Dumped by One, Chased by Another? My Ex's Sister Is a Gal and She's Coming for Me - Episode 64

Tokyo – a city known for its modern flair and stylish ambiance.

That’s the image most people have—and understandably so.

After all, it’s Japan’s capital and the center of politics and economics.
But that doesn’t mean Tokyo lacks tradition.

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“Wow… it’s so big in person.”

“Yeah… I’ve seen pictures, but being here is something else.”

We were standing in front of Tokyo Daijingu Shrine, located in Iidabashi.

This was the date spot Haruki had suggested for today.

To be honest, I don’t usually visit shrines or temples—maybe just for the New Year’s shrine visit with family.

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“By the way, Haruki, why did you pick this place?”

“Huh? Did you not like it?”

“No, it’s not that. I’m just curious—why this particular shrine?”

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Tokyo has no shortage of shrines and temples.

If anything, Meiji Shrine is probably the most famous.

So why go out of the way to pick Tokyo Daijingu?

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“Well, um…”

“Yeah?”

Haruki’s face flushed red as she turned away.

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“…Wait, what’s going on?”

“I don’t wanna say…”

“Guess I’ll just look it up.”

“Wait—hold on!”

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Thanks to modern smartphones, it only took a few taps.

Let’s see…

“Tokyo Daijingu is one of Tokyo’s most famous shrines for matchmaking?”

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“Ahhh—stop reading it!”

Haruki covered my screen with her hand, clearly embarrassed.

Never mind that it was my phone.

Her fingers, slender and pale like those of a white snake, were so graceful I didn’t have the heart to push her hand away.

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“Matchmaking, huh?

Though I kind of feel like we’re already together.”

“Well… yeah, that’s true.”

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Haruki pulled her hand away and began walking ahead of me.

Probably didn’t want me to see her face.

Not that it helped—her ears and neck were visibly red.

Still, I pretended not to notice.

Even that part of her—embarrassed and awkward—was something I found endearing.

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“You know, this shrine is supposed to be really lucky for people looking to get married.

Apparently, even some famous actresses have held their weddings here.”

“Is that so…”

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Marriage.

To be honest, it still felt like such a distant idea.

Back when I was dating Fuyumi, the topic came up, of course.

But I wasn’t even working then—we never made it to a formal engagement.

Haruki is still a high school student—only seventeen.

By the time I start working in two years, she’ll still be a college student, just nineteen.

Frankly, it seems far too early to even be thinking about marriage.

And yet… when would be the right time?

I’m always hesitating.

But if I’m honest with myself—I want to marry her.

I really do.

I want to be with her forever.

She’s the kind of person who makes me feel that way.

Which is exactly why I hesitate.

Because I know what it means to take responsibility, and I also know I’m not in a place to fully do that—yet.

I keep wondering whether it’s okay to even say those words out loud.

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“…I really do love you, though.”
“Wh-What?”

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Haruki spun around, startled—her face crimson.

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“Oh, no, I just meant… this place is really nice.”

I quickly turned my phone around and showed her a picture.

Apparently, Tokyo Daijingu has heart-shaped decorations called inome on its gates.

I didn’t know if they were originally meant to symbolize love, but they were cute, nonetheless.

When I glanced up, Haruki had puffed out her cheeks in a pout.

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“Oh, so that’s what you meant.”

“Wait, why are you mad?”

“Geez… I got my hopes up, you know?”

“Ah—sorry, I didn’t mean to…”

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In the end, it took me a while to calm her down.

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“Well… I guess I was acting a little childish. Sorry.”

“No, I’m the one who should apologize.

And just so we’re clear—I really do love you, Haruki.”

“I know. I do.”

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Haruki turned to look at me, still pouting.

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“Wanna go find the inome marks together?”

“Yeah, let’s do that. Since we’re here and all.”

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Grateful for Haruki’s slightly restored mood, I gladly went along with her suggestion.

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“It’s kind of strange, isn’t it?”

“What is?”

“I looked it up—apparently inome has nothing to do with love at all.”

“Of course not.”

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Turns out, the name inome comes from its resemblance to a boar’s eye.

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“But even so, it’s become a popular symbol for matchmaking.

It’s seen as lucky, and people have reinterpreted its meaning over time.

I find that kind of fascinating.”

“Yeah… it really is.”

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In a way, it reminded me of us.

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“I guess… we’re kind of like that too.”

“Hm?”

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We never expected to fall in love.

It wasn’t something we planned for.

But life threw us a curveball, and here we are—together.

Just goes to show, how something begins doesn’t always matter.

What matters most… is how it ends.

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“Well, I liked you from the start, though.”

“Ah—”

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It took another five minutes to soothe her after that one.