“Change can only be achieved by oneself.” Kazuya released the hand that Maimi Nanami had placed on his. “You know, Maimi, I’m not happy with the old me.”
If even his ex-girlfriend approved of Kazuya’s change, who else would doubt him, besides his family?
“Maimi-chan, how would you rate the old me?”
Alcohol is a good thing. It lets people speak what’s in their hearts.
Maimi Nanami was still trying to figure out what Kazuya meant. He used to be so easy to understand. Why was he so confusing today?
“Well, Kazuya, you, um, you’re a really good person.” Though she wanted to describe him with more beautiful words, recalling their memories, it just didn’t feel right. “And you’re also a very serious person. Remember how much fun we had when we were dating…?”
She didn’t get her point across and changed the subject…
“Enough. I appreciate what you said, Maimi, but objectively, the old me was just a regular college student. I had no merits except for the fact that I was dating you, and I was way too childish.” The current Kazuya summarized his previous self, drawing on his memories.
“Maimi-chan, no, I mean Maimi Nanami, why did you choose to date me?” Not only was the current Kazuya curious, the previous him often felt uneasy about Maimi accepting his confession late at night. After all, it was just too unrealistic.
What’s needed for a relationship?
Money, a heroic rescue, or simply liking someone?
“See, didn’t you confess to me before? I thought your words were okay, so I thought dating wouldn’t be bad either.” Maimi raised her glass again.
In her heart, Maimi was thinking, “What is this guy talking about? It’s so annoying.”
“Lies.”
“Hm?”
“Although it’s not nice to say this, I barely considered the possibility of actually dating you when I confessed. I just wanted to tell you how I felt.” Kazuya looked at Maimi with boredom.
This pointless ex-lover game without any love in it was so boring.
It was better to quickly set boundaries with her instead of constantly getting entangled.
“And if I were you, Maimi, what reason would I have to accept a confession like mine? I can’t understand it at all. We were so different back then.” Kazuya spoke the truth with the calmest tone.
“Is that so?” A hint of awkwardness lingered in Maimi’s smile.
“Do you think there was anything unique about our relationship, something that made you feel that only you had it?” Kazuya was disgusted by the false ex-lover relationship that didn’t belong to him.
The current Kazuya: Though I’ve transmigrated into Kazuya, I’m not him. My ex isn’t you, so why are we playing this ex-lover game?
Abandon everything, travel light, and then, move forward.
“I guess, not really?” Maimi’s smile was strained. “But we only dated for a month.”
Maimi Nanami: He’s a virgin, but he’s acting mature. He plays house with me. He can’t even stand up properly when he sits on a chair on dates. He’s lustful and pathetic. I don’t understand if he can even get a girlfriend in the future. He was just Kazuya, after all! It was just anyone back then, wasn’t it…?
After Maimi finished speaking, a silence hung between them.
“So, even though we dated, let’s pretend it never happened from now on. We were both immature back then, so we wouldn’t be so awkward when we meet in the future.” Kazuya only focused on separating himself from Maimi. He blurted it out in his inebriated state, forgetting to use a gentler approach.
“Kazuya, do you hate me?” Maimi’s final words lacked her usual sweetness.
The air between them remained heavy as they both silently sipped their drinks.
Kazuya noticed that Maimi’s gaze was distant, as if she was lost in thought.
Maimi felt a bit stifled. She glanced at Kazuya and raised her glass, taking a large gulp of the contents in one go.
‘So boring. I just want to go home.’
“Maimi, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing. Cough, cough…” The burning sensation in her throat drove away her boredom, but it wasn’t a good feeling either way.
Maimi coughed as she refilled her glass.
“Come on, Kazuya, cheers! Let’s not talk about those annoying things anymore today.” Maimi donned her happy facade again, hiding her thoughts. “Drinking is the most important thing, hee hee…”
Seeing Maimi’s sudden bad mood, Kazuya snatched the bottle. “You’re not in a good mood, so you shouldn’t drink like that. Drinking too quickly is bad for your health.”
Even though he didn’t know what made Maimi unhappy, he felt it was his responsibility. Men need to take responsibility for their actions.
They continued drinking in silence, both of them gradually finishing the entire bottle. This was the first time Kazuya saw Maimi so quiet, based on his memories.
…
Outside the bar.
“Well, then, goodbye, Kazuya-kun.” Maimi bid farewell to Kazuya with a slightly flushed, smiling face.
“See ya.” Kazuya watched as Maimi turned and left without looking back.
He glanced at Maimi’s cute figure, but decided it would be best to follow her. It was not right to let a woman go home alone. He would at least walk her to the station.
“Kazuya-kun, why are you going this way? I remember you don’t live in this area.” Maimi showed no curiosity about Kazuya following her. She looked at him with a playful expression.
The subtle flush on her cheeks made Maimi appear both cute and beautiful.
“Are you saying you want to go to my place?” Maimi leaned against Kazuya’s shoulder as she spoke.
“No, I’m just worried about you going home alone. I just want to make sure you’re safe.” Kazuya scratched his head. He really didn’t know how to treat Maimi.
After all, he was a kind-hearted person at his core. He just wanted to be a kind and gentle person towards life because he had witnessed the cruelty of the world.
“Okay.” Maimi leaned on Kazuya’s shoulder, and they walked together, radiating a romantic aura as a couple.
“No, I’ll just walk you to the station.”
“…”