Are You The One Jo Togame?

Chapter 28 - Letting You Go

A few days have passed, and I've barely left Megumi's side as he recovers, slowly but surely. He hasn't let me out of his sight either. I haven't been able to meet with Togame, despite his constant attempts to reach me. I keep telling him I'll meet him later, but that I need time. Thankfully, Megumi's injuries weren't as severe as I feared—just a few bruises on his face and stomach, but the gas from the warehouse took a toll. It could've been much worse, and I'm relieved it wasn't.But things between us have changed. He's distant now, cold even. His words are few, and when he does speak, there's an unspoken tension that hangs between us. I know he's still angry at me for what happened, even if he won't say it out loud. And I can't bring myself to address it. I've been staying with him these last few days. This is the first time I've been here, in the apartment he bought for us to move into after we were married. It was supposed to be a surprise, but now it feels like I've ruined everything. I lie on the bed, staring at the ceiling, feeling like a complete mess. I regret ever getting involved with Togame. Things were finally looking up for me, and I threw it all away. Ayato was right—why do I keep sabotaging myself?Tears well up in my eyes, but I force them back. I feel suffocated in this apartment, stuck here for days. There are people stationed outside the door, keeping an eye on me, and I'm not allowed to leave without Megumi's permission. I had to call work and ask for time off, saying it was for wedding preparations, but that was a lie. In reality, I'm a prisoner here. And maybe I deserve it. If Megumi ever finds out about the affair, I have no idea what he'll do. The thought makes my stomach churn. Am I afraid of him now? The same man who's always been so kind and gentle with me?I shake the thought away. No, that's not who he is. I shouldn't think so lowly of him. A knock on the door snaps me out of my thoughts. Megumi walks in, dressed in a sharp formal suit, hands in his pockets. He looks intimidating, his usual warmth replaced by an air of cold authority. "Ruby," he says, his tone stern and controlled, "I'm heading out now."He stays by the door, not moving any closer. His expression is unreadable, and I quickly get out of bed, standing at the side. "I have to meet with my father," he continues, "There's important business that can't wait, and I don't want to upset him. You know how he is." His voice is steady, almost emotionless. "I'll be late. The men will come with me, and you're free to do as you please. I apologize for keeping you cooped up, but I hope you understand why. Now that the issue is resolved, I feel a bit more at peace."He pauses, his eyes boring into mine. "But I have one request," he says, stepping toward me. My heart races as he closes the distance. He glances at his watch and then back at me. Inches away, he cups my face, his touch both tender and commanding. His gaze is intense, filled with concern. "This is your home now. I don't want you going back to your old place. I hope you won't disobey me."His words linger in the air, a mix of care and control. He kisses my cheek, the gesture soft yet leaving an unsettling weight. "Don't wait up for me," he adds before turning and walking out, the door shutting behind him with finality.I collapse onto the bed, fidgeting with my hands. My mind races. I need to end things with Togame. It can't wait. I grab my phone, knowing this is my only chance to fix this mess.

Ruby: Hi Togame! We really need to talk. It's important. Please meet me at the Shishitoren base. I'll be there at 5 pm.

Togame: Baby? I've been worried sick! I've been to your place, and you're nowhere to be found. What's going on? Is that bastard keeping you from me? Where are you? I'll come to you!

Ruby: No, please. I'll meet you there. Bye.

I toss my phone onto the bed and quickly get ready. I can't get caught. This might be the only chance I have to end things in person. Togame will make a scene if I try to do this over the phone—I know him too well for that. I take a deep breath, steeling myself. This is the only way to deal with the mess I've created.

