Waking Up Engaged to a Cool Yandere Beauty: My Wild Journey with a Love-Obsessed Senior - Episode 49: Lavender Fields Are Full of Lavender

Episode 49: Lavender Fields Are Full of Lavender

“Unohanaaa!!! I need to talk to you when we land!!!” “Huh!? What is it!???”

Overhead, the deafening roar of the helicopter’s rotor blades made any conversation nearly impossible. Across from me, the department head was trying to say something, but the noise drowned it out entirely.

“I said I need to talk to you!!!” “I can’t hear you! We’re in a helicopter, after all!!!”

Yes, we were in the air. At an altitude of about 3,000 meters. Honestly, even someone without a fear of heights might get wobbly if they looked down.

Whoa, scary. Just as I was thinking that and peeking out the window, the senior sitting beside me poked me in the side.

“Rei-kun, what should we do for lunch?” “Well, since we’re in Hokkaido, how about some miso ramen?”

Ah, I want that. Pair it with some zangi, and it’d be perfect. Maybe some takana fried rice, even if that’s not exactly local.

“Why does that conversation come through loud and clear!?”

The department head, face flushed red, was yelling again. Not that I could hear a word of it.

“Huh!? What did you say!?” With a pouty look, the department head turned away. Yep, it was clearly my fault.

Then came another light poke to my side. “Rei-kun, sit next to Mariri, will you? She probably has something important to say.”

“Yes, I figured as much. I was about to do that.”

It was obvious just by looking at her expression. Even a two-timing idiot like me could pick up on that much.

“Sorry, department head. Can you please tell me what you wanted to say?” “What’s that? I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

The tone was flat, and she kept her face turned away. Yep, she’s sulking.

“I’m really sorry. I desperately want to hear what you have to say. Please, can you give this dense idiot one more chance?”

“…Just one chance.” At last, she turned to face me.

“Yes, I’ll listen with my life on the line!” “Then… then I’ll say it.”

“Yes! Please go ahead!” “…Well, you always call me ‘department head,’ right?”

That’s true. For the past two years, I’ve always called her that.

“But you call Shion by her name, don’t you?”

“Yes, I do.” It was something Shion-senpai had asked of me after the sports festival, and I’d thought it might help us grow closer. Apparently, though, that bothered Mari.

“So, you’re telling me to call you by your name as well, right?”

“…Hmph, forget it. If you don’t get it, that’s the end of it.”

She turned away again, leaving me to stew in awkward silence for the next hour and a half until the helicopter finally landed.

“We’ve arrived.” Taking a deep breath, I inhaled the refreshing and crisp aroma. The scent of lavender filled the air, as vibrant and soothing as its reputation.

“It’s even more breathtaking than in pictures.”

Shion-senpai seemed a bit taken aback by the vast lavender fields before us, but her expression was somewhat clouded.

“De… department head…” Mariri, on the other hand, was her usual self.

“What is it, Ushiro-kun? Need something from me?”

She kept an exaggerated distance, smiling in a way that didn’t reach her eyes.

“Shion-senpai, could you give me five minutes alone with Mari? If I don’t fix this now, none of us will enjoy this trip.” Shion gave me a small, slightly self-deprecating smile.

“You think I could refuse? I’m the one who suggested this strange arrangement, forcing this burden on both you and Mari.”

Even during the helicopter ride, she’d been aware of the tension between Mari and me. And she’d probably blamed herself for it.

“Senpai, that’s not true.” “What’s not true?”

“This is all on me. I’m the one two-timing, and that makes me the bad guy here. You have no reason to blame yourself.”

I took full responsibility. “…Thank you, Rei-kun.”

“No, it’s me who owes you an apology and gratitude. Now, please wait for me just a moment.”

“Alright.” With that, I jogged over to where Mariri was walking ahead.

“What? Finished your little secret talk?” Still clearly upset, she let her irritation show.

“Mariri, would you hold my hand?” “…If you insist. I guess I can?”

Her cheeks reddened as she shyly extended her left hand.

“I really wanted to. Thank you.” With that, our fingers intertwined, and we began to mend the gap between us.

The lavender fields stretched endlessly, a mesmerizing blend of purples and greens swaying in the gentle breeze. The air carried hints of reconciliation and something deeper: hope.