The Beautiful Girl With a Kind Personality and Good Looks, Who Happens to Be My Childhood Friend, Seems to Have Eyes Only for Me
side Ayase Haru
I was led into Miyo san’s room, and the door closed quietly behind me. The room had a calm atmosphere, filled with a faint, sweet scent. I sat down on the sofa and reached for the mug placed before me.
I took a sip of hot cocoa. The warmth passed down my throat, and I felt my tension ease just a little. Holding the mug, I looked straight into Miyo san’s eyes and told her.
“Yuma-kun remembered the accident. “
In that instant, Miyo-san sprang to her feet, slamming her hands down on the desk with a loud thud.
“Really? Is Yuma okay? He didn’t collapse?”
“Yes. He just got a headache and rested in the infirmary, that’s all.”
“Oh. That’s good. Thank you, Haru-chan.”
“It’s only natural to help Yuma-kun.”
After I answered, Miyo-san placed her hand on her chest and exhaled deeply. She looked relieved, as if something that had been tightly wound had loosened a little. I continued, voicing the thought I’d been keeping warm deep in my heart.
“So, the truth is, I was planning to destroy the Kamiya family on my own before Yuma-kun regained his memories. But I thought it would be better to act cautiously from now on, so I came to consult with you, Mother-in-law.”
“Ah—you were thinking about that? Thank you for caring so much about Yuma. And yet, Haru-chan, I’m sorry. I let you shoulder that burden alone.”
“It’s okay. I’ll help from now on. After all, once Yuma’s memories return, I don’t want to leave the root cause of this unchecked.”
At those words, I nodded slightly. The fact that I could share what I’d intended to bear alone lightened my heart just a little.
I began to put the information I’d been organizing in my head into words, piece by piece.
“First, today is April 22nd, 20XX. In about two years, we’ll lose the chance to prosecute for failure to render aid. Since five years have already passed, we can’t prosecute for negligent driving causing injury or failure to render aid. Honestly, that piece of trash hasn’t turned himself in all this time, so his sentence will likely be severe. What we need now is evidence to prosecute.”
Miyo san listened silently. Her gaze was not that of a mother, but of a resolute adult.
“First, as one piece of evidence, I have a recording of that parent and child discussing the accident. This is quite a gray area, but if the illegality is low, the public interest is high, and the recording is credible, it can be used. Also, this alone is weak. Do you have Yuma’s clothes from the time of the accident?”
“Yes, I do. Regarding the clothes, they were tested five years ago for things like car paint residue. In the end, that was about the only evidence we had, and we didn’t find anything.”
“Then we’re good. Since the test results match the Kamiya family’s car from back then, I think they’ll align. And with this recording, I believe we can use it.”
“So from here on, it’s a race against time. Even with all the evidence gathered, it’ll take at least several weeks before the police start moving. Then, the investigation into the car and gathering witness statements will take at least half a year. On top of that, the prosecution will need several more months just to decide if they can actually win the case. Meanwhile, the statute of limitations keeps ticking. So, Mother-in-law, I sincerely ask for your cooperation from this point forward.”
I paused, bowed, and spoke again. Honestly, I hadn’t anticipated fighting this out in court, and victory isn’t guaranteed. Still, if Yuma-kun has recovered his memories, I believe it’s better for him to face visible punishment. For that, your cooperation is essential.
“Haru-chan! Don’t bow! This is something I, as his mother, should be doing!
It truly means so much to have you by Yuma’s side, Haru-chan. I’m counting on you going forward.”
With this, Miyo-san was also on my side. This meant my marriage to Yuma would go smoothly—
(No! That’s not it! I didn’t prepare for this for such an impure reason. It’s all for Yuma-kun’s sake!)
I frantically shook my head, carefully choosing my next words.
“But that brother and sister won’t face any charges. Even if relatives commit concealment of a crime, there’s no punishment. And while the recording shows Yamato caused the accident, a child’s mistake only results in the parents’ responsibility. Unless they destroyed evidence, there’s no proof Yamato did it.”
Miyo-san bit her lip. She must be frustrated. In reality, many cases exist where sentences don’t fit the crime due to the perpetrator being a minor. Still, she didn’t look away. My words grew stronger as I responded to her resolve.
“So, let’s make them suffer socially and mentally. Maybe Yamato has two women supporting him, so he might be able to overcome it.”
The surface of the cocoa rippled slightly. The room was quiet, but the gears were definitely starting to turn.
――It can’t be stopped now. I move forward for my future with Yuma-kun.
Miyo-san watched me silently for a while. That silence wasn’t accusatory or doubtful――it was a quiet pause to gauge my resolve.
Eventually, Miyo-san slowly opened her mouth.
“…So, Haru-chan. What do you intend to do?”
I set my mug on the table and straightened my back. A declaration that I wouldn’t run away.
“I’ll do it at school.”
At those words, Miyo’s eyes widened slightly.
“At school…?”
“Yes. I won’t do anything direct. No violence, no threats. Just—a method that steadily chips away at the heart, within the ‘everyday’.”
I chose my words carefully as I continued.
“The feeling of being singled out as ‘the weird one’ in a place you thought was safe. The stares, the atmosphere, the shifting dynamics… That’s what pushes people over the edge.”
Miyo listened quietly, her brows still furrowed.
“No need to hurt anyone directly. Just let the facts and judgments pile up naturally.”
I clenched my hands tightly on my lap.
“I’ll make you taste that feeling—of losing your place, even though you’ve done nothing wrong.”
My throat felt slightly dry.
“Because that’s what Yuma endured unconsciously for five years through basketball.”
Miyo took a deep breath—and slowly exhaled.
“…Aren’t you scared?”
I answered her question honestly.
“I am scared. But more than that—I’m scared of doing nothing and seeing the same future again.”
I lifted my face and looked at Miyo-san.
“This isn’t revenge. It’s ‘time to make him aware of his responsibility.’”
After a moment of silence, Miyo-san nodded slightly, but clearly.
“…I understand.”
Then, with the face of a mother, she said.
“Don’t ever shoulder this alone. Promise me that much. I’ll always be on your side.”
Hearing those words, the tightness deep in my chest eased just a little.
I nodded once more.
“Yes. I’ll start right away, first thing next week.”
Maiasa