As I step out of the room, the housemaids approach, and I force myself to stay calm, projecting normalcy. "I'm going for a walk," I say, my voice steady despite the storm brewing inside me. I don't want them to sense anything's off. When I step outside, I spot the driver almost immediately. Our eyes meet, and he greets me, "Hi, Miss Ruby! Where would you like me to take you? Mr. Megumi said you might need a ride."Before he can finish, I cut him off. "No, it's alright," I say with a half-hearted chuckle. "I just need a bit of exercise. I'll be back soon." I offer him a quick smile, hoping it seems convincing, and hurry off before he can ask any more questions. Once the apartment is out of sight, I flag down a taxi, my heart racing as it whisks me toward the Shishitoren base. My emotions are in chaos—fear, anxiety, sadness—twisting together until I can barely breathe. The car ride feels eternal, a silent purgatory as I brace myself for what's to come. When we finally arrive, I step out and wait for the taxi to pull away. The street is eerily quiet. No one is around. Where is everyone?I move cautiously toward the entrance, my hand reaching for the door when I hear a familiar voice behind me. "Ruby!" Choji's voice is warm, and he greets me with a wide smile, hands tucked casually behind his head. "It's been a while, hasn't it? Good to see you!"Before I can respond, he points toward the stairway. "Togame's on the rooftop." I nod, forcing a smile. "Thanks, Choji. It's good to see you too." As I turn to go, he waves cheerfully, and I head up the stairs.The moment I see Togame, lying there with his eyes shut and his arm propped behind his head, I freeze. He looks so peaceful, almost as if he's asleep, his grey track pants and dark blue tee soft against the breeze. The Shishitoren jacket draped across him and the sliver of skin exposed at his waistline stir a bittersweet ache in my chest. How can I do this? How can I walk away from him, from the love of my life?My throat tightens. Tears blur my vision. My heart and mind are at war, and I can no longer hold back the wave of emotions crashing over me. My body trembles, betraying my resolve. I try to memorize every detail—his side profile, the way he breathes, his presence. If I can't have him, I'll carry this image with me for the rest of my life. He will live on in my memories, even if we can't be together.I take a few small, hesitant steps. He notices, startled, and stands up, smiling wide. But as I get closer, his expression shifts. "Ruby?" His voice is filled with concern as he rushes toward me, gripping my shoulders. "Why are you crying?" His thumb gently wipes away my tears, and his voice cracks with worry. "What happened? Did Megumi do something? Please tell me. I'll take care of it. Just... stop crying."I can't respond. Instead, I throw myself into his arms, burying my face in his chest as sobs tear through me. His confusion only deepens. "Ruby, please," he begs, his voice shaky now. "Tell me what's wrong. I'm worried. Just talk to me."He holds me tighter, his arms wrapped around me as we stand there, tangled in silence until my sobs slowly subside. When we finally pull apart, I step back, unable to meet his gaze. My eyes remain fixed on the ground. He gently lifts my chin, forcing me to look at him. "Speak to me, love," he whispers, his voice tender.I swallow hard, the words stuck in my throat.
I take a deep breath, trying to steady the whirlwind inside me. "Togame," I whisper, my voice breaking. He looks at me, his eyes searching mine, filled with warmth and confusion. "We... we can't do this anymore," I finally say, and the words hang in the air like a death sentence.His face falters, the smile slipping away as if the ground beneath him has crumbled. "What do you mean?" His voice is barely audible, laced with disbelief. I struggle to find the strength to explain, but I know I have to. "Megumi... he saved me." My throat tightens as I relive the terror of that day, of being kidnapped, helpless, and then—Megumi. His face appears in my mind, bruised, bloodied, yet still fighting for me. "He risked his life, Togame." Togame steps back as if my words have physically hit him. His brow furrows, but he stays silent, waiting, his whole body tense. "I can't do this to him," I continue, my voice shaking. "After everything he's done for me, I can't betray him. I owe him my life." He's staring at me now, but it's as though he doesn't recognize the person standing in front of him. The hurt in his eyes deepens, and he opens his mouth to say something, but no words come out. He's lost, trying to understand the weight of what I'm telling him."I love you, Togame," I choke out, tears spilling over as I say the words. "You know I do. But... it can't be. Not in this lifetime."The world seems to stop. His expression crumbles as he turns away from me, his hand covering his face, trying desperately to contain the tears that threaten to escape. His shoulders tremble, the quiet breaking of a man who's held too much pain for too long. "No," he mutters under his breath, shaking his head. "This isn't happening. This can't be real."I take a step toward him, wanting so badly to comfort him, to tell him I'm sorry, that I never wanted this. But what's the point? The damage is done. "Maybe... in another lifetime, we can be together," I whisper, the words feeling hollow as they leave my lips. "But not this one."He turns back to me, his eyes red, unshed tears shining under the dim light. "Another lifetime?" he repeats bitterly. "What good is that to me now, Ruby? What am I supposed to do with that?"The anguish in his voice breaks my heart all over again. I want to scream, to tell him I hate this just as much as he does, but the weight of my decision presses down on me, suffocating any words that might come.Togame looks away again, wiping at his eyes roughly with the back of his hand, trying to maintain whatever shred of control he has left. He's silent for what feels like an eternity, and the distance between us grows. When he finally speaks, his voice is barely a whisper, fragile and broken. "I don't know how to let you go."I close my eyes, the tears streaming freely now. "Neither do I."
We stand there, the weight of the silence pressing down on us like a heavy fog. Neither of us dares to move, as if any small gesture would shatter whatever fragile connection remains between us. The world around us has fallen apart; it's just the two of us, bound by a love we can't keep but neither of us wants to let go.I glance at my watch, my heart sinking. Time is running out. It's time for me to leave, and the thought sends a sharp pain through my chest, as if my heart is being torn apart piece by piece. I look at Togame, his face a mask of sorrow, his eyes red and distant, his jaw clenched as he fights to keep himself together.Without a word, I step toward him, my arms reaching out, and we fall into each other's embrace. The hug is desperate, fierce, as though we're trying to fuse ourselves together, as though if we hold on tight enough, we can stop the inevitable. I press my face against his chest, my body shaking with silent sobs. Togame's arms wrap around me so tightly, it's as if he's afraid that if he lets go, I'll disappear forever.Then, without warning, our lips find each other—hungry, desperate, raw. The kiss is long, lingering, full of the pain and love we can't express in words. It's not gentle; it's a collision of emotions, a plea, a final goodbye disguised as a last, stolen moment. Tears stream down both our faces, mingling as we kiss, clinging to each other as if the world is ending.But it has to end. It always had to end.Eventually, we pull away, gasping for breath, our foreheads resting against each other. My eyes are blurred with tears, and I know I can't stay any longer. I gently step back, my arms falling to my sides. Togame's hands drop, limp, as though all the strength has drained from him. He doesn't speak. He just stands there, watching me go, his eyes hollow and empty. I glance back one last time, and the sight nearly destroys me. Togame has sunk to the ground, his body slumped against the wall, his head hanging low, his hands buried in his hair as he crashes under the weight of his grief.I bite my lip, forcing myself to move. If I stay another second, I'll fall apart too. With trembling legs, I walk away, each step heavier than the last. I don't look back again. I can't.

