You Were Stolen from Me, so I Will Live for Myself - Chapter 14

Unforgivable Childhood Friend (1)

I gaze blankly at the hospital room ceiling. My sense of time becomes hazy, and even the sound of the ticking hand of the clock feels distant.

At first, visitors came one after another. Business partners, acquaintances from work, and girls I’ve met through nightlife.

“President, please take your time to recover. Don’t push yourself too hard. When you get better, let’s work together again.”

They all said the same thing, ‘Get well soon’

At first, I felt quite happy about it because it makes me feel they are worried and care about me.

But that only lasted for a little while.

If I remain useless, our relationship will fade.

That’s what I thought, and it turned out to be as I expected.

Their visits became less frequent. At first, they would drop by several times a week, but gradually, they began to come see me less and less.

‘I’m too busy.’

‘I can’t find the time.’

Those are their excuses.

When the people I have connections with through work see that I won’t be able to return to the business world, they quickly move onto the next influential person

…well, that’s to be expected.

I would do the same thing if I were in their position. There is nothing to gain from associating with a sick person.

No sane person would neglect their own job to care for a sick person.

It’s only natural that they can’t visit often.

Among all of them, the most persistent and troublesome visitors are—

Parasites who contribute nothing, gives nothing and just good at clinging to others.

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“President, I just want to talk to you for a bit…when you get better, let’s go out for dinner together again, okay?”

They come into my hospital room, spouting empty pleasantries. But behind their words, I can sense it, their expectation, their greed, their hope that I’ll be a source of money for them.

“…sorry, but I’m tired.”

When I brush them off coldly, they would laugh and say, ‘Oh, don’t be like that.’ at first.

However, when they realize that I’m not going to entertain them, they eventually stopped coming.

The moment they realize that I’m not going to give my money to them, I lost all value in their eyes.

Well, that’s just how it is.

Strangely enough, I feel nothing about it.

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In the end, the only people who keeps visiting me are my parents, my family, a few old friends, and some people who I was deeply involved with in work.

This is just right. Having people I’m not even close with visiting me is exhausting, and brushing them off is a hassle.

I honestly think so.

I’m left with only the people who truly matters to me, no unnecessary relationships, no pointless obligations.

This is completely fine.

However, there is one more person who keeps coming to see me.

That person always comes to see me without any ulterior motives, as if as if it’s the most natural thing in the world.

Yuki.

“How are you feeling today?”

She came to visit me again today.

“…well, same as always.”

I reply coldly.

“You’ve lost some weight.”

“That’s because I’m just lying around all day.”

“…are you eating properly?”

“I don’t really have an appetite.”

“I see.”

Yuki laughs softly.

I have no idea what she finds so amusing.

A brief silence.

Then, she lowers her gaze.

“…if you don’t want me to come, don’t hesitate to tell me.”

“Not really.”

I reply shortly.

“I see.”

Once again, she laughs softly.

I still don’t understand what’s going on her mind.

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She comes to visit me almost every day.

“You don’t have to force yourself to come.”

One day, I casually say so.

“I’m not forcing myself.”

She simply replies so.

“…I see.”

“But if you’re tired, make sure to tell me, okay Yuto?”

“…I’m not tired.”

I bluntly answered so.

She always chooses her words carefully, as if to confirm whether it’s okay for her to be here.

I still can’t figure out what she’s thinking.

Even so, Yuki remains by my side, just like before.

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At some point, Yuki started coming to visit me with my secretary more often.

At first, I thought it was just a coincidence. But it’s becoming too frequent to be a coincidence.

“President, why don’t you hire Yuki-san at the company? When Yuki-san is around, your face isn’t so scary. Think of it as a favour for your cute secretary.”

My secretary jokingly said so.

“Stop it.”

Yuki shakes her head with a wry smile on her face as she said so.

“Yuto will be bothered if I’m around.”

“That’s not true at all. Right, president?”

I listen to their conversation in silence.

…what’s with these two?

It feels strange, but I don’t want to worry about it, so I won’t ask anything.

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Another day.

“Yuki, are you off work today?”

“Yeah, kind of.”

“Eh, again? Aren’t you a little too free lately? I’m jealous.”

“That’s not true.”

My secretary and Yuki are really close with each other. They would often start chatting with each other casually in the hospital room with me.

“By the way, Yuki, did you go to that restaurant I recommended the other day?”

“Yeah, I did! It was so delicious!”

“Right? My recommendations never miss!”

“You certainly have great taste.”

“Right?”

The conversation unfolding in front of me is like that of two longtime best friends. The two of them get excited talking about something I know nothing about.

…what’s with this sense of distance?

A sense of discomfort slowly grows within me.

“Hey.”

When I interrupt, the two of them turn to look at me.

“Why are you guys get along so well?”

““Eh?””

“…I mean, it’s fine, but for some reason, it just bothers me.”

My secretary looks at me and grins.

“Well, that’s because I’m closer to Yuki than you are, President.”

“…hah?”

“Right, Yuki?”

“…well, maybe.”

Yuki nods vaguely while laughing a little awkwardly.

I glare at my secretary.

“Why are you acting so arrogant?”

“Eh? Because it’s the truth?”

My secretary seems oddly amused, while Yuki seems somewhat uncomfortable.

“You’ve got a husband waiting for you, right? You’re done with your work today, so just go home already.”

My secretary is married, and her husband also works in the same secretary department.

Yeah, that’s right, she is his boss.

“Ah, do you want to be alone with Yuki? I see, I must be in the way, right?”

My secretary’s face brightens even more as she looks at me and says so.

She’s smirking…once I’m back, I’ll give you more work.

Yuki seems flustered.

“I’m going to the restroom.”

She said so before escaping.

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Even after Yuki returned from the restroom, the two of them continue chatting enthusiastically. Apparently, they are talking about a delicious cake shop.

…don’t talk about that in a hospital room.

I don’t really mind since I have no appetite, but ethically, isn’t that kind of inappropriate?

With that thought in mind, I absentmindedly watch the two of them.

Something about this just doesn’t sit right.

However, I don’t hate it at all.