Chapter 7: The Unease in My Everyday Life When Talking to Her Over the Phone
The Unease in My Everyday Life When Talking to Her Over the Phone
As the ringtone repeated in my ear, I saw Ayane notice the incoming call on her phone. She stopped kissing Minato, took the phone out of her pocket, showed the screen to him, and then answered.
[H-hello, Ryou-chan?]
“…”
[Ryou-chan?]
“…Ah, Ayane?”
[Yeah. What’s up?]
“Well, my shift just ended… I kind of wanted to hear your voice.”
[Really? Geez, Ryou-chan, you’re such a lonely boy.]
“Maybe so… You’re at home right now?”
[…Yeah, that’s right… I’m at home.]
Ayane lied to me as if it were the most natural thing in the world. She must have done the same before too, even when she was with Minato like this.
“I see. What are you watching on TV? I thought I heard a guy’s voice.”
Nothing came through the speaker, but I still asked, suspicious that there might be a man nearby. Maybe it was twisted of me to even think that way.
[Huh? Yeah, I was watching TV… but I’m about to take a bath now.]
“A bath? Sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
[No, it’s fine. Don’t worry about it, Ryou-chan… ah.]
“What’s wrong?”
I knew Minato had wrapped his arm around Ayane’s waist and was teasing her while she talked to me on the phone, so when she let out that strange sound, I responded with concern.
[I-it’s okay. My shirt just got caught a little…]
“Sorry, you were about to take a bath… Hey, Ayane. How about coming over to my place tomorrow?”
Minato was touching Ayane’s body while she was on the phone, trying to distract her. I kept the conversation going while watching her struggle to hide her reactions as she endured his teasing.
[Your place, Ryou-chan?]
“Yeah. Golden Week starts tomorrow, and I haven’t made any plans yet… What do you think?”
[…]
Maybe she couldn’t take it anymore, because Ayane lowered the phone from her ear and said something to Minato. I couldn’t make out the words since she covered the mic with her hand and they were a little far apart, and before long, their faces drew close and they started kissing again.
“Did they forget I exist?”
No matter how many times I called out, my voice couldn’t reach Ayane, who had moved the phone away from her ear. Watching them sink into their own little world, kissing again and again, I grew tired of it, hung up, and took the long way home.
“…I’m home.”
As I opened the front door, realizing that Ayane’s relationship with Minato was now certain and that my feelings for her had completely faded, I noticed a small, warm feeling in the corner of my heart. Remembering it, I realized I was drawn to the kindness of an older woman. After shutting myself in my room, I sent a message to Kanae-san.
[If you have any free time during Golden Week, would you like to hang out?]
[Let’s hang out!]
I didn’t expect a quick reply, but just as I was about to set my phone down by my pillow, it vibrated with her message, and I replied right away.
[Thank you. I know a younger guy like me probably isn’t very interesting.]
[That’s not true, Ryouta-kun. I haven’t completely healed your heart yet, after all.]
[…You’re a goddess.]
[That’s right. I’m a goddess, you know.]
[Haha~]
I laughed at Kanae-san’s cheerful reply, but right then, as if on cue, a message from Ayane came in, making me sigh.
[Ryou-chan, why did you hang up?]
Because you were kissing Minato! I muttered to the screen and began typing a random reply, but another message from Kanae-san arrived, so I switched screens.
[Ryouta-kun, I heard you have a girlfriend. Isn’t it bad to invite me out? People might think it’s cheating, you know?]
[I do have a girlfriend… or at least, I did. But she was taken by a guy who I thought was my childhood friend and best friend.]
Even after more than ten minutes since it was read, Kanae-san didn’t reply, so I went back to finish the message I’d left halfway through for Ayane and sent it.
[Sorry, Ayane. I know I called you, but my battery died… I was thinking I’d head over after it charged a bit.]
[It’s okay, Ryou-chan. I’m fine now, and I’m going to bed soon, so you don’t need to come over.]
The way she said it made it clear she still hadn’t gone home and was with Minato. Instead of replying, I stared at my lock screen until I saw an incoming call from Kanae-san and my phone vibrated.
“Hello?”
[Hello, Ryouta-kun?]
“Yes, Kanae-san, what is it?”
[Sorry for calling so late. Um… was what you said earlier true?]
“It’s true. That’s why when you hugged me at work, it felt like you could see straight through my heart.”
[Ryouta-kun…]
“That’s why, Kanae-san.”
[Y-yes…]
“Even though I’m like this, I wanted to try inviting you out.”
Until now, the only woman I’d ever invited out besides Ayane was my little sister Natsuki, so I was surprised by how calm I felt.
[I see… Hey, Ryouta-kun.]
“Yes?”
[Could you tell me more about your girlfriend when we meet?]
“Yes, that’s what I was planning to do.”
[Okay… um, is it alright if I call you again tomorrow?]
“Of course. Any time that’s convenient for you, Kanae-san.”
[Thank you, Ryouta-kun. I’ll call you tomorrow.]
“Alright.”
[Okay, good night.]
“Good night.”
Hearing Kanae-san’s gentle voice through the speaker soothed me, and with that faint, indescribable warmth still in my chest, I fell asleep while my phone charged beside me.