CHAPTER 24: THE FEELINGS SHE’S TOO AFRAID TO ADMIT (1)

Come on, Aoshi — just a little over two months left before Eliss finally returns to her world, and this whole ridiculous story becomes nothing more than a strange memory. Hang in there!

He repeats it to himself like a mantra, as if trying to convince himself he can’t wait for that day to come.

Even though, the more time passes, the harder it becomes for him to believe that Eliss’s departure will actually be a good thing — something to be happy about, something he’s eagerly waiting for.

Who am I kidding...? Of course I’ll miss her — it would be hypocritical to say otherwise. But that’s normal, right? When you spend a lot of time with someone, it’s only natural to get attached to them. That doesn’t necessarily mean I’m starting to feel that way about her! If Ayane or Takuma were to leave forever and never come back, I’d miss them terribly — not because I’m in love with them, but simply because I care about them as close friends. And it’s the same with Eliss. Although... I don’t think most friends kiss each other every chance they get...

Since that night by the Chikuma River, when we shared our first kiss and agreed on this whole "step-by-step relationship", I’ve probably spent more time with her tongue in my mouth than doing anything else. But beyond that, we’ve never gone further — partly because I’m afraid that taking that next step might actually make the feelings this forced cohabitation planted in my heart start to bloom... and partly because the idea of Raelor killing me if I ever do something he doesn’t approve of doesn’t exactly make me eager to push my luck.

Still, even though I’m convinced what I feel for her doesn’t go beyond simple affection, I can’t help but fear that the day we say goodbye will be anything but easy. Though I suppose the hardest part of that day will actually be telling Mr. Tobita that his best employee is quitting — he’ll probably fall into utter despair...

Ever since Eliss started working at the Moonlight Club — almost a month ago now — business has been booming. The place is always full, even at times when, just last month, not even door-to-door salesmen would bother to come in. All of them just want to be welcomed and served by Eliss — and, when she’s in a particularly good mood and not too busy, maybe even chat with her for a bit. To prevent overcrowding during Eliss’s usual four-hour shifts, Mr. Tobita eventually offered her a full-time contract, wanting to keep the club’s main attraction on the floor as long as possible — along with a substantial raise.

After only one month of work, she’s already making three times my salary... if she stayed here for a whole year, what would she become? Prime Minister of Japan? She’s without a doubt the most capable girl I’ve ever met — there’s absolutely no question about that.

It’s late afternoon, and Aoshi, together with Ayane and Takuma, is on his way back from university, walking side by side along the stretch of road they share.

«In a few days, you and Eliss will hit your one-month anniversary, right?» Takuma asks, a hint of envy in his tone. «If you want my advice, don’t celebrate on the exact day of your anniversary, but the day after. You know, for good luck — last time you celebrated a one-month relationship, things didn’t go so well.»

«Has anyone ever told you you’re a real asshole?!» Ayane snaps, slamming her elbow violently into Takuma’s side. «Yeah, you’re definitely going to die a virgin — that’s as certain as the sun rising every morning!»

«Come on, I was just joking...» Takuma grumbles, rubbing his sore arm. «Back me up here, Aoshi! Women have the worst sense of humor!»

Well... being reminded yet again that I was cheated on and dumped by Miori — even if it’s ancient history by now — isn’t exactly what I’d call a laugh, but then again, Takuma is Takuma. He’s never been particularly empathetic, and the fact that he mostly socializes with horny 2D girls hasn’t done him any favors... but I still like the guy — he’s a good friend at heart.

Soon after, Takuma stops at a corner where their paths split — his cue to take the left turn and leave Aoshi and Ayane to continue on together.

«See you tomorrow, lovebirds!» Takuma calls out, waving exaggeratedly. «And Ayane, don’t you dare take advantage of being alone with Aoshi! Remember, he’s almost been dating Eliss for a month — we wouldn’t want our dear Eliss to be the one getting cheated on this time, right?!»

A completely out-of-line comment — and it has the same effect as setting off a tremor beneath a volcano. And that volcano’s name is Ayane.

«Y-You filthy bastard! Come over here and say that again, I’ll smash your face in!» Ayane yells, frantically looking around for something to throw at him — but luckily for Takuma, she finds nothing.

«Come on, Ayane! It was just a joke, no need to get so worked up!» Takuma protests, waving his arms in panic.

«Still, you could really do without jokes like that — it’s not nice to call a girl a man-stealer, especially when that girl happens to be one of our closest friends,» Aoshi scolds him, using every ounce of strength he has to hold Ayane back from pouncing on Takuma like a lion on a gazelle.

