I Was Cheated on by My Girlfriend but My Devilish Junior Now Yearns for Me - Chapter 36

Chapter 36   A Present from Santa

As I returned to the floor where the Valentine’s party was being held, I felt surprisingly calm, probably because I’d just been in such a confined space. The noise of the venue helped drown out my thoughts.

After re-registering to enter with the staff, I saw Ayaka talking with Motosaka. From an outsider’s perspective, their conversation seemed lively. However, as soon as Ayaka noticed me, she quickly wrapped up the conversation and came over.

“Are you sure about that?”

“About what?”

Ayaka responded with irritation.

“Well, it seemed like you were talking with Motosaka.”

I glanced over and caught sight of Motosaka giving us a bored look before heading off to chat with another girl.

“It’s fine. The break’s almost over, and everyone will be going their separate ways. More importantly, you—”

Ayaka moved closer and lightly poked me on the forehead.

“You’re spaced out. You okay?”

“Y-yeah, I’m fine. Thanks.”

“Ew, what’s with the sudden gratitude?”

Ayaka wrinkled her nose, and I couldn’t help but chuckle.

“I don’t have the right to ask for all the details, but I was worried about you.”

“Yeah, sorry about that. You tried to stop me, and I didn’t listen.”

“…You’re really something, you know that? Way too straightforward.”

I wondered what she usually thought of me as an announcement rang through the venue, signaling the end of the break. The matching event, where we’d compete to see if we’d get chocolates, was about to start again.

“Ready to go back? Into the hell of it.”

“You’re probably enjoying it a little, aren’t you?”

Ayaka smirked and playfully nudged my side.

Then, noticing the bag in my hand, she lowered her gaze.

“Wait, what’s that? You didn’t have it before you left the venue, did you?”

“…This?”

Inside the bag was the chocolate I had received from Reina. Now, I regretted taking it without thinking, even though it was a gift from my ex. Sensing my silence, Ayaka let out a short sigh.

“Well, whatever.”

The colorful lights in the venue flickered on, and the atmosphere began to heat up again in response.

“Let’s just enjoy today.”

With that, Ayaka disappeared back into the lively crowd of the party.

“…Maybe I should grab a drink.”

There was no way I could talk to women I didn’t know in my current state. Clutching the cash in my pocket, I headed for the bar.

◇◆

“You’ve had too much to drink.”

“…Ugh.”

I mumbled weakly, my words slurring. On the way home after the party, I was crouched beside a telephone pole, a spot where a dog might have stopped to pee. I had been downing drinks like I was at a casual izakaya, and before I knew it, my head was swaying like a pendulum.

It was no wonder. The alcohol content in the cocktails at the counter was way higher than what I usually ordered at an izakaya. Anyone who had been to a proper bar would know this, but I had forgotten and ended up drinking way too much. By the time Ayaka noticed how unsteady I was, it was already too late—the alcohol had hit me hard.

“I told you to stop, but you wouldn’t listen. This is your own fault.”

“I don’t remember you telling me to stop… ugh.”

I barely managed to swallow my nausea and weakly protested.

“You probably just don’t remember because you were drunk. Don’t embarrass me too much, okay?”

“…Did I do something embarrassing?”

I nervously asked, trying to gauge Ayaka’s expression. Normally, I was confident in my ability to hold my liquor, but after drinking this much, my memory was hazy. I really hoped I hadn’t done anything to offend anyone. If I had, I’d swear off drinking for good.

Ayaka narrowed her eyes at me for a moment, then shook her head.

“It’s fine. The only embarrassing part was having to help you walk all the way here. I don’t think you bothered anyone… I hope.”

“Why do you sound unsure?”

“Well, the people who were hoping to hang out with me after the party probably found it extremely inconvenient.”

“…I’m sorry. I’ll reflect on that.”

Judging by Ayaka’s outfit today, it was clear she put a lot of effort into the Valentine’s party. The purpose of these parties isn’t just the event itself, but to foster connections that continue afterward. From Ayaka’s perspective, me—someone with no real interest in such connections—must have seemed like a real jinx for ruining her chances.

Even so, Ayaka softly muttered in a kind voice.

“You’re such an idiot. I’m just joking. It’s just that there wasn’t anyone I cared about more than helping you out.”

“…You’re too kind.”

“I’m just making sure you owe me one. You’re going to pay me back properly.”

Her typical playful words made me smile, but that wasn’t the only thing rising inside me.

“…I think I’m going to be sick.”

“Hold on! Just a little longer! I’ll carry all your stuff for you, just hang in there!”

“…Roger.”

