Chapter 55 Once I Start Moving, I'll Keep Going

Once I Start Moving, I’ll Keep Going

After a big fight with Chika, I went home, and when I got there, my mother was surprised and said, “Taichi! Why are you bleeding from your nose? And your clothes are a mess!” I ignored her and told my father, “I have something to discuss with you about my job.” I told him I wanted to take the teacher’s exam in Fukui Prefecture.

I told him everything: about Iroha-san’s mother’s illness, about Iroha-san taking a leave of absence from college to take care of her, and about breaking up with Iroha-san.

When I said, “I still want to be by Iroha-san’s side,” my father was surprised and asked, “The teacher certification exam is really competitive, right? And you don’t even know if you can get back together with her?”

“I’ll do my best. If it doesn’t work out, I’ll give up on Iroha-san. But I can’t give up now because I haven’t even tried.”

“Even if you get a teaching job in Fukui, it’ll be hard at first, especially as a new teacher in a new place. You won’t have time to be with her for the first year.”

“Yes, I know. But if we stay apart, there’s nothing I can do. Time will just pass, and I won’t be able to get anything back.”

“Hmm… Alright. Do your best for five years. Show me what kind of man you are. If you can’t, give up and come back.”

“Thank you. I’ll do my best.”

“And come home at least for Obon and New Year’s. Your mother is worried about you. Don’t worry her if you go to Fukui.”

“Yes, I understand. I promise.”

As soon as my teaching practice was over, I returned to the university. The deadline for applying for the teacher certification exam was the end of May, so I quickly gathered the necessary documents and applied.

The first exam was in early July, so I studied for it in addition to my university studies.

In July, I went back to Fukui to take the first exam. After the exam, I didn’t see Iroh-san and went straight home. Then I started to prepare for the first semester exams at the university.

At the end of July, when I was taking the first semester exams at the university, I received the news that I had passed the first exam.

I immediately called home and told my mother, who cheered me up and said, [You should also do your best for the second exam].

After successfully passing the first-semester exam, the summer vacation began. Since the second exam was coming up, I went back to Fukui and took it.

The second exam included a personal interview. While answering the questions, I remembered many things that I had talked about with Iroha-san after the university classes and my first teaching practice.

Again, I didn’t see Iroha-san and went straight home.

During the rest of the summer vacation, I enrolled in a driving school and worked part-time at a bookstore while taking driving lessons. As I had promised my father, I returned home for Obon and stayed home for about five days. Then I immediately returned to my one-room apartment and continued working part-time and taking driving lessons.

At the end of September, I received a job offer.

I was so happy that I shouted out loud in my room, “Yoshaa!”.

I immediately told my family, and my mother praised me, saying, [That’s great. You worked hard.]

I went to the bookstore where I worked part-time and told the manager about my job offer. I asked my co-workers to cover my shifts for that week.

The day after I received the job offer, I got up at 5 a.m., showered, ate breakfast, and went to the train station.

I was going to Fukui to tell Iroha-san about my job offer.

I might not be able to see her, but I wanted to tell her in person. Even if it was a long shot, I wanted to try.

But if I just went to see her without saying anything, she might tell me, “Don’t come here again.” So on the train, I sent her a message saying, [I’m going to Fukui to see you today. I’ll probably arrive around noon. If you’re free, please meet me.]

She read the message but didn’t reply. I thought, “If she doesn’t say, ‘Don’t come,’ that means there is a possibility that she might meet me.” So I decided to think positively.

I changed trains at Tsuruga station, just like the last time I visited Iroha-san. I got off at the same station and took the bus to my destination.

The last time I visited Iroha-san’s house was at the end of February, and it was cold. This time the weather was neither hot nor cold, just right.

I walked to Iroha-san’s house, greeting people I met on the way. When I arrived, I quickly got dressed, took a deep breath, and rang the doorbell.

I heard a voice from inside the house say, [Yes?] Then the sliding door opened, and Iroha-san appeared.

Iroha-san’s hair had grown a little, and she had tied it up in a short bun at the back. She was wearing her usual glasses and the orange apron I gave her for Christmas.

Ah….

She’s still so cute.

Iroha-san, after half a year, is still as beautiful as ever.

No, no, no. I can’t stare at her like this.

I have an important mission today.

“Long time no see, Iroha-san! I came here to tell you something!”

“I told you not to come here anymore.”

Iroha-san looked at me seriously with a disappointed expression.

Although her tone was disappointing, she seemed calmer than the last time.

At that time, her mother had just finished her surgery and was still recovering at home. She also had to deal with taking time off from college, so she probably wasn’t in a good place mentally or physically.

I realized that more than half a year had passed, and Iroha-san had calmed down.

“I’ll be quick; please give me a few minutes! Please!”

“Alright, come in.”

Ah!?

Will she let me in this time?

Anyway, I need to calm down.

Her mother is probably resting at home, so I can’t cause her any trouble.

I was led to a tatami room, and Iroha said, “Please wait a moment,” and left the room. So I put down the backpack I was carrying, took out the envelope containing the job offer, and sat in seiza (tl: formal Japanese sitting posture) waiting for Iroha-san to return.

Iroha-san soon returned with a tray, placed a glass of cold tea in front of me, and sat in seiza across from me.

“So, what do you need this time?”

“Yes. I passed the teacher certification exam in Fukui Prefecture, so I came to tell you! This is all thanks to you, Iroha-san. Thank you!”

I took the job offer out of the envelope, placed it on the tatami, and began to speak. I stayed in seiza and bowed my head.

I looked at Iroha-san’s expression. She was holding the job offer in her hand, her eyes wide open in surprise.

“Why….”

“I worked hard! Even though Iroha-san was gone, I worked hard by myself!”

“That’s not what I mean. Why in Fukui?”

“To be by your side!”

“Are you crazy!? We’re not lovers anymore! Why are you coming here?”

Iroha-san raised her voice and pounded the tatami.

Iroha-san was angry.

She was really angry.

I had never seen Iroha-san so angry, even when we were together. She was scary.

But….

I’m not a coward.

I won’t run away anymore.

Watch out, gorilla girl.

“After I broke up with you, I thought about a lot of things….”

I took a deep breath and moved on.

“I still love you! I love Mizunami Iroha! Please marry me!”

I hadn’t mentioned marriage since I heard about Iroha-san’s situation, but my feelings had been decided a long time ago.

“What!? Marriage!?”

Iroha-san and… the woman behind her shouted in surprise at the same time.