I Married the Girl Who Used to Bully Me - Chapter 18

Thanks to quitting both smoking and drinking, my life gradually became more orderly, and my savings began to grow.

…Even so, the urge to smoke would occasionally surge. Well, you know how it is. Just bear with me when that happens.

“Stocks…”

Stock investments; something I once dabbled in, crushed by feelings of powerlessness and impatience.

I recall the inner conflict, the hesitation, and the nights when my spirit nearly broke.

But now, the stock prices have skyrocketed, and the accumulation of effort and self-restraint has visibly paid off.

“Hey Ikkun, there’s something I want to talk about. Is that okay?”

At that moment, Misaki spoke up in a small voice.

“What’s up?”

“U-um… I might be pregnant.”

As she said this, she gently placed a hand on her stomach.

Well, we hadn’t been using any contraception, so it wasn’t exactly unexpected.

What should I do?

Honestly, my mind went blank. I hadn’t thought about it at all—didn’t even have the mental space to consider it.

“I don’t really want to get an abortion. It’s our first child, and even if it’s not ideal, if you and I were to get married and have a kid someday, I might regret it if I don’t keep it now.You don’t have to be involved in raising the child, okay? Worst case, I can raise it alone. You can just keep living like you always have.”

“Got it! I need to step outside for a bit.”

With those words, I left through the door.

Then, I sat down on a bench in the park.

My savings had grown considerably. My school life was going smoothly.

Maybe it was time.

But could I really leave Misaki behind…? I didn’t know.

I had no idea what I should do.

Ah, my head hurt. It hurt too much.

The reason I was born was for revenge.

But somewhere along the way, the anger and hatred at the core of that purpose had dulled.

If things continued like this, even my reason for existing would waver. No good…

That’s right! I was born for revenge.

“You seem troubled, young man.”

That was when it happened.

Standing before me was an old man.

Wearing a hat, he carried himself with a certain gentlemanly dignity.

“Mind if I sit?”

“Ah, sure.”

The old man settled beside me, straightened his back with the help of his cane, and exhaled softly.

His presence was quiet yet unmistakably solid.

“You’re troubled, aren’t you…?”

“Huh…? Nah, it’s nothing sudden.”

Stammering, I averted my gaze.

Honestly, I could feel emotions I couldn’t even sort out swirling deep in my chest.

“My apologies. I just couldn’t overlook it.”

A brief silence lingered in the air—not tense, but rather a soft quietude, as if gently waiting for the words buried in the depths of my heart.

“I don’t know what I should do from here.”

Before I realized it, the words had slipped out.

I didn’t even understand why I felt the need to say them. But the emotions that had settled like sediment in my chest refused to stay contained.

Until now, I hadn’t been able to confide in anyone.

My parents were no longer in this world.

My former best friend, Shintsuka; our ties had long been severed.

In the darkness of loneliness, I had carried dissatisfaction, anger, and emptiness—all of it. I just wanted someone to face it head-on, to accept it all.

The old man leaned on his cane, straightening his posture as he looked at me.

So, I told him.

I wanted him to know everything. The feelings I had suppressed, the hatred, the loneliness, the regret. I poured it all out, literally.

“I see… That must have been painful.”

“Actually, I once went through something similar. I, too, had a wife.”

The old man began speaking with a nostalgic smile.

His name was Shigeru Shibusawa.

He, too, had once cherished a childhood friend, a woman named Sana Aiura.

The two had been deeply in love, so much so that even outsiders could see how smitten they were.

Their days had been like something out of a romance manga—carefree yet earnest. There was a playful lilt to the old man’s storytelling, laughter and warmth seeping into his recollections.

“Ah, young love is so innocent. Sometimes foolish, but that’s what makes it beautiful.”

But their happiness didn’t last.

“I’m sorry, Shige-chan. I’m sorry, I won’t do it again. Please forgive me.”

Sana’s voice trembled with desperate regret and self-loathing as she broke down in tears.

Apparently, she had cheated despite having sworn to marry him.

Sana had always been prone to hysterics during arguments. But this time, it had happened in the heat of a fight from the day before.

