Chapter 17: Responsibility (Serious)

Words require actions, and actions are accompanied by responsibility. If I intend to let her ride on the back seat, there comes with it an appropriate level of responsibility.

Am I someone who can bear that responsibility? For instance, would I be able to confidently tell her parents that I’m entrusted with their daughter’s life?

Some might say this is an exaggeration.

But I believe that riding with someone on the back is a responsibility that carries such weight.

To take on that responsibility, I needed money.

We live in an age where safety can be somewhat bought with money. Just having the proper gear makes a significant difference.

I immediately opened my computer and applied to several companies through job placement services.

It wasn’t long before I received responses, and soon I was scheduling interviews with a few companies.

I also canceled my temp registration.

The fact that I could handle it all with a single phone call made the superficial nature of the relationship very clear.

Strangely, I didn’t feel anxious.

I wasn’t plagued by any sense of fear.

The interviews went smoothly, and before I knew it, I had received an offer for a full-time position from one of the companies.

It wasn’t that I wasn’t scared.

In the past, when I had received job offers, the anxiety was always overwhelming. But for some reason, this time, I felt like everything was going to work out.

◇◇◇

I only told Serena that I had found a job.

“Congratulations, do your best!”
she said, and just hearing those words warmed my heart.

After a few days of training, I was assigned to my department. I was confused by the differences from my previous job, but I tackled each task one by one.

The people I worked with were generally nice.

Though I occasionally met some people who seemed a bit too particular, once I understood what they needed, it wasn’t difficult to get along.

While working hard, the cherry blossoms fell, and May’s holidays arrived.

I hadn’t met Serena during that time because our schedules didn’t align, but we had agreed to have dinner at home after a long while.

We went shopping for ingredients together, carrying a stuffed eco-bag back home.

Serena had filled the cart with snacks and dried fruits, buying more than necessary.

We were planning to make takoyaki today, so I figured all these items would come into play and let out an exaggerated sigh.

“What’s wrong?”
Serena asked with a puzzled look, holding a bowl and pickled ginger in her hands.

Since she’d asked me to make the batter, I was lying on the carpet, reading a magazine.

“… Is there chocolate in it?”
I asked.

“You’ll find out!”
Serena replied, her voice bubbly, almost singing with excitement.

Despite my thoughts, I couldn’t resist her smile. For the meal today, I had completely given up on controlling things.

Serena came over to peek at the magazine I was reading. She looked so delighted, I could tell even from my upside-down view.

“You look so happy,”
I commented.

“It's been a while since you’ve paid attention to me, Saki,”
she said, with a teasing smile.

“Then how about we go out together next time?”
I suggested.

“Sure! Should we take the train? If we’re going around a lot, the car would be better, right?”

“No, my bike,”
I replied.

“… Will you let me ride it?”
she asked.

“Are you saying you’d ride with me?”
I replied, looking up at her.

Our gazes met, and I conveyed my seriousness.

“It's pretty dangerous. Think it over carefully.”

“I’ll ride. Please take me,”
she insisted.

She kissed me upside down, and for a moment, I savored her soft lips.

She’s smart. I could feel that she understood what I was saying.

She pulled back as if to savor the moment, and we locked eyes.

“… Do you want to be with me?”
I asked.

Her eyes widened in surprise before softening, and she nodded. She placed the bowl and whisk to the side and hugged me.

She kissed my cheeks, ears, and hair, and I laughed from the ticklishness.

“You’re like a dog,”
I teased.

“In that case, Saki, you can become a dog, too,”
she replied.

“I’d rather not. I wouldn’t be able to ride my bike,”
I replied.

“That’s unfair! Then I’ll stick to being human,”
she said.

I wrapped my arms around Serena, holding her tightly.

Then, I spoke, my heart pounding.

“Actually, I haven’t told you this yet.”

“Yes?”
she replied.

My heart skipped a beat. I could feel her heartbeat through our embrace, and it was just as fast as mine.

I had never really said these kinds of words before. But I knew that if I didn’t say it, nothing would start. In fact, I didn’t want to begin without saying it.

“I like you,”
I whispered, barely making the words.

Her breath hitched, and she smiled as the words reached her ears.

“I like you too,”
she said.

And then, we began.