I Got Cheated On, so I Thought I’d Cheat Back and Went to a Group Date, I Ran Into a Classmate Who Used to Boss Me Around and Now We’re Living Together - Chapter 45
Since Nene-san and I started dating, it’s been four years now.
Even after all this time, I still call her Nene-san. It’s not that I can’t drop the honorifics. It just feels right that way.
Well then.
Our relationship is still going strong. In fact, we got married right after graduating from university. After that, we moved to Italy, and now we’re in the middle of our first summer there. The reason for moving was that Nene-san started serious training under her uncle in Italy. I came along to support her.
And no, I’m not just freeloading. I do work. I’m a novelist. My first finished book, which I entered into a small contest, won an honorable mention. It later got published and, while not a bestseller, it sold well enough to give me a steady income. These days, I work with my publisher remotely while writing my next book.
I had originally dreamed of becoming a game scenario writer, but since I wanted to be by Nene-san’s side and support her, working at a company wasn’t realistic. So, that dream is on hold for now.
And so, this is my life now. Writing in Italy. That’s my current situation.
Just as I’ve changed, my friends’ lives have also taken new turns.
First, there’s Mishiro-san. She and Rogiku-san worked hard together on their romantic comedy manga, and three years ago, they managed to land a serialization. Now, she’s become a hit author with over a million copies in circulation.
“When I based the characters on your relationships, it somehow really clicked with readers. So I honestly feel guilty toward you three…”
That’s what Mishiro-san keeps confessing whenever we talk. But really, if people enjoyed it, isn’t that a good thing? Part of me thinks I deserve at least some royalty fees as the original, but well… as her friend, I’ll let it slide.
And of course, I can’t leave out another important friend, Umi.
As for her, she’s now working as a professional illustrator and adult manga artist. Back in our first year of university, she was approached at a summer comic convention, and the light novel she illustrated turned into a massive hit. Thanks to that, her name and skills spread quickly, and soon requests started pouring in from all directions.
So, like me (and Mishiro-san as well), after graduation, she chose the path of freelancing instead of joining a company.
“―Ah, Sousuke? It’s me. What are you up to right now?”
Earlier today, I got a message from Umi.
She usually contacts me once every few days.
“Shiraki-kun, long time no see! You’re not busy with work right now, right?”
From the sound of it, Mishiro-san was also with her. Probably at Umi’s place because I heard her voice next.
“Good morning, you two. I’m in the middle of writing right now.”
“So you are working. Are we interrupting?”
“No, talking a little is fine.”
“Thank you. By the way, what time is it over there now?”
“It’s just past ten in the morning.”
The time difference is about eight hours.
Japan is ahead, so it should be around six in the evening for them.
“Are you two on summer break for Obon?”
It was mid-August, right in the middle of Japan’s Obon season.
“Exactly. That’s why we can drag our super-busy serialized author here and enjoy dinner together.”
“Yeah, since the issue before Obon was a double issue, I finally got a little breathing room.”
Mishiro-san runs a weekly series, so her schedule is always brutal.
“By the way, Sousuke, is Nene working too?”
“Yeah. It’s summer vacation here too, but her uncle’s restaurant is open as usual, so she’s there helping out.”
“Working in a hot kitchen sounds rough.”
“Well, compared to the muggy Japanese summer, it’s not so bad here. Anyway, Umi should take care of yourself.”
“I know. I have to now. It’s not just my body anymore…”
Her voice overflowed with tenderness as she said that.
“Umi-san, your belly’s starting to show?”
“Yeah. Not too much yet though.”
Hearing that, I felt relieved that everything seemed to be going smoothly for her.
Because the truth is, Umi is carrying my child.
Back then, I could only turn her down. I couldn’t give her the answer she wanted. So I told myself that if she ever asked me for something or anything, I’d grant it as a way of making up for hurting her.
And in the summer, four years ago, when I finally asked if she wanted something, she looked at me and said,
“Then, I don’t need to be with you. But… will you let me have your child? I promise I won’t cause you trouble.”
I still remember how shocked I was when she first said that to me.
But when I realized it wasn’t a joke, that it was truly what Umi wanted, in the end, I gave in. She had always liked me, and if there was one thing I could give her as a compromise, then that was it.
Still, I told her it couldn’t happen until she was financially stable. So it wasn’t until just before we graduated from university, when her career had started to take off, that we began trying. Now, she’s about five months pregnant.
Of course, I got Nene-san’s permission first. At the start, she frowned and wasn’t happy about it, but because she still feels guilty for stealing me away, and also because she had grown close to Umi, she eventually said, “Well… do what you want.” That was her way of giving us her blessing.
“I can never thank Nene enough… and honestly, I feel guilty too. I’ll be having your child before she does.”
“It’s fine. Sometimes Nene-san grumbles about it, but deep down I think she’s looking forward to it.”
Maybe it’s because Nene-san doesn’t yet have the room in her life to carry a child herself that she’s entrusting that experience to Umi instead.
“And it’s still a little ways off, but when the due date gets close, I’ll come back to Japan.”
“…You’d really come all the way back?”
“Of course I would. Nene-san told me to do that too, so I’ll definitely be there.”
“Thank you… I’ll have to thank Nene properly as well.”
While Umi’s voice grew soft and emotional,
“That sounds so nice… I want a child too, so I’m honestly jealous of Umi-san.”
Mishiro-san suddenly spoke up,
“Oh? Then why not let Sousuke give you one as well?”
“Ehh?! Th-that’s… What do you think about that?”
I really didn’t know how to answer something like that…
“For now, just think about it calmly. What Umi is doing is no small thing. Unless you’re truly prepared for everything it means, you shouldn’t try to copy her.”
“Y-you’re right… b-but still… maybe someday…”
Someday… Could it be that Mishiro-san is actually serious about this?
If that really happens… I have no idea whether Nene-san would allow it or not.
“Anyway, Sousuke’s writing right now, right? Let’s end this for today.”
“Y-yeah, I don’t want to get in the way of your work.”
With that, the call with the two of them ended, and I went back to focusing on my writing.
And as the day slowly turned to evening―
“―I’m home.”
Nene-san came back to our rented house.
Her black hair was still in the same wolf cut as when we first met, as it swayed as she moved. Dressed in pants, the first thing she did was hug me. It was her usual homecoming routine, and I welcomed it happily.
“Welcome back, Nene-san. You must be tired from today.”
“Did you feel lonely while I was gone?”
“Well, a little.”
“Hehe. Then I’ll make a delicious dinner and warm your heart right up.”
With that, she gave me a light kiss and moved to the kitchen.
Even in a different country, that simple and ordinary scene from our university days made me happy. It always gives me a sense of comfort. I know I’ll see Nene-san, standing in the kitchen with her back to me and moving efficiently as she cooks hundreds or maybe thousands of times from now on. Just imagining it makes me happy.
That’s why I want to cherish these moments, stay close to her, and protect this happiness.
“Nene-san.”
“Hm? What is it?”
“I love you.”
“Oh—hehe, of course I love you too.”
I treasured that simple reply, feeling grateful for this daily life, and decided to keep enjoying every moment with Nene-san.
Forever and ever―.
The End
◇ ◇ ◇
Afterword
And with this, the story comes to an end.
Thank you so much for staying with me until the very last page.
I plan to keep writing many more stories, so if you’d like, please follow me and take a look at my other works. Truly, thank you from the bottom of my heart.
By the way, here’s my new work (sorry if the link doesn’t work).
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