The next day, when Tetsuya arrived at the studio, Sakiko imdiately told him the eting place Ai and Uika had decided on—
"[RiNG]?"
Hearing the location, Tetsuya only hesitated for a mont before nodding.
"This way, we won't have to worry about it conflicting with the live... Mhm, that's fine."
With that, he lowered his head, ready to continue with his work—
"Wait, wait, this isn't sothing you can just laugh off, is it?!"
Sakiko quickly interrupted Tetsuya before he could imrse himself in his work.
"[Sumr Zodiac] has never been to [RiNG] before. The fact that Ai specifically nad this place ans she must have found out a lot of information about you, Chihaya-nii... and that band!"
"Mhm... perhaps so."
Faced with Sakiko's warning, Tetsuya just nodded, his expression unchanged.
"After all, Ai is the type who takes action."
"Eh..."
Tetsuya's persistently calm reaction caught Sakiko off guard.
"Aren't you nervous at all, Chihaya-nii? In order to completely cut off all your escape routes, she's even investigated your private haunts and your relationship with that band..."
"Even so, she's not doing these things just to hurt . She's doing them because she likes , right?"
Tetsuya shook his head.
"It's just that after all these years, it seems she still hasn't learned the proper way to express love."
"..."
Seeing Tetsuya's placid expression, alarm bells went off loudly in Sakiko's mind.
"Um... Chihaya-nii, you're not... planning to accept her pursuit, are you?"
Sakiko asked nervously.
But Tetsuya just gave her a very surprised look.
"Hm? Why would you think that?"
"Because you're just too calm! It's as if you've already figured sothing out!"
Sakiko said quickly.
"Plus, you just affird Ai's feelings for you, so of course it gives the impression that you're planning to accept her!"
"Ah... is that so."
Tetsuya's voice was filled with dawning realization.
"Sorry. I've never been in a relationship before, nor has anyone... er, or rather, I've never realized anyone liked . So I don't know what the correct reaction is, but either way, there's one thing you can be completely at ease about."
As Tetsuya spoke, he took out a new sheet of paper from the workbench.
"And that is, no matter what happens, I don't plan on giving up my career as a designer. And until I've achieved so success... I don't plan on being in a relationship with anyone."
"Eh, is, is that right..."
Tetsuya's answer made Sakiko feel both relieved and confused.
The reason for her relief was, of course, that she didn't have to worry about Tetsuya being snatched away by Ai.
And the reason for her confusion was naturally the second half of his sentence—
"By the way, are you the type who thinks that being in a relationship will interfere with work, Chihaya-nii?"
"No, it has nothing to do with the work itself."
Faced with Sakiko's curiosity, Tetsuya shook his head.
"It's just that I probably can't view a 'romantic relationship' as casually and freely as other people."
"What... do you an by that?"
"It ans, I'm probably the type who, once I'm in a relationship with soone, would want to see it through to the very end."
Tetsuya said.
"For , who ca from an orphanage, relationships that can't last have no aning and might even leave behind sad mories... Rather than a relationship full of uncertainty, what I want is an existence that can support forever, like family."
"For that, I need soone who can truly understand and support , and the ability to face any future challenges. Until I've t those two conditions, I won't fall in love with anyone... Of course, I know this way of thinking is a bit too heavy for this day and age, so in a way, I've already prepared myself to die alone—"
"I don't think... it's heavy at all!"
Suddenly, Sakiko cut Tetsuya off.
"If anything, I completely agree with your view, Chihaya-nii. Relationships that can't be stable and long-lasting... only bring painful mories."
Having also co from a unique family situation, Sakiko could deeply empathize with what Tetsuya had just said.
"I also long for a relationship where we can support and understand each other forever! So... I don't think your way of thinking is heavy at all. In fact, it's what I'm seeking too!"
As Sakiko said these words, her eyes were fixed on Tetsuya.
She desperately wanted him to realize that she already completely fulfilled the conditions he had just laid out.
"Is that so?"
However, after hearing Sakiko's words, Tetsuya simply took them as a sign of her agreent and said calmly:
"Then, we'll both have to work hard from now on... so that when we et that person in the future, we can keep them by our side."
"...Mhm, you're right."
Sakiko's eyes were still fixed on the side of Tetsuya's face.
"When that ti cos, in order to make that person properly notice my existence... I'll really have to work hard..."
(It's no use... the gap is too big. I'm not even in his range of options...)
While Sakiko felt a slight disappointnt in her heart, she didn't feel discouraged.
Her way of thinking was more realistic than others her age, so she of course understood that even if Tetsuya did beco aware of her feelings, the two of them still couldn't form the equal relationship they both sought.
For that, she needed to grow further.
Both as a designer... and as a girl still in her adolescence.
"...Speaking of which, since you've already decided to reject Ai, then... how do you plan to make her give up?"
Sakiko suddenly asked with a hint of curiosity.
"She's already so obsessed with you. Just a few words won't be enough, right?"
"I don't plan on making any plans until I actually et Ai."
Tetsuya shook his head.
"After all, my assumptions about her so far have been completely wrong. In order to avoid any further misunderstandings, I don't plan on doing anything unnecessary. Besides, the situation with Anon's band is more urgent."
He said, holding his pencil.
"It seems they've decided to participate in the live on that day."
User Comments
0 comments from readers