A Very Popular Idol Classmate Has Taken a Liking to Me, A Person Who Doesn't Want to Work for My Whole Life
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.Daininki Idol na Classmate ni Natsukareta, Isshou Hatarakitakunai Ore
Src: https://ncode.syosetu.com/n2496gr/128/
Act 4 - The Past of The Shidou Family
34-3
A proposal that goes beyond romance.
A once-in-a-lifetime kind of moment has just landed in my lap.
What a luxurious situation to be in.
But even so, my answer has already been decided.
"…I’m sorry, but I can’t return your feelings." (Rintaro)
From beginning to end, my heart hasn’t wavered.
Now, I convey that truth straightforwardly and sincerely to her.
"......Fufu, I figured as much, but it still hurts a little." (Yuzuka)
As she says that, she turns her gaze back toward the cityscape.
It would’ve felt inconsiderate to keep looking at her face in that moment.
So I, too, look out toward the town and let the silence settle in.
"If you were to set aside the company situation, even just for a moment... would the answer still be the same?" (Yuzuka)
"…Yeah. It would." (Rintaro)
"I see." (Yuzuka)
Even if Tenguuji isn’t the heiress of a company, I probably still would’ve turned down her proposal.
Because right now, there's only one face that comes to mind.
"Rin-kun… you're thinking about Otosaki Rei right now, aren't you?" (Yuzuka)
"What?" (Rintaro)
I can’t help but let out a voice of surprise at hearing a name I never expected from her mouth.
"I know, you know. That you’re living in the same apartment complex as Rei from Milfeuille Stars. I couldn’t find any concrete proof of a relationship or anything, though." (Yuzuka)
"If you knew that… then you could’ve dug deeper, used it to threaten me. So why didn’t you…?" (Rintaro)
"Fufu, I’d never do that. Because...... I really do love you, Rin-kun. What’s the point in forcing you? It wouldn’t mean anything, would it?" (Yuzuka)
She smiles at me through tears.
God, I’m such an idiot.
So careless with other people’s feelings, completely blind to what really matters.
I always assumed Tenguuji would use any means necessary――even threats――for the sake of her company.
Because if it were me… 'I would’ve chosen those means without hesitation'.
"You’re… a really good person, aren't you? Totally different from me." (Rintaro)
"Well, of course. Because, you’re way more capable, Rin-kun." (Yuzuka)
"Hah? That’s not true at all." (Rintaro)
"Fufu, that is. Unlike me, I think you’ve got what it takes to lead others." (Yuzuka)
"To lead…?" (Rintaro)
"Maybe I should say you have the talent to be a president. You might not like hearing it, but to me, it's clear that you possess traits that are undeniably fitting for someone in the Shidou Group." (Yuzuka)
"…I wonder. I don’t really know myself." (Rintaro)
If I’d heard this just a little while ago, I probably would’ve been really irritated.
No—definitely irritated.
But now, I can take it in as just one person’s honest opinion.
In fact, being told I have leadership potential… don’t feel bad at all.
Of course, if you ask whether I intend to use that talent, I’ll have to shake my head.
"So then...... Rin-kun, do you love Otosaki Rei?" (Yuzuka)
"…'Love' probably doesn’t even come close to describing it." (Rintaro)
I scratch my head with a wry smile.
"To me right now… she’s like raison d'être itself. I can’t even imagine a life without Rei in it." (Rintaro)
The time I spend talking with Rei.
The time I spend cooking for Rei.
The time we spend eating together.
All of them… every moment is precious to me.
"…So, what’s the difference between that and love?" (Yuzuka)
"Huh? Hmm... Now that you mention it..." (Rintaro)
I try to find some other way to put it into words.
But just like she says, nothing else really comes to mind.
――――I see.
――――So that’s how it is.
"Ah... I, really do love her, huh." (Rintaro)
No matter how much I try to play it cool, no matter how much I try to ignore it, in the end, I always come back to that one simple truth.
It just means that my feelings for Rei have grown so big that I can no longer pretend they aren’t there.
Man, how lame I am.
After all that time keeping my distance from things like this, only to realize it so easily now.
That day, when Rei almost collapsed from hunger, I cooked for her for the first time.
Soon after, she came to me with the idea of a contract, and we started eating meals together.
We got closer with the other two as well and ended up living in the same apartment complex.
We even threw a little housewarming party.
I went on a date with Rei, went to watch their live concert.
Met her parents and bowed my head in front of others for the first time.
We went to the beach, had a BBQ too.
Even though it would cause a commotion if MilleSta showed up at school, she insisted she wanted to see me in my butler outfit, so she snuck into the school festival in disguise.
There was also that guerrilla live show of theirs, and my own very first stage performance, too.
And at the end of the festival――――Rei and I danced together behind the school building.
It hasn't even been a full year since I started building a relationship with Rei.
However, in every memory that left a strong impression on me... she was always there.
The existence of Otosaki Rei has taken root deep, deep inside my heart.
There’s no way I can rip it out now, nor will I ever want to.
The place I belong... is right next to her, after all.
"…Thanks, Tenguuji. Because of you, I realized it." (Rintaro)
If she hadn’t proposed to me, I probably never would’ve gone to see my father.
I wouldn’t have even thought about facing my past.
