[Short Story] The Kind Him #SpringPirikaEntry

(Estimated reading time: 2 minutes / approx. 1,200 characters + alpha)

I get up quietly so as not to wake him. The sky is beginning to turn white.

The face reflected in the mirror has dark circles under the eyes. The laugh lines have become more noticeable, too. Approaching the end of my twenties, my age is clearly showing. I wash my face and put on makeup.

I pour three cups of water into the coffee maker. He drinks coffee first thing in the morning.

I boil sausages and make scrambled eggs. Sliced rye bread. These are all for one person.

After plating the food and placing it on the table, I pour my own coffee into a mug.

The city outside the window is the same daily morning routine as yesterday.

"Good morning."

His right arm wraps around my shoulder. With a voice still a little sleepy, he kisses the top of my head.

"The coffee is ready."

"Yeah. I woke up to the smell."

He shows no sign of letting go.

"Hayato?"

He lets out a small laugh and holds out his left hand, which I'm not good with. In that hand is a delicate necklace with a sparkling emerald. The gold chain shines in the morning sun.

"Happy birthday."

He looks at me with the necklace on and smiles happily.

"Green really suits you."

He lifts my chin and kisses me gently.

While we drink our coffee, we have idle conversation. A time with no real substance that I wish would last forever. To prolong that time, I always brew a little extra coffee. I prepare a larger mug.

After that, I watch him get ready, lost in thought. I watch him change from Hayato back into Hayato Takano.

"Keep doing that all day today."

"Yeah. I will."

Hayato Takano nods, looking satisfied with my obedient reply. He ties his tie, grabs his bag, and leaves the room.

I sit before a cold breakfast. Four thin sausages. They looked like fingers. I imagine his left hand, grab the ring finger, shove it into my mouth as far as it will go, and bite down.

I remember having his ring finger in my mouth last night. I wondered if the ring would come off if I bit it off at the base, but I didn't have the courage to sink my teeth in, so I just licked it. He let out a breath and asked gently, "Do you want more already?" He took my silent stare as a yes. I follow the answer he decided on. I provide the answer he desires.

I remember myself two years ago, telling him, "You can keep it on," when he was wondering where to put the ring he had taken off. I was afraid that if the ring disappeared, his wife would get suspicious and our relationship would end. He simply understood that I was the type of person who didn't care. So, I pretend not to care. I become the person he wants me to be.

Afraid that my relationship with him will end, I never touch upon the subject of his wife. He, never being pressured for a divorce, simply understood that we were just a good physical match. So, I pretend to be a casual lover. I become the person he wants me to be.

If only I could tear this necklace off with all my might. I am entangled and imprisoned by the kindness he gives me only when he feels like it.

A morning where nothing changes. On my twenty-ninth birthday, I cried quietly, all alone.

(Body text: 1,185 characters)

Pirika-sama's Spring Pirika Grand Prix 2023 is currently underway.

They are accepting stories about "fingers" between 800 and 1,200 characters.
The deadline is 5/10, and the results are scheduled to be announced on 6/3.
Even those who have never written a story before might take this opportunity to write one, or maybe not.

Last time, I stuck my beak in without knowing left from right and, through beginner's luck, received a wonderful award, so this time I've decided to quietly hold my own "#SpringFingerFestival2023" by myself. I will be uploading little stories about "fingers" that unfortunately don't meet the submission requirements.
It's a festival on the level of a chick playing shop in the garden, but I'd be happy if it helps liven up Pirika-sama's main festival even a little.

To my surprise, this "Kind Man" won the Suma-Spa Award!
Thank you! Thank you!
As a supplementary prize, Yuta Inui provided a reading of it.
Please check it out from the link below!