Liar's Lips Fall Apart in Love - Volume 1 Chapter 4.2

The Winter When We Take a Step Forward 2

Haruko’s PoV

Even Ryunosuke Akutagawa once said that it’s not reason but busyness that saves us from love. Following those words, ever since I was rejected by Sagara-kun, I’ve been leading incredibly busy days. (tln : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ry%C5%ABnosuke_Akutagawa)

I started working more shifts at my part-time job every day, began studying for a qualification, and even started attending a cooking class with Sacchan.

I participated in volunteer activities outside of school and actively showed up at social gatherings. Being on the move kept my mind off unnecessary thoughts.

However, whenever I’d hear noises from the room next door during my study breaks, I’d find myself wondering what Sagara-kun might be doing.

At work, if I saw someone who resembled Sagara-kun, I’d inadvertently follow them with my eyes.

When I learned a new dish, I’d think about wanting Sagara-kun to try it. No matter where I went or whom I met, I felt that no one was more wonderful than Sagara-kun.

In the end, I hadn’t gotten over my feelings for him at all.

It’s been five months since I started my part-time job at a cafe near my apartment.

Although I struggled with the unfamiliar work at first, I think I’ve gotten pretty good at it. My job in customer service helped me overcome my shyness, and I’ve expanded my relationships with my coworkers… all thanks to Sagara-kun for pushing me forward.

“Nanase-san, can you work the shift on the 25th night?”

Right after changing back into my casual clothes, the manager approached me with an apologetic tone.

“It looks like everyone else has plans, and we’re really in a pinch because it’s going to be busy. I’m sorry to ask.”

The manager, a gentle woman in her mid-thirties with a laid-back Kansai accent different from Sacchan’s, looked relieved when I said, “It’s okay.”

“Thank you so much. You’re also working on the 24th, so feel free to take the 25th off if you want.”

“Oh? I can work both days.”

The manager was surprised by my response.

“Are you sure? Don’t you have a party or something with your friends?”

It then hit me. December 25th is Christmas.

I do have plans for a Christmas party with friends, but it’s on the 22nd, a Friday.

Tsugumi-chan and Nami-chan seem to have overnight dates with their boyfriends on Christmas Eve.

I haven’t asked Sacchan what she replied to Houjo-kun’s invitation.

My Christmas plans, fresh from a heartbreak, are completely blank.

“No, it’s fine. Please let me work!”

“Really? That helps a lot. Thank you.”

“Eh, Nanase-chan, you’re working on Christmas night? Lucky, we’re together then.”

Atsushi Shibata-san, who was restocking cutlery in the back, suddenly joined our conversation.

Shibata-san is a second-year student at a nearby university and has been working here for over a year.

He’s a friendly and approachable senior but tends to close the distance a bit forcefully.

The other girls warned me, “Be careful around Atsushi; he’s a bit of a ladies’ man,” so I’ve been a bit wary around him.

“Thanks, Shibata-kun, for working on Christmas.”

“No problem! I don’t have a girlfriend this year, so I’m spending Christmas working! It’s totally fine if I get to spend it with Nanase-chan!”

I responded with an ambiguous smile to Shibata-san’s words. In moments like these, I’m not sure what the right expression is.

…I wonder what Sagara-kun will be doing for Christmas. Probably working, I guess.

Ever since Sagara-kun rejected me, we haven’t had a proper conversation.

Whether at the apartment or university, I’ve been avoiding Sagara-kun as much as possible, only exchanging brief greetings when we bump into each other.

After all, I haven’t gotten over him at all. There’s no way I can have a normal conversation in this state. My feelings for him would just spill out and bother him again.

…Ah, this is no good. I need to move on from these feelings as soon as possible and go back to just being neighbors.

“Manager, I’ll do my best with the part-time job!”

As I clenched my fist and declared this, the manager laughed and said, “I’m counting on you.”

◆◆◆

Sagara’s PoV

Ever since the day I pushed Nanase away, I regained my solitary, carefree, and comfortable university life.

