Liar's Lips Fall Apart in Love - Volume 2 Chapter 3.1

Chapter 3: Perfect Lipstick Gets Messy with Love?

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In the midst of the rainy season, it’s still damp and rainy. Large raindrops fall from the gloomy gray clouds, hitting my red checkered umbrella with a pitter-patter sound.

Wearing my favorite rain boots, I walked lightly across the campus. Sagara-kun always calls my long black rain boots “rubber boots,” and I always correct him, saying, “They’re rain boots.”

My fourth-period general education class is in Building 2. The report assignment should be announced soon, so I need to stay focused.

As I reached Building 3, I saw Sagara-kun coming out. He was wearing a striped shirt paired with denim jeans. Not long ago, he used to wear mostly dark clothes, but that’s changed recently. We didn’t have any classes together today, so seeing him by chance makes me happy. I feel a light flutter in my heart.

“Sagara… kun…”

I started to call out to him but stopped when I noticed a woman next to him.

With shiny, light brown bobbed hair and wearing a cut-sleeve top, she looked mature and beautiful. That must be Itogawa-san, Sagara-kun’s senior at his part-time job.

After exchanging a few words, Itogawa-san handed Sagara-kun a paper bag. He took it and bowed, mouthing the words, “Thank you.”

In that moment, my spirits plummeted to the ground.

Itogawa-san waved at Sagara-kun and left. As I stood there, dazed, Sagara-kun noticed me. Hastily putting on a smile, I walked over to him and greeted him with, “Good job.”

“Um, Sagara-kun. Were you just talking to Itogawa-san? Did she give you something?”

I tried to ask casually, but there might have been a hint of jealousy in my voice. Sagara-kun lifted the paper bag and replied, “Yeah.”

“It’s a reference book for a qualification exam. She thought it might help with job hunting.”

“…Oh, I see…”

Embarrassed by my baseless jealousy, my face grew hot. While Sagara-kun was seriously thinking about his future, I was worrying about trivial things.

…I feel like Sagara-kun is slipping away from me.

While I’m stuck here, Sagara-kun is moving forward, and one day I might be left behind. The thought filled me with a deep sense of anxiety.

“…Well, I should get going.”

I said, hiding my pathetic expression with my umbrella, and walked away.

After returning home from my classes, I sat on the floor, hugging my knees.

I had taken it for granted that Sagara-kun and I would always be together… but that might not be the case. There’s no guarantee that he will always love me.

Surely, many wonderful people will appear in his life. When that happens, will he still choose me?

I slapped my cheeks hard with both hands.

Alright, there’s no point in dwelling on it. Recently, I’ve been too indecisive. If I’m afraid of losing Sagara-kun’s feelings, I should make an effort to keep them. After all, I’ve overcome most challenges in life with effort and determination!

I went to the supermarket and bought a large amount of chicken thighs. Tying my hair back and putting on an apron, I rolled up my sleeves with determination.

In the cramped kitchen, I sweated profusely as I made karaage. Chicken karaage is Sagara-kun’s favorite. At first, I either burned them or left them undercooked, but recently I’ve mastered the perfect frying technique. I also prepared a side dish of potato salad.

After finishing the cooking, I fixed my makeup, which had been ruined by sweat. I reapplied the lipstick Sagara-kun had given me and pumped myself up with a “Alright!”

Sagara-kun had said he didn’t have work today, so he should still be in his room. I eagerly went outside and pressed the intercom of the neighboring room.

“…Oh, Nanase. What’s up?”

Seeing me all dressed up, Sagara-kun looked puzzled. I awkwardly replied, “Oh, just… something.”

“I made karaage, so if you’d like, please come over and eat.”

But Sagara-kun apologized with a guilty expression, “Sorry…”

“I have to go to work now.”

“Huh? I thought you said you didn’t have work today?”

“The manager called and asked me to come in urgently.”

I almost stumbled on the spot. What terrible timing…!

Though I was shocked, there was nothing I could do. Forcing a smile, I said,

“Oh, I see! Good luck with that!”

“…I’m really sorry. After you went through all the trouble to make this…”

“No, it’s fine! I’ll put it in another container so you can eat it when you get back. Just wait a moment.”

I returned to my room, packed the karaage and potato salad into plastic containers, and brought them back to him. Handing over the heavy containers, Sagara-kun was taken aback by the weight.

“Whoa, heavy.”

“S-Sorry, I might have made too much!”

“N-No, I’m happy. Thanks, this is great.”

“You’re welcome! See you tomorrow.”

After smiling and greeting him, I returned to my room. Seeing the large amount of karaage still left in the kitchen, I slumped down on the spot.

…Ugh, I failed… I’ll do better next time…!

I wouldn’t give up so easily. After all, I have a track record of not giving up even after being rejected and eventually winning him over.

Removing my makeup and changing into my gym clothes, I clasped my hands together and said, “Itadakimasu,” before starting to eat the karaage and potato salad. Dieting can start tomorrow. After all, you can’t fight on an empty stomach.