was calm. The cases, even though they were empty, were quite heavy.
“Eh, eh, I can carry one!”
“It’s fine.” Narumi pushed the closing door with his shoulder and moved to leave. Ayako quickly held the door open with her hand.
“Excuse me.”
Ayako chased after him when he left so she could properly thank him. A warm breeze blew down the narrow alley. Narumi lowered the case next to the large garbage bucket.
It had been two months since he first started. He was unexpectedly strong.
At first, she had thought he wasn’t physically fit. His arms, his hips, everything was narrow, and it had been what caught her attention.
Or maybe he was stronger than before?
“Um...what’s..?”
“Well, I’m a boy, after all.”
Ayako laughed and patted him on the arm. “Why did Narumi start his part-time job?”
“Huh?”
“You’re in university, right? What are you studying?”
“...Fujta-san goes to a vocational school, right?”
“Yeah, at a fashion school. I want to work in the fashion industry.”
“Ehh...”
He didn’t seem like he was very interested. So the conversation came to a close.
Along with Narumi, Ayako stared up at the sky while leaning against the building wall. The stars were only faintly shining.
“My parents objected to me going to a vocational school, so I couldn’t get a remittance. Still, they helped pay my tuition, so I have to manage living expenses myself. So I’m still saving.” Ayako shared an apartment with some friends and they split the money evenly. She could only afford to go out and have fun about once a month.
She cooked her own lunch as much as possible. At night, she went to the pub, where they served food for the employees, which helped her a lot.
In fact, she got her job at the pub solely because the recruitment had said “with food”.
“Did Narumi-kun get the job for the food? The rice in our restaurant is delicious, isn’t it?”
“No, that’s not it...” Narumi shut his mouth and stared down, looking like he wanted to say something.
Ayako watched him curiously.
“I’m not going to college...”
“Eh, is that so? I thought you were a college student. Are you going to a vocational school?”
“No...I’m just a part-timer at this job...”
“Is that right? Then...why our pub? And why not during the daytime?” Surprised by his answer, Ayako asked more questions.
“During the day, I help an acquaintance with their work. It’s just a short-term part-time job...”
“That’s amazing!”
“Huh...how so?” Narumi, who had been looking down, was now looking at her. He looked surprised.
“It’s hard to do so many jobs. Why are you working so much? Do you live alone?” Ayako’s eyes widened. “No way! Are you being chased by debt collectors..?”
“...Fujita-san, how exactly do you see me?”
“I can’t imagine anything else...”
Narumi laughed quietly and stared down, seemingly searching for his words. “I live alone, but...really, I just don’t know what to do. Because...” he looked at her again. “I think Fujita-san is more amazing because she has her own dream.”
“That’s not really true. I mean, it’s a small dream...I’m happy making clothes. And I’d be happy if you could be a friend.” She said with a small, embarrassed laugh.
Narumi, who was staring at her, looked down.
Did he even care about anything?
Huffing, she called out. “Hey! You don't have to take it so seriously, it can be about anything. You can want a girlfriend! I'm sure you have one of those too, Narumi.”
“That’s a desire, not a dream.”
“It can be a dream with a great desire!” Ayako put her hands on her hips and puffed her chest out. “I mean, I want a handsome boyfriend...”
Studying at school was important, but she wanted to fall in love too. Her friends all had boyfriends, and they were able to keep in touch and go on dates on a daily basis.
She suddenly turned to the side and saw Narumi covering his mouth with his hand and laughing.
“Maybe you think it’s impossible for me?”
“I don’t think that at all.” Narumi stopped laughing and answered her with a shy expression, his lips still quirked up into a smile. “Well, I’m actually still thinking.”
Ayako blushed and smacked his arm lightly.
“Anyway, we have to go back.” Narumi said and turned back to the door.
As Ayako puffed her cheeks, she heard a ringtone from her apron pocket.
“Ah, I’m sorry. You can head back without me.” She took her phone out and checked it. It was from a friend who went to the same vocational school as her.
Realizing there were several incoming calls, Ayako quickly answered it.
“Sorry, I’m at my part-time job right now...it’s okay, it’s almost over...eh? A party?!” Her voice got louder as she listened to her friend.
Narumi, who was about to open the door, glanced at her, his hand on the doorknob.
(Perhaps this is my chance!)