«Y-Yeah, you’re right. I guess I went a little overboard...» Takuma mutters. «Anyway, I’d better make myself scarce — Ayane looks way too on edge today. She’s probably on her period.»

«YOU BASTARD! COME HERE, I’LL KILL YOU!»

Ayane is completely out of control now — thrashing like a possessed demon while Aoshi struggles to hold her back, and Takuma laughs his head off.

Eventually, after yet another scolding from Aoshi — and a menacing glare, plus Ayane’s death threats ringing behind him — Takuma wisely decides it’s time to run for his life.The whole scene turns into an embarrassing spectacle, drawing the attention of everyone in the area, including two police officers who came over after hearing Ayane’s colorful insults and threats. It takes ten full minutes to convince them it was just a friendly argument, and even then, Ayane still ends up with an official warning for public disturbance.

«Takuma’s a good guy, but sometimes... grrr! He’s such an overgrown child! Thanks to him, my parents are gonna flip when they find out I got reported to the police... luckily, knowing Takuma, it won’t be hard to make them believe he drove me insane,» Ayane grumbles, finally calming down a little.

«Yeah... and honestly, how could he even think you’d be interested in me like that? Come on, it’s ridiculous. I mean, can you imagine it? You and me, dating? That’d be absurd, right?» Aoshi says with an awkward smile.

«Yeah... really absurd,» Ayane murmurs softly, her tone tinged with a faint sadness. «Anyway, I’m really glad things are going so well between you and Eliss — I mean it. When I first saw her, I was a bit skeptical. I was afraid she might be another Miori — someone who’d only toy with you and take advantage of how fragile you were back then. But after spending this past month getting to know her better, I completely changed my mind. She’s truly a girl with a heart of gold, and it’s obvious — miles away obvious — that she’s genuinely in love with you. Well, you hit the jackpot, Aoshi... she’s beautiful, smart, funny, loyal, perfect at housework and great at her job... even if I racked my brains, I couldn’t find a single flaw in her. You couldn’t have found a better girlfriend, honestly.»

If Aoshi weren’t so clueless — if he understood even a little more about women — he would know exactly what lies behind that sincere but melancholy smile faintly lingering on Ayane’s lips.

Aoshi... he really looks happy with Eliss. And I should be happy for him too, right? He’s my best friend, and after everything Miori put him through, Eliss is the best thing that could’ve happened to him. I should be happy — I know I should — and yet... why can’t I be? Why?! Why?! Why?! Eliss is perfect in every possible way, and on top of that, she truly loves him... So why, deep down, do I find myself wishing that things between them would fall apart — that they’d end up breaking up?

It’s not fair! Aoshi doesn’t deserve to suffer anymore, especially now that he’s met what seems to be the woman of his life — the perfect woman for him! I’m ashamed of myself just for imagining him coming to me in tears, seeking comfort in my arms, telling me that Eliss dumped him.I shouldn’t even think about something like that! I’m disgusting — utterly disgusting! I say I want what’s best for Aoshi, and then I wish for something like this to happen to him?! I’m trash — absolute trash! I call Miori a bitch, but I’m a thousand times worse than she ever was! I don’t even deserve to call myself his best friend — let alone his girlfriend...

A woman truly in love would wish for the happiness of the man she loves, no matter who he’s with. His happiness should come before everything else — it shouldn’t be tainted by selfishness or envy...I’m nothing but a bad, selfish woman — that’s what I am...

No matter how hard Ayane tries to hide these thoughts, Aoshi can’t miss the faint shimmer in her eyes — dark, distant eyes clouded by a quiet melancholy.

«Ayane... are you okay?» Aoshi asks, visibly worried by her sudden change in mood.

«Y-Yeah, don’t worry. I’m just... a little anxious about how my parents will react to that police report, that’s all...» Ayane murmurs. That report, of course, is the least of her worries right now — and even Aoshi, for once, seems to realize there’s something deeper behind that sad, thoughtful look.

«Ayane... you’re right about Eliss. She really is perfect — the kind of girl anyone would want to marry without a second thought,» Aoshi says.

Ayane clenches her fists at those words — but he isn’t done.

«She’s perfect... almost too perfect to be real,» Aoshi continues, his voice now low and distant.«Ayane, I trust you more than anyone else in the world — you know that. That’s why... I want to talk to you about Eliss. There’s something I want you to know about her.»