Chapter 96 Once Again, Asanagis Family (3)

The moment I realized that I was crying, everything became clear to me.

I had unresolved feelings about my family.

Accept everything that happened? Of course I couldnt do that.

I dont want you two to get divorced. I want the three of us to be together forever

I couldnt say those words out loud. Not in reality, nor in my dreams.

For dads sake. For moms sake. For the sake of living a peaceful life. I had been making excuses and lying to myself.

I wasnt envious of Umis family.

What I felt was regret. The regret of not being able to see this kind of scene with my family ever again

Im sorry, I didnt mean to

But still, my timing was bad. I tried to wipe the tears away with my sleeve, but that action was counterproductive. My tears didnt stop, instead they flowed even faster.

Daichi-san, Sora-san and Riku-san seemed perplexed. The three of them didnt understand what was happening to me. After all, we had been having a good time and suddenly this happened.

Umi understood what was going on, but she seemed to be at a loss.

Maki, take this first, and

T-Thank you, Umi But, sorry, I think I need to get some air and cool off my head first

Maki!

I took the tissues that Umi gave me before shaking her off and ran out of the room. I put on my shoes and left Umis house.

What the hell am I doing, even? I just ran aimlessly, not even heading home. I knew that people would be troubled by my actions, but I did it anyway.

Seriously, what the hell am I doing? They were treating me nicely but I went ahead and did all this

I wanted to become Umis lover, yet I showed her family my unsightly side like this.

It was embarrassing, shameful, lame and disgusting.

Im so childish. Im already at this age, but I still act like a spoiled brat.

Maki, wait!

Umi

I turned around to see Umi, dressed in her thin roomwear and a pair of sandals while chasing after me. She probably ran straight out of her house, ignoring her family to come after me.

What are you doing? Youre going to catch a cold wearing those clothes! Go back to your home, Ill be back in a few minutes!

Maki, you idiot! How could I leave you alone after seeing you like this?

J-Just go. Dont worry about me, I just need some time alone!

Shut up! Come here and follow me!

Our age and height were the same, but Umi was much more athletic than me.

Based on our physical capabilities, it was obvious what was going to happen.

Hah! Got you!

Ugh

She chased me up until the railway. After she caught up to me, she immediately grabbed my wrist.

She pulled me toward her side and our gazes met.

Idiot, your face is a mess

Sorry

Dont be Come here

Wa

She embraced me and pulled my face toward her chest.

Maybe it was because she was wearing a thin shirt, I could feel the warmth of her chest and because of that my heart beat even quicker.

This is embarrassing Im not a child, you know?

Were high school students, we cant drink, we cant smoke, were pretty much children, so its fine if I spoil you like a child Maybe

My face probably looked terrible because of my tears and runny nose, but Umi held me and refused to let me go even though her clothes might be stained because of me.

I could smell a sweet scent coming from her. It managed to calm me down.

No one is around, so you dont need to hold back. Dont think of anything and let me spoil you, okay?

Sorry

The appropriate response in this situation is a thank you.

Thank you, Umi

Mhm.

I decided to lean on her.

I buried my face on her chest and cried my heart out until I calmed down and sorted out my thoughts.

* * *

After I regained my composure, we decided to return to Umis house because I didnt want Umi to catch a cold for staying outside for too long.

I then apologized to the three other members of the Asanagi Family who showed their concerns and went up to Umis room.

Come here, Maki. My rooms a little messy, but we can talk alone here.

E-Excuse me

She said that her room was messy, but it was much better than my room.

And of course it smelled much better too.

Here, Maki.

Mm

Once again, I buried my face in Umis chest.

She told me to not hold back for today so I obeyed her for now. I still had to apologize once again to Daichi-san and the others though.

I couldnt remember the last time someone tried to spoil me like this.

Maki, are you still troubled about the matters with your parents?

Mm I thought Id gotten over it, but apparently not

I apologized to mom in my heart because I had to break my promise here. I decided to tell Umi about everything. The divorce, my exchange with dad and the time when I ran into Nitta-san.

Umi looked surprised when Nitta-sans name came up, but other than that, she didnt give out any response. She listened to everything while occasionally patting my head.

I see. You did great, Maki. Come to think of it, youve been busy since the start of December, havent you? Planning out the Christmas gathering, Sekis idiocy, the final exam, the upcoming Christmas party, Minato-san and your parents quarrels You have to deal with a lot of things, huh?

Half of those are the things I started though.

Right, but youve been pushing yourself, so its fine for you to stop enduring everything by yourself. I mean, if this didnt happen, you would probably keep everything bottled up, right?

Maybe

I would probably spend the rest of my life lying to myself, hiding my true feelings and pretending not to notice them.

Luckily that didnt happen thanks to this girl in front of me. And thanks to her, now Im being pampered like a child

Honestly, I dont know which one is worse, living in misery or embarrassing myself in front of the person I love

Anyway, dont think too much for now. Relax, get a good nights sleep and eat your fill after you wake up, youll feel a lot better after that. You havent been sleeping much lately, have you?

Mhm But I think I can have a good nights sleep tonight

Is that so? Then, go to sleep. Leave the rest to Mom and I.

If she said so, then I wouldnt hold back.

I still had to apologize to her whole family tomorrow, but that could wait until after I regained my composure.

I guess the dogeza practice I did with Nozomu could come in handy later.

Then, good night Thank you, Umi

Mm. Good night

Maki, Ill always be by your side

Umi whispered something in my ear as I fell into a deep sleep in her arms.