The Reincarnated Villainess Whose Romantic Trauma From Her Past Life Is Too Strong Is Sweetly and Painfully Doted On by the Prince of the Neighboring Country - Chapter 39

“…Um, the truth is… I’ve actually liked you for a long time, Makita-san…”

—Won’t you go out with me?

I was confessed to by a colleague in my fifth year at the company. It was when I was twenty-three, and Ryuto had turned seventeen.

“…Oh, s-sorry. I haven’t really ever thought about things like that.”

When I finally managed to squeeze out that timid reply, he gently followed up with, “You don’t have to answer right away. For now, could we just go out for a meal once?”

(…I’m shocked…)

Surprised by this completely unexpected situation, I found myself ducking into the restroom and covering my mouth with both hands. He was a fellow employee of the same age who had joined as a fresh graduate—bright, refreshing, and popular with the other female staff.

I never imagined that someone like him would see someone like me as a romantic interest. My only reaction to the sudden confession was agitation; I was utterly flustered.

(………… Romance, huh…………)

Being confessed to by one of the most high-spec men in the office… there was no way I wasn’t happy. But for me, there were reasons why I couldn’t simply say “yes.”

(A woman saddled with debt, supporting her grandmother and a high schooler…)

No matter how I looked at it, I felt I would be nothing but a “bad debt” to a partner. Ryuto was currently a high school sophomore. I wanted to send him to university if I could. If that were the case, I would have to keep gritting my teeth for nearly six more years.

(Asking someone to join me in that would be too cruel. Especially when he’s so young.)

I ignored the fact that I was the same age as this “young” man. Having been stained by years of misfortune, I believed I was different from the “winners” who were meant to walk a path of proper happiness.

Even so, I felt relatively happy with a life that included my kind, cheerful grandmother and Ryuto, who was like a cute younger brother.

(I’ll find the right moment to turn him down properly. He’s such a wonderful person; I’m sure there’s someone much better for him than me.)

That was my resolve. However, when I happened to run into him in the hallway to give my refusal, he said, “If possible, could we at least have one meal together? You can give me your answer then.” And so, I ended up agreeing to go to dinner with him just once.

◇

“Ryuto-kun. I’ll be late coming home today, so for dinner, could you feed Grandma the food in the containers in the fridge?”

“…Got it. But…”

That morning. As I told Ryuto this while getting ready for work, Ryuto who was eating breakfast at the low table suddenly got a look of suspicion in his eyes.

“…Chieri, aren’t you unusually dressed up today?”

“Eh…?”

“Those clothes… those are your favorites, aren’t they?”

—Sharp.

I had never once told Ryuto, “These are my favorite clothes,” so how on earth did he know?

“…You sure know a lot, don’t you…?”

“I can tell by watching you.”

He answered nonchalantly, but he clearly had no intention of letting his previous question slide. He pressed me with a silent gaze that demanded, So? Why? I answered while feeling strangely guilty.

“…There’s no particular reason. I just felt like wearing this today.”

“…Hmm…”

I couldn’t tell if Ryuto was convinced by my excuse or not from his ambiguous reply.

(…I didn’t think I was acting giddy, though.)

The place we were going to eat tonight was just a regular Italian restaurant, nothing especially high-end. Still, as someone who hadn’t been to such a place in a long time, my choice of clothing was the result of wanting to look as presentable as possible.

(Even if I’ve decided to turn him down, it would be rude to show up looking like I didn’t put in any effort.)

It was also the result of not wanting to embarrass the man I was with, but perhaps to Ryuto, it looked like I was “dolling myself up.”

(…He’s suddenly become so grown-up lately…)

In the blink of an eye, he had overtaken me in height, and his features were shifting from those of a beautiful boy to a man. Perhaps because of his upbringing, his somewhat philosophical outlook added an aura that didn’t seem like that of a typical high schooler. It wouldn’t be strange at all if he had a girlfriend or two, but so far, he hadn’t reported anything like that to me.

(…A girlfriend, huh.)

If Ryuto ever got a girlfriend, I hoped it would be a girl who would get along well with me, too. Thinking that, I also felt a strange sense of trust that Ryuto would surely pick a good girl like that.

Ryuto brings a girl home. Introduces her.

They get married. And at the wedding, there I am, watching from the family seats and crying.

Me, crying again with emotion while holding Ryuto’s child.

(…A lot has happened. But in the end, I’m really glad I had Ryuto-kun…)

I couldn’t have expectations for my own life, but I could have them for his. As I was lost in thought, dreaming of the distant future…

“…Chieri. You’re spacing out. Shouldn’t you be leaving soon?”

Ryuto’s voice snapped me back to reality. Startled, I checked the clock—.

Oh no! If I didn’t leave right now, I’d be on the verge of being late!

“Sorry, thanks! I’m leaving! Take care of Grandma tonight!”

Leaving those words behind, I dashed out of the house in a hurry.