I Was Helping My Friend When His Wife Cheated On Him, But He Claimed He Would Forgive Her Once, But The Bad Luck Keeps Coming - Episode 10

“Please, it’s just a humble tea, but do enjoy… Oh, that’s a bit too formal, isn’t it? It’s quite delicious, this tea.”

“Ah, ah… I’ll accept it. Thank you.”

“Please, please. It’s a gift, but here’s some tea sweets too――――”

Why did it come to this…?

Honestly, I don’t understand what’s going on, and I can’t keep up with this situation.

It’s not like I completely lost my memory or anything, but this guy, Fuwaki…

“I was invited to have tea if I’m not in a hurry, so I’m just here.”

I can tell that I was invited out of genuine goodwill and gratitude.

“It’s often said that if this is acting, it deserves an Academy Award, but seriously, it could actually win a prize.”

Even so, I should have just refused and gone to the hospital… That was how it was supposed to be.

“Have you been living alone for a long time?”

“Well… I’ve been living in this apartment for about 1 to 2 years.”

“Weren’t you a college student… If you were hospitalized, are your credits okay?”

“Even so, I still pass as a serious honor student.”

Maybe because I have a baby face for my age, I look even younger when I smile.

I can understand why you might feel a bit like Tomoya.

I thought the same thing earlier, but his face has a youthful impression, and his hairstyle gives off a sense of cleanliness. If he were a younger brother, you’d want to take care of him. If he were a girl, you’d be charmed or want to pamper her. His height and build are pretty average, and there’s nothing particularly distinctive about him.

However, the voice feels pleasant, and combined with the politeness of the words, it makes you want to listen.
In that video, I didn’t even care.

And when you see it up close, you are captivated… by these eyes.

The eyes speak as much as the mouth.

When this guy’s eyes appeal to someone’s heart, how many people can actually resist?

“Mr. Namikawa, where were you planning to go? I invited you, but I was just thinking… if I was putting you out of your way… even now.”

“I’m visiting a friend. It’s not urgent, and I was thirsty.”

“Oh, really? I’m glad. I was worried that I might have been too pushy, and I felt a bit guilty inside.”

“That’s not true. You’re way too serious for your age. You’re gonna go bald.”

“Oh, that’s terrible! I was worried that might happen!”

This is it… Not too serious, can understand jokes. Makes me want to take care of them… I like them.

If we had met during our student days, there is something that makes me think we would have wanted to be friends, or perhaps we already were.

He’s more of a good person. I’ve seen quite a few people, but I can clearly say he’s a good person.

That’s why I can’t reconcile what the person named Fuwaki did with the one standing right in front of me. The discrepancy is so great that my mind refuses to accept it.

If I were told I had multiple personalities, I might actually believe it.

“You’re keeping it clean, huh? Back when I was a student, my room was a total mess.”

“I sometimes ask the housekeeper to clean the room for me. But it’s surprising, I thought Mr. Namikawa was a neat freak.”

“Why did you think that? Your tone is bad, and you don’t have much class, so it must be laziness.”

“At first, we used honorifics, you know.”

She gives a soft chuckle.

“The inside of the car is properly organized, there’s no smell of cigarettes, and it’s thoroughly cleaned.”

“Do you think just that makes me a neat freak?”

“It seemed like you were quitting smoking, so I was wondering if you also cleaned the ashtray yourself and even washed it with water.”

When I’m short on time, I just throw away the cigarette butts and leave it as is. Wet wipes would be fine, but I can’t stand not being able to wipe the corners of the ashtray. Now that I’m not smoking, I don’t have any butts to deal with. …Are you not smoking?

“Did I mention that I’m quitting smoking?”

Quietly shaking their head, using their own hands

“Your left index and middle fingers were gripping the steering wheel and touching your mouth as if you were holding a cigarette… it might be unconscious. If you were doing that with your right hand, it would also suggest the option of throwing the cigarette butt out the window.”

Saying that, they laughed innocently.

