riginal Author: ひのはら (Hinohara)
Date Submitted to Kakuyomu: 2021/10/07
With the sky dimming, they walk to the parking lot while carrying their shopping bags.
Since there isn't much time left until Ema's stream, her manager will be picking them up.
As they walk into this nearly deserted area, Aira contemplates Ema's earlier words.
What did Ema mean when she said she'll be fine even if she doesn't smoke?
Does it mean she doesn't want to kiss Aira anymore?
Or is there another reason?
Even though Aira knows she should ask if she wants to know, she can't bring herself to do it.
While feeling gloomy, Ema suddenly stops walking so Aira does the same.
"Ema...?"
She is staring ahead in shock.
What could she be looking at?
Aira follows her gaze to find a woman holding a paper bag that seems to have just finished shopping.
Looking closely, Aira recognizes who it is.
She is the woman in the photos displayed in the streaming studio.
They have come across Tsuyama Megumi.
Ema's eyes are wide open in disbelief.
Aira is also holding her breath.
Before either of them could act, Tsuyama Megumi notices their presence.
After looking surprised for a moment, Tsuyama Megumi walks up to them.
"I didn't expect to see you here... what a coincidence."
Her high heels tap against the ground with each step she takes.
After getting close, she tucks her hair behind her ear before speaking in a coaxing tone.
"Ema, why did you ignore my call the other day?"
"Why... What are you doing here?"
"Shopping. My husband is watching the baby."
"So you safely gave birth..."
"You were worried about me? Thank you."
She's wearing a white knit and a flared long skirt.
Dressed in an outfit that would probably make her popular among men, Tsuyama Megumi's face looks just as pretty as in the photo.
With an innocent smile that seems to know no shame, her next words are unthinkably cruel.
"Now that I've recovered from my pregnancy, I'm ready to go again at any time."
"Huh...?"
Aira was the one that let out that coarse voice.
Even after the baby is born, this person still wants to continue that relationship. She's only thinking about herself while trampling over the feelings of both Ema and her husband.
Aira's emotions flare at Tsuyama Megumi's selfishness.
She knows that this has nothing to do with her, but she couldn't hold it in and snaps.
"...Enough of this!"
She can't contain her exploding rage.
What does this person think of her husband, Ema, and her own child?
Since Aira knows how Ema almost got crushed by guilt after her feelings were taken advantage of, she could not remain silent.
She could not forgive Tsuyama Megumi for hurting the person she loves. This person is still planning to use Ema for her own selfish desires even now.
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"Do you have any idea what kind of feelings Ema had to live with...!? You took advantage of her love for you to do whatever you pleased while you were married and having a kid..."
Tears fill Aira's eyes as she remembers the look of guilt on Ema's face.
Ema regretted her relationship with this person so much that she distanced herself from her own family...
Even so, this woman feels nothing.
She has no guilt whatsoever and doesn't spare a second thought for the feelings of others.
Aira remembers how sad Ema looked when she said that she never went on any dates with the person she loved.
She remembers Ema's crying face when she muttered that woman's name in her sleep.
And the sad look in Ema's eyes when she smoked and looked into the distance.
"Aira, stop..."
"After betraying your husband, do you intend to betray your child next? After hurting Ema that much, are you..."
Before Aira could continue, Tsuyama Megumi slaps her on the cheek.
The stinging pain from the slap leaves Aira stunned.
Aira never expected Tsuyama Megumi to use violence.
"You're just a child who doesn't know anything!"
"..."
Tsuyama Megumi lifts her hand once again and the sound of another smack soon follows.
However, Aira didn't feel any pain this time. She slowly opens the eyes she closed earlier.
Instead of Aira, Tsuyama Megumi is the one grasping her cheek after getting slapped.
"Don't hurt Aira."
"...Ema?"
"Aira, it hurts, doesn't it? We'll get that patched up when we're home."
"E-Ema...? Why did you hit me...? Why are you covering for this girl!? She was the one who said all those horrible things first..."
Tsuyama Megumi's face twists in agony as if she is about to cry.
Despite seeing that face, Ema replies dispassionately.
"A child who doesn't know anything... after what you did to me, how can you say that?"
"But... it's true that I actually like women... I'd be happier in the arms of a woman..."
"Even so, you chose to be with your husband."
Putting her shopping bag on the floor, Ema pulls something out of her pocket.
