When I Go Back in Time, My Ex-wife Is Making a Passionate Approach to Me, and I’m Having Trouble With It
It is the day of the festival.
Haruka and I were in charge of selling the literature club magazine in the morning, so we waited in the clubroom.
I wondered if we would really be able to sell our club magazine.
According to Tachibana-san, it seems to be popular, so maybe someone will buy it.
I wonder if there are young people who read novels nowadays.
By the time I turned 30, the publishing industry was in decline and the size of the market was shrinking. Young people’s shift away from books is accelerating. It was hard to believe that the literary club’s magazine would sell under such circumstances.
Ten minutes had passed since the festival began. A visitor came into the club room.
“Welcome.”
“May I take a look?”
“By all means.”
The visitor picked up a copy of the club magazine and flipped through it. She read it for a while. Then she closed the magazine and offered him some money, saying, “Please give me one.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, I thought this piece called “Ornament” looked interesting.”
“I wrote that.”
“I see. It’s a good piece of writing. Keep up the good work.”
The customer then left.
“That’s great.”
Haruka waves her hand on my shoulder.
“Yeah, I was surprised. I didn’t think anyone would like my novel.”
“I told you. I can feel the passion in your writing. Maybe that’s what I’m missing.”
Haruka let out a sigh. I was elated. It was the first time that someone had evaluated my novel. And even though it was a joint magazine with Haruka and Tachibana, they paid for it. I am sure that the past me would not understand how happy this makes me.
“Even so, visitors are coming so soon after the cultural festival has started. I’m a bit surprised.”
“Maybe it’s thanks to the seniors.”
“The track record of the Literature Club speaks for itself.”
I heard from Tachibana that one of the Literature Club alumni has become a professional novelist. Perhaps it’s because we have such well-known graduates that our Literature Club is so highly regarded outside the club.
“But as for me, I’m more excited about this afternoon.”
“Class shift?”
“Why are you being so blunt? You have a date with me.”
“Date. Sorry, sorry.”
I went to see a movie with Haruka just a few days ago. So I am used to going on dates with Haruka. And it is a well-known fact in the school that Haruka is fond of me. I’m sure I won’t attract any attention when I’m going around with Haruka.
“Please don’t tease me anymore. I’m really looking forward to it.”
It’s sweet that Haruka is looking forward to my date with me. I think she is really in love with me. I used to have such a hard time getting her to fall in love with me, but when I went back in time, it was so easy. I wonder what on earth has touched Haruka’s heartstrings. I lost a little confidence in myself, thinking that I didn’t know anything about Haruka even though we had been together for so long.
“What’s wrong, you look like you’re down in the dumps.”
“No, I’ve been with you for a long time, but I didn’t know anything about you.”
“What’s that?”
“I don’t know why Haruka fell in love with me. I know there’s no point in telling her this now.”
I knew it was pointless to say it to Haruka right in front of me. But I couldn’t help but feel like complaining. The worries and conflicts that were coming at me were digging into my neck like a silk scarf. I really wanted to vent my anger at Haruka, who was one of the causes of it all.
“You were married, right? If so, I’m sure I would have loved you in the future too.”
“I don’t know. Maybe it was because I pestered her, or maybe she just broke down.”
“That’s”
“Because you never told me you liked me in the future.”
“!?”
Haruka’s eyes widened. Taking out her anger on someone like this was not something I should do to someone right in front of her. But once words have left my mouth, they can’t be taken back. Haruka lowered her head and muttered softly.
“I apologize on behalf of the future me. I’m sorry. But please remember this. I am not such a goddess that I would marry someone I don’t like.”
“Haruka ……”
Could that be true? Did that Haruka really love me? When did I stop trusting Haruka? We’d been living together for so long, but I’d never heard such a casual remark from her. I was always the one to tell her I loved her. I thought that one day Haruka would tell me she loved me too. I never thought that that moment would come when I’d hear it from Haruka in the past, who had traveled back in time.
“I’m sorry, it wasn’t something I should have said to you.”
“It was my doing in the future. It was my fault.”
I made Haruka apologize. I didn’t mean to do that. I didn’t want to hear her words of apology. I just wanted her to say she loved me.
“Come on, today is our date, so don’t look so gloomy.”
“I’m sorry.”
“No need to apologize.”
“Still, I’m sorry.”
Haruka gave a small nod in response to that short apology. Now and then I have been spoiled by Haruka. There is no way I can go on like this forever. I know that better than anyone. I will worry about it until the very end and choose a path that I will not regret.