The day after my conversation with Minami at the coffee shop.
I was considerably late for dinner, and Himik was a little displeased, taking some time to appease her, but it was resolved safely by bathing together.
Seeing her cheerful self refreshed my feelings, which had been a little dark about Katsu, and I geared myself up to deal with the situation again, but.
“Uh… Kitamiya? Do you need something?”
“Isn’t it Jiro-san who has something to talk about?”
I ran into a matter that might deflate my resolve a little.
Rather than going to work, I was on my way to the party room as usual when Kitamiya appeared. Her eyes were three times sharper than usual, as if to say, “I’m displeased,” and she dragged me wordlessly into a less crowded break space.
Given how many reasons I have for her to do this, I can perfectly understand what Kitamiya wants to ask.
I debated how to speak to her, as she stood there resolutely, waiting until we reached a quiet place to talk.
“Haa, I’m not running away, so is coffee okay?”
“Tea, please.”
“Yes, yes.”
I bought my own black coffee and Kitamiya’s tea, thinking that after Minami, Kitamiya was a natural result, knowing the reason for her popularity.
I handed one over and started talking while keeping an eye on our surroundings.
“It’s not something to discuss standing up…”
“If we are in a room, other people will hear, and not many people come here.”
“Every company has its hidden spots, doesn’t it?”
“That’s right.”
I hesitated whether to speak to the impatient Kitamiya.
To put it bluntly, this matter involves Katsu’s family circumstances. If we consider the line of what colleagues can get involved in, this is surely out of bounds.
Minami is a party to it. I’m involved, so I shouldn’t say this, but it’s something that shouldn’t have happened in the first place, that I, who were a stranger even as a work colleague, could talk so openly.
She trusted me, spoke to me, and asked for help. I felt compelled to live up to the trust of both Minami and Katsu.
From that perspective, Kitamiya’s relationship with me isn’t so distant that I can simply say, “It’s none of your business.” Emotionally, I want to talk to her and ask for her cooperation, but logically, I hesitate to talk about it.
Now, what to do, and no time to ponder.
“…”
I don’t seem to have time, with Kitamiya staring at me as if to bore holes into me. I want to let out a sigh, but it seems I can’t even do that.
“I cannot easily speak about what I know. Furthermore, what I am about to do is something you, in a sense, dislike the most.”
I laid down a disclaimer, and then left it to Kitamiya whether she still wanted to hear it. Frankly, if possible, I wanted all the party members to deal with Katsu’s situation. If we are to continue fighting together in the future, I didn’t want to leave any lingering resentment by resolving it privately between me, Minami, and Katsu, and then having something happen.
But that was just my feelings, my thoughts. I have no intention of forcing that idea by ignoring Katsu and Minami’s will.
“Still, do you want to hear it?”
In addition, this matter, while well-intentioned, involves actions that exploit romantic feelings. Kitamiya would never have good feelings about that.
“You mean… I can’t help?”
“No? It’s the opposite. Excluding Minami, I think you are, in a sense, the most suitable person.”
“Then!”
That’s why I have no choice but to explain in such vague terms. However, instead of hiding everything, I will honestly answer questions other than Katsu’s circumstances. Kitamiya aggressively challenged my answer, but.
“Calm down, this concerns not only Katsu’s but your future as well.”
“What do you mean, future?”
There are several reasons why I favor Minami over Kitamiya regarding Katsu’s current issue, but the biggest difference among them is whether she can empathize with Katsu. This time, it’s different from the youthful romance that high school students engage in. To direct affection and become happy. It doesn’t end there. No, it mustn’t end there. In Katsu’s case, he is questioning affection itself. If such a person were to become romantically involved with someone for some reason and then break up, what would happen? Normally, one would think they could maintain motivation for a next chance, unless something significant happens. But, what will happen with Katsu is unknown. I might be overthinking it, but I cannot rule out the possibility that he will never be able to believe in romantic feelings again. There is no room for error; therefore, Minami is cautious, and I must minimize the risks. I feel bad for Kitamiya, but with Minami, there are no such worries. I can imagine a scene where if they get together, they would stay together forever unless something extraordinary happens. Conversely, with Kitamiya, that part could become a burden and create anxiety. There is a possibility that she could attract Katsu’s affection and support him. But I couldn’t be sure. If this were a normal romance, I could encourage both of them and tell them to do their best.
