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 17

It’s not a lucid dream, right…?

To think that I would hesitate to enter my own house.

I was surprised by my mother’s call, and even though the fatigue and drowsiness disappeared and I rushed over, here I am hesitating in front of the door—I’m really such a fool.

Even though Ayaka is still important to me, here I am, slacking off even in an emergency. Am I really hoping for Ayaka to die?

I was already thinking about Ayaka… as those thoughts swirled in my mind, someone forcefully put their arm around my shoulder from behind.

“Yo! Koichi. Long time no see~ Let’s get inside quickly. Ayaka-san is waiting.”

“Gou!? Why are you here…?”

“I’m here too, you know. What’s with those dark circles under your eyes? Oh dear, being a corporate slave is tough, huh?”

“Even Akari… Is this a dream?”

Smack! And I get hit on the head.

The pain was less than expected given the noise, but it seems to be real.

“Are you awake? If you’re awake, hurry up and come in. You’ll be a nuisance to the neighbors.”

“Why does Akari have my house slippers?”

“Preparedness prevents worry!”

“As expected of you, Akari-san. I was wondering why you were holding slippers, but that’s so cool.”

“Tsuyoshi, I’ll slap you too. Now hurry up and get in!”

Akari and Takeshi forcefully pushed me, still in a state of confusion, into the house.

I felt a little, just a little bit, of nostalgia.

When I entered the room, I was supposed to be familiar with, my gaze met Ayaka, who was sitting on the sofa.
…Somehow, I feel relieved.

The fact that she was safe. The fact that there was little disgust. I think there were various other things, but seeing Ayaka after a long time… I felt relieved to see that I could be at ease.

The eyes that looked at me, firmly holding the large belly, were straight and devoid of any worry. They were the eyes of someone who had made up their mind.

When it comes to this, this guy is really strong.

I know that.

There was no sign of my mother who had sent the message, but instead, Tomoya and Sumire-san were sitting next to Ayaka. Why are these two here too… I don’t get it.

Ignoring my confusion, the others are chatting and laughing as if they had just met a moment ago.

“Well then, the cast is all here.”

“Yeah, it’s been a while since the six of us got together, hasn’t it? It’s been a year, right?”

“Because Sumire and I moved, that’s how it is.”

“Everyone hasn’t changed much, huh?”

“My belly has gotten bigger too, but maybe that’s all there is to it… Still, even Sumire has started saying things like that.”

Honestly, I can’t keep up, or rather, I don’t even know what I’m being dragged into.

“Wait a minute! I rushed over because Ayaka was in trouble, and you guys are just having a normal conversation?”

“Considering how flustered you were, you were just dawdling at the entrance, weren’t you?”

“Right?”

“That’s it! …There are various things.”

“That Ayaka-san might have been cheating. Koichi.”

I was surprised by Tomoya’s words and then glared at Ayaka.

“Ayaka! Did you talk to him?”

“Yeah, I had everyone listen to everything. Even my mother-in-law.”

I was furious, but due to the triple burden of sleep deprivation, poor health, and not having eaten, I collapsed and knelt down. Go pulled me up and made me sit in a chair, but the dizziness wouldn’t stop, and I closed my eyes.

What’s going on here…?

I try to calm my confused mind, but I end up breathing shallowly and rapidly.

Practice diaphragmatic breathing―――

When I opened my eyes and told her I was okay, Ayaka began to recount the events of the day.

First, I consulted with Akari.

Including the video sent by Fuwaki, I am currently living apart.

Next, Gou joined us,
“Even if Koichi listens honestly, he won’t be convinced. If it comes from the person involved, who seems to be caught up in it, it might open his eyes,” Tomoya and Sumire-san also joined in.

It seems that the five of them, excluding me, shared information and made plans, and today was set as the execution day, with my mother being asked to be the one to call me.

The mother in question said, “What good is it for parents to meddle in such trivial matters?” She supposedly went off to enjoy tea, saying, “You young ones should solve it yourselves.”

“So? Are we having a reunion or something? I’m not free either, I’m going home.”

Without even trying to hide my displeasure, I end up raising my voice.

“Your house is right here, isn’t it? You’re getting forgetful, Koichi.”

“What did you say, Takeshi? Say it again.”

I usually let Tohru’s light-hearted remarks slide, but today I can’t help but snap back.

“I’ll say it. Koichi’s house is here, and the one Koichi has to protect is Ayaka-san, right? Where are you going home to?”

“That has nothing to do with you.”

No good, I can’t stop feeling irritated.

“You’re saying that because it matters, right? You still haven’t gotten over your habit of pretending to be angry to escape.”

“Alright, Tomoya!”

I stood up intending to intimidate and grabbed Tomoya, but the other four just watched without saying a word or moving. Ignoring my suspicion, Tomoya slowly pried my hand off his collar with force.

While I was surprised at how strong this guy was, all of my fingers had been removed.

When I look at Tomoya, even though his height hasn’t changed, he seems to have gained some muscle and looks more robust than before. Did he work out, or has his job been that demanding?

And even though I put in a decent effort, you didn’t even flinch.

I’ve started to stand firm and steady…

“Calm down, Koichi. We didn’t come here to fight. The reason Sumi and I came today is to clear up the misunderstanding with you.”

“I didn’t misunderstand anything―――”

“We’re doing it. We made them misunderstand something that didn’t need to be misunderstood.”

“Tomoya-kun is right. It’s our fault. Koichi-kun, please, listen to us.”

Saying that, Sumire-san came in front of me and bowed her head.

Ayaka also turned her face and bowed her head in the same way.

“Koichi, please. Listen to what I have to say.”

Completely, I’m the only bad guy here, aren’t I…?

Even with a dull mind, I can at least understand that my actions are like those of a child throwing a tantrum.

It’s really terrible.

I have a headache, my friends are all worried, I’m bowing my head in apology, and I’m even making Ayaka, who’s pregnant, worry. What am I doing with my life?

Even so… without clearing the fog, I agreed to listen to the story.