Chapter 31 A Call from the Section Chief
#Ore ni Tsumetai TsumaA Call from the Section Chief
Several days have passed since the divorce.
Things have been moving at a dizzying pace.
After being disowned by her family, Rina was forced to move out of the apartment under my name and into an old apartment by herself. I heard it was built over 60 years ago or so.
The reason she was so short of money was that she paid the settlement to me and the cancellation fee for the dinner with Fushimi-san in one lump sum.
At the time of the divorce, we divided our savings as a property settlement, but Rina’s share was paid to me.
In other words, the property division and the settlement were offset.
I thought there was no way I could get that much, but it seems Tokudou-san did a good job.
And Rina, who had no savings from her single days, sold everything she could to pay Fushimi-san’s settlement.
So she didn’t have that much money left.
I suppose she will live a poor life from now on, but that’s none of my business.
“…This is all about Rina’s current situation. Do you have any questions?“
After hearing from Tokudou-san, I felt strangely calm.
I thought I might feel a little sorry for her or sympathize with her, but I seemed to be colder than I thought. I’m surprised at myself. But well, it’s her own fault.
“No, I don’t have any. Thank you for your help. Thanks to you, I was able to get a smooth divorce.“
The divorce papers I had Rina fill out were taken to the City Hall office the next day and were accepted without any problems.
Rina and I are now officially separated.
When you think that even marriage after a long relationship can’t make you happy, you never know what’s really going to happen in life.
People’s hearts change, but I may not be able to have a deep relationship with a woman from now on.
I had a fear of women to that extent.
That was even the case with the lawyer who helped me.
It might be a bit of an exaggeration to say that I have a fear of women, but I seem to have developed something similar.
I’m pathetic to feel this way about such a small thing.
“No, I’m glad I could help. Please feel free to contact me if you need anything else. I’ll take my leave now.“
Tokudou-san, who didn’t know about my feelings, bowed deeply and left my room. With that, the last steps were completed. Everything is finally over.
The room where I was left alone feels somehow spacious.
But this will be the norm from now on. I have to get used to it quickly.
“It’s surprisingly lonely….“
I thought I would feel refreshed, but I feel like there is a hole in my heart. But of course, I have no regrets.
While I was alone thinking about how to fill this hole by trying something new, my smartphone suddenly rang.
Could it be Rina? It’s possible she was against the divorce until the end….
A bad feeling came over me, but it seemed to be an unnecessary worry.
When I checked, the name "Arihara Mamoru" was displayed.
“This is unusual….“
I was hesitant to answer a call from someone who didn’t usually contact me, but I pressed the call button and answered the phone.
“Hello?“
[Hey, Uchida! Are you okay now?]
“Yeah, I guess… Is something wrong?“
[No, nothing. You took a few days off, right? I heard from Mishi that you got divorced. I was worried, so I called.]
“I see….“
I had told my section chief, who is him, that I wanted to take a few days off as paid leave because I had no motivation to work.
He understood my feelings and was happy to agree, but I couldn’t cause him any more trouble.
I should return to work soon. My colleagues, including Mishi-san, must be worried.
“I’m thinking of returning to work soon.“
[Are you sure you’ll be okay? Well, to be honest, if you don’t come back, Mishi will be in trouble….]
“Mishi-san? Is something wrong?“
[She makes a lot of little mistakes at work because she’s so worried… Honestly, I’m reaching my limit by covering for her….]
I see, that’s definitely bad.
Still, it’s unusual for Mishi-san to make so many mistakes.
She must be very worried.
…Wait, did I tell Mishi-san that I got divorced?
Maybe she heard it from Tokudou-san?
Mishi-san was the one who introduced me to her, so maybe they’re that close?
But even lawyers have a kind of confidentiality, so I don’t think Tokudou-san would just blurt it out….
[Anyway, I’d appreciate it if you’d get back to work. We have a mountain of work to do.]
“Oh, yeah… I understand. I’ll come back tomorrow.“
[Ah, no… You don’t have to rush. Just do me a favor tomorrow.]
“…What is it?“
[Let’s go for a drink. I found a good place.]
Come to think of it, I used to drink with my section chief.
But lately, I’ve been turning him down because I don’t want Rina to worry if I get home late.
But, yeah, I feel like having a drink too.
“Okay, I’ll go.“
[Thanks. I’ll treat you.]
“Really?“
[Yeah, don’t be shy. We’re friends, right? Besides, it’s a superior’s job to take care of his subordinates’ mental health.]
Really, this guy’s a good boss.
I’m lucky to work for him.
I’d follow him for the rest of my life if I could.
But the next day, when I went out for a drink with my section chief, I would deeply regret it.
“Why on earth did this happen…?”