It's the box of cigarettes Tsuyama Megumi introduced her to that she has been refraining from recently.
Even while she was trying to quit, she still kept that on her the whole time.
Ema puts it into Tsuyama Megumi's hand without a moment of hesitation.
"...Eh?"
"I won't be needing these anymore."
"What are you saying...? You love me, don't you, Ema?"
"I did. But... that's in the past. I can live without you now. Let's go, Aira."
Ema takes Aira's hand and they begin to walk away.
They hear a loud tongue click behind them and then the sound of a car door slamming shut.
Without looking back after hearing that sound, Aira and Ema get into Ema's manager's car.
Sitting side by side in the backseat, Aira decides to break the silence.
"...Ema."
"What is it?"
"...I remembered that time again, so... I want you to hug me."
An adult like Ema surely realizes that's a lie.
However, she doesn't say anything and hugs Aira.
Aira gently strokes Ema's back to calm her trembling.
From the faint, pained sound of her voice, Aira realized that Ema is crying.
"...I don't regret it. I don't think I made the wrong choice... but, now that it's over... all the things that have tied me down... it feels like they all broke at once."
Ema has finally been released from the spell that has bound her for so many years.
She surely has not completely gotten over everything and can't feel unreservedly happy yet.
Even so, she's desperately trying to face forward. Aira gently consoles her.
"You know... I actually hate the smell of cigarettes."
"Is that so...?"
"Perfume or the smell of soap after getting out of the bath... suits you more, Ema. Let's wear the matching perfume we just bought every day from now on."
Even after the car starts, Aira keeps hugging Ema.
As they drive through the night streets, tears gradually flow from her eyes.
Now that Ema has finally been freed from what has bound her for so long, will she be able to stop crying in her sleep?
No more staring off into the distance.
No more using cigarettes to escape from her guilt.
At last, she can take a step towards something brighter.
Aira has lost her excuse to kiss Ema, but if it means that Ema will be able to move forward, she won't say anything.
Her cheek stings, but she doesn't regret what she did one bit.
She received this wound trying to protect Ema, so Aira considers it a badge of honor.
In order to protect the person she loves, she will bravely face anything, no matter how reckless.
Just like a loyal dog.
riginal Author: ひのはら (Hinohara)
Date Submitted to Kakuyomu: 2021/10/07
With the sky dimming, they walk to the parking lot while carrying their shopping bags.
Since there isn't much time left until Ema's stream, her manager will be picking them up.
As they walk into this nearly deserted area, Aira contemplates Ema's earlier words.
What did Ema mean when she said she'll be fine even if she doesn't smoke?
Does it mean she doesn't want to kiss Aira anymore?
Or is there another reason?
Even though Aira knows she should ask if she wants to know, she can't bring herself to do it.
While feeling gloomy, Ema suddenly stops walking so Aira does the same.
"Ema...?"
She is staring ahead in shock.
What could she be looking at?
Aira follows her gaze to find a woman holding a paper bag that seems to have just finished shopping.
Looking closely, Aira recognizes who it is.
She is the woman in the photos displayed in the streaming studio.
They have come across Tsuyama Megumi.
Ema's eyes are wide open in disbelief.
Aira is also holding her breath.
Before either of them could act, Tsuyama Megumi notices their presence.
After looking surprised for a moment, Tsuyama Megumi walks up to them.
"I didn't expect to see you here... what a coincidence."
Her high heels tap against the ground with each step she takes.
After getting close, she tucks her hair behind her ear before speaking in a coaxing tone.
"Ema, why did you ignore my call the other day?"
"Why... What are you doing here?"
"Shopping. My husband is watching the baby."
"So you safely gave birth..."
"You were worried about me? Thank you."
She's wearing a white knit and a flared long skirt.
Dressed in an outfit that would probably make her popular among men, Tsuyama Megumi's face looks just as pretty as in the photo.
With an innocent smile that seems to know no shame, her next words are unthinkably cruel.
"Now that I've recovered from my pregnancy, I'm ready to go again at any time."
"Huh...?"
Aira was the one that let out that coarse voice.
Even after the baby is born, this person still wants to continue that relationship. She's only thinking about herself while trampling over the feelings of both Ema and her husband.
Aira's emotions flare at Tsuyama Megumi's selfishness.
She knows that this has nothing to do with her, but she couldn't hold it in and snaps.
"...Enough of this!"