She immediately answered. “Yes, I’ll go, I’ll go! Oh, tomorrow? Ah...I have to check my schedule...but if I can go, I’ll definitely go!”
Good looking guys were going to be at the party tomorrow!
The party seemed to be hosted by another college student somewhere. There were tons of girls at the vocational school she went to, so she never expected to go. She was always disappointed with going back and forth between her part-time job and school.
“Yes! I’ll check it before I contact you!” At the end of the call, she squeezed her phone excitedly.
She was so excited!
She took out her notepad from her pocket and flipped through it in a hurry.
“Oh, I’m working tomorrow...” She hadn’t planned on going out this month, so she worked a lot. She put her head in her hands and suddenly glanced at Narumi.
She smiled nervously. “Hey, Narumi-kun...if tomorrow...I don’t come in...”
“I don’t want to.” Narumi answered casually before she could even finish her sentence.
“Even though I have something to do?!”
“No, I don’t want to.”
Well, it was useless to try to change your shift once it had been made. Ayako sighed in disappointment.
Unforunately, she had to give up on meeting a handsome guy.
She typed a message to her friend.
> Sorry, I can’t go.
“...I lied.”
Just before she could send it, she looked up at him. “What?”
“It’s okay. We can change shifts.”
“Really? It’s okay? But...” Now she felt bad.
“Well, you want to go to that party, right?”
Ayako’s face shined. “Thank you!”
(I’ll find a handsome boyfriend! Please support me!)
“I’ll buy you a drink next time! Just decide what you want.”
With a smile, he went inside the store.
* * *
Oh no.
There was a customer who was causing trouble by hitting on her.
Just as the store closed, Ayako got entangled by some customers who had been there forever. She sighed internally.
“I’m in trouble now...I already took the last order...”
“Well, the customer ordered it, so just quietly bring it to us!”
“Damn useless waitress. The reviews said this place was good!”
“Why don’t we just write down the name of the useless waitress? It’s on her name tag. Fujita-san...” A drunk customer tried to take a picture of her with his phone while laughing.
“Stop it!”
“Heh, don’t you know how to use your words? You’re supposed to say please, right?”
(Oh my god, this is really bad!!)
However, if she had a bad attitude, the shop would be inconvenienced.
Thinking of that, she tried to put up with it, but then Narumi grabbed the customer’s arm from behind.
“I’m sorry, but we’re closed. Excuse us.” Narumi grabbed his phone from his hand and slammed it on the table. His other hand was still holding the customer’s arm.
“It hurts, let me go!”
“Narumi-kun, it’s fine...” Ayako said quickly.
Narumi pushed the customer’s arm away. “I have to ask you to get out, now!”
The customer angrily grabbed Narumi’s shirt. It looked like there was going to be a fight. Narumi kept a calm face through it all.
“I’ll talk to you for a moment.”
“Talk? How so...”
Narumi was suddenly pulled away by the customer, and the customer’s friends all followed while laughing.
Not knowing what to do, Ayako stood alone in the store. She had to chase after him. She was his senpai, after all. Besides, he helped her when they were harassing her.
“Oh, Fujita-san, did you finish up with that last customer? If so, please get to the register...” The store manager said.
“Hold on, there’s an emergency!” Ayako ran for the doorway. She couldn’t leave him alone.
He may not even be strong in a fight.
He could get beaten and tossed in the garbage!
She went out to the street and looked around for Narumi, but she couldn’t see him anywhere. He was probably out back.
She squeezed between people on the street illuminated by signboards and lights of stores.
She looked between the gap of the multi-tenant building but didn’t see him. So, she headed for another street.
If they were fighting in the middle of a street, there would be a fuss.
Even so, she could hear the singing voice leaking from the karaoke place and the noise of a drunken guy.
“I can’t believe it...”
Could he have been pushed into a nearby river-?
Anxiously, she changed directions.
“Fujita-san..?” Narumi stood off to the side with a surprised expression.
“Narumi-kun! Are you okay?”
“Eh? Ah, yeah...I’m fine.”
She had no idea why she had been so worried. He was uninjured, and his t-shirt wasn’t even dirty.
“What happened to the customers?”
“Oh, them. I dumped them in front of the police station.”
“In front of the police station?!”
"It was too much trouble to handle them, so I took the money. But I did leave them some change.” Narumi took a few wrinkled bills from his apron pocket.
