Chapter 7

I had intended to schedule the post, but it didn’t work out.

I’m the author who learns nothing from yesterday’s mistakes, I’m sorry.

I writhed, like a child throwing a tantrum, covering my ears and saying, "No, no."

Madoka smiled slyly, like a wicked stepmother.

"Anyway, isn’t it more of a problem to stay beautiful forever?"

"I know, but... keeping up with that is a different issue."

"Kazu, instead of thinking about the future with a cute pet, you should face reality and find a real man. After all, you have plenty of suitors. You’ll regret not doing something more than you’ll regret doing it, right?"

"I know, but I just can’t find the right person."

"In your case, the problem isn’t that your standards are too high, but that you have no standards. You don’t even think about what kind of person you want to be with, do you?"

"Yes. No matter how much I think about it, I can’t picture anyone."

"If you have no standards, why don’t you work backward from what you need in life?"

"Needed things?"

"You’re the type who will work hard and earn a lot in the future, right? Then why not look for a man who will stay at home and take care of everything? Someone like a male version of Kaede might be perfect for you."

A male version of Kaede.

When I imagined it, it didn’t seem bad at all. In fact, it might be exactly what I need for my future.

"True, it might still look bad to others, but times are changing, and people’s perceptions are improving."

"Yes... maybe I should try looking in that direction."

"Sure. If you stay positive, I’ll help you look too."

"Help me look... are you my mother or something?"

"No, I’m your best friend."

"Right."

We looked at each other and laughed.

It’s wonderful to have important people in your life. It’s such a joyful and happy time that you want to stay like this forever.

But a best friend is still just a best friend. They won’t always be there for you whenever you need them.

Madoka has her own life. She will find an important person, build and nurture happiness, and devote her life to new important things.

The same goes for Kaede. No matter how much you love your family, you can’t always be together. Sisters are just sisters, and if you find someone who can support each other, you will eventually have to let go.

That’s why I let go of their hands and pushed them forward.

I have important people in my life, but I can’t always seek their happiness. The happiness that comes from relationships. If I want to keep it by my side, I also need to find someone who can support me in life.

For that, I need to find love and affection that I haven’t experienced yet.

"By the way, how are things on your end recently?"

I suddenly asked, curious.

Madoka and love are inseparable.

After her fifth breakup, she stopped talking about such things.

She’s not dating randomly like before. She’s leading a very healthy college life and is now pursuing a master’s degree because she doesn’t want to enter the workforce yet.

Madoka’s cheeks relaxed in a dreamy way.

"Hehehe. Actually, I’ve been in a new relationship for two years and finally found true love."

She puffed out her chest as if to say, "I’m glad you asked."

I opened my eyes wide in surprise at her sudden confession.

"You, when did you...?"

"I wasn’t hiding it or anything. I just wanted you to focus on Kaede."

"Yes... but now I’m suddenly overwhelmed with anxiety."

Two years in a relationship. If she’s found true love, it means she’s in a serious relationship. Considering her bad luck with men, the pain in the back of my head that I had almost forgotten about came back.

"Compared to my past, this one is amazing. We went on many dates before we even held hands."

"...Are you kidding? Is there a man who can be that patient with you?"

"Well, this is his first relationship. He’s shy and pure, and when he said, 'Will you be my girlfriend?' with a bright red face, my heart skipped a beat."

Madoka, with her hands clasped at her chest, was lost in happy memories.

After many dates, they only started holding hands recently. I was surprised that there’s a man who can be that patient with Madoka.

But if it’s true, I can finally feel relieved.

If he can take things step by step and treat Madoka with care, it must be true love.

"Yes... if you took that much time, it must be a good relationship. It sounds like the next steps will be challenging."

"Well, that’s... because I couldn’t hold back."

Madoka said it with a hint of resignation.

"Actually, I invited him to my place yesterday, and he just left."

"...Did he stay over?"

"Yes. It was a wonderful night. It was his first time—"

"Ah! I don’t want to hear such vivid details!"

"Kazu... at your age, not being able to handle such talk is a bit strange."

I covered my ears and screamed. Madoka, seeing this, sighed, not at all embarrassed but rather exasperated.

Just then, the doorbell rang.

I jumped, thinking the visitor might be the person we were talking about.

Madoka’s smirking face confirmed my suspicion.

Did he forget something, or did she plan to introduce him from the start?

It’s fine, but I didn’t want to face him right after he and Madoka had been intimate.

Still, as Madoka’s best friend, I couldn’t show a pitiful face.

I straightened up and waited silently for Madoka to answer the door.

I heard the sound of friendly conversation and braced myself for the moment of tension.

I put on a polite smile as the door opened, but it crumbled at the sight of an unexpected person.

"Ah..."

"Mr. Myojin?"

"Long time no see, Kazu."

He wasn’t wearing his bartender’s uniform. Instead, he was in a simple shirt and skinny jeans, carrying paper bags in both hands. He handed one to Madoka as if he had just remembered.

"Could you chill this? Since it’s that kind of occasion, I bought a few things."

"Wow, thank you."

"This one is perishable, so let’s eat it soon."

Madoka went to the kitchen, and Mr. Myojin started to unpack the contents of the bag on the table.

It was sushi. The disposable container looked like it came from the best place in the neighborhood.

"It’s a new beginning. I always go for sushi on such occasions."

"You’re celebrating a new beginning."

"That’s right."

Madoka, who had returned, received a nod from Mr. Myojin.

Madoka handed him a glass, and we all gathered around the table for a toast.

"Cheers!"

Madoka and Mr. Myojin clinked glasses cheerfully. I joined in a bit late, but my mood finally caught up.

I was the one who contacted him through Madoka. When I told him about Kaede’s wishes, he happily agreed and made all the arrangements.

So I wasn’t surprised that Mr. Myojin was here. I was surprised that he was back.

He had closed the bar and left the country with that man. I was surprised to see him here now.

"I didn’t know you were back."

"I wasn’t always abroad. I’ve been going back and forth. I returned last week, and Madoka invited me."

"He’s a surprise guest."

When I looked at her, she smiled smugly.

Well, he’s not a bad guest, so it’s fine.

If I wanted to thank him, it would be better to do it in person. As I was about to do so,

"Is this really what you wanted?"

Mr. Myojin gave me a polite smile, but it had a hint of testing me.

What he meant was clear.

Without hesitation, I nodded.

"Yes. Because I felt it was lacking."

"Lacking?"

"Kaede showed me the most beautiful happiness. Even if we can’t be together forever, as long as we understand each other and can smile, there’s no greater happiness."

"The most beautiful form of love that society shows. It’s like achieving enlightenment, transcending desire."

"Yes. I transcended even desire, which made me feel it was lacking."

I placed my hand on my chest, as if recalling the gaping hole from that time.

"Isn’t it natural to want to be with the person you love? I want to see their smiling face, hear their laughter, and feel happiness by holding their hand. I get such ordinary happiness from Kaede, which is why I couldn’t be satisfied with that beautiful love."

"It wasn’t what you expected."

"Even though I wanted Kaede to show me something beautiful, when I saw it, I thought, 'This isn’t it.' I must be pretty hopeless."

I sighed and shrugged, mocking myself.