She can't contain her exploding rage.
What does this person think of her husband, Ema, and her own child?
Since Aira knows how Ema almost got crushed by guilt after her feelings were taken advantage of, she could not remain silent.
She could not forgive Tsuyama Megumi for hurting the person she loves. This person is still planning to use Ema for her own selfish desires even now.
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"Do you have any idea what kind of feelings Ema had to live with...!? You took advantage of her love for you to do whatever you pleased while you were married and having a kid..."
Tears fill Aira's eyes as she remembers the look of guilt on Ema's face.
Ema regretted her relationship with this person so much that she distanced herself from her own family...
Even so, this woman feels nothing.
She has no guilt whatsoever and doesn't spare a second thought for the feelings of others.
Aira remembers how sad Ema looked when she said that she never went on any dates with the person she loved.
She remembers Ema's crying face when she muttered that woman's name in her sleep.
And the sad look in Ema's eyes when she smoked and looked into the distance.
"Aira, stop..."
"After betraying your husband, do you intend to betray your child next? After hurting Ema that much, are you..."
Before Aira could continue, Tsuyama Megumi slaps her on the cheek.
The stinging pain from the slap leaves Aira stunned.
Aira never expected Tsuyama Megumi to use violence.
"You're just a child who doesn't know anything!"
"..."
Tsuyama Megumi lifts her hand once again and the sound of another smack soon follows.
However, Aira didn't feel any pain this time. She slowly opens the eyes she closed earlier.
Instead of Aira, Tsuyama Megumi is the one grasping her cheek after getting slapped.
"Don't hurt Aira."
"...Ema?"
"Aira, it hurts, doesn't it? We'll get that patched up when we're home."
"E-Ema...? Why did you hit me...? Why are you covering for this girl!? She was the one who said all those horrible things first..."
Tsuyama Megumi's face twists in agony as if she is about to cry.
Despite seeing that face, Ema replies dispassionately.
"A child who doesn't know anything... after what you did to me, how can you say that?"
"But... it's true that I actually like women... I'd be happier in the arms of a woman..."
"Even so, you chose to be with your husband."
Putting her shopping bag on the floor, Ema pulls something out of her pocket.
It's the box of cigarettes Tsuyama Megumi introduced her to that she has been refraining from recently.
Even while she was trying to quit, she still kept that on her the whole time.
Ema puts it into Tsuyama Megumi's hand without a moment of hesitation.
"...Eh?"
"I won't be needing these anymore."
"What are you saying...? You love me, don't you, Ema?"
"I did. But... that's in the past. I can live without you now. Let's go, Aira."
Ema takes Aira's hand and they begin to walk away.
They hear a loud tongue click behind them and then the sound of a car door slamming shut.
Without looking back after hearing that sound, Aira and Ema get into Ema's manager's car.
Sitting side by side in the backseat, Aira decides to break the silence.
"...Ema."
"What is it?"
"...I remembered that time again, so... I want you to hug me."
An adult like Ema surely realizes that's a lie.
However, she doesn't say anything and hugs Aira.
Aira gently strokes Ema's back to calm her trembling.
From the faint, pained sound of her voice, Aira realized that Ema is crying.
"...I don't regret it. I don't think I made the wrong choice... but, now that it's over... all the things that have tied me down... it feels like they all broke at once."
Ema has finally been released from the spell that has bound her for so many years.
She surely has not completely gotten over everything and can't feel unreservedly happy yet.
Even so, she's desperately trying to face forward. Aira gently consoles her.
"You know... I actually hate the smell of cigarettes."
"Is that so...?"
"Perfume or the smell of soap after getting out of the bath... suits you more, Ema. Let's wear the matching perfume we just bought every day from now on."
Even after the car starts, Aira keeps hugging Ema.
As they drive through the night streets, tears gradually flow from her eyes.
Now that Ema has finally been freed from what has bound her for so long, will she be able to stop crying in her sleep?
No more staring off into the distance.
No more using cigarettes to escape from her guilt.
At last, she can take a step towards something brighter.
Aira has lost her excuse to kiss Ema, but if it means that Ema will be able to move forward, she won't say anything.
Her cheek stings, but she doesn't regret what she did one bit.
She received this wound trying to protect Ema, so Aira considers it a badge of honor.
In order to protect the person she loves, she will bravely face anything, no matter how reckless.
Just like a loyal dog.