As I staggered to my feet, Ayaka took all my bags for me. Normally, it would take less than five minutes to get home from here. But tonight, it took double that time to finally arrive at my apartment. Every step on the creaky, old stairs echoed louder than usual, perhaps because there were two of us this time. It almost felt like the staircase would collapse if one or two more people climbed on.

“It’s like the stairs are saying you’re heavy, and that’s annoying,” Ayaka complained.

“Like you’re so light yourself.”

“You know, in your current state, I could easily push you down these stairs, right? Are you sure you want to say that?”

“The alcohol said that, not me.”

“That’s a criminal defense…”

When we finally reached the top, Ayaka handed me my bags.

“Alright, that’s one favor you owe me. Pay me back with pancakes.”

“Consider it done, Lady Ayaka.”

In response to my playful reply, Ayaka chuckled and said, “Be more careful with your drinking from now on,” before heading back down the stairs. I thought she might come inside, but she rarely did. In fact, I could count on one hand the number of times she’d actually come into my apartment. We’d had a few exchanges at the front door, but she never crossed that threshold often.

As I thought about this, I pulled out my keys and inserted one into the lock. When I opened the door, the bright light inside greeted me.

“What the hell!?”

I quickly slammed the door shut, startled. From the room down the hallway, Shinohara poked her head out.

“Oh, welcome back, Senpai.”

“…I’m home. Wait, no, You’re not! I thought you had plans today!”

“My plans ended, so I came back!”

“Ah… I’m too tired to argue…”

“You’re sleepy, huh? Good job today,” Shinohara said, sprawling out comfortably on the carpet.

“Hey, Senpai, are you drunk?”

“…I’m about to throw up.”

When I collapsed onto the bed, I felt as heavy as if a weight had been placed on top of me, rendering me immobile.

A lot had happened today. I attended an unfamiliar party, and I had that encounter with Reina. Adding the effects of alcohol to the mix, I knew I wouldn’t be moving for a while.

As I lay there, completely still, I sensed someone approaching. With great effort, I turned my head to see Shinohara kneeling on the bed, peering down at me with a grin.

“Senpai—do you know what day it is today?”

“…No idea.”

“The correct answer is Valentine’s Day! So, how was it for you? Did you have a good day…? Wait, what’s this box of chocolates? It’s really annoying how well you’re doing!”

I was about to tell her not to get worked up over something like that, but the fatigue made it too much effort to even move my mouth, so I closed my eyes instead.

“Alright then, Senpai, I’m going home, so I’ll leave the chocolates on your desk.”

“…Okay.”

Struggling to keep my mind tethered to reality, which was already drifting toward sleep, I managed to respond. Once I confirmed that Shinohara had left, I could finally sleep. She had a spare key, so maybe she’d lock the door out of consideration.

As I pulled the blanket toward me with that faint hope, it was suddenly yanked away.

I turned to see Shinohara standing defiantly with puffed cheeks.

“Hey…! That’s not how you react! Just because I handed you the chocolates casually doesn’t mean you can respond with just two words! What’s that about?”

“Ugh… Let me sleep…”

“Yeah, yeah! It sounds like you won’t remember anything I say now because of the alcohol! You’d better apologize properly tomorrow! You idiot! Senpai, you’re such an idiot!”

As soon as she finished speaking, the blanket came tumbling down on top of me.

In a daze, my spinning head struggled to comprehend what the chocolates meant, and I suddenly leaped out of bed.

“Valentine’s chocolates!”

“W-What’s with that sudden burst of energy?”

Shinohara took a startled step back.

“No, thank you. I’m really happy. This isn’t just because of the alcohol; I’m genuinely grateful.”

I thought that my straightforward gratitude might actually be a sign of my drunkenness, but my feelings of thanks didn’t change. By the time I hadn’t received chocolates from Shinohara this morning, I had already given up hope. Given that fact, the chocolates from Shinohara were the best present I received today.

“I-I’m glad you understand, okay?”

“Yeah, seriously, thank you.”

As I said this with conviction, Shinohara looked away.

“W-What’s with you? Are you some kind of genius who brings people down before lifting them up…?”

Her previously puffed cheeks had returned to normal, and she seemed to be blushing slightly. I felt relieved that my feelings were conveyed, and I lay back down. This time, I felt like I wouldn’t be able to get up again.

“Please make sure to cover yourself with the blanket, you’ll catch a cold.”

The parts of me exposed to the air were wrapped in the blanket. The blanket, which had felt chilly at first, gradually turned into a comfortable warmth against my body.

“Thanks…”

“Goodnight, Senpai.”

Her gentle tone left me with no strength to respond. I heard the sound of the front door locking, and as I felt gratitude wash over me, I let go of my consciousness.