Honey Magazine/My Sweet Proposal: Todo Masaya

Chapter 4.6

Kana "Yes, so I'm just going to do a few things, pick up here and there, before they arrive."

Maki "By yourself?"

Kana "Well, it is my room, so..."

Maki "Masaya, why don't you lend her a hand?"

Knowing that he has nothing to do with it, Masaya rolls his eyes at his mother's words.

Masaya "Me? Why me?"

Maki "You're her fiancé, aren't you? I'm sure that- hehe. I'm sure that you have lots of memories in her room with her."

(Nope. Nah. Not even one.)

Still, I know that I can't let on that we share no memories here, and instead go with the flow.

I hurriedly grab Masaya, then quickly return to my apartment.

After arriving at my room, I get to frantically cleaning

Kana "Ah..."

I find a small memory from my past.

It's a small pouch that I received from my clients after one of my first few jobs as a planner.

The reason for this weird pain in my heart is because I heard from the couple that they've split.

(I know I should've gotten rid of it when they told me to, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it. I suppose now's the perfect time?)

Still, somewhere in my heart is having second thoughts.

Masaya "What are you doing over there?"

When I look up, I see that Masaya has come back from bringing the first trash bag outside.

Peering down at me as I'm hunched over on the floor, he looks into my hands and sees what I'm holding.

Masaya "You should put important things in a separate place. Otherwise, we need to get a move on throwing away all the unnecessary things. We'll never finish if we don't."

Kana "Yes, I know."

Masaya "So, is it staying or going?"

Kana "I was just thinking that I'd like to hold onto it...But the person who gave it to me told me to throw it out."

Masaya "What is it?"

Kana "A memento... I got it from one of the couples I planned a wedding for."

The sense of accomplishment when working with them, the joy and satisfaction...everything about it brought me happiness. I can still clearly remember it.

So, when I heard about what has happened since then, I was overcome with an indescribable feeling.

Kana "They got divorced. They grew apart, and then there was some cheating that went on..."

Masaya "I see..."

Kana "Though, it seems they both had another person they were seeing. In fact, they both met their other partners quickly after they were divorced..."

Masaya "...!"

Kana "I guess you can never plan on what'll happen in the future... If two people in love can so quickly fall out of love, then what is there to believe in?"

I know what I'm saying is true.

This particular couple just happened to reach out and tell me.

When it comes to couples who I haven't heard from since their weddings, I'm sure there's at least one other couple who's also divorced. But thinking this just makes everything worse, and it's almost as if haze has been cast over my eyes.

Masaya "Why are you so affected by it?"

Kana "I don't think-"

My words stop there. Masaya quickly pulls me into an embrace before I can finish. His warm hands is placed flatly against my back, supporting me from behind. It's now that I notice the faint aroma rising with the heat of his body.

Masaya "You're bound to find those types of couples. Some people think they're ready when, in reality, they're not. What's important is the time you spent with them. You made them happy. From the planning to the actual ceremony, the happiness will never be forgotten."

Kana "They were such a great couple... Every year they'd thank me on their anniversary..."

Masaya "You're too kind sometimes...If you allow yourself to empathize with clients as much as you do, isn't it hard on you? Although, I suppose, if you aren't like that, we'd never be in the situation that we're in right now."

The sound of Masaya's voice is so gentle and calm that I sense my eyes begin to blur.

It's as if the ice-cold regrets of the past have started to melt, forming the pools of tears welling up in my eyes.

Kana "...Thank you."

Masaya "It's nothing."

Just like he said, they were very happy at that time.

Even if they weren't together now, that doesn't take away the past.

Having worked beside them, I, more than anyone else know this is true.

(It's interesting that Masaya would be able to sympathize with me... Has he really been paying that much attention to me?)

For the moment, I'll let Masaya to cheer me up.

I know I might regret it in the future, but I can't deny the feeling of joy in feeling the warmth of his body...