It’s strange how much less frequently I see Nanase’s face now, considering we used to meet almost every day.

Without her initiating conversation, there’s no reason to interact. The Nanase I see at university, perfectly made up and radiating a dazzling aura, seems so different from the girl who used to smile at me in her plain glasses and jersey that I wonder if she was ever real.

From a distance, she shines like the sun… reminding me once again that she belongs to a world different from mine.

With winter break just around the corner in mid-December…

After finishing my second class, I headed to the cafeteria for the first time in a while. The dining hall in Building 2 was moderately crowded.

As I walked past a group of four female students looking for a seat, I settled down at a counter seat by the window. This is another advantage of being solo.

As I snapped my chopsticks, I overheard a couple sitting behind me planning a date. They sounded excited about seeing the Christmas tree at Kyoto station.

…Come to think of it, Christmas is just a week away.

After silently saying grace, someone pulled the chair next to mine. It was Houjo.

“Yo, Sagara.”

I thought ignoring him would be rude, so I casually responded, “Hey.”

“You don’t mind if I sit here, right? I’m already sitting anyway.”

“…Do whatever you want.”

I hadn’t interacted much with Houjo since I stopped talking to Nanase. It’s been a while since he last approached me like this.

Houjo’s tray held the daily special meal, today’s main dish being chicken nanban. I felt envious as I looked at my own plain udon, still a week away from payday.

“By the way, Christmas is coming up. Got any plans, Sagara?”

“Work.”

“You never change, huh? Try to schedule something fun for once. It’s Christmas, after all.”

“Everywhere’s crowded on Christmas, it’s the worst. I don’t get why everyone’s so excited.”

It’s a bad habit of the Japanese to excessively partake in events. Just like how people who never bother with it suddenly eat eel on the Day of the Ox. I choose not to be swayed by society’s trends and work as usual.

“Hmm. Nanase was all excited about having a Christmas party with Saki and the others. Can you say the same thing in front of Nanase?”

The image of Nanase, thrilled about the Christmas party with Sacchan and the others, popped into my head as if I’d actually seen it.

…Like I could say something that would dampen her spirits.

It seems Nanase’s university life is going exceptionally well. She never needed my help in the first place. As long as she’s happy, that’s all that matters.

The broth of my hundred-yen udon, topped with a thin piece of fried tofu, was bland and light. I grabbed the shichimi pepper from the tabletop and sprinkled it on my udon.

“By the way, did you know?”

“Know what?”

“Nanase got confessed to recently.”

A chill ran down my spine, followed by a rising wave of irritation from the pit of my stomach.

“…Oh, is that so. It’s none of my business, though…”

“Sagara, how much shichimi are you going to put? The soup’s turned red.”

Startled by Houjo’s comment, I put the shichimi back in its place. The udon in front of me had transformed into something that looked like a punishment game, but it should still be edible. Well, maybe it’s a bit too much?

As I grimaced at the udon, Houjo chuckled, shaking his shoulders in amusement.

“You don’t have to be so flustered.”

“…I’m not flustered.”

It doesn’t matter who confesses to Nanase or if she gets a boyfriend. I have no right to say anything about it.

Bracing myself, I took a bite of the udon and immediately choked. Yeah, maybe this is impossible.

“She turned him down, apparently. Said she wasn’t in the mood for that kind of thing right now.”

Hearing Houjo’s words, I internally breathed a sigh of relief while simultaneously wanting to punch myself for feeling relieved. Who do I think I am?

“Well, Christmas is coming up. There are a lot more couples around. There are probably plenty of guys eyeing Nanase.”

“…What are you trying to say?”

“Just saying, if you keep being stubborn, you might regret it. That’s all.”

I silently slurped my udon. It was too spicy, and I felt tears welling up.

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you if it’s too late.”

“…Why do you even care? What about you?”

I retorted, but Houjo just grinned smugly.

“I’m going on a date with Saki on Christmas. It’s time to settle things.”

I responded indifferently to Hojo’s declaration, and as I slurped the udon, I choked again when the shichimi went down the wrong pipe.