The Force of Gravity ✅

Chapter Fifteen 🔥

June 19th, 2027

"Chibana-kun, are you returning to Tokyo tomorrow?"

Miori looked up from the table she was cleaning. Umaji Mori, the owner of Aka Sapporo, had come out from behind the counter to speak to her. Miori straightened her posture as he approached her. "Bosu," she said, bowing slightly. "I'm not sure at this time. If my work has not been good—"

"No, it's been wonderful," Mori reassured her. "I was merely asking if you were planning on leaving Sapporo after you check out of your sakura home. If not and you were planning on staying in Sapporo for an extended period of time, I wanted to offer you a permanent position."

Miori gasped in shock. "I could always use the extra help," Mori said. "My children Aren and Reiko can attest to it—"

"We certainly could!" Aren Mori shouted from behind the counter. Miori stifled a laugh.

"But we've greatly appreciated your help this week Chibana-kun," Mori told her. "If you aren't in a hurry to return south, we would certainly love to keep you on."

"I appreciate your offer, Bosu," Miori said. "But my sakura home...tomorrow's my last—"

"I can help you get a place!" Reiko Mori called over to her. "No pressure, of course!"

"I'm sorry, I put you on the spot," Mori said. "You already said tonight is your last night here. But if you would like to reconsider staying in Sapporo and would like a job, we will always have an opening for you here. And Reiko is right—we will help you get a place if needed."

Miori was moved by his kindness and she blinked back tears as she bowed again. "Thank you, Bosu. I will definitely consider it."

"No, thank you for all your help, Chibana-kun."

It was strange how bittersweet it was to leave Aka Sapporo this night and walk back to her sakura home. She had only worked there for a week but Miori had felt at home in the ramen shop. The Mori family had been very kind to her, and even when they were so busy that the restaurant was bursting at the seams with people, she never felt overwhelmed because the Mori family was so kind and positive. It had never felt like work being there.

I would love to stay, but it's not practical. I live in Tokyo, and Mother lives in Tokyo. And...And Junichiro lives in Tokyo.

Miori stopped in her tracks and looked up towards the night sky. Tomorrow was the full moon but the moon looked full in the crystal clear sky. She hadn't spoken to Junichiro ever since the...fiasco of being caught by Junichiro's parents and his in-laws. Being physically attacked by Kenshin Arachi and Junichiro's father-in-law...being called horrible names...the realization that Junichiro's wife had trapped her into having an affair with Junichiro by lying by omission...the drama had been too much for her to handle. And when Junichiro made no efforts to see her or talk to her in the aftermath, especially after she had been fired in such a humiliating manner, made her block Junichiro's number.

I feel like I've done nothing but be involved in the drama of the Arachi family. But I guess that's what I deserve.

Miori closed her eyes and ducked her head. Ohta...what must you think of me now? You must know where you are the truth of our marriage. Why I married you, and the guilt I've felt this whole time. Well, look at me now. A widow who became the mistress of her high school ex-boyfriend. Tricked into adultery by a wayward wife who had convinced me that their divorce was mutual and that they were no longer together. But it had been a lie. Clearly it had been a lie, seeing how her parents had reacted!