Their simple get-together came to an end.
In reality, it had merely been Morishita Aoi taking advantage of her drunkenness to finally say what she had always wanted to tell Kamiyā Yuu.
In the end, even after learning that Kamiyā Yuu was involved in an improper relationship with Busujima Murasaki, she had still tacitly accepted the existence of another kind of relationship between herself and him.
Before coming tonight, her plan had been simple. If Kamiyā Yuu admitted it with his own mouth, she would confess her feelings, then completely let go of him.
She had never expected him to refuse to follow common sense. The brief warmth they had shared—the embrace she had secretly longed for all this time—made it impossible for her to make that decision.
Busujima Murasaki was one of her few close female friends.
Having gotten to know her through Uehara Etsuki, Morishita Aoi was aware of Murasaki's unusual circumstances. Because of that, she would not have been surprised if Murasaki one day became the lover of some influential figure.
What she had never expected was for that person to be Kamiyā Yuu.
Nor had she expected Kamiyā Yuu to accept such a relationship despite already being with Kamiyā Sora.
Only after rumors began spreading throughout the company, coupled with Kamiyā Yuu regularly spending his lunch breaks with Busujima Murasaki on the rooftop, did Morishita Aoi gradually realize something was amiss.
The reason she wanted to reject Kamiyā Yuu was not that she believed herself superior to Busujima Murasaki.
Quite the opposite.
She regarded Murasaki as an exceptionally outstanding traditional woman.
Beautiful and graceful.
Gentle yet resilient enough to support the man she loved.
Practically the ideal homemaker every man dreamed of.
What Morishita Aoi wanted was an ordinary, happy life.
Her ideal man did not need to be exceptional.
Her standards were so modest that they resembled the ordinary male protagonists from romance manga.
His appearance could be average.
His abilities could be average.
But his feelings had to be sincere.
Unfortunately, her busy work left her with almost no opportunities to meet anyone.
The male employees she encountered all kept their distance from her.
In the eyes of outsiders, she was simply too capable.
Combined with her rigid and serious demeanor, she had unknowingly built an armor so solid that very few people ever dared approach her.
So what did she think of Kamiyā Yuu now?
She honestly didn't know.
She could feel that his feelings for her were genuine.
Can someone really love one person while also loving someone else?
Or... is that simply a privilege men possess?
Staring absentmindedly through the car window, Morishita Aoi felt as though a heavy burden had finally been lifted from her shoulders.
Yet at the same time, an even heavier burden had settled there.
She knew she could never love one person while maintaining an inappropriate relationship with another.
Whenever she imagined Kamiyā Yuu together with Busujima Murasaki, her heart ached.
Suddenly, she spoke.
"Yuu... if one day I get tired... I might leave."
Kamiyā Yuu, who was driving, gave a quiet acknowledgment.
Glancing at her unfocused eyes, he frowned slightly.
He wanted to say something.
In the end, he remained silent.
"...Sorry."
"I take that back."
"If one day I really do become tired..."
"...then you'll have to comfort me."
"But I'm incredibly stubborn."
"So that'll be a very difficult job."
Seeing Kamiyā Yuu's troubled expression, Morishita Aoi burst into laughter.
It was the forced smile of someone pretending a prank had succeeded.
Kamiyā Yuu smiled back.
"Then I'll just do my best to make sure you're always satisfied."
Before long, they arrived beneath the apartment building where Morishita Aoi lived.
Kamiyā Yuu already knew where she lived.
The apartment was nearly a two-hour drive from Yosuganosora Animation Studio.
During rush hour, the commute could easily double.
He had previously suggested that she move closer to the company, even offering to reimburse moving expenses and part of her rent.
Pulling the handbrake, he looked at the modest apartment building before them.
"Aoi, if I remember correctly, your salary and bonuses should be enough to rent a much nicer place. It's so far from the company, and even taking the subway still means a thirty-minute walk. Have you ever thought about moving somewhere closer?"
Smiling faintly, Morishita Aoi replied,
"I rented this place back when money was tight."
"I've considered your suggestion."
"But for various reasons..."
"...I still haven't done it."
"Want me to arrange a place for you?"
"If you're closer to the company, your 'no-overtime policy' can relax a little."
"It'd also be good for your younger sister, who's still in high school."
Looking at him teasingly, Morishita Aoi said,
"Yuu... remember that the apartment you're living in now was one I arranged for you."
"...Uh..."
"So..."
"Are you buying me one?"
She gave a soft snort.
Without even thinking, Kamiyā Yuu answered,
"Sure."
"I was joking."
"I know."
"But I wasn't."
Their exchange flowed naturally.
It was the sort of understanding that had developed after working together for over two years.
A surge of happiness welled up inside Morishita Aoi.
At the very least, she now knew she meant far more to Kamiyā Yuu than an expensive Tokyo apartment ever could.
Should she accept such a gift?
"Yuu..."
"You're actually quite devious, aren't you?"
Surprised by how little he had hesitated, she reached out and ruffled his hair in dissatisfaction.
Material gifts and emotional commitment were intertwined.
If she accepted...
Given her personality, it would mean completely acknowledging their relationship.
The apartment itself would become proof that the balance between them had shifted.
Although buying a luxury apartment was hardly insignificant...
For Kamiyā Yuu, it was still far from an unbearable expense.
"You don't want it?"
Letting go of the steering wheel, Kamiyā Yuu turned toward her.
The alcohol still lingered on Morishita Aoi.
Her light makeup, combined with the natural flush on her face, made her look even more captivating.
Remembering the taste of her lips mixed with the fragrance of sake, his heart stirred once again.
His intentions were clear.
He wanted Morishita Aoi to become his completely.
Brushing aside the short hair at her temple, she revealed a small gemstone earring in her delicate ear and slowly shook her head.
"Yuu..."
"What I want isn't something material can make up for."
"But this would be a good choice for both of us."
As he spoke, Kamiyā Yuu leaned closer.
He buried his face lightly in her hair, breathing in the scent of shampoo before gently nuzzling against her ear.
"Yuu!?"
Morishita Aoi let out a startled cry.
"Don't worry."
"No one can see inside from outside."
"And I won't go any further than I should."
Kamiyā Yuu whispered in her ear.
After receiving her silent consent, he reached toward the buttons of her black business jacket.
Before long, the elegant, mature woman was revealed before him.
Her black jacket slipped onto the seat.
Beneath it, she wore simple black undergarments without excessive decoration or elaborate lace.
The gray-black stockings she wore with her business attire accentuated her graceful figure.
"Yuu..."
One hand instinctively drew across her chest.
Her cheeks flushed as she closed her eyes tightly, unable to meet his gaze.
Feeling his gentle touch, she gradually relaxed.
A tingling sensation spread throughout her body.
Soon, all strength left her limbs as she leaned back against the reclined car seat.
The cramped interior forced her legs to draw close as she remained motionless, doing nothing beyond quietly enduring the moment.
Kamiyā Yuu left one sentence unspoken.
"I won't go all the way... which means everything except that is still possible."
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T/N: This novel is starting to annoy me... 🤦♂️ But since I've already invested so much time into it, I'll finish translating it anyway. 🚀📖