"It would’ve been better for me if you hadn’t realized it… But still, if it helped Rin-kun, then that’s enough." (Yuzuka)
"Because I kept running away from my past, I lost sight of who I really was. Honestly… it feels like all the fog in my head has finally cleared. A lot’s happened—way too much, honestly—but in the end, I’m glad I got to meet you again." (Rintaro)
I stretch my stiffened body out wide.
A gust of cold wind, typical of the beginning of winter, rushes past, and I become acutely aware of the chill on my skin.
Maybe it is time to leave.
I can handle it, but she might catch a cold.
"Let’s head back. It’s getting dark, and if we stay out here any longer, we’re gonna end up sick." (Rintaro)
"Yes… As much as I hate to leave, let’s go back." (Yuzuka)
"Tenguuji, what are you planning to do now?" (Rintaro)
"You mean tonight? Or, about my future?" (Yuzuka)
"Your future, I guess. You mentioned there's talk about you getting engaged to the son of another company?" (Rintaro)
"Yeah… something like that." (Yuzuka)
Suddenly, Tenguuji lets out a loud sigh right in front of me.
"Ugh… It’s the worst. To think I have to get engaged to some spoiled, filthy pig who got fat from being coddled by his parents." (Yuzuka)
"O-Oh… That’s… harsh." (Rintaro)
"This is the real me. Now that I know I can’t be with you, Rin-kun, there’s no point pretending anymore. Just like how your way of speaking changed, I’ve changed a lot too since then." (Yuzuka)
She says it with a bitter smile.
But there's something about her now that gives off strikingly bright and cheerful vibes.
Honestly, I like this current Tenguuji much better.
"...Oh yeah, can I say one last thing?" (Rintaro)
"What is it?" (Yuzuka)
"Sorry, I couldn’t keep that promise." (Rintaro)
"......" (Yuzuka)
Those words carry a cruel meaning.
That the promise we made would never be fulfilled――――.
That’s why Tenguuji can’t say anything in response for a moment.
"......Thank you. Now I can finally stop holding on to fleeting hope." (Yuzuka)
Bathed in the light of the setting sun, Tenguuji smiles.
She looks… incredibly beautiful.
I’m glad I got to see that smile after properly turning her down――――or something like that.
"But… if it's as friends, would you still be willing to spend time with me?" (Yuzuka)
"Of course. I owe you a lot. I’ll cook something for you next time. Might be more down-to-earth than what you're used to have, though......" (Rintaro)
"That’s fine. I actually love fast food." (Yuzuka)
"Oh, well, then I guess we’re good." (Rintaro)
Tenguuji and I talk like normal friends.
Just being able to speak with her like this… it makes me really happy.
With this, maybe I won’t have to forget the few good memories that were buried in an otherwise painful past.
"…Well then, shall we head home? I’ll give you a ride close to your place." (Yuzuka)
"Ah, no, it's alright. I kinda feel like walking around here for the first time in a while. I want to clear my head a bit, take it slow." (Rintaro)
"I see. Well, if you say so, Rin-kun." (Yuzuka)
She looks a little concerned, but there’s nothing to worry about.
If I get too cold, I can always hop on a train. Besides, I’m not that far from home, so I won’t be back too late or anything.
"......Oh, right." (Rintaro)
As Tenguuji turns to head back to her car, I call out to her.
"Hey, remember back in kindergarten, when some boy broke a flower vase and blamed it on you?" (Rintaro)
"Huh? Ah, yeah… I remember that. And after Sensei showed up, Rin-kun stood up for me. I never forgot that. Thank you." (Yuzuka)
"So you do remember, huh." (Rintaro)
Tenguuji puffs out her chest proudly, like it is the most natural thing in the world.
That's kind of cute, so I chuckle.
"Of course I remember. But why bring it up all of a sudden?" (Yuzuka)
"......No reason. Just felt like it." (Rintaro)
"Hm? That so...... Well then." (Yuzuka)
She turns to leave again.
And somehow, that image of her walking away overlaps with a scene from back in kindergarten.
"See ya, 'Yuzu-chan'!" (Rintaro)
"…!" (Yuzuka)
When I call her by her old nickname, she suddenly stops and turns around, surprised.
I give her a mischievous grin and wave.
"...Geez. ――――Yes, see you, Rin-kun." (Yuzuka)
Just like we used to, we wave goodbye to each other.
After watching her car drive off into the distance, I slowly take out my phone.
Then I open up my contacts and make a call to someone I haven’t in a while......
"Hello?" (Rintaro)
"......This is a surprise. What wind blew you my way, calling me of all people?"
"What's wrong with it once in a while, old man?" (Rintaro)
"......"
On the other end, I hear the same deep, emotionless voice as always.
He must be completely caught off guard, since it’s probably the last thing he expected—me calling him.
"Sorry if I’m catching you at a bad time, but there’s something I want to ask you." (Rintaro)
"You, asking me?"
"Don’t sound so shocked. ......Let me know when you're free. I’ll come to see you in person." (Rintaro)
"――――Alright."
The moment I hear that, I end the call.
Alright then, looks like things are gonna get a little busy from here on out.
~"(This is a Translation Content of pemudatunawisata[dot]my[dot]id. so, read only on there, kay~)"~
[End of Chapter]
Cya~!
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