(Morning)
With the sound of the alarm clock, my consciousness, which had been deeply submerged, floated to the surface.
In the past, I could wake up without relying on such a machine, but it's been a long time since I could do that.
"…Yawn"
I kill a yawn as I get out of bed. I long for the warmth of the futon, but I can't be that leisurely.
After all, today my best friend, Tsugumi Saito, has invited me out. Perhaps he was considerate of me, who would be tired from work, so the meeting time was a little late, at 10 a.m. at a cafe near the nearest station... but I still have to get ready properly. Besides, I have almost no work fatigue.
Thinking that to myself, I head to the washbasin to wash my face and brush my teeth.
After getting rid of the unpleasantness in my mouth, it's time to prepare breakfast. I pour water into the electric kettle and turn it on. While the water boils, I do some light cooking.
I put a slice of bread with cheese and mayonnaise on it into the toaster and turn the dial. While the toaster makes a whirring sound, I heat a frying pan. I lay bacon and eggs on it and cook them until they're done. Once cooked, I season them with salt and pepper.
As I listen to the sizzling sound of the oil and eagerly await the completion, all the steps are finished almost simultaneously. I take the toast out of the toaster and place the bacon and eggs on it. Then, I pour the boiled water into instant coffee. Finally, I take some cut vegetables out of the refrigerator, put them on a plate, and add dressing. Breakfast is complete.
"Itadakimasu."
I must say, I didn't do a bad job. I put my hands together, praising myself.
I never thought I'd lead such a healthy life, not during the White Room days and not even in high school. In fact, until the winter of my first year, my default was either a nutrition bar or no breakfast at all.
After that incident, Tsugumi became an incredibly meddlesome person. I still remember the time he scolded me when I casually mentioned my breakfast habits in a conversation. That was seven years ago.
In fact, this thick, high-quality bread, eggs, and bacon are things Tsugumi sends me periodically. I tell him I don't need them, but he doesn't seem to trust my ability to live independently yet.
"So, what should I wear today..."
After finishing breakfast, I consider what to wear. ...That said, my repertoire of casual clothes isn't that extensive. I usually wear a suit for work, and I don't have many friends I hang out with frequently.
I still keep in regular contact with friends like Sudou, Ike, and Keisei after graduation, but since they're all busy, I haven't seen them for about three years since the coming-of-age ceremony.
"Alright."
I'll just go with something safe and somewhat formal. It's just Tsugumi, but it seems Sakayanagi is also coming today. It must be about something important.
When the time comes, I check for anything I might have forgotten, then leave the house and head to the station. After riding the train for about three stops, I enter the cafe at the meeting place and find a familiar silhouette in the back. It's Tsugumi and Sakayanagi. Perhaps because it's a a weird time, there are hardly any other customers. In such a setting, the combination of a beautiful man and a beautiful woman stands out very much.
When our eyes meet, Tsugumi smiles happily and waves a little at me.
"It's been a while. Has it been half a year since we met in person?"
"Oh, has it? I've been so busy lately that I didn't even notice."
"It's been since the coming-of-age ceremony for me. If you had invited me, I would've gladly come."
I sit across from the two of them and we exchange such words.
It's a strange feeling. Both Tsugumi and Sakayanagi haven't changed since those days.
"By the way, did you get the shipment for next month? I got some fruit from a farmer I know. I put a little bit in for you. Eat it within a week so it doesn't spoil."
"By 'a little bit,' you mean a whole cardboard box, don't you? That's great, Ayanokōji-kun. You can have fruit with every meal for a while."
"...I appreciate it and it's helpful, but I'm 24 now. I can make my own meals..."
"No. If I don't tie you down, you'll just go back to living on calorie bars."
"...I can't deny that."
"So, how's work, Kiyotaka-kun? Is it going well?"
"Well, so-so."
As you can probably guess from my narrative so far, I graduated from Advanced Nurturing High School, went to university, and became a working adult. I'm in my second year as a working adult now, and I've gotten used to the job.
That said, as usual, I'm not putting in my full effort at work. The reason is that I'm not that interested in getting promoted. Even though I've gotten a little better, I don't want to work with subordinates. I've also heard that if you get promoted, the human relationships get more complicated, so I'm working just enough.
"I see."
Tsugumi mutters that as if chewing on something. Sakayanagi also looks at me with a somewhat amused smile.
"What's the big idea, the two of you showing up like this?"
"That's so mean, Ayanokōji-kun. It sounds like we're some kind of plague gods bringing problems with us."
