Dumped by One, Chased by Another? My Ex's Sister Is a Gal and She's Coming for Me - Chapter 80

Ever since I started living alone, I’ve been on the phone a lot after coming home.

Thanks to that, I haven’t really felt lonely, even though I live by myself.

Today was no exception—I was on a call again.

But this time, the person on the other end wasn’t Haruki.

Normally it would be, but today was different.

“Come to think of it, this might be the first time we’ve talked like this over the phone.”

“You’re right.”

We were on a group call on RINE.

It was my dad’s idea—to set aside time for just the family to talk again.

I had no reason to say no.

“I’ve been feeling sorry about everything.”

“You were going through such a hard time, and we didn’t even try to be there for you.”

“That’s okay. I never said anything either.”

I told them about Fuyumi, too.

Why we broke up.

They were both pretty shaken, but when I explained how Haruki had helped me through it, they seemed to come to terms with it in their own way.

Still, I could tell they regretted not being able to do anything when their son was hurting.

But honestly, I don’t blame them.

They’re not mind-readers.

How could family living far away possibly know something was wrong if I never said anything?

Not impossible, maybe, but definitely difficult.

So, I apologized to them—but I didn’t feel the slightest urge to blame them.

“By the way, Kengorou, if you’re okay with it… would you consider coming back home?”

“Huh?”

“Well, I was just thinking… living in that room might be emotionally tough for you.”

“Hmm, yeah. I guess I do want to change rooms.”

After all, it’s the room where I lived with Fuyumi for four years.

The memories themselves are good, but to be honest—I don’t want to relive them anymore.

If I’m being honest, I really just want to let it all go.

In fact, I’ve already sold most of the dishes and replaced them with new ones.

“But I think I’d still like to live on my own. I want to stay as close to the university as possible.”

I’m in my fourth year of university.

From the fifth year onward, we begin clinical training at hospitals.

Sometimes conferences start as early as 7:30 in the morning, so I’d rather live close to campus.

Also—and this is the more important reason—once Haruki becomes an adult, right?

It gets harder to do certain things at home.

Honestly, that’s one of the big reasons I started living alone in the first place.

By the way, since Haruki and I started dating, I haven’t invited her to my place—I’ve always gone to the Ayase household.

“I see. Yeah, that makes sense.”

“You’re right. That sounds best.”

I’m not sure if they truly understood my reasons—or maybe they didn’t, and I kind of hope they didn’t—but my parents agreed without hesitation.

In any case, they both seem to really like Haruki, so even if they did find out, I doubt they’d object.

“Still, Haruki-chan is such a sweet girl.”

“She really is. If it weren’t for her, we might not even be having this conversation.”

“That’s true.”

Seriously, I owe her so much for everything that happened this spring.

“Kengorou.”

“Yeah, Dad?”

“You two should be happy. We’ll do whatever it takes to help make that happen.”

“Thank you.”

Just those words alone were more than enough for me.