“I mean literally, your future. Right now, Katsu is at a crossroads in his life that’s too early. We are overstepping to want Katsu to take a path he won’t regret… though ideally, he should have more time to think.”
While I found it difficult to explain without going into detail, I was trying to get her to understand somehow, but Kitamiya’s displeasure grew as I spoke evasively.
“…”
Her expression became increasingly stern, but she endured it and listened to me. I felt sorry about that. If she is worrying about Katsu so earnestly, I think I should tell her, but I can’t bring myself to make the decision. I must just bow my head and force Kitamiya to endure this. That’s what I thought.
“It’s fine, isn’t it? If it’s Kitamiya.”
“!?
I heard a voice that shouldn’t have been there and reflexively looked in its direction to see Minami, with her usual playful smile, waving.
“I saw you taking the leader, so I figured as much.”
Minami, dressed in her usual casual civilian clothes, walked towards us without any pretense.
“First of all, I’ll say this, it’s not the leader’s fault. It’s understandable that the leader can’t explain in detail. Katsu’s matter this time was our… no, it was a problem for us relatives.”
“Minami, you…”
But that was only at first. In an instant, her normally relaxed smile turned into a serious expression, and her tone followed suit.
“I also think it would be more troublesome if you were to cheer me on or get in the way without understanding what I’m about to do, so Kitamiya, you should know.”
“What do you mean by getting in the way?”
Perhaps because of her resolve, the usual different atmosphere made her, who had been immobile until then, start to move. Kitamiya, sensing the different atmosphere, seemed to have lost her previous irritation and was staring intently at Minami. From there, Minami explained the same content as yesterday to Kitamiya. I just watched in silence. It took about ten minutes.
“To think that something like that happened…”
When Minami finished her explanation. She didn’t say she couldn’t believe it, but it took her a little time to accept it. Kitamiya, who had sensed that something was wrong, simply absorbed Minami’s words. And then, the sensible Kitamiya was faced with the choice of whether or not to get involved in this situation.
“I’ll leave it up to you how you act after hearing this, Kitamiya, but I am going to help Katsu. That much I will not compromise on.”
Minami didn’t offer hope to the hesitant Kitamiya, but declared her own actions. Her resolve, shown after she had been so evasive about stating her intentions. Now, what will Kitamiya do? Retreat or advance?
“I…”
Avoiding Minami’s gaze, she took a deep breath.
“I can’t give up! Me too!!”
She declared sharply towards Minami. Is that what you’d call giving up? No, it’s more accurate to say that she, with her naturally competitive personality and slight clumsiness, revealed her true feelings.
“At first, I was confused! Falling in love with someone younger than me! But, but! I realized it when I was with him and Katsu-kun!”
The relationship between Katsu and Minami is indeed long. That feeling has certainly matured and solidified into a resolve. That doesn’t mean Kitamiya’s feelings are light or shallow; I would say that’s not true.
“Yes, yes! Laugh at me for being an easy woman! But you know, he smiles happily just by feeling at ease when we’re together, or saying the food is delicious, or listening seriously to what I say, and he shows a maturity that makes him seem older than his age! How can I not fall for such a person! Yes! I know you’ve known him longer, but so what! I want to support Katsu-kun too!”
I nodded in understanding at Kitamiya’s words, impressed by how vigorously she poured out her feelings. How would Minami react to this? If possible, I’d like to avoid a dramatic confrontation at this point.
“I won’t laugh. Because I was the same way.”