"I know, right? Is 'I just wanted to see you' not a good enough reason?"
"Considering our high school days, I can't help but think otherwise."
Even after Tsugumi and Sakayanagi officially started dating, the class struggle continued fiercely... and if anything, it became more extreme than it was in our first year.
"Well, what I'm about to talk about might be troublesome, but... hey, hey, hey! At least listen to me to the end!"
See? I knew it was trouble. Tsugumi shouts at me in a panic as I stand up and pretend to leave.
However, it's also true that I feel a little excited about the prospect of this trouble.
Seeing me return to my seat, Tsugumi sighs in relief. Then he looks at me with a serious gaze and speaks.
"I don't think you should be content with a place like that, Kiyotaka-kun. I believe there's a more suitable place for you."
"...Hmm?"
"Of course, the company you work for is a wonderful one. Everyone knows the name, and as a general employee there, your life would be secure."
Tsugumi suddenly takes on a suspicious aura. I send a glance to Sakayanagi for help, but she just smiles at me playfully.
While this exchange is happening, Tsugumi's words flow out one after another.
"But I don't think you're satisfied with that life. To put it another way, I don't feel the same 'passion' in you now as you had in high school."
I feel like I haven't changed much from my high school days. ...Well, it would be a lie to say it wasn't fun.
More importantly, what is this charade? Has Tsugumi finally gone crazy from being too busy? He never told me what he was doing specifically, but if Tsugumi says he's busy, he must be doing something that would kill an ordinary person.
While listening to most of what Tsugumi was saying, I thought about that. Then, Tsugumi straightens his posture and gives a small laugh.
"Kiyotaka-kun. Don't you want to change the world with me?"
"If this is a multi-level marketing scheme, I'm going home."
"Ah! I'm sorry! I'm sorry, I'm just kidding!"
"...Sigh."
When I cut him off and stand up, Tsugumi holds up both hands and apologizes. ...What the hell was he trying to do? Even Sakayanagi is looking exasperated.
"That's a terrible way to tease someone, Tsugumi-kun."
"No, I've always wanted to try it once. Don't you think it's cool?"
"Didn't you do it before?"
"No, I didn't!"
I implicitly asked, "Didn't you do this in a previous life?", but he denied it with considerable force. His mood swings are intense.
"Sigh... Can you get to the point already? You didn't call me here for something so pointless."
I know you're not that kind of person.
When I say that, Tsugumi starts talking with a wry smile. I wish he had done that from the beginning.
"..., ..., ..."
"...Seriously?"
I had no idea at the time that this proposal would significantly change my life.
----------
Another Summer Day
On a certain summer day, I visited my alma mater for a certain job.
The school is still undergoing renovations, so not much of its former appearance remains. However, as a school I attended during the most influential period of my life, from ages 15 to 18, various memories came flooding back the moment I stood in front of the school gate.
As I stand there, lost in thought, with sweat beading on my forehead in the scorching summer heat, a woman calls out to me.
"I never thought I'd see you again like this. Has it been four years since we last met?"
Saying that, the woman in front of me smiles with a hint of nostalgia.
Her appearance and aura are calm and show her age, but her beautiful hair and skin still make her look youthful, an ageless woman.
"Yes, it has. Even though it's work, some things about this school haven't changed since the old days. And... you're still so young, Chabashira-sensei. In fact, you look even more youthful than back then."
Yes. This person is my homeroom teacher from my three years of high school, Chabashira-sensei. I don't know her age back then, but even with a generous estimate, she must have been over 40. However, her eyes now have more light in them than in those days when she was obsessed with reaching Class A.
Perhaps my thoughts were conveyed to her, because she hits me on the head with the binder she's holding.
"Stop with the flattery. You never know where the chairman might be listening. ...You, on the other hand, haven't changed even after starting a family."
Chabashira-sensei sighs in exasperation, glances at me, and starts walking. That must mean "follow me."
I obediently follow her, as I don't want to make a woman stand in this heat. We can catch up as we walk.
"How's work, sensei? Hasn't it been pretty tough the last few years?"
I start a conversation with a question, something you'd typically ask when you haven't seen someone in a long time. Perhaps she found my politeness funny, because Chabashira-sensei laughs softly through her nose and then starts talking.
"It has been tough. We've been changing the old system one after another. Since it was around the time the class I was in charge of was graduating, there were times when I could only sleep three hours a day."
"Oh, dear... I'm sorry, sensei. It's because of my Arisu-chan doing all sorts of things."
