I Planned My Escape Because I Knew Her Secret - Episode 40

At the beginning of March, my parents and Madoka’s parents all came to Okayama.

According to Madoka, after I went missing, instead of fighting, both families apologized to each other, saying that their own son (or daughter) was solely to blame, and there was absolutely no blaming of the other family.

It seems that Madoka herself frequently visited my family home and reported on my search status, and by the time she found me in December, she had already informed my parents.

However, they said that if they tried to capture me immediately after finding me, there was a high possibility I would attempt to escape again, so my parents entrusted everything to Madoka, who was determined to persuade me. And Madoka, in order to confront me with her back against the wall, quit her job, canceled her apartment lease, disposed of all her furniture and appliances, and deliberately came to see me without booking a place to stay that day.

Around 10 a.m. on the first regular holiday in March, Madoka and I were waiting in front of the Shinkansen ticket gate at Okayama Station for our parents to arrive.

When I spotted the four parents from both families walking towards me through the crowd beyond the ticket gate, smiling and chatting, I started to get even more nervous than when I reunited with Madoka.

The four of them came through the ticket gate, and as Madoka said to her parents, “Thank you for coming all this way,” I dropped to my knees right there and pressed my forehead to the floor.

“Wedding! I skipped out and ran away! I’m so sorry!”

Even though it’s a weekday, there are many people coming and going around.

The moment I loudly apologized while kneeling, I could tell the surroundings went silent.

Just when I thought I was sweating profusely, I was grabbed by the scruff of my neck and my upper body was forcibly lifted.

My neck tightened, and a strange sound, “ngh,” escaped.

It was Madoka who had a hold on the back of his neck.

“Think about the place! What are you thinking doing this here?”

The four parents were staring at the two of us with astonished expressions.

The expression on Madoka’s face as she scolded me was more terrifying than any I had ever seen before.

“Yes… I’m sorry…”

Madoka and I took separate cars (Madoka borrowed Ms. Yuko’s car) and each drove our parents to Narita-an.

On the way, my parents gave me a thorough scolding, but I was able to listen to their lecture with an open heart.

Again, I was told, “This time, if you don’t make Madoka happy, I’ll cut off our parent-child ties!” and I replied, “I’ll keep that in mind.”

When we arrived at Narita-an, the second-floor home was too small for a large group, so we greeted and introduced the three families in the tatami room of the shop, which was closed for the day.

The master, the proprietress, and Yuuko-san all praised Madoka and me a lot, and our parents also bowed their heads to the master and the others, saying, “Please continue to take care of us.”

After finishing the introductions and starting a casual conversation, when it was almost noon, Madoka and I entered the kitchen. I began making the noodles, while Madoka started cooking rice and preparing miso soup, chicken, and shrimp tempura.

When the noodle making was finished, they started boiling the noodles, and Madoka began frying the tempura.

While warming up the rice bowls, the two of us work together to serve the dishes.

We prepared nine servings of tempura udon set meals for the two of us.

Madoka is still not very skilled and can’t plate the food beautifully, but it was the first time we cooked and served something together, just the two of us.

The master and the proprietress told me, “It’s just the beginning. You’ve only just started studying.”

My parents said, “Masaki looks like a different person when he’s making noodles.”

Madoka’s parents told us, “If you both chose this path, then do your best.”

After receiving words of encouragement from everyone and confirming that they had all started eating, Madoka and I also took our seats and began our meal.

Madoka started to shed tears while eating the udon I made.

Seeing that, I couldn’t stop the tears and snot from flowing while eating the chicken tempura that Madoka had fried.

Our tears right now are not tears of sadness or regret. They are tears of joy and relief.

Both my parents and Madoka’s parents forgave the past, acknowledged our engagement once again, and supported our decision to choose the path of running a udon shop together, which made me incredibly happy.

Surely, Madoka’s tears were filled with the same feelings.

About five years ago, I ran away in anger and disappointment.

As a result, I hurt Madoka, and I regretted it too.

But I also wonder what would have happened if I hadn’t run away and had gotten married at that time.

Did we manage to resolve everything by discussing it all openly and honestly?

To be honest, I can’t see it that way.

Maybe, back when we were young, we were both falling apart.

If I had been by her side, my feelings of anger, disappointment, and fear would have intensified, and I would have continued to project those emotions and doubts onto Madoka, or be constantly frightened. And I think, as Madoka herself said, she wouldn’t have been able to handle it mentally due to guilt.

In hindsight, I think the reason we were able to regain the happiness of once again holding hands and walking towards our future dreams together is because my reckless act of fleeing allowed each of us to spend time calmly reflecting on ourselves.

And one thing I can say for sure is that my escape story could never have been completed alone.

It’s precisely because Madoka was there.

Madoka found me and caught me again.

I believe that after my escape, I came to understand Madoka’s deep obsession and love, and I was able to attain a happiness greater than before my flight.

So this time, let’s walk together without letting go of your hand.