To the Person I Love and Hate the Most… - Chapter 22
Parents’ House…
I don’t know what actions Natsumi took after that incident.
One day, I receive a message saying that she decided to leave her roommate and return to her parents’ house.
I feel somewhat relieved.
Natsumi is the type of person who can easily be influenced, for better or worse. In short, she is naïve.
Living in Tokyo would have a negative influence on her.
So, I think going back to her parents’ home is indeed the best decision.
It’s not because I’m bitter due to the reason that she didn’t choose me, but I know that living with her roommate, Natsumi would just end up doing whatever he wanted.
That’s what I really think…
A while later, I receive another message from Natsumi.
She let me know that she has safely arrived at her parents’ home, she then asks me if I want to come and visit.
Then, I unexpectedly receive a call from Natsumi’s mother.
“I want you to take care of Natsumi.”
She told me so.
Upon hearing those words, the fading feelings I have for Natsumi reignited.
This time, I might have a chance to have a serious relationship with Natsumi under the right circumstances…
I reply Natsumi’s message saying I would be happy to go and visit her.
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The following summer break, I board the Shinkansen to go to Iwate, where Natsumi’s family lives.
When I arrive there, Natsumi warmly welcomes me at the station.
Natsumi is not wearing heavy makeup and flashy clothes like before.
Instead, she is dressed cutely with light makeup.
I feel relieved that she is back to her normal self.
It’s going to take about an hour by car to reach Natsumi’s family house.
On the way, Natsumi shows me the middle school and high school she had attended.
Also, while we are on the way, Natsumi and I have a chance to talk, catching up with each other.
Finally, we arrive at Natsumi’s family home.
Her mother welcomes us and expresses her happiness at our arrival.
However, the pleasant atmosphere ends there.
When we enter the house, Natsumi’s father has a stern expression on his face.
He didn’t respond to my greetings.
Then, he speaks in a harsh tone saying,
“You! What did you come here for!?”
With that, Natsumi’s father leaves the house abruptly.
Natsumi has two younger sisters, but there is no welcoming atmosphere from them either.
It appears that only her mother knows about the truth of our relationship, and for the rest of the family, I’m perceived as someone who has mistreated Natsumi.
I honestly feel frustrated, wondering why I’m in the position of being judged.
However, I don’t want to make Natsumi to be seen as the bad person in front of her family.
That’s why, I just accept the situation.
Her sisters ask me if I really care about Natsumi.
All I can do is just reply them saying I will take a good care of Natsumi.
Natsumi’s grandmother is also there, but being the old-fashioned person she is, she is adamant that marrying a local person is the best choice for Natsumi.
Just because I’m from Tokyo, she has a strong negative reaction towards me.
With all these circumstances, I visit Natsumi’s family to introduce myself, but I end up leaving without a warm welcome.
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A few days after I went back to Tokyo, I receive a call from Natsumi.
She tells me that her family don’t trust me and she decided to follow her family’s advice rather than being with me.
“I’m sorry…for everything. I’ve talked to my mother about this, and as an apology, I want to at least pay back the money you have spent for me during our time together. I want to transfer 500,000 yen to you, so please give me your bank account details.”
I don’t need that money. More than that, I don’t want to be pitied by Natsumi any longer.
“If you are willing to listen to your family so easily, why didn’t you rely on them from the beginning instead of me? And as for the money, instead of genuinely apologizing, you just want to pay me so that you can feel better about yourself, right?”
After a short silence, Natsumi speaks again,
“Please tell me your bank account details…”
She said so in trembling voice.
“No! Why should I listen to you when you won’t even listen to anything I say!?”
I hear Natsumi’s melancholy sigh at my words.
We keep arguing with each other.
As dawn approaches and we both grow tired, we decided to end the call.
From that day on, Natsumi never calls me again.
I have nothing more to say to Natsumi, so I don’t try to reach out to her either.