Stunned, Ayako laughed shakily. “I was just so surprised Narumi got in a fight with a customer.”
“I just...got a little pissed off.”
“Narumi-kun, it didn’t matter, though?”
“...I’m indebted to you, Fujita-san...” He put his hand behind his head and mumbled.
Ayako was surprised to see him like that. Narumi was always cool, and she’d never seen him be emotional. Even when a customer said something unreasonable or unpleasant, he always had a calm expression.
But he’d gotten angry because of her.
“I’m sorry. It just bothered me...” He bowed his head.
“Thank you...”
She had definitely misunderstood him for a bit.
At first, she thought it was a hassle that she was forced to be Narumi’s educator.
“Actually, it bothered me too.” Ayako said with a smile. “Oh, but you can’t do that too much! It’d be a hassle if you got in trouble too much. It’s also my responsibility.”
Narumi blinked in astonishment and stared at her.
“Are you even listening?” Ayako stared at him, but received no answer. “Hey!” she snapped her fingers.
“Yes!”
“Then, let’s go back.” She tapped his arm and started walking.
“Fujita-san.”
“Hm?” Ayako turned back to him, surprised.
Narumi was standing in the middle of the sidewalk with a soft expression.
“Thank you.”
“Eh? Why?”
“For being my educator and taking care of me...”
Did he even care that she had been unpleasant to his face on that first day?
“I’m...” He looked down and spoke quietly, before raising his head and smiling.
“We haven’t held a welcome party for Narumi-kun, so even though it’s late, let’s have one next time!”
“No, um...I’m not really good with that kind of stuff.”
“But it’s important to be able to communicate with everyone.” She pulled on his arm to reutn to the store.
She wanted him to continue working for a long time.
-Was that weird?
* * *
During her break at her job, she was called while she ate her omurice. Only her and Narumi were in the break room taking a break.
He also scooped some omurice up with a spoon and took a bite.
“I’m sorry! I couldn’t go because I was at work...eh? I’m taking a break now...yeah, I’ll see you later! It’ll be over in about half an hour. Yeah...okay...see you.” Ayako hung up and sighed tiredly. She had been talking to another college boy she’d talked to before.
Narumi looked at her.
“What?”
“What is it now?”
“It was my boyfriend. We just started dating yesterday, but he got upset that I told him I couldn’t see him now because I’m working...”
“...I don’t think he’s a good guy.”
“That’s not true! He’s a really handsome guy...”
Narumi stopped his hand from going to his mouth and stared at her through his glasses. It was almost as if he was looking through her. She turned away.
“Well, it has nothing to do with me, then.” He stood up and grabbed his plate of omurice that was almost eaten and left the break room. He was heading to the kitchen.
“But I finally got my boyfriend...and yet...” She muttered and stared down at her omurice.
_
It didn’t go well with the good looking guy she met at the party, and she was stunned.
They’d only been dating for a week.
(Stupid.)
She sat in the narrow alley in the rain next to the store. She misunderstood that she’d liked him, so she’d jumped into it.
At the party, he told her she was cute, and she fell for him. They tried dating for a while, but he wasn’t serious at all.
“It wasn’t all bad...”
Why was she like this?
Even when she really liked someone, it never worked out.
The rain drenched her body and made her cold. She didn’t even have the energy to stand up, so she pressed her face into her knees.
“Oh, you were here…I’m glad.”
When she heard his voice, she rained her head and saw Narumi standing at the entrance of the alley, holding an umbrella. When he saw her by the garbage, he ran over and held the umbrella over her.
Her eyes watered more.
Narumi had been right. He wasn’t a good guy after all. She really was blind.
But she just wanted to fall in love with someone, and that was it.
She clung to his t-shirt and started crying more. “Waah!”
He patted her back without any hesitation, his touch gentle.
The only sound there was was the sound of the rain hitting the umbrella.
_
“...Sorry.” After crying so much, Ayako spoke quietly and stared down.
“Don’t cry because of that guy.” He touched her cheek and she raised her head, surprised.
He stared at her with a troubled expression. “I want Fujita-san to have lots of fun and to smile more.” With that said, he smiled slowly and wiped her tears away.
His kindness soaked into her chest and made tears start spilling down her face again. She did her best to stop them and made her best smile.
