Hearing the voice from behind me, I immediately hid the western-style envelope behind my back.
After Yamamoto-san finished washing the dishes, she returned to the room and watched my strange behaviour with a puzzled expression on her face.
"Ah... I didn't mean any harm...!"
As expected, there was no point in hiding it in such a blatant state, so I honestly repented for finding the envelope.
"...You found it, huh."
Yamamoto-san was surprisingly calm and took the western-style envelope from me with two fingers.
No matter how I think about it, it's an envelope that only looks like a love letter.
I wonder why it was sandwiched in such a place.
How much should I mention?
It would probably be best to just pretend I didn't see it, but that would leave us both feeling uneasy.
"Is that a love letter or something?"
So, I dared to ask.
Even if the answer that comes out of Yamamoto-san's mouth is a lie, as long as the two of us have the same understanding, no strange quarrelling will occur.
"Hmm... Let's see..."
Yamamoto-san smiles bitterly as she tucks her hair behind her ear.
"If anything, it's a heartbreak letter."
Yamamoto-san said those sad words with a hint of self-mockery.
So basically, a love letter with the premise of heartbreak.
Judging this situation fairly, Yamamoto-san wrote down her feelings for me, who had already gotten together with Miyu.
It's an extremely arrogant hypothesis, but considering the time I've spent in this room today, I can only assume that's the case.
What should I do when faced with something like that?
No matter what Yamamoto-san thinks, I'm free to do whatever I want.
Encouraging her in such a situation is simply too cruel and irresponsible.
However, I'm not good enough to deny Yamamoto-san's feelings head-on.
Or, if I pretended that heartbreak letter never existed and just heard Yamamoto-san's feelings directly, would I still be able to sort out my feelings?
"You wrote that after I came to this room, right?"
At least when I was having sex with Yamamoto-san, there was no such envelope stuck in this bed.
Yamamoto-san became interested in me as a man during the week we spent together, but because I got together with Miyu, she couldn't give it to me... or something.
"Well, I think so."
However, the answer I received was unexpected.
"When I gave a mean-spirited answer to someone, I got it. This letter."
Yamamoto-san fluttered the envelope and placed it on the table like a toy she got bored of.
"Ah... i-is that so."
It was a fundamental misunderstanding.
It's a shameful mistake, but I don't think the essence of the situation has changed.
Yamamoto-san called the letter she received a heartbreaking letter.
It means that someone is destined to lose in love.
Thinking about it normally, the only person who would be heartbroken is the man who gave Yamamoto-san the letter.
However, if that's the case, it's strange that Yamamoto-san is so worried.
Yamamoto-san has received a lot of love letters so far, so would she feel embarrassed about rejecting a man now?
If so, the fact that this letter has been specially preserved has a special meaning in itself.
When Yamamoto-san received the love letter, she did not immediately dispose of it.
What that means is that Yamamoto-san is unsure whether to accept the man's offer.
Then, what is the reason for being confused?
It's why Yamamoto called the love letter a 'heartbreaking letter.'
"Yamamoto-san."
I have to make up my mind now.
Things like making choices that make everyone happy, and living a life where no one gets hurt.
To keep saying such naive things, I won't be able to make anyone happy in the end.
"Nh? What?"
Yamaoto-san's face still had a tinge of amusement in it, and I'm sure she's still holding onto the possibility that I won't choose that option.
"I."
My voice trembles.
My throat feels like it's being constricted.
But still, I.
"I decided that Miyu is the best and that I would be happy with her. That's why I can't choose anyone else other than Miyu."
No matter how comfortable this time with Yamamoto-san feels.
Human beings have a predetermined place in life from the moment they are born.
"Ah-... yeah."
Yamamoto-san hitched her breath, her eyes widened.
The answer I gave was probably unexpected for Yamamoto-san.
Or maybe she knew it, but pushed it out of her thoughts?
After that, Yamamoto-san remembered what was happening in reality and smiled brightly.
"Of course, it's only natural. You and Miyu-chan have developed mutual feelings for each other. You have to pour all my love into Miyu-chan."
Yamaoto-san's expression relaxed just a little, with the corners of her mouth turned up tightly and her eyes arched.
I've never seen such a sad smile before.
Then, just as I thought Yamamoto-san's body, which had been straining with tension relaxed, she gently placed her head on my shoulder.
"Sorry. That hit me hard after all."
I heard a bitter voice from Yamamoto-san for the first time.
I feel like I'm going to say 'I'm sorry' back.
However, I tried my best not to deny myself the determination to choose Miyu.
"I feel bad for paining you. So, I'll make any amends for my actions."
At this point, even apologising is just an escape.
That's why, even I have to tarnish this soul with evil, I have no choice but to make a cruel decision.
"No. It's okay. That kind of thing."
Yamamoto-san calmed down and got off me.
