You Were Stolen from Me, so I Will Live for Myself - Chapter 18 ~END

Promise and Childhood Friend

The warm sunlight shines through the curtains as I sit on the sofa, taking a sip of my coffee.

Outside the window, a serene scene can be seen.

I have a life that can be considered successful. I have money, status and recognition from those around me. But unlike before, I have no longer have any suffocating feelings deep inside my heart.

Back then, I had lost the meaning of life. It wasn’t because I’ve lost something, but because even though I had seemingly everything, I still felt empty inside.

Chasing after success, running blindly forward, I eventually realized that the things I believed were important, are in fact not as valuable as I thought.

It’s not that my beliefs have crumbled. However, once I had everything in my grasp, I felt nothing at all, I felt empty.

Money, status, women, I had it all, but deep inside, there was still a big hole in my heart.

I no longer knew what truly mattered to me or what I truly wanted.

What filled that hole in my heart was—

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The spring sunlight shining through the hospital window.

Until I’m discharged, Yuki comes to visit me almost every day.

She cares about my condition more than the doctors and nurses, she is happy for my recovery, and simply stays by my side without asking for anything in return.

Yuki saved my life. If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t be alive today.

After my discharge, we start to see each other about once a week. Even so, she never changed. She continues to visit me without expecting anything in return.

Then, after we become a couple again, just having her by my side fills the emptiness inside my heart, I feel fulfilled. The happiness of those temporary relationships can never compare to what I have right now. However, when it comes to the ‘skills’ I’ve learned from my past experiences with women, Yuki sometimes has a complicated expression on her face.

That being said—those experiences certainly help me to deepen my relationship with Yuki.

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As I’m reminiscing about the past,

“Papa!”

A cheerful voice can be heard from the back of the room. The next moment, a small body jumps onto my lap.

“Hey, hey, it’s dangerous to jump at my lap so suddenly.”

I chuckle as I lift her up.

“Mama said we are going out today!”

“I see. Then we better get ready.’

I smile as I gently pat Tsumugi’s head. On the other side of the living room, Yuki is preparing breakfast wearing an apron.

Our daughter’s name is Tsumugi. It means ‘Accumulating precious things over time’. We call her Mugi-chan for short.

“You really love Papa don’t you, Mugi-chan?”

Yuki turns around and smiles softly.

“Where are we going today?”

“Mugi-chan wants to go to the zoo.”

“That sounds nice. It’s been a while since we last went there.”

Just like that, our casual conversation flows naturally. Warm, peaceful days with my loved ones.

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After eating breakfast and getting ready, the three of us go outside together.

“The weather’s nice today! It feels great!”

Yuki looks up at the sky with a happy look on her face.

“Yeah, it really is.”

I reach out and gently take her hand. Yuki looks at me in surprise, but then she smiles and squeezes my hand back.

We parted ways once, but now, we are walking together again.

Even so, I can feel a slight tension in her fingers.

…she still feels guilty, doesn’t she?

Her grip is somewhat hesitant. It’s clear that she still hasn’t fully forgiven herself.

“A long time ago, we promised to get married, didn’t we? I’m glad I’m able to keep that promise.”

“…you still remember that promise.”

“There’s no way I’d forget. I’m alive because of you. I’m really grateful, Yuki.”

Yuki’s eyes wavers.

“That was…I just wanted to do it for you…”

“Even so, you’re the one who gave me this life, Yuki. I will never forget that.”

I continue.

“Thanks to you, I’m able to keep my promise. I hate breaking promises.”

Yuki bites her lip lightly, then slowly smiles.

“…yeah.”

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In the car.

“Mugi-chan wants to see the elephants!”

Tsumugi said so excitedly while looking out the window.

Then, as if she just thought of something, she looks up at her parents and asks cheerfully.

“Papa, Mama, what’s your favourite animal?”

“Mama likes penguins.”

“Then what about Papa?”

I pause for a moment, searching for an answer.

“Well…maybe lions.”

“Why?”

“Because they seem strong.”

“Papa is strong too!”

I can’t help but laugh at Tsumugi’s words.

“Really? Do Papa look that strong?”

“Yeah!”

“I see, then I’ll have to become even stronger so I don’t disappoint Mugi-chan.”

Yuki watches our exchange with a gentle smile.

“Yuto, you are strong. Maybe even too strong.”

I look at her, a bit surprised.

“Is that so?”

“Yeah.”

In Yuki’s eyes, I can see that there is a deep and unwavering trust.

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As soon as we arrive at the zoo, Tsumugi’s eyes sparkles with excitement as she runs ahead.

“Papa! Mama! This way, this way! Mugi-chan’s going ahead!”

She tells us cheerfully as her small figure eagerly dash forward.

Laughing, I hold Yuki’s hand, and together we follow her. Yuki slowly squeezes my hand in return.

“I never thought a day like this would come.”

I mutter so to myself.

Yuki looks up at me.

“…yeah. It’s all thanks to you, Yuto.”

Even when Yuki says so, there is a hint of hesitation in her voice.

“But sometimes, I’m scared that all this is just a dream I made up for my own convenience.”

“…it’s not a dream. Want me to pinch your cheek?”

“Yeah, try pinching it.”

Yuki laughs.

We probably haven’t completely overcome our past yet. The pain from those days still lingers deep in our hearts.

We have hurt each other, but still—

I chose to walk forward with Yuki. I decided that I will never let go of her hand again. I have no regrets about this decision.

“From now on, we’ll always be together.”

Yuki blinks in surprise as I say so.

Then, she smiles.

“…yes. As long as you want.”

Her voice is gentler than any words I’ve ever heard before. I hold Yuki’s hand tightly and feel her warmth.

—at that moment.

Memories from childhood suddenly comes back to me.

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At dusk in the park, Yuki and I are laughing together.

“Hey, let’s get married someday!”

“Yeah! I promise!”

A childish promise that the two of us took very seriously.

Reminiscing about the past, I murmur to myself—

“Well, I kept my promise.”

~ THE END ~