“The fact that it’s the left hand is just a coincidence; I usually litter with my right hand, or I put up with it if I have someone with me… how about that?”

“The former is mixed with wishes, but it’s just not possible. It’s very hard to believe that someone who would go out of their way to stop their car and care about others would not follow the rules. The latter is a prejudice, but I can’t tolerate smokers.”

I was taken aback by this guy, Fuwaki, who looked me straight in the eye and spoke with such conviction.

“You really pay attention, don’t you? You’re mostly right. It’s not like I’m a neat freak or anything, though.”

“Yay! Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to stare; it must have made you feel uncomfortable.”

“Impressive. Do you like observing things?”

“Maybe it’s because of my father’s job. He was a police officer. It didn’t suit me, though.”

“I see, it seems like such a waste.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

I don’t understand… I really don’t understand this guy.

The anger towards the person named Fuwaki has not disappeared at all.

The feeling of wanting to half-kill you won’t disappear anytime soon.

Yet, I can’t direct my anger towards the man in front of me… I can’t bring myself to do it.

Then, I should just go home without saying anything.

I sent off a kind-hearted and good-natured young man, we drank tea together and chatted, and I thought it would be nice to meet again somewhere… and then we parted ways.

The conclusion is also in place.

The fact that Sumire-san cheated, that Tomoya got caught, that Tsuyoshi was seriously injured, and all the events leading up to today. No matter how much I try to condemn him now, the past cannot be changed.

Takeshi’s advice flashes through my mind. Forget it, don’t get involved.

I went to visit Sumire-san and brought Ayaka home. …Ayaka seems a bit down too. It must be tough, but little by little, let’s all cooperate to return to our normal lives.

“But it’s been scary lately, hasn’t it? Even at the hospital where I was admitted, there was a big commotion because a murderer showed up. Why do people try to kill others… it’s so sad.”

What did he just say—

“Why do people try to kill others… It’s so sad.”

The wave of emotions I had been holding back inside suddenly surged forth with that one word―――

――You shouldn’t be the one to say that――

“Huh? Namikawa-san, is something wrong?”

Until just now, I found this guy’s face likable, but in an instant, it transformed into something that irritates me.

“You killed Sumire-san’s baby, didn’t you?”

“Sumire-san… Namikawa-san, what on earth are you…?”

“He’s a friend, Sumire-san’s… Sumire-san’s husband.”

The reason I went out of my way to correct myself was―――

“Oh, really…? That’s unfortunate about the baby.”

“Is that all you have to say?”

“Yes. Especially.”

Especially… if that’s the case…

“Don’t you feel anything about what you’ve done?”

“Well… I just want Sumire-san to be happy. That’s all.”

Brazenly…

“Don’t mess with me. Then why the hell did you pull such a ridiculous stunt?”

“Are you kidding me?”

“You sent a letter to Tomoya’s house, didn’t you? With that crappy video attached.”

No good, I can’t stay calm.

“………”

“Tomoya and Sumire were both trying to start over. They were desperately trying to make it work, even though it was tough for both of them… and you…”

“But, I tried to kill the baby.”

“It’s not Tomoya and Sumire’s.”

“Sumire-san’s baby.”

In my overwhelming anger, I grab Fuwaki by the collar.

“You got her pregnant. You made her cheat.”

“Yes, I got her pregnant. I had an affair with Sumire-san.”

“Stop playing with words.”

“I’m not playing around; this is a matter of confirming the facts. I had an affair with Sumire-san, but we loved each other with mutual consent. I didn’t rape her. I didn’t force her. I did it because I genuinely wanted Sumire-san to be mine.”

“You destroyed the happiness of a couple who loved each other peacefully… you did.”

“…That’s right. Still, I wanted Sumire-san. And Sumire-san responded to that. In the end, though, I got rejected.”

“So, that video is just a case of spite, then? Directed at Sumire-san for not choosing you?”

“No. If Sumire-san is happy with her husband, I will sincerely give my blessing. However, the baby is not at fault. Even if it’s not your own child, if it’s the child of a woman you love, loving it together is what ‘love’ is.”