"Sotomichi-kun and Miyu-chan love each other. Even if I were here, it would just be a hindrance."
My chest is further tightened by Yamamoto-san's self-deprecating words.
Yamamoto-san, who was so positive and gentle, despised herself.
The more I think about it, the harder it is to breathe at the outrageousness of what I have done.
"Ah-... T-that's not it!! I didn't mean to be that sarcastic!"
Yamamoto-san grabbed my shoulder in a hurry.
"I was really rooting for Miyu-chan, and I was happy that things went well."
Her tone became stronger, but her voice gradually became hoarse.
"That's what I was supposed to think. I should be rooting for her. But, I don't like it... or something like that... Ahh, no, that's not what I wanted to say...!"
Yamamoto-san was so distraught that she forcibly grabbed my arm and stood up.
"I-I'm sorry! This is my first time doing something like this, and it doesn't seem like it's going to work, so I guess I'll just leave it here for today."
"Ah, ahh. That's right. I'm leaving now."
There were many things I wanted to explain.
More than that, there were words of comfort that I wanted to tell Yamamoto-san.
But all of that is just my selfishness.
If I really wanted to do something for Yamamoto-san, I had no choice but to leave the room silently.
I changed out of the T-shirt that was hanging in the dressing room and quickly headed for the entrance.
When I put on my shoes, Yamamoto-san hurried out of the room.
"You know, Sotomichi-kun? Once I've calmed down, let's talk again. I just don't want it to end like this. I won't do anything nasty anymore. Please."
I didn't think it was nasty though.
If Yamamoto-san said that, that's what today's exchange was about.
"I don't want to stay awkward with Yamamoto-san either. I'll be waiting for you, so please contact me anytime."
No matter what form it takes, I want to stay friends.
That's partly my selfish wish, but also Yamamoto-san's wish.
"So, again, see you soon."
"Yeah. Thanks."
I open the door and step outside.
When I turned around, I saw Yamamoto-san looking a little relaxed, which was a relief to me.
The sky is still slightly bright, but I'm sure it will be pitch black in a few minutes.
I have to go home by 8 o'clock in the evening and say that I am ready to make Miyu happy.
But my feet as I walk home feel like lead.
Will I be able to convey my true feelings to Miyu, saying that I will make her happy in this state?
Even if there was no lie, I was not confident that I could convince Miyu.
"Haah... it's tough..."
Before I knew it, I was swinging on a swing in the park near my house.
It's like a picture of a laid-off office worker in a TV drama.
Becoming the person involved, I painfully understand the feeling of just wanting to sway like this.
The smell of dinner leaks from various parts of the residential area, and from time to time I can hear the voices of families chatting with their children.
No one was in the park.
No one is passing by.
I want to confess my painful feelings to Miyu, but I just can't do that today.
I came out looking for tips to make Miyu happy.
Things like letting a woman go, I need to conceal my feelings from the heartache of such actions.
No matter how badly Miyu knows me, I have to show off and be a man today.
I'm sure Miyu would say that such meaningless and impossible things are sometimes necessary.
However, I can't talk to the guys from high school about Yamamoto-san, and while Sachiko might be able to kindly encourage me, I think it would be a nuisance if I suddenly called her late at night.
Thinking about it by process of elimination, the chat room on my messaging app naturally became Yuka's.
Even if it's Yuka, it's not right to freely take advantage of her convenience but apart from that, I'm worried that this girl will be okay.
Just hearing that idiotic voice might calm me down.
'Are you free now?'
I sent a short message.
A few seconds after I sent it, I thought to myself, 'Maybe I should have left her alone after all.'
Yuka called me directly.
I press the button to respond.
'I'm not free!'
That was the first thing she said when she answered the phone.
"Ahh, my bad. Were you busy?"
'This is really the worst time. So what is it?'
"No, if you're not busy..."
'Just tell me.'
Are you free or not?
No, but when I listen to this girl's voice, I can't stop thinking about difficult things.
"I don't have anything specific to say. How do I say it, I'm just feeling a little depressed."
'Haah? What? I'm putting on my panties right now, so please wait.'
There is a scraping sound of slewing and cloth over the phone.
Then, the earphone microphone made a rattling sound, and it seemed like she was lying on the bed.
'So, I felt like I got an answer that didn't make any sense. What's the story?'
"It's not that I have something to talk about, I just wanted to hear your voice because I'm feeling depressed."
'You... stop acting like a girl in that class. Didn't we meet just a while ago?'
Yuka's reaction is justified.
I'd be in trouble if someone suddenly said something like this to me.
My apologies.
'Could it be that you've fallen in love with Yuka-chan?'
"That's not the case though."
'Then what is it?!!'
I hear chaotic sounds through the phone.
Actually, I've come to like her quite a bit as a person.
"Did you make a mistake by having sex with a woman named Yamamoto-san?"