It seems that concern is unfounded. Minami, speaking with a bitter smile, probably understands Kitamiya’s feelings, as she was the same in the past. She didn’t deny her feelings; rather, she affirmed them. Clearly, these two have now become rivals in love. The scene of them facing each other and sharing their feelings made me wonder if this was female friendship, and made me feel out of place as a man in this situation. And, though I feel it would be rude to interrupt in this uncomfortable space, being a man.
“Ah, you two? I’m sorry to interrupt your passionate moment as rivals in love, but what should I do?”
Being left alone like this is too much. I’m starting to feel like I’m becoming invisible, so I’m trying to steer the conversation back on track. No, I’d be in trouble if they gave me that look of “You’re talking to me now?”
“Sorry for not reading the room. I could have quietly left, but I guess that’s not really an option, is it?”
“I’m sorry.”
“My bad.”
Leaving the scene now would feel like abandoning Katsu. I want to avoid that.
“Well, it’s fine. So, Minami, what are you going to do?”
“What do you mean, what am I going to do?”
“No, I’m the one who egged you on, but Kitamiya also revealed her feelings, you know?”
On top of that, we’ve now reached a point where we have to confirm with the two parties involved how to handle the potential confrontation that may come. This way, I can no longer support either one alone. Furthermore, Kitamiya has experience being cheated on by Himusumi.
“That’s true…”
Kitamiya must have considered that part too. Even though she chose it herself, the path she once rejected now stands before her. For her, it’s a difficult problem. Kaido would probably say something like, “Katsu-kun has a harem, doesn’t he!” I pushed Kaido, who appeared in my mind, away, and chose my words carefully to break through the current situation.
“Ah, I see. Kitamiya, I have a suggestion for you.”
“What is it?”
“Shall we try to win Katsu over together?”
“Haa!?”
“No, I mean, shall we create a harem together?”
“Are you serious!?”
“Yes, I am.”
Minami was there to solve that predicament. While I found her speaking in standard Japanese unusual, I never expected Minami to step on Kitamiya’s landmine.
“I know you were hurt when you were cheated on before, but I don’t want to waste time fighting, and Katsu wouldn’t be happy if you two fought and confessed, would he?”
“Well, that’s true.”
As Minami says, if Katsu were to confess to both Minami and Kitamiya after a fight, he might have to reject one or both confessions. This could lead to a breakdown in our party’s functionality, and more importantly, Katsu himself would have to figure out if he’s being rejected, which could lead to more worries and worsen the situation. We must avoid that, but I couldn’t help but wonder if she should be so direct. Looking at Minami, she added to the unconvinced Kitamiya, who, while her reasoning was sound, couldn’t agree:
“Besides,”
“?”
“If you look at the leader and Kaido-senpai, a harem isn’t necessarily a bad thing, you know? Honestly, when things work out, they work out, and I was impressed.”
“…Now that you mention it, that’s true. Looking at Suella and the others, they don’t seem unhappy. When I think about it, I dislike it less than I expected.”
“Hey.”
If you think about it calmly, there are indeed two men who can be considered enemies of women or men in front of them: me and Kaido. I’m not sure about Kaido, but for me, it’s… but to be convinced like that, I can’t accept it. Feeling the situation gradually shifting in a strange direction, I decided for now.
“Rather, I find you, speaking in standard Japanese, more unnatural and chilling.”
“Ah, I thought so too.”
“That’s cruel!”
I started to feel like we could manage something.
Today’s Word:
Sometimes, it is necessary to face each other and have a conversation.
This concludes today’s update.
Thank you for your continued feedback and corrections for typos.
If you found this interesting, please leave reviews, ratings, bookmarks, etc.
*The first volume of the novel has been published by Hayakawa Bunko JA.
It was released on October 18, 2018.
The e-book version was also released on October 31 of the same year.
Volume two was released on December 19.
Volume three was released on February 20, 2019.
The content has been revised and expanded from the version posted on “Shousetsuka ni Narou,” with additional unpublished interlude chapters included.
Please check out the new releases as well!
A comic adaptation was published in issue 9 of Kodansha’s “Young Magazine The Third.”
We hope you enjoy that as well.
We look forward to your continued support of this work.