Yes. The chairman of this school is none other than Arisu Sakayanagi. She took over the job from Sakayanagi-san... my father-in-law. She doesn't tell me much about the school, but I can vaguely imagine that she's carried out some flashy reforms.
"But thanks to her, the school's reputation is skyrocketing now. We've also eliminated waste in our duties, so when you think about that, it was probably worth it. I'm grateful to Chairman Sakayanagi."
Arisu-chan became the chairman four years ago. The students who enrolled that year just graduated last year, and with that, the school's reputation has risen even further. The excellence of the graduates has even made the news.
She raised the already high reputation even higher in just one generation. Just imagining what kind of drastic reforms she's implemented sends shivers down my spine.
"By the way, what should I call you? You're not a Saito anymore, are you?"
Chabashira-sensei asks me, teasingly. She seems to have become more playful now that she's more relaxed. Only Chabashira-sensei... I'm sorry, I didn't mean to. Or maybe this was her personality from the beginning.
"You can just call me Saito. Calling me Sakayanagi would be a hassle, wouldn't it?"
"I see. It's more familiar for me, too. I'll call you that."
---Well, anyone can probably tell by now, but Arisu-chan and I happily got married. The timing was four years ago, when Arisu-chan took over the job from Sakayanagi-san, my father-in-law.
Of course, we were engaged when I was 16, but she made the uncharacteristically sensible suggestion that we should get married "after we're settled in a stable job," so the wedding was four years ago. Chabashira-sensei's comment about it being four years was because it was since I invited her to our wedding.
By the way, there was a little argument about whether I would take her name or she would take mine. Or rather, I said I was okay with taking her name, but she made a strange fuss, saying, "Don't settle such an important conversation about our marriage so casually."
The result, as you can see, was that I took her name, as I had wished. The reason was that I lost to her in an all-out chess match. It took four hours, and I finally lost. How frustrating.
Well, Arisu-chan's true intention was probably just to have a serious chess match with me. Her inability to be honest is what makes her so cute. I love her. I love her so much.
"Isn't Ayanokōji coming?"
"Do you think he would come to a place like this? He's at home taking care of Shion and Yui."
"Your son and daughter... Shion and Yui, was it? Ha, I can't believe that Ayanokōji is taking care of children. The photo he sent me of his face being swarmed by them made me laugh my stomach out for the first time in a while."
"It's pretty funny, right? It's unimaginable from how he was in the past."
The first time I made him hold them, they cried because his expression was so blank. It was hilarious that he was so shocked, even though he pretended not to care.
After that, I made him take care of them every now and then, and even though he said he couldn't handle infants, they've gotten quite attached to him. He's probably having his cheek pulled by Yui right now. She seems to be fond of his firm, taut cheeks.
As we walk down the hallway while talking, another woman in a suit approaches us from the front.
"It's been a while, Tsugumi-kun. How have you been?"
She's another type of beauty, different from Chabashira-sensei.
She has a strong, sharp look in her eyes and the left side of her hair, which is cut to her shoulders, is in a braid. ...As expected, she's the same age as me, so she must be close to 30, but her beauty hasn't faded at all. In fact, she's become more... alluring. ...That's a painful thing to say at my age. I need to be more reserved.
"It's been a while, Suzune-chan. You've completely settled into being a teacher, haven't you?"
"Of course I have. I've been doing this for seven years and have graduated two classes. I'd be in trouble if I hadn't."
Seriously? Now that I think about it, it's true, but seven years passed so fast?
And so, the beautiful teacher in front of me is Suzune Horikita. The tsundere heroine herself, Suzune-chan. Her personality hasn't changed much, but from what Arisu-chan says, she's an incredibly excellent teacher.
"I guess so. So, are you in the same position as Chabashira-sensei, Suzune-chan?"
"Yes. I'm in charge of the second-year Class D now."
"I'm in Class A."
You might think it's strange that she's in charge of Class D even though I said she's an excellent teacher, but apparently the system where a teacher's performance is determined by the class rank at graduation or enrollment, like it was with Chabashira-sensei, has been eliminated.
That system was pretty strange, wasn't it? It would be no surprise if a teacher with no sense of fairness, like Chabashira-sensei, appeared.
"...Does that mean you're both going to be watching my work today?"
"I suppose so."
Suzune-chan answers my question nonchalantly. ...How embarrassing. Not only Chabashira-sensei, but Suzune-chan, too.
"Well, I'm looking forward to it, President Saito?"
As if my thoughts were conveyed to her, Suzune-chan smiles maliciously and says that.