"I didn't do anything like that."
'Ara, is that so. Isn't that great.'
Yeah, well, I guess that's the case.
I think I withstood Yamamoto-san's temptation well.
"...Actually. It's difficult to explain in detail, but it feels like Yamamoto-san confessed her feelings to me, I turned her down, and hurt her. That's the situation."
'Ah, I guess she started liking you while you were consulting her? Isn't that the woman's fault?'
"That might be true, though..."
It was true that she was rooting for my relationship with Miyu, but when it turned out that we had mutual feelings, she was saddened by it, which was a difficult situation for me to deal with.
"But there was also a problem with my attitude. If I had told earlier that it wasn't okay because Miyu and I had mutual feelings, I feel like I wouldn't have hurt her so much."
'Yes, yes, I'm tired of hearing things like that. Then we all go to sleep and feel better the next day. Yuka-chan knows very well. If you want to worry, do it tomorrow.'
"I-I see.... I guess so."
If I keep complaining like this, I won't even be able to take responsibility for the words and actions that drove Yamamoto-san away.
Is it about time I change my feelings?
"Thanks. I'm feeling refreshed."
'That so. If that's the case, it's fine, but hey."
Yuka cuts the story off as if she wasn't interested in my consultation.
'Unlike lunch, this is a consultation for Onii-san, isn't it?'
"Well, I guess so."
At this point, I've already guessed what she wanted to say.
However, it is also true that Yuka's opinion makes sense.
"Miyu is the kind of person who repays anything she owes. Onii-san, what kind of person are you?"
It was a much more unpleasant way of being asked than I had imagined.
"O-of course, I'll thank you."
To the extent of possibility.
The moment I was about to string those words together, Yuka said, 'Okay, I'm looking forward to it. See you then,' immediately ending the call.
It's almost like dealing with the yakuza, but I really have to repay the favour somewhere.
"Let's go home."
In the end, it was barely 8 o'clock.
It was only one day, but I feel like I spent a lot of time.
By the time I stood in front of the house door, my depression had almost cleared up.
"I'm home."
When I opened the door, Miyu was waiting for me at the entrance because it was almost time.
"Welcome home. Onii-chan."
Her long, well-maintained hair and impeccable, beautiful movements.
On the other hand, she has cheeky, triumphant eyes and brutally ample breasts.
Sometimes gentle, sometimes harsh, but always thinking of others.
I love everything about this Miyu.
"Thanks for waiting."
I lock the door and stand in front of Miyu.
Then Miyu hugged me before I even took off my shoes.
As I stood there, stunned by the unexpected timing, Miyu sniffed and looked up.
"It smells like women."
"Ah, ahh! No, this is, that! I didn't do anything bad!"
In the end, I ended up having physical contact with three girls, and there's no excuse for that, so I'll apologise later.
First, I need to do what I need to do.
"Onii-chan. I'm hungry."
"Eh-, ah, yeah. I'll make something."
Although I made up my mind, it seems that I must first fill my little sister's stomach.
I wash my hands and then move to the kitchen, troubling my head while looking at the contents of the refrigerator.
Judging from the remaining time, to show the answer that Miyu should be waiting for, the only way to do so is to finish it up while I'm cooking.
Miyu is playing the app game with impeccable posture on the sofa.
This morning, Miyu was clingy and created an atmosphere where it was easy to talk, but this time I have to do everything.
However, Miyu should already know that.
Her mind is waiting for me to do something in the next few minutes.
Even if the flow is a little forceful, Miyu will understand.
"Miyu. Could you come over here for a moment?"
When I called out like that, Miyu immediately put down her smartphone and came to the kitchen.
And then, without any particular reply, she stands in front of me.
At this point, Miyu already understood.
All that's left is for me to give Miyu an answer.
I was so happy that I could feel it for the first time when Miyu told me that she loved me.
However, when I think about Miyu dating someone like me, I can only see an unhappy future.
I really loved Miyu, so I thought I should choose the path that would make Miyu the happiest.
And at the end of that path, I believed that there was no such thing as a man like me.
That thought was my greatest shackles.
When I look around me, I realise that I was able to grow up in such a privileged environment.
I want to be proud of who I am.
I'm sure I'll be worried about my confidence wandering again.
Still, I am the man that Miyu fell in love with.
I vow to live my life with absolute confidence in that.
"Miyu."
Her petite body made me look down a little to meet her eyes.
The way she was looking at me was the same as when she confessed his feelings.
"Yes."
'I am here.'
As always, a simple and clear reply.
I like everything about Miyu.
"I'll make you happy for the rest of your life."
My heartfelt feelings that I couldn't honestly express back then.
At those words, Miyu smiled gently while staring at me.
"I'll leave it to you."
Miyu and I accepted that we would live together.
I was so happy that I hugged Miyu unintentionally.
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