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 19

“Well then, I’ll be the first to explain. It would be hard to believe Ayaka right now anyway. To begin with, the reason Ayaka did such a thing is because of the bullying she faced in high school.”

“Those bastards who bullied Ayaka back in high school… But you couldn’t find the culprits, could you? Everyone just keeps their mouths shut. If you know something, tell me. And what’s the deal with that video? There are other things too…”

“Wait, wait, I’ll explain one by one.”

Saying that, Akari began to explain the circumstances leading up to Ayaka’s video.

After Ayaka became a teacher, she met Sakurai, the main culprit who had bullied her.

Sakurai, if I remember correctly… he was a bit obsequious, but he was the cute type.
That guy was the mastermind… I didn’t know.

That Sakurai said something he shouldn’t have to Ayaka…

For Ayaka, if there’s something inviolable, it would be her mother.

Also, did she finally reach her breaking point after the children, who are Ayaka’s reason for living, were insulted?

The main reason is that even after becoming a teacher and growing up, no matter how many years had passed since the bullying… the resentment had not disappeared. The trigger was the mother and the children, but I couldn’t suppress the vengeful feelings that had ignited under the name of personal grudges.

Ayaka’s thing, to that extent…

“—So, I helped Ayaka too. I have a responsibility since I couldn’t stop her, so if you’re going to blame someone, blame me!”

“She told me to cross my arms and scold you… Isn’t that impossible? Sorry, Koichi, my wife has no intention of apologizing.”

“What the heck! I really feel bad about it! …If I were in high school with them, I’d beat them up!”

“Okay, okay, just calm down! So, it seems like this is the case, but you probably can’t be satisfied with just this.

Apparently, there’s a full version of that video or the unedited one, so do you want to watch it? By the way, Tomoya and I haven’t seen it, so don’t jump to conclusions. …Are you okay, Koichi?”

While I was listening to Akari’s story, I ended up looking down―――

Really, I… doubted Ayaka over just one suspicious video, abandoned my precious wife during the most important time, sulked and ran away from home. I pretended to be the tragic hero and reveled in that delight…

Moreover, even with a dull mind, I can understand that you dragged my friends into this and made them take care of it.

Oh no… so embarrassing. If there were a hole, I’d want to crawl into it.

Regarding revenge, I wanted you to consult Ayaka, but if it had been done… I would have naturally stopped it. Or maybe I was planning a grand “serves you right” scheme involving Tsuyoshi, Tomoya, Akari, and Sumire. I don’t know now, though.

I’m just angry at myself for not even noticing Ayaka, who must have been suffering, and for not being able to be there for her. Moreover, to go so far as to use my own body for revenge.

So deeply rooted, huh?

I might have thought of her as a strong woman, an iron lady who wouldn’t be swayed by any hardship…

I didn’t deeply understand Ayaka… neither did I.

That’s also too late now.

But, there are still things we can do… right?

“Ah, it’s okay, Takeshi. Thanks. I’ll watch the video later.”

…Akari, thank you too. You were by Ayaka’s side to make sure she didn’t overdo it, right?

“When I saw Ayaka being treated like that by that jerk, I regretted not stepping in with all my might.”

I let out a light sigh and face Ayaka.

“…Ayaka”

“Yes”

“Sorry for leaving the house open.”

“Yes”

“I’m sorry I didn’t rush over when you collapsed.”

“Yes”

“I’m sorry for saying something so terrible.”

“Yes”

“I… am stupid, reckless, and thoughtless, but I wanted you to consult with me…”

“…yes”

“I’m a pathetic and cowardly man who left you alone while you were pregnant, but please forgive me.”

“…Still, is it okay if I keep being your husband…?”

“Don’t… apologize so much… Please… I’m begging you…”

I approach Ayaka, being careful of her growing belly, and gently hug her.

Ayaka was trembling, whispering in a small voice, “I’m sorry, Koichi…” while tears streamed down her face, right next to my ear.

Suuuu, something feels easier…

As if the medicine was effective against the illness, the heavy and murky things inside my body began to thin out… and then my consciousness faded.

“I fell asleep. My eyes were so dark, so I hadn’t been sleeping well… Sorry, Koichi.”

“Seriously… I went through all the trouble of preparing the follow-up report on Ayaka’s revenge target and other things. And now there’s no chance for the second-in-command to shine. Well, whatever.”

“Tsuyoshi did really well. When we get home, I’ll praise him a lot.”

“Is it okay to say that we cleared up Koichi’s misunderstanding, Tomoya-kun?”

“Yeah, I think once Koichi wakes up, if we watch videos with Ayaka-san or look at Gou’s report together, he’ll be completely convinced.”

“Hey, Tomoya… are you mad? It’s fine if you don’t want to watch the video anymore.”

“No, I want you to clear up the misunderstanding with Koichi and make up with Ayaka-san properly. I don’t think this is revenge for Sumire’s righteous punch.”

