Chapter 16 Moving and Ex-Wife's Belongings

Moving and Ex-Wife’s Belongings

“Doing this in the middle of the night is pretty exhausting…”

“If you have time to complain, then just keep going~! We won’t make progress if we don’t move quickly!”

She moved briskly beside me.

With practiced hands, she wrapped the plates in packing material.

…Honestly, she’s so capable in every way.

Admiring her efficiency, I continued taking things down from the shelves.

Right now, I was in the middle of preparing to move out.

It was just a few days after the drinking party when Kanade said, “How about moving?”

Apparently, the property was urgently looking for a tenant, and if I signed the contract right away, I’d get a discount.

The new place was bigger, had parking, and was located on the opposite side of my workplace compared to my current place.

There were fewer hills, making commuting much easier than before.

I did have some attachment to this place… but there were also plenty of unpleasant memories here.

That’s why I decided to move, just as Kanade suggested.

…With such favorable conditions, there was no reason to refuse.

If there was one downside, it would be the sudden financial burden of rent.

Normally, I’d hesitate and consider delaying the move, but…

Now, my heart was already set on moving, and the cost didn’t bother me anymore.

Honestly, I’d been spending way too much money before anyway.

And then, another difficult thing about moving is—

“Hey, Ariga-cchi~. What should we do about this?”

“Haa… there’s still more…?”

—dealing with my ex-wife’s belongings.

She must have forgotten them when she left.

She was always a bit careless like that…

I pointed at the trash can and said, “Just toss it.”

My blunt response must have been amusing because Kanade let out a small giggle and then poked my cheek.

“I want to say okay~ but… you can’t do that, you know?”

“…So we have to return them, huh? But she left them behind—doesn’t that mean she doesn’t need them anymore? She hasn’t contacted me or come to pick them up. There’s no sentiment left in these things.”

“Do you want her to contact you?”

“No, I don’t. But it just makes me feel… empty. When I think about all the time I spent… it’s frustrating. Even with something like this necklace…”

“Oh, this is actually pretty cute. Ariga-cchi, you’ve got good taste!”

“Haha… Thanks for saying that.”

I placed the necklace back into its box and set it in the section where I’d gathered the rest of my ex-wife’s belongings.

I remember buying that necklace after doing a lot of research and awkwardly asking the store staff for advice.

At the time, I was so happy when she smiled after receiving it. But I never realized that she stopped wearing it so quickly… How pathetic.

I let out a sigh.

“You know what, Ariga-cchi? Leave your ex-wife’s stuff to me! I’ll make sure it’s delivered properly so there are no future issues!”

“Are you sure? Honestly, I don’t want to see her, so that’d be a huge help…”

“Of course! Besides, stuff like this can be handled through a lawyer. You don’t need to worry about it at all!!”

“Then… I’ll take you up on that offer. Thanks, Kanade.”

“Ehehe~ Leave it to me!”

She puffed out her chest confidently and flashed a bright smile.

I couldn’t help but smile back at her.

“Even so, I really bought this much… No wonder my special bonuses for sales performance disappeared… They say love is blind…”

“You’re like a classic s🬀gar d🬀ddy, Ariga-cchi~.”

“Haha… That hurts, but you’re not wrong. Back then, I thought giving gifts was the best way to show love. But words and presents aren’t enough, huh… Love is complicated.”

“Hmm… I don’t think what you did was wrong, Ariga-cchi.”

“…Really?”

I tilted my head, puzzled by her words.

How could she say that when my marriage ended in infidelity and divorce?

“I’ve never been married or even dated anyone, but that’s just how I feel.”

“Wait, you’ve never dated anyone?”

“What, is that bad?”

“No, it’s not bad… just surprising.”

“Surprising…?”

Uh-oh. Did I step on a landmine?

Her body trembled slightly before she puffed out her cheeks and stepped closer.

“Geez! Sure, there are rumors at my university saying I’ve dated a hundred guys, but I’m not that kind of girl, okay!?”

“W-wait, I didn’t mean it like that!”

“It’s fine! I know people think that because I dress casually!”

She pouted with her lips sticking out in frustration.

Then she placed a hand on my chest and looked up at me with puppy-dog eyes.

“But, Ariga-cchi… make sure you know the real me, okay?”

“Yeah, of course.”

When I replied, she smiled faintly before turning her back to me.

Then she stretched her arms high with a long sigh.

“…Alright! This conversation is over! Done!!”

“You change subjects quickly.”

“Anyway! I think it’s difficult to convey feelings and affection through unspoken understanding, so Ariga-cchi, you weren’t wrong~! Compared to guys who can’t express themselves, you’re way better.”

“O-oh… okay… That’s actually kind of embarrassing.”

“The important thing isn’t just receiving love—it’s acting on it too. One-sided demands don’t work. Emotional exchanges have to go both ways!”

“I see…”

I nodded earnestly as Kanade spoke passionately.

Both the one giving love and the one receiving it have to make an effort.

In other words, selfishness doesn’t work…

Haah.

Getting lectured by a college student… All I can do is sigh.

“That’s why I’ll keep acting, keep trying, and aim for clear skies between us!”

“Huh?”

“Don’t worry about it! That’s just my personal declaration!!”

Her bright smile blew away the lingering clouds in my heart.

That smile felt so refreshing… it was like my soul had been cleansed.