When I Was Presumed Dead, They Became Unhinged Unknowingly - Chapter 35

At first, when I met Satoru-san, I thought he was a strange person. No one had ever tried to buy me for 500 yen, and he didn’t seem to sympathize with me either.

Most of the people I had met before either sympathized with me or were interested in me physically, or both. I was okay with that as long as it distracted me from the loneliness and sadness deep inside me.

However, deep down, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t right. There was a vague sense of unease, anxiety, and loneliness.

Satoru-san resolved all of that for me. Connecting on an emotional level, rather than just physically, made my heart feel more at ease. The anxieties and loneliness I had felt disappeared.

The more I interacted with Satoru-san, the more I wanted to know about him. I wanted to get closer to him. I was aware that I was drawn to Satoru-san, and I kissed him to deepen our connection. Honestly, I wanted to go further, but I believed that if we continued to deepen our relationship, that would naturally happen.

One night, something happened amidst these days.

Today, my father is coming home. To be honest, the relationship between my father and me is delicate, and I haven’t been able to grasp the right distance. Unconsciously, I’ve been avoiding my father, and I think I disliked him more when I was younger. If asked why, it’s probably because he couldn’t fill the void of loneliness and solitude left by my mother’s absence.

Just that, nothing more. But for a young me, that alone was enough reason to dislike my father. Looking back now, I vaguely understand that despite being an adult, my father couldn’t fully accept the loss of my mother and escaped into work. Now, I don’t dislike my father anymore. It’s more like indifference.

I heard the front door open with a clatter. I left the living room and headed to my room without saying anything. We were supposed to pass by each other without interfering, just like usual.

“I’m home, Mika.”

“!?!”

Involuntarily, I turned around and saw my father’s face. He looked embarrassed, an indescribable expression on his face.

“W-Welcome home, Dad.”

“…Well, Mika. There’s something I want to talk about.”

“Uh, yeah.”

With hesitant words, my father continued. I just listened in silence.

He talked about how he had neglected me until now, why he did it, and various other things. Eventually, I found myself nodding along and gradually expressing my own feelings. What I wanted from him at that time, how I felt back then.

Finally, after pouring out everything, my father said something like this.

“I have to thank that boy.”

“…?”

“I met that boy before coming home. He said he’s Mika’s friend. Thanks to him, I made up my mind to talk to Mika.”

A friend of mine… The only person that came to mind was Satoru-san.

Satoru-san… no, Satoru-kun. It’s more friendly that way. Let’s call him that from now on.

Satoru-kun is still a strange person. But right now, I can’t help but think about you and only you.

Satoru-kun.

I want to see you right now and kiss you. And beyond that. And beyond that forever.

I want to be dependent on you.