When I Picked Up A Stunningly Gorgeous Downer-Type Beauty In Front Of The Entrance. - Chapter 56: The feelings of a boyfriend who has encountered a scene of infidelity.

The feelings of a boyfriend who has encountered a scene of infidelity.

I’m not pure enough to believe in things like fate.

But I do think there are times when luck shines upon us.

Using the same word ‘luck,’ the meanings are vastly different.

Feeling lucky is like when you get the character you wanted in a single pull in a mobile game or when you win an extra drink from a vending machine roulette.

Just everyday luck. That’s all.

Fate, on the other hand, feels more like a massive, uncontrollable force.

It’s unchangeable. I think of it like a mandatory event in an RPG game.

Wait, doesn’t that sound too detached from everyday life?

“If you’re up for it, how about some tea?”

The voice of the clerk leaks into the present moment.

To describe my situation as unlucky would be too light, like having a minor traffic accident.

But to call it fate would be too heavy, and I didn’t want to admit that.

If there really is a god of luck, I’d want them to think a bit more before acting.

Life isn’t a board game or a tabletop RPG.

I don’t want events triggered by rolling dice. A peaceful and ordinary life is where true happiness lies.

Yet, here I am, feeling like I’ve made a critical failure, unlucky, and unfortunate.

I’m holding my breath under the table, feeling like I’m running away from a ferocious predator, spinning around in a panic.

”’…? Are you okay? Do you have a stomach ache?”

Sajou-san’s mother, sitting with her back to the cash register, is approaching with a voice of concern.

Maybe leaning forward a bit?

I’m still trembling, using my fingers to convey that something’s wrong.

“?”

With a puzzled expression, Sajou-san’s mother turns back, and as soon as she sees me, she slides down to join me under the table. Oh, hello there.

Unlike me, she has a large cushion in her chest, making it difficult for her to fold herself up. She’s all squished up.

Her eyes seem to ask, “Why? What’s going on?”

Of course, I can’t answer her question. All I can do is shake my head vigorously.

But the severity of the situation must have come across.

Meeting with her mother secretly, against her wishes.

What kind of reaction would she show if she saw this situation?

Would she be angry? Disappointed? Maybe even cry?

Either way, there’s nothing to be happy about, and the relationship between mother and daughter is unlikely to improve. It’s more likely to deteriorate rapidly. Straight down the path of ruin.

”’I’ll pass. …I just want to go home early.”

“Oh, really? Is there someone waiting for you at home?”

The teasing tone of the waiter’s words makes my ears twitch.

Despite knowing it would be bad if caught, I couldn’t help but be curious about Sajou-san’s reaction.

Ignoring Sajou-san’s mother’s surprised and reproachful voice, I cautiously raised my head.

Sajou-san standing by the register had melted her frozen expression, her cheeks tinged with color.

Shyly lowering her face and nervously rubbing her upper arms, she looked like any other girl.

“…Yes,” she murmured, loosening her cheeks slightly as she nodded.

I couldn’t take my eyes off her.

For me, the joy welling up in my chest was indescribable.

Words spoken in a place where she didn’t know I was present seemed to hold a different value from those spoken directly, making my heart race.

Then, Sajou-san’s mother’s hurried whisper of “(Hinata-san)” chastised me, causing me to slackly hide under the table again.

My heart felt like it was on fire.

The heat spread throughout my body as if transmitted from my heart. My fingertips felt like they might ignite like matches.

Ohhhh…

I let out an inaudible scream, pressing my cheeks with my hands. The crisp sound of the doorbell echoed pleasantly through the shop.

When I lifted my head, Sajou-san’s figure was reflected on the glass at the entrance before disappearing.

Ah…

There was a warmth in my relieved breath.

Whether it was relief or for another reason, even I couldn’t tell.

My mind was scattered, and I felt dizzy as I sat up, trying to gather my thoughts when I met Sajou-san’s mother’s gaze, startled.

“…You two seem close?”

“Well, um… …Yeah, I suppose?”

My voice faltered.

Everything – hearing her words, seeing my reaction – came back to me as embarrassment and heat.

Confusion and awkwardness filled the air.

I picked up a glass, trying to distract myself, but there was no coffee left, just water melted from the ice.

It felt like it was saying, ‘I melted because of your warmth.’

With a hint of lingering coffee flavor, bitterness remained in my mouth, and my throat felt warm, as if I had swallowed hot water, though there was none.