Chapter 2: Fuzuki (1)
Fuzuki (1)
When I opened my eyes, it was already seven in the morning. Akita usually wakes me—why hadn’t he today?
I’d been out late with Yuichi last night, and the moment I got home, I collapsed straight into bed. At that time, Akita… Was he even home? I haven’t been coming back for dinner these past few nights—maybe he just ate alone. Using my money.
I got up, took a shower, and stepped out—still no sign of anyone. So be it. It’s already late; I might as well head back to the office. I grab something for breakfast at the convenience store along the way. The rest… I’ll deal with tonight, when I see Akita.
Come to think of it, I haven’t been blameless either. I’ve been so consumed with work—and with Yuichi—that I’ve ended up neglecting Akita. Maybe tonight, I should have dinner with him. It’s been a while.
The stress of being a teacher is no small thing—especially in elementary school. The children bring their own problems, and the parents are endlessly demanding. Even with five years under my belt, I’m still a novice in this field. And once you become a homeroom teacher, the pressure only grows. If not for Yuichi, I would’ve crumbled by now—he’s supported me more than I can say. But right now, I need him to keep his distance. If someone saw us… it would be disastrous.
“You don’t have to worry,” he said. “If everyone knew, wouldn’t that be fine?”
“I have a husband.”
“But you’re going to divorce him, right? Marry me instead. I’ll make you happy.”
“Mm…”
He smiled, soft and sweet. He’s not what most would call handsome, but I’ve always liked that smile. Akita rarely smiles—and when he does, it’s always shy and awkward. That difference between them… it draws me in.
Should I choose him? I don’t know what I really feel. I just know I don’t want to throw Akita away… and I don’t want to give up Yuichi either. I know it’s wrong. But for now, I have no choice but to fool him.
“Want to have dinner together tonight?”
“No. I’m going home tonight.”
“Still tied to your husband? Is he holding you back?”
“It’s not like that. We just haven’t eaten dinner together the past few nights.”
“Weren’t you unhappy about that last time?”
“That’s not true at all.”
Not at all… Sometimes, when I drink too much, I lose track of what I say. But that—that wasn’t the truth.
“Really?” Yuichi’s face twisted into something small and lonely, like a puppy left behind. “Well, then I’ll message you later, okay?”
“Okay.”
When I got home, Akita still hadn’t returned. Honestly… this is getting infuriating.
And then, as I turned on the light, something gleamed on the dining table and caught my eye. A cold shiver ran down my spine—as if something terrible were about to happen.
I stepped closer and saw it: a wedding ring. Our wedding ring, left there carelessly by him? Did he go off to find some other woman? A sharp pain bloomed in my chest.
I was too stunned to react. A beat later, I noticed the divorce papers and a sealed envelope placed right beside it.
Divorce? Why!?
The next day, I took time off work to search for him, risking a reprimand from the other teachers. He wouldn’t answer his phone. He hadn’t opened any of my messages. Did he block me? Unforgivable—taking my money and running off to chase some woman? I won’t stand for it!
I finally found him at the factory where he works. He was there, going about his day like nothing had happened. I passed the time at a nearby café, waiting for his shift to end, then followed him.
The place he entered was a rundown apartment. This filthy little place—was he using it to hide his mistress? Ha. I crept closer and pressed myself against the door. I could hear a few sounds inside, but no voices. Suspicious, to say the least.
After waiting a while with no sign of movement inside, I decided there was no point in lingering. I gave up and rang the doorbell.