Shouldn't we consider breaking up?
Maybe so.
Huh?
Let's take some time apart.
I have analyzed trends
over the past few years.
- Notably... - What's up with that?
Ah, sorry.
In 2024, particularly in Asia Pacific
and Latin America...
Miyata-kun,
can I talk to you for a moment?
Sure.
I'm sorry about earlier.
It's good to work hard,
but are you okay?
By the way, Iwanaga-sensei also...
supports you, right?
He asked for a change in editor.
I thought something was up.
He said you were excellent and
wanted you to focus on
your job as vice chief editor,
Is that so?
He even sent these flowers.
It made me happy to see that you've
built a good relationship with him
and that you have also grown.
Is it really going to end like this?
"Love is Better the Second Time Around"
"Final episode"
Since then,
he hasn't contacted me at all.
Because I couldn't say 'I love you'.
Was that all I was to Senpai?
Where's Sensei?
As I mentioned in the email.
He is quite busy at the moment,
so he would like to take a break.
That's...
Where is Sensei now?
I don't know.
I see,
well then.
You and the Sensei broke up, right?
Did Senpai say that?
No.
Did I hit the mark?
It's not like we broke up.
When I look at Sensei's face,
I can understand his feelings, you know.
I really don't understand.
It's not because your love is lacking.
Sensei
has returned to Yamanashi due to
family circumstances.
I knew it.
Haa...
I was told not to say anything,
but his expression at that time
seemed like he wanted me to tell you.
You really understand him well.
I envy you.
I've been watching Sensei
for a long time.
But now I only have respect for him.
Because Sensei
doesn't look at others except from you.
Thank you.
For having sent you away for adoption,
I truly feel sorry about it.
But I had no choice at that time.
I was desperate too.
Don't you understand even a little bit
about what it means to live here?
When I said I liked men,
Mom, you suddenly became distant
and only told me never to tell anyone.
In the end,
Mom, you cared more about appearances.
Back then, I understood.
To be accepted by others,
you have to hide who you are.
In a way, I'm grateful.
Since leaving this house,
I've been able to hide myself well
and always be admired by people.
But to suddenly ask me to
inherit the household now,
do you realize how absurd that sounds?
Kyosuke-san.
It's been how many years
since you entered this room?
Who knows.
We used to play together a lot.
It's tough for you too, Takashi.
Toyoko-san
had to be strict to keep things going.
After your father passed away,
she was entrusted with the company and
the headship of the Hoshizawa family.
You're taking my mother's side,
is it because you were close to her?
Well, I'm a part of this family.
Kyosuke-san,
is that alright with you?
Being made to serve my mother
like her errand boy.
You should have been able
to live more freely.
Miyata-kun...
You were the one who told him
about the bet, right?
What's wrong?
Today, I'm leaving this house.
I was planning to leave
without telling anyone,
but I wanted to tell Kyosuke-san.
Will he come?
Huh?
He's just running away
with temporary romantic feelings.
Then, let's make a bet.
I'll bet on Miyata-kun coming.
I want to believe
he's prepared for that.
Takashi, what about you?
I understand.
I'll bet on him not coming.
Alright,
blame me if you want.
No,
it's fine.
It's the truth that I...
I made a bet with Kyosuke-san
and played with his feelings.
I bet on him not coming
so I wouldn't get hurt.
Even if Kyosuke-san
hadn't sent that photo,
I think we still wouldn't
have worked out.
This was for the best.
Why couldn't I believe him back then?
Why couldn't I face him properly?
I should have just checked.
What was that photo all about?
Peaceful, isn't it?
Sometimes, when I
really want to be alone,
I just come here.
Is it okay for you to tell me that?
Yeah. It's okay.
Even though Senpai usually seemed cool,
he sometimes had a sad expression.
That matter has always bothered me.
That was the only time I saw Senpai
in a vulnerable state.
Senpai who won't allow
others to hear his cry,
has nothing changed since then?
Ah, you picked up. Are you okay?
I wonder.
I've been wanting to have
a proper talk with you for a while.
Me too.
I'm glad.
So when should we do it?
We'll meet soon.
I'm actually on my way
to Senpai's family home.
I think it's better not to.
If you care about Takashi.
Why?
Because I'm an outsider?
You say it's none of my business
because it's about your family,
but I also have my share of
responsibility in this mess.
Takashi really loves Miyata-kun.
Even when his elopement was exposed,
or when he was sent away to be adopted,
Takashi never mentioned your name.
He didn't want to involve you
in the family's troubles.
Because you couldn't handle it, right?
He wanted to protect you.
- Even now, Takashi... - I'm no longer a child.
I'm going.
I see.
I'm relieved to hear that.
Senpai is always like this,
pretending to be cool
and trying to carry everything alone.
Mother.
I'm going home after all.
Our conversation isn't over yet, is it?
I can't inherit this household.
I love my current job,
the one I've chosen.
And...
I have someone I love.
What kind of person is your partner?
What are you going to do once you know?
Don't tell me it's that person.
It'll be troublesome if we're found out.
I'll bring Takashi,
so just stay here for now.
Please wait.
Sugimoto-san.
Did you like Senpai?
You're asking me that now?
I just wanted to make sure.
Yes.
But I never expressed my feelings.
Well, we're relatives, after all.
Looking back,
I'm not even sure
if that was romantic affection.
Sorry
about that photo.
Takashi was serious about eloping.
I think he regretted it a lot
for hurting you.
Well, I don't know.
Takashi.
Did you talk to Toyoko-san properly?
No.
I see.
Just wait a moment.
Hmm?
Kyosuke-san, this book...
Senpai.
Miyata-kun.
Why?
I came to see you.
- What will you do if mother finds out? - I'm prepared for that.
I should have come earlier, really.
Please let me talk to your mother.
Are you saying I'm unrelated?
I don't want to be an outsider anymore.
Senpai, please.
I...
I'm the one from 14 years ago.
The one who made a promise
to elope with Takashi.
My name is Miyata.
Later on,
we coincidentally met again in Tokyo,
both professionally and personally,
we're hoping to
continue our relationship.
Why still...
I'm truly sorry.
Because my impulsive actions
that tore apart your family.
I won't make the same
mistake again.
As adults, we...
we have enough responsibility
to be by each other's side.
It's too late now.
Our family
broke apart because of that incident.
Mother...
I want to be with Miyata-kun.
You
gave me the freedom to leave this house.
From now on...
both of us will live together.
Regarding how you don't want
to take over the household,
and both your desire,
I understand now.
Do as you wish.
Once things settle down,
I'll come back to talk to Mother again.
I'll still be by his side
when that happens.
Mm.
Miyata-kun,
take care of Takashi.
Yes.
Mm.
Senpai.
Hmm?
I...
will always be by your side.
I love you.
I've always admired your cool side,
the way you handle everything with ease.
But,
your weaknesses
and embarrassing moments,
please show me every side of you.
Back in high school
whenever I saw you looking sad,
I always felt that
I wanted to protect you.
I've loved you since then, Senpai.
Hey, Miyata-kun.
Shall we go far away right now?
We're just going back to Tokyo, right?
Again, you...
I will follow you.
Forever,
all of my life.
No matter where it is.
(This is a fictional work)