Her messy social life wasn’t the only issue. Her home turned into a disaster zone because she didn’t know how to do housework. Trusted by her parents, I was given a spare key to her house, so I ended up cleaning her house, doing her laundry, and even cooking her meals. Despite all that, she never once thanked me. Instead, she began outright demanding things like, “Make me food!”
For the past year, I’ve been practically living as her housekeeper—cooking, cleaning, doing her laundry, and running errands. Naturally, this led to more arguments between us. Every time we fought, Nanami would say, “Fine, then let’s just break up!”
I didn’t want to break up with her, so I always caved and apologized, regardless of who was at fault.
I told myself it was okay because I genuinely believed I loved her. I thought she was just acting out because living alone was new and exciting. I kept hoping that, someday, she’d return to being the kind and gentle Nanami I fell for.
But...
Sigh.
Living like this for so long, I didn’t even realize how much my feelings for her had worn down. It wasn’t until today—seeing her cheat on me—that I finally understood: I no longer loved her.
After witnessing her infidelity, I went straight home and sat in silence for a long time.
Yes, there was a faint sting from the betrayal, but it was so minor compared to the overwhelming sense of “I don’t even care anymore.” I guess I’d already grown completely disillusioned over the past few months.
“…Hah.”
I was startled by the change in my own emotions and couldn’t help but laugh. If this had happened to me over a year ago, I wouldn’t have felt this way. Back then, I probably would have rushed out before they entered the love hotel, grabbed Nanami by the arm, and run off with her. I’d have been furious, shouting, “What the hell are you doing?!” and maybe even shedding tears.
And yet, here I was now, thinking, “Ah, I don’t even care anymore.” This is the same girl I had liked since elementary school, the same one I had been dating for nearly five years. I never imagined my affection for her could wear thin so quickly—just over a few months.
“Maybe it’s time to end it.”
Our conversations had dwindled to the point that we hadn’t even argued recently. Now, I had the perfect excuse to confront her—her cheating—but my feelings were complicated.
“If this were a manga or novel, and I were the protagonist, this is the part where I’d plot some dramatic revenge against her…”
I had the evidence—a video of her cheating. If I wanted, I could use it to humiliate her.
If I genuinely hated Nanami, maybe I would have done just that before breaking up with her. But...
Sigh. “I really don’t care.”
I didn’t even have the energy to fight with her. I was so done with her that all I wanted was a clean break—no lingering bitterness.
But how do you break up without leaving any bad blood?
“…Huh?”
As I was pondering this, a message popped up on LIME. It was from Nanami.
“Come over and make dinner today. Also, the hallway light bulb is out.”
I sighed and replied, “I’m busy with work today, so I can’t. You can change the light bulb yourself, right?”
She responded within minutes.
“Huh? Who do you think you are? That’s so rude and annoying.”
I left her message on read, ignored it, and headed off to my part-time job.
* * *
The next day, Sunday, Nanami called me over to her house.
“Why didn’t you come yesterday?” she demanded.
“I told you I was busy. Look, I’m not your parent, okay? Stop assuming I’ll drop everything to come running whenever you want.”
I sighed as I spoke, but Nanami immediately bristled and snapped back.
“Huh? All you’re good for is doing housework, so don’t get cocky! You’re only dating me because you can handle chores, so stop talking back to me! Seriously… take a good look at yourself.”
After starting with anger, she quickly pivoted to mocking me, laughing at my face.
“You’re lucky to even be dating someone like me—a model! Do you not realize how miraculous that is? If you don’t want me to break up with you, just do as you’re told.”
“Then let’s break up.”
I’d been thinking about it since yesterday, but I hadn’t expected her to hand me the perfect opportunity so quickly.
“…What? Why?”
“What do you mean, why? You just said it yourself. Following orders is your condition for dating me, right? But I’m too busy to meet your demands. So doesn’t that mean we’re incompatible now? Isn’t it better to just end things?”
“W-Wait a second! I didn’t mean it! I was just joking! Why are you taking it so seriously?!”
0 Comments