This guy!!!

“Stop making excuses!”

“It’s not a quibble. Then what is the purpose of the wedding vows? They are a promise to love each other in both happy and difficult times, at any time. If the vows can be broken immediately upon breaking fidelity or chastity, then it’s better not to make them.”

“Even though you broke it yourself!!”

“If I, of all people, can break it, then it will break anyway.”

“You bastard!!!”

I made him stand up while still holding onto his collar and slammed Fuwaki hard against the wall.

With a calm expression despite my angry gaze, Fuwaki continued speaking.

“If your husband is going to abandon you, saying he doesn’t want you because you’ve betrayed him, then I will gladly make you happy.

Please live your life with impeccable conduct and integrity, without ever making a mistake or needing forgiveness.

It’s admirable, and I respect that way of thinking.”

“………”

“Ah, I don’t need your advice that someone who cheats will do it over and over again. I’ll make sure to put in the effort to keep them firmly tied to me.”

The fist that had been clenched tightly began to tremble.

“Besides, I believe in the love between you and your husband, Sumire-san. Even if it were to break over something like this, I’m sure you would be able to start over and find happiness… Please let me believe that.”

“Don’t mess with me!!!”

Just as I, having reached my breaking point, was about to hit Fuwaki, I heard a knock on the door.

“Fuwaki-san, are you okay? I heard a loud noise, so I was worried you might have fallen or something.”

“…even if I go out”

When I let go, the freed Fuwaki straightened his collar and then walked out of the room.

“Sorry, I tripped while cleaning up. It made a really loud noise when I hit my head, didn’t it? I’m sorry.”

“Wow, you really surprised me!”

“I’m really sorry, I just got discharged from the hospital―――――”

Just a little… just a little, I managed to calm down. If the knock had been even a moment later, I would have… that guy.

With a bang, the door closed, and Fuwaki turned to look at us.

“Do you want to continue?”

“…no, it’s fine.”

“Oh, I see. I don’t really want to argue with Mr. Namikawa any more either.”

“Don’t ever call my name again.”

Fuwaki shrugs his shoulders, raises both hands, and makes a gesture of surrender.

“You are crazy.”

“Is that so?”

“Do you think you can destroy someone else’s happiness and still be happy yourself? Your thinking is still childish. You’re just a kid who wants what others have.”

“Have you never fallen in love with anyone?”

“What did you say?”

“I have loved someone to the point of madness. A feeling so intense that it cannot be bound by common sense, morals, ethics, norms, or the judgment of good and evil.”

“Don’t let scum who can’t even follow the rules blend into society.”

“It’s terrible to be called a beast when you haven’t even committed a crime.

But yes, go ahead and live your life convinced that you’re the only one living properly by adhering to the rules.

It’s the privilege of those who believe that unilaterally condemning others without allowing any legitimate defense is the right thing to do. You, with eyes that could kill, looked so lively and happy.”

This guy and I have fundamentally different values.

“Thank you for the tea.”

“You’re welcome. It’s a thank you for sending it.”

“If I had known you were Fuwaki, I wouldn’t have given you a ride.”

“How about it? Are you going to send that old lady off and leave me behind? You, who are so easily swayed by emotions?”

Really, getting irritated over every little thing.

If I keep talking to this guy, next time I might really end up killing him… no… I might actually kill him.

I decided to leave the room without responding.

“Oh, I just remembered. Just one thing, Ayaka-san… was it? Your wife. Please let me believe in your love for each other, okay? It would be wrong not to do anything after going this far.”

“Why do you know Ayaka… If you lay a hand on Ayaka, this time… I’ll kill you.”

“I’m scared. Please don’t worry. I won’t do anything directly. I don’t want you to dislike me any more than you already do. Well then, thank you for sending me off. Please take care.”

Just before the door closed, a smile appeared on the face of Fuwaki, who had bowed deeply.

You can’t escape anymore.