"...Yes."
I can only pray this won't be a topic of conversation at our class reunion.
----------
In the Waiting Room
After completing various procedures at the school, I wait in the waiting room behind the gym. This is a place usually used for guests, and I never thought I would be using it.
On the other side of the door, I can hear the students' bustling noise. Even though the gym has air conditioning, it's a little humid because it's the middle of a hot summer day. It must be tough for them to be in there.
"Alright, settle down. I know you're hot and want to make noise, but from now on, no talking. Those who break this rule will be penalized."
Chabashira-sensei's voice echoes through the gym via the speaker. The noise immediately dies down the moment the word "penalty" is said. As expected of Chabashira-sensei. Her dominance is different.
"Okay, it's quiet now. We will now begin the assembly. As I explained before, we have a special lecturer from outside today. He is a celebrity whose name you have probably heard."
...Well, let's do this.
"Now, President Tsugumi Sakayanagi. Please begin."
----------
In the Gymnasium
All the second-year students were gathered in the gymnasium. I, Souta Arai, was looking up at the ceiling, feeling irritated at being brought to the stuffy gym without being told the reason.
"Hey, I heard the person coming today is a graduate of this school."
"Oh? Well, isn't that pretty common? A great alumnus comes and tells us boring stories."
Yuta Sakuma, a student sitting in front of me, turned around and spoke in a low voice so the teacher wouldn't notice.
He has a rather trendy personality and loves sensational topics like internet news and rumors. I don't know where he heard that, but as I said, I'm not the least bit interested.
"That's true, but the interesting part is what comes next."
Saying that, Yuta grins and leans his face closer to me. I feel like the "interesting stories" he tells are never actually interesting, but since I'm bored, I lend him my ear.
"The person coming today is apparently President Tsugumi. Hoshinomiya-sensei told me!"
"...The one who's been in the news lately?"
"Yeah."
If that's true, it's a surprise. Even I, who am not well-versed in media, have heard the name President Tsugumi.
---President Tsugumi. I think his last name was Sakayanagi. He is a genius who suddenly became famous about three years ago and is the president... and a public figure of a company called "PRITILE".
He brought innovation to AI technology in general, specifically using deep learning, and in less than 10 years since its founding, his company has reached the 8th position on the list of the world's wealthiest, surpassing many famous corporations. He has also achieved the great feat of being the only Japanese person in the top 30. His company is growing at a rate comparable to the likes of the old GAFA.
"...You know a lot about him."
"Of course. I don't know about his celebrity work, but he's a great man who is already confirmed to be in textbooks. It's thanks to him that we have self-driving cars and have solved Japan's elder care problem."
"...He's amazing. I just had the impression of him being a handsome, rich president. I mean, he's been appearing on variety shows and as a commentator a lot lately, right?"
Just as I was about to refute that, Chabashira-sensei's voice echoed through the gym.
"Alright, settle down. I know you're hot and want to make noise, but from now on, no talking. Those who break this rule will be penalized."
"Oh, no! I really don't want to lose points!"
Yuta says that and turns back to face the front, but my interest has already shifted to something else.
If what Yuta is saying is correct, this is truly amazing. I'll be able to hear a genius speak up close. It wouldn't happen at a normal high school, but at this school, and a graduate at that, it's entirely possible.
As I feel my heart pounding with excitement, it seems the assembly is about to begin. Everyone is quietly looking at the stage.
"Now, President Tsugumi Sakayanagi. Please begin."
With those words, a black-haired man walks out from the side of the stage. ...It seems what Yuta said was correct.
The girls in the year let out a high-pitched shriek at the surprise. He's being treated like a popular actor, but in reality, his looks are just as good as theirs.
His neatly styled black hair looks clean, and he must be over 180 cm tall. His face has the look of a sharp, successful president, but in contrast, the aura he exudes is that of a calm, composed person. It's no wonder he's also a successful celebrity.
"Hello, everyone. I'm happy you're excited, but no talking. You don't want to be penalized by Chabashira-sensei, do you?"
President Sakayanagi stops the commotion with a joke and a laugh, then introduces himself.
"For those who don't know me, let me introduce myself. My name is Tsugumi Sakayanagi. I'm the president of a small company. I'm actually a student of Chabashira-sensei."
That's a considerable shock. It makes sense why Chabashira-sensei introduced him so casually.
To the students who can't contain their excitement, President Sakayanagi continues talking.
"Since I was invited to an official event like this, I'd like to share a little story with you. So..."
