Dumped by One, Chased by Another? My Ex's Sister Is a Gal and She's Coming for Me - Episode 66

On the way back from a shrine visit, it’s said that you shouldn’t make any detours.

The idea behind this is that you should go straight home so as not to spill or lose the blessings you received from the shrine.

Honestly, I get that. Even before I knew about this custom, I always felt a bit uneasy about stopping anywhere after visiting a shrine. So, this belief felt natural to accept.

It was a weekend evening, so the train was moderately empty—empty enough that Haruki and I could sit next to each other.

“Hey, want to check this place out next time?”

“Oh, that looks great.”

On our way back, Haruki and I were chatting while looking at her phone.

The topic: where we should go for our next date.

She was showing me the most famous theme park in Japan.

I’ve only been there once with my family when I was a kid.

Honestly, I don’t remember much.

“Wow, an amusement park date. Total classic, and yet somehow we’ve never done it.”

“True.”

“Have you ever been?”

“Yeah, a few times. What about you, Haruki? You okay with thrill rides?”

“I actually love them. How about you, Kenichiro?”

“…Can you not just assume I’m bad with them? I mean, I’m not great, but I can handle them, okay?”

For the record, I can manage roller coasters up to twice a day. If I really push myself.

Any more than that and I’d probably throw up.

I still remember how I once maxed out on the second ride and had to lie down on a bench.

“Heh, are you sure? You’re surprisingly hopeless sometimes, Kengorou.”

“Hard to deny… Anyway, you’ve been there before?”

“Loads of times. I used to go with friends.”

I can totally picture that.

In my mind, that theme park is full of high school girls in uniforms wearing cute headbands.

Thinking of Haruki like that made me smile.

“Hmm… I barely remember what it was like. What kind of stuff do they have now?”

“Well, I don’t really know much about the old version either, but—”

Before we knew it, we had arrived at the nearest station.

And just like that, we were already talking about our next date on the way back from this one.

Being in a relationship means we can make plans like this together.

________________________________________

“See you later!”

“Yeah, see you.”

Like always, I walked Haruki to her house and then headed home.

I’ve come to really enjoy this time.

The things that happened today, the things we talked about—they slowly replay in my head.

And that kind of reflection is something I can only do when I’m alone.

People always say that maintaining a healthy relationship is about balance—especially distance.

If you’re too far apart, it won’t work. But if you’re too close all the time, it can grow stale.

In that sense, maybe the way we are now is just right.

We make time to be together—through dates or when I tutor her.

And I also have time like this, just for myself, to think about her.

I guess…

“I really am happy right now.”

Saying it out loud made it feel real.

________________________________________

I’d thought I’d hit rock bottom.

And I probably had.

But that wasn’t the end.

There were people who reached out to me.

When I stepped outside with their help, the world was much kinder than I had imagined.

Even the path I’d walked to this point—it hadn’t all been wrong.

I let go of the past, of the memories that tormented me, and took the hand of someone I cherish.

And that’s how I got to where I am now.

Bzzzz.

My phone vibrated in my pocket.

It was Haruki.

“Hello? Haruki? Everything okay?”

“Ah, yeah. Nothing’s wrong. I just…”

Her voice over the phone was softer than usual.

Maybe she was relaxing in her room.

It made me wish I could hear that voice in person, just like this.

“I just wanted to hear your voice.”

“…”

“Hello? Was that annoying?”

“No, not at all. Actually, I’m really happy. I wanted to talk too.”

What can I say?

Just moments ago I was going on about how alone time is important.

But now, being able to talk to Haruki like this is the best part of my day.

I still had time before I got home.

Might as well enjoy our chat.

“Speaking of that theme park, didn’t they make a bunch of movies too?”

“Oh yeah, they did! And actually, there’s a new one coming out soon!”

“Oh, so you watch the movies too?”
We kept chatting about the new release, and before I knew it, I was back in front of my apartment.

Of course, the call didn’t end just because I got home.