“Tomoya-kun…♡”

“Wait, is that Sumire’s cute point!?”

“Tomoya, you’re scary. Don’t get mad at me~”

Ah, it’s the usual us.

Close friends who are important and reliable.

“Tsuyoshi-kun, please take Koichi to the tatami room where the futons are laid out. And everyone, thank you so much for today. Normally, this is something I should have resolved on my own.”

“If you had done that, I would have scolded you thoroughly. But it’s commendable that you consulted with me properly.”

“That’s right, Ayaka. It’s me who should be… Oh no, I’m apologizing again. I’m glad if I could be of help.”

“Even if you can’t consult me about everything, it’s still nice to be relied upon, Ayaka-san. If I could repay you even a little, that would be great.”

It feels like a miracle that we could gather again with smiles.

“I’ve put him to sleep~. He’s the type who doesn’t wake up once he falls asleep, right? He’s snoring away, so I have no idea when he’ll wake up.”

“Thank you, Takeshi-kun. Let him sleep well.”

“Ayaka must be the most tired, right? You should lie down with her. I’ll take care of the rest later.”

“That’s right, Ayaka, go sleep with Koichi-kun too.”

“Sorry, everyone. I’ll take you up on your offer and do that…”

Even though I had steeled myself, I was honestly exhausted from being constantly on edge.

While being cared for by Akari, I lay down next to the sleeping Koichi. After a long time, I clung to Koichi’s arm and soon closed my eyelids and fell asleep.

“Thank you for your hard work, Ayaka. I’m sorry, if I had stopped it more forcefully, this wouldn’t have happened. Koichi, I’m sorry too. I’ll do anything I can for you… Please take your time to rest today, both of you.”

The sight of the two of them sleeping peacefully with contented faces is adorable, even for adults.

Koichi’s dark circles under his eyes were severe, but Ayaka was also hiding hers with makeup; she probably hadn’t been getting enough sleep either.

Ayaka had talked to us many times before today’s meeting.

If I can get Koichi to listen to me, that’s all I need.

I won’t forcefully try to make them understand or convince them.

The punishment for betraying someone I trust, like Koichi, without even talking to him, will be left to Koichi’s choice.

The possibility of being served with divorce papers must have been high.

There’s no way it’s not scary.

I think everyone felt the same way.

…Takeshi was the only one who seemed unfazed.

Why are you so carefree? I got angry at Tsuyoshi, but he was laughing.

“That guy, Koichi, is smart, but only halfway. And he’s weak when it comes to emotions. What Ayaka did was probably a bad move, but I don’t really care about that. If you just remove the filter, he’ll come to terms with it on his own.”

“But isn’t it like cheating on Koichi and betraying him?”

Takeshi was smoking a cigarette,

“Normally thinking about it, that might be true. And because he’s thinking about Tomoya and Sumire’s problem as if it were his own, he’s making it even more complicated. So, you just need to detach him from it. I told you, he’s an idiot. I’m not insulting him.”

A simpleton is devoted and pure. It’s hilarious, being pure with that face.

Saying that, they laughed.

Even after that, I was still wondering if things would really go that smoothly…

About today, I can’t help but think that men really are idiots… While looking at Koichi, I end up thinking that.

Speaking of which, Ayaka also said that Koichi is like a golden retriever.

Anyway, since I also have a part in the reason why the two of them ended up like this, I need to make sure to take proper aftercare. I’m really glad I saved Ayaka’s master videos and other materials for times like this. I want to say that, but…

Even though it’s said that being prepared means no worries, I often thought that I should erase everything.

Indeed, I considered the possibility that what I had left behind could be the source of the commotion, but it was worth taking the utmost care. Even when Go was stabbed, my intuition about the unpleasant feeling often turned out to be right.

With this, I can erase all this data too, right? Even if someone threatens Ayaka, claiming that the woman in the photo is the same person as Ayaka, I can just play dumb. I’ll use my connections to put pressure on the handyman.

And what should I do about that cocky guy named Fuwaki?

No… Tsuyoshi… you have to listen to what your husband says.

I will never get involved again.

Just… if there is a third time, absolutely―――

Actually,

The mistake from the beginning was me helping Ayaka.

Even if Ayaka cut ties with me, if I had talked to Koichi and kept trying to persuade Ayaka…

Even if it means confining Ayaka, I will be thorough until I break her will.

Getting revenge and being the only one to be happy—things don’t usually go that smoothly.

Even if the operation or whatever succeeds, there’s a possibility, like with Ayaka this time, that you might end up destroying your own happiness.

Then, is there nothing I can do but suffer in silence?

Essentially, that’s how it is.

That’s why you might be told to become so happy that your enemy envies you.

It’s unreasonable and absurd, but I guess there’s nothing we can do about it.

Even so, if you can’t extinguish the hatred of revenge, where will it lead you…?