The ride back to Megumi's house is a blur. The taxi feels suffocating, the air thick with the scent of salt and tears that cling to me. I stare out the window, watching the city pass by, but I see nothing. My mind is trapped in that moment on the rooftop, in the echo of our final kiss, in the hollow ache that has settled in my chest.When I arrive at Megumi's house, everything feels distant, unreal. I enter quietly, the maids and driver barely noticing me. I don't speak to anyone. I don't want to. The weight of what I've just done crushes me, and all I want is to escape.I head straight to my room, locking the door behind me. As soon as it clicks, the dam breaks. I crumple to the floor, my body wracked with sobs so fierce it feels like I'm drowning in my own pain. I press my hands to my face, trying to stifle the sound, but it's useless. The grief is too much, too raw. Every tear feels like another piece of my heart being ripped apart.I crawl into bed, curling up in a ball, my body shaking with each sob. The pillows are soaked with my tears, but it doesn't stop. I cry for what feels like hours, the image of Togame on that rooftop haunting my every thought. His broken face, his crumpled body, his silent tears—they replay over and over in my mind, tormenting me.Eventually, exhaustion takes over. The sobs quiet, my breath becomes shallow, and the weight of my grief pulls me into a restless, dreamless sleep. I curl deeper into myself, as if trying to hide from the world, my heartache dull but ever-present.I don't know how long I sleep, but when I finally drift off, it's the only escape I have from the unbearable pain of losing him.