---Then, President Sakayanagi continues to talk for about 10 minutes. President Sakayanagi, with a sense of humor, talks about why he started his company, what he's doing now, and how what he learned at this school helped him in the future.
Unlike a dull congratulatory speech read from a script, he talks about his life in a humorous way, so all the students seem to be enjoying his speech.
"Well, the special exams were pretty tough, but there's no doubt they helped me build my skills. ...Oh, it's been a while. You must all be tired, so let's take a little break. ...How about a Q&A session? You can ask me anything, not just about my company. For example, the content of the special exams you'll be taking... Ah, I can't talk about the past exams? I guess not."
President Sakayanagi gives a wry smile after Chabashira-sensei gives him a stern look. He then urges the students to relax. In these Q&A sessions, no one usually asks questions, leading to an awkward atmosphere, but this school has students like me, who are genuinely interested in the company, and students like Yuta, who are interested in celebrities.
President Sakayanagi implicitly shows that he will answer both types of questions, and a female student raises her hand. Handed a microphone by Chabashira-sensei, she asks a question in a clear voice.
"President Tsugumi, do you have a girlfriend?!"
...Why would you ask a global company president something like that?
I break out in a cold sweat at that question, but Chabashira-sensei and for some reason, even Horikita-sensei, laugh softly. I don't know why, but it seems my worries were unfounded.
"No. I'm married."
"...Oh, is that so? ...Did you say that on TV?"
"No. I haven't told anyone on TV. I thought it would be okay to tell you students here."
That's probably because we're isolated from the outside world. ...But would he really go out of his way to say something like that? Some of the girls are looking devastated.
Well, that's fine. I have something I've been curious about, so I raise my hand to ask a question.
"I have two questions. May I ask them?"
"Sure. We have plenty of time to explain."
...I see. I'm certain now because of what he just said. But since this kind of thing is about flow, I'll go ahead and ask my questions.
"First, thank you for your valuable talk, even though it's not over yet. I never thought I would be able to hear a story from someone like you."
"Haha. Thank you for being so polite."
President Sakayanagi answers my earnest thanks with a smile.
"My first question is, why did you give a lecture to us, President Sakayanagi?"
"It's not that grand of a lecture. My wife, Arisu-chan, is the chairman of this school, and she asked me to."
...Seriously? He's married to that super beautiful but super scary chairman? That's honestly the most surprising thing I've heard all day. ...His last name is Sakayanagi, too. The students at this school who are in love with the chairman are going to be heartbroken for a while.
"I see. Then, my second question is..."
After that preface, I stare intently into President Sakayanagi's eyes and say this.
"Is this assembly a special exam?"
At the words "special exam," a wave of tension runs through the students who have survived a year at this school.
They may be shaken, but there are no students here who would panic over something like this. ...Now, what will he do?
"A special exam? What makes you think that?"
President Sakayanagi asks for my reasoning. That's a natural reaction. If our positions were reversed, I wouldn't answer right away.
"The reason is that you heavily emphasized the words 'special exam.' There's nothing strange about the school giving a special exam on what we've learned, but I felt something was off with you saying 'the content of the special exams you'll be taking' during the Q&A session."
"But don't you think I might have just made a mistake? Chabashira-sensei even gave me a warning."
He pretends he doesn't know anything about my questioning. I thought he was a gentle person, but he's a hard nut to crack after all.
"It's unlikely that you made a mistake. That's because one of the severe penalties at this school is to tell your juniors the content of a special exam. It's hard to believe that you, a graduate, would have forgotten that. And at the end, you said, 'We have plenty of time to explain.' And also... it feels like something Chairman Sakayanagi would do."
The carefree atmosphere from before is gone, and every student is now eagerly waiting for his response.
"Hehe... That's true. Hey, what's your name?"
President Sakayanagi laughs softly at my last comment and suddenly asks me that.
"Souta Arai."
I'd be mortified if I'm wrong, but I think I'm on the right track.
"I see... Alright. Souta-kun, can you take out your device?"
I don't know what he's planning, but I take out my device as I'm told. At the same time, my device vibrates, and a notification appears on the screen.
1,000,000 ppt has been transferred from Tsugumi Sakayanagi.
...Seriously?
"As I expected, the students here are excellent."
Ignoring me as I freeze in shock at the huge amount, President Sakayanagi announces in a loud voice.
"Now, as he said, we will now begin a special exam! I will only explain the rules once, so listen carefully so you don't miss anything!"
