Chapter 41
"Aiba-san... killed them...?"
Yui-san looks like she can’t believe it. Of course she wouldn’t. You can’t just drop something like that and expect to be believed right away.
"I’ll explain everything now. It might be hard to accept."
Then, I tell her about the revenge. It’s probably impossible for her to fully believe it—hell, she looks completely lost. Even I was a mess back then, so I’m not sure I’m explaining it right. But I made up my mind to tell her.
When I finish, Yui-San murmurs:
"...Aiba-san, why...?"
Is it anger? Disdain? I wait for the rest of her words.
"Why...! Why didn’t you tell me anything!? Am I really that unreliable to you!? I... I wanted to be there for you! I wanted to help you...!"
Her next words aren’t what I expected.
"Yui-san... aren’t you afraid of me? I’m a murderer."
"Saying I’m not scared would be a lie... But more than that, I’m hurt you didn’t trust me enough to tell me! I don’t know how you see me, but to me, Aiba-san... you’re someone incredibly important! If you were going to kill them for revenge, I would’ve helped! I’d have been your accomplice, anything—just so I could stay by your side...!"
"...Sorry. I didn’t realize you felt that strongly. It’s no excuse, but... it was my revenge. I never thought about dragging you into it."
"Then drag me in! I’d be happy to be dragged into anything if it’s with you! So... don’t just disappear somewhere far away..."
"...Yui-san."
"...I’m sorry. I know I’m being irrational. But I hate being left in the dark, helpless..."
"...Alright. Next time something like this happens, can I count on you? Even if it’s something messed up?"
"Bring it on! Let’s do it together!"
"You’re amazing, you know that?"
Before I realize it, we’re both laughing. Saving Yui-san back then... wasn’t a mistake. That’s what I thought.
I, Yui Miyu, have someone I love.
A former coworker who always helped me when I was drowning in depression.
Call it "a diamond in the rough," but in that toxic workplace—where sexual harassment and power harassment ran rampant—he was my only support.
I’d always been drawn to him, though I only realized it was love at first sight much later.
Short black hair, droopy eyes, a gentle but handsome face. Slender but surprisingly toned. I don’t know if he realizes it, but he’s objectively cool. Once, I showed a photo of us to a close friend, and they gushed over him. I love everything about him—his usual calm, his reliability in a crisis, the fierce look in his eyes when he protects me...
But the person I love has lived a life I didn’t know about. Suddenly transitioning, becoming a maid, getting engaged to the next Demon King... It shocked me, but he looked so happy telling me. That smile... I hadn’t seen it in so long. Back at that company, he almost never smiled—only when we were alone, just the two of us.
The revenge part stunned me. I never imagined someone as gentle as him could go that far. But what hurt more was that he never told me. I irrationally lashed out, asking if I was that untrustworthy—even though I knew how much he cared.
And then I made him apologize. It was my selfishness, yet he said... next time, he’d rely on me. I was so happy I could’ve danced, but I held it in and promised to be his strength. Next time, I swear I’ll be there for him.
"(Guess this is... heartbreak.)"
My chest aches. It feels like it’ll tear apart. The person I love is engaged to someone else. I wanted to stand by his side. Walk with him. But I was too much of a coward to ever say it. Now... it’s too late.
"(Aiba-san. From now on, I’ll support you as a friend. So... please be happy.)"
I’ll do everything I can to repay what you’ve given me. To be your pillar. Because...
Your smile, your happiness—they mean more to me than anything.
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