Chapter 2 Completely Fed Up, so I’m Breaking Up

Completely Fed Up, so I’m Breaking Up

The issue wasn’t just with Nanami’s social circle.

After Nanami’s parents left for their overseas assignment, her house gradually became a complete mess. She couldn’t handle any household chores.

Since her parents had entrusted me with a spare key, I reluctantly went to her house every two or three days to take care of things like laundry and cleaning.

Despite seeing me handle all the household chores for her countless times, Nanami never once said, “thank you.” Instead, she’d fiddle with her phone and casually demand, “Hurry up and cook.”

For the first year, I lived like her servant—cooking meals, doing laundry, cleaning, and buying daily necessities whenever she ran out.

But as those servant-like days dragged on… well, naturally, my frustration grew, and I started arguing with Nanami more often. Each time, she’d always end it by threatening, “Fine, then let’s break up.”

I didn’t want to break up with Nanami, so I always caved and apologized, no matter what the argument was about.

Even with her selfishness, I couldn’t bring myself to let go. Sure, I was dissatisfied, but I still cared about Nanami. She’d been my friend since first grade, and I truly loved her.

Besides, I figured she was just having fun with her newfound freedom and acting out a little. I believed that once she’d had her fill of this rebellious phase, she’d return to being the kind Nanami I used to know.

So, I decided I’d stick by her side as her boyfriend until that version of her came back.

I cooked her meals, cleaned her house, did her laundry, and even handled her utility bills—all without complaint. But…

(Still… cheating is the one thing I can’t forgive.)

Cheating is absolutely out of the question. That’s my line in the sand.

The next day, Sunday.

I went to Nanami’s house to confront her about what I saw yesterday. The moment she saw me, the first thing she said was:

“Hey? Why didn’t you come over yesterday? The laundry’s piling up.”

Nanami, lying on the living room sofa and fiddling with her phone, said this as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Last night, she’d also texted me, “Come over now and do the laundry,” but I refused.

Honestly, the thought of seeing her after she’d been with another guy made me feel sick.

“I told you yesterday I couldn’t come because I had work. Besides, you can’t just call me over at the last minute and expect me to show up.”

“What’s with that attitude? Acting all high and mighty. Who do you think you are?”

“I’m not acting high and mighty. Anyway, I’ve got something to talk to you about.”

“Something to talk about? If it’s boring, I’m not interested.”

“Oh, trust me, it’s not boring. Just look at this picture.”

“Picture?”

I handed her the photo I took yesterday of her walking arm-in-arm with the flashy guy.

For a moment, Nanami’s expression darkened, but she quickly went back to her usual indifferent attitude and said:

“Ugh, gross. What is this, a stalker photo?”

“It’s not. I just happened to take it while I was out shopping. You two seem awfully close.”

“Well, of course. He’s a super popular male model and a colleague of mine. Naturally, we’re close. This is just a picture of me being friendly with a coworker. Is that a problem?”

“Being friendly with coworkers is fine. But don’t you think that level of physical contact is inappropriate when you have a boyfriend?”

“Hmm? I don’t know what you’re imagining, but I didn’t cheat on you.”

“Oh, really? Because I saw you two go into a love hotel afterward. Don’t tell me you just walked in and walked out without doing anything.”

“That must be your imagination. After all, you don’t have any proof we went into a love hotel. Or do you have a picture of us entering one?”

“No, I didn’t take a photo of that.”

“Thought so.”

Taking a photo of them entering the love hotel felt unethical, so I hadn’t done it.

Nanami, knowing me well, used that against me. She knew I wasn’t the type to take such a photo and confidently challenged me about it.

She smirked, mocking me. It was proof she didn’t take me seriously at all.

“Well, if there’s no proof, there’s nothing more to discuss. But even if I were cheating, would it really be such a big deal?”

“…Huh? What are you even saying?”

“I mean, I still sleep with you, don’t I? Plus, for an average guy like you to sleep with a super popular model like me—that’s already a miracle, isn’t it? Do you even realize how lucky you are?”

“What…? What the hell are you talking about?”

“Honestly, Taiki, do you even understand my value? There are tons of guys out there who’d pay a million yen just to sleep with me. You should be grateful. Or is that too much to expect from someone as plain as you?”

“…”

Laughing mockingly, Nanami turned her attention back to her phone. Hearing her words made my blood boil.

I wasn’t dating Nanami because she was a super popular model, or just to sleep with her. I loved her for the person she was—my childhood friend.

There’s no way I’d date her just to satisfy some shallow desire.

Besides, the last time we were intimate was three or four months ago, and the last time we went on a date was over six months ago.

(You’ve got to be kidding me…)

I couldn’t stand her words any longer, so I asked her something.

“…Hey, can I ask you something? Why are you even dating me?”

“Huh? What kind of question is that? Because you asked me out, obviously. I’m just dating you out of childhood friendship. Also, because you can cook, clean, and do laundry. Honestly, if you couldn’t handle housework, there’s no way I’d still be with someone as plain as you.”

Nanami laughed smugly as she said this. Hearing that was the last straw for me.

“I see. Got it. Then let’s break up.”

“Break up? Sure, whatever. I don’t need some boring guy like you anyway. I’ve got no shortage of men.”

“Great. Then I’ll return your key and block you on LIME and everywhere else. You should do the same.”

“Go ahead. Not like I’d ever contact you anyway. Later, Taiki. Maybe in your next life, you’ll be a hotter guy.”

“Shut up. Maybe in your next life, you’ll learn to be a kinder person. Goodbye.”

―Bam!

With that, I slammed the key down on her table and left her house.

And so, our nearly seven-year relationship came to an end. Honestly, I felt relieved, so I didn’t really mind.