That night, she had gone out drinking and before she knew it, she had made an irreversible mistake.

For Shigeru, forgiveness had never been an option.

All he felt was pure hatred; rage at the betrayal.

The moment his trust in Sana shattered with an audible crash, what surged in his chest wasn’t pain. It was the flames of vengeance.

Unable to suppress his fury, Shigeru chose the path of thorough retribution.

He didn’t stop at merely condemning Sana.

First, he exacted ruthless punishment on the man she had cheated with.

Not just words or threats. He systematically destroyed the man’s social credibility, shaking the very foundation of his reputation and standing.

Like a cold, calculating strategist, he meticulously isolated the man, even spreading information to those around him. The man had been married, Shigeru destroyed that family, too.

At the same time, his vengeance against Sana was merciless.

He condemned her mistake, lashed out in anger, and made sure she could never regain his trust.

“No, please Shige-chan, I don’t want to lose you. I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry…”

Sana clung to his feet, sobbing and apologizing endlessly.

Her desperate, pleading figure was filled with regret and terror intense enough to smother anger.

Shibusawa fell silent for a long time.

Eventually, he gave a slight nod, his shoulders dropping just a fraction.

Though traces of anger still lingered in his expression, a sliver of forgiveness had crept in.

After that, Sana tried over and over to prove her sincerity.

She deleted all contact with men, left her phone on the table at all times.

She did everything visibly possible to earn back his trust.

But deep down, Shigeru couldn’t bring himself to forgive.

No matter how much sincerity she showed, the memory of betrayal wouldn’t fade.

And so, Shigeru found himself swayed by a sweet temptation.

“If she did it, then so can I.”

It wasn’t logic. Just a dangerous mix of weakness and loneliness, a precarious self-justification.

No, more accurately. It was retaliation against Sana.

Of course, Sana realized immediately.

“Ahaha… I see.”

With those words, she vanished.

All that remained was a single letter.

————————

“To Shige-chan—

I’m truly sorry for cheating.

It was my own weakness.

I hope you find happiness.

Now and always.

May you have a wonderful girlfriend and a happy family—

I love you.

I’m done with love.

If you’ll allow it, I’d like to at least see your child someday.

—Sana”

————————

The words bled with regret, love, and the traces of tears.

“At that time, I realized I still loved Sana. After vengeance, all that remained was emptiness. But I don’t regret the vengeance itself.”

“Some might say revenge is meaningless. But what truly matters is how you live afterward.”

“After your revenge, are you trying to move forward? If you remain trapped in the past, everything becomes meaningless.”

“Your hesitation is a sign of forgiveness. You want to forgive that feeling exists. If so, why not try trusting once more?”

The old man gazed at me with gentle, loving eyes.

“Forgiving a mistake isn’t foolish. It isn’t weakness, it’s kindness. Everyone errs—it’s unavoidable, as long as we’re human.”

“That’s why we reflect, why we seek forgiveness. Both you and I were once full of mistakes. With age, it becomes harder to admit them.”

“But the ability to reflect is proof of greatness.”

“And to forgive—that is true strength, the most beautiful courage a person can have.”

“Forgiveness doesn’t erase the past. It builds a bridge to walk into the future together.”

I see. I had been trying to forgive Misaki. That’s why I was so conflicted.

Ah, finally, I understood.

The sensation of a mask crumbling.

The false self I had worn to protect myself for so long was quietly peeling away.

Misaki’s smile floated into my mind.

Her soft voice, her mannerisms, her warmth.

Every time I remembered, my chest ached faintly.

That’s right! I must have been trying to forgive her.

“…Sniff… What should I do…? I’ve been so harsh on Misaki. She might hate me now.”

“It’s alright. Face each other, open your hearts, talk things through. Build a future without regrets. Holding hands and walking together; that courage is the strongest, yet most difficult emotion in this world.”

“Right now, you’re trying to summon that courage. Move forward without fear or hesitation. You are strong. If the weight of anxiety ever feels unbearable, come to my café anytime. I’ll welcome you with open arms, free of charge.”

The old man rose from my side.

That’s right! I’ll face her properly. And when that time comes.