----------
That Evening
That night, after putting our children to bed, Arisu-chan and I are enjoying some drinks in the living room. I have a very high tolerance for alcohol, but Arisu-chan, on the other hand, is very weak. She starts slurring her words after one can of lemon sour. She's a total lightweight.
So, while I drink at a fast pace, it's our custom for Arisu-chan to drink slowly.
"So, how was it? The special exam, being on the giving side."
"It was so much fun. And this time, it was a completely original one, so just thinking about it got me excited."
And Souta-kun. As the leader of Class A, a position like yours was in our year, he figured out it was a special exam with only a few hints.
He must have been surprised by the 1 million points, but I had planned to give it to any student who figured out it was a special exam from the beginning. Well, his last comment, "it feels like something Chairman Sakayanagi would do," was so funny that I added a little more.
"Hehe, I thought so. The teachers also said you were well-received. I called you here to test their abilities from a different angle, and I'm glad the results were better than I expected."
"Is that all? Was that the only reason you called me?"
"Well, there's also the reason that I wanted to let everyone know that you and I are married. I've been seeing a few students who have impure thoughts about me. I thought it would serve as a wake-up call for them."
"You look like a middle schooler... I'm complimenting you! I'm just complimenting you! See, you're always so youthful, right?"
"Hmm. In comparison, Tsugumi-kun, you've aged a little, haven't you? Your skin isn't as fresh as it used to be. Are you applying sunscreen properly?"
Ah, she's slurring her words now. So cute.
"Lately, I've been slacking off a bit..."
"That's not good, Tsugumi-kun. I want my husband to always look handsome. ...Let's see, once your company settles down, how about becoming an athlete? I'd love to see you and Ayanokōji-kun dominate all the world records."
She's completely drunk. That's an outrageous suggestion.
But it sounds a little interesting. I want to settle the score with Kiyotaka-kun, something we didn't do in high school.
"I like that. Okay, from tomorrow, I'll leave the company to Natsu-chan and Takuya-kun. I'm sure those two can handle it. I have to start training before my body gives out."
"Hehe."
Arisu-chan holds her glass against her flushed cheek and smiles at me with a dreamy look.
"?"
"Nothing. I was just thinking how happy I am to be able to grow old with you. I guess I'm a mess too."
She says such a lovely thing. This girl really knows how to get to me.
I'm not drunk yet, but my body is getting warm in another way.
"What a happy problem to have... Hey, Arisu-chan."
"Yes?"
I make a suggestion in a light tone, as if I were inviting her out for dinner.
"Don't you want a third child? Shion and Yui are fast asleep, so how about it?"
"Oh? Did I get you excited? ...Hehe."
I can instantly tell she's in an incredibly good mood. Arisu-chan smiles at me maliciously, but because she's all soft from the alcohol, it just looks cute.
"Hmm, unfortunately, I have work tomorrow, so I'll have to decline. But if you insist..."
"Don't lie, Arisu-chan."
"Gah..."
I pick up Arisu-chan, who is glancing at me and swaying as she tries to walk back to her room. I gently pinch her warm cheek and lean in until our lips are about to touch.
The faint, smoky scent of whiskey tickles my nostrils.
"You don't have work tomorrow, do you? I have to punish a liar."
That sounds so cringey coming from me. Not something a person approaching their 30s should say. I must be pretty drunk, too.
Normally, she would say with a straight face, "That's a pretty cringey thing for someone your age to say."
However, right now, we're both in that pleasant state of numbness caused by alcohol. In this state, even Arisu-chan...
"You're so mean..."
See?
"Let's go, then."
"Yes♡"
----------
Later That Night
After everything is over, I gently stroke the head of a sleeping Arisu-chan.
...She's so small. She's 30 years younger than me, yet she's a lovely woman who supports my weak self.
"...Mm, sniffle... sniffle..."
Arisu-chan stirs restlessly, as if tickled. ...This is nostalgic. I used to do this to her when she was in elementary school. She's such a cool woman on the outside, but she's like this when she's with me.
But I, the imperfect one... I, who am so much weaker than Arisu-chan, said this when I proposed: "I'm a fool, but please accept me." That's not something a man should say. She laughed at me, of course.
"Thank you."
If I said it to her face, she'd probably give me a puzzled look and say, "What are you talking about now?" But I can't help but feel grateful. Because there's no one else who can make me this happy.
It's not a dramatic or special ending, just a common one. But there's such a precious person by my side.
I'm certain that I won't find anything more fulfilling than this, no matter how many times I'm reborn.
With that conviction, I slowly fall asleep, wrapped in the warmth of this small woman.
============
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