The Night-Shift Nursery Teacher and I, Final Episode: Happiness is Here

This story is probably fiction.
Miki-san and I are probably imaginary people, too.
But even if it's just in our imagination, I hope I can preserve the irreplaceable time the two of us spent together.

About three months had passed since I heard Miki-san's confession about her past.

Miki-san had successfully returned to work, and I had begun my life as a new caregiver.

Since we couldn't travel during the New Year holidays, we talked about going on a trip for at least one night during Golden Week.
We worried about where to go, but decided on Kamogawa, Chiba Prefecture.
We decided to go to Kamogawa Sea World, where I could see my favorite orcas.

We got off at Awa-Kamogawa Station before noon and walked to the Kamogawa Sea World Hotel, taking a stroll along the way.

“It’s so sunny, and the temperature is just right,”
Miki-san said.
“It’s a bit of a walk to the hotel, but there’s a delicious set-meal restaurant on the way, so let’s have lunch there.”

After walking for about 10 minutes, we arrived at the restaurant we were aiming for.
Miki-san ordered the simmered splendid alfonsino set meal.
I ordered the fried horse mackerel set meal.
We exchanged half of our dishes to eat.
The splendid alfonsino was tender, and the fried horse mackerel was thick and large.
It was so delicious that we finished it in no time.

Suddenly remembering, I said,
“My grandfather used to say that if you find someone you want to cherish, you should go eat fish with them.”
When I said that,
“Huh? Why, why?”
Miki-san asked, showing interest.
“It seems like you can tell how someone was raised by how they eat fish. He was an old-fashioned guy, so he was strict about those kinds of manners.”

“I see. I’m actually confident in how I eat fish. I grew up near the sea, after all.”

“You’re right, Miki-san, you really do eat fish so neatly. I actually respect that. When I was about five, I was thrown out the front door because my chopstick manners weren't up to par.”

“Really! That’s harsh. He was a scary grandfather, wasn't he?”

“There were times I thought he was scary, but he was a very kind grandfather. My name is also a precious name that he gave me.”
After talking about that, we left the restaurant.

We walked for about another 10 minutes and arrived at the hotel.
We finished checking in and left our luggage in the room.
The tickets for the next day were included, but since we had time, we decided to enter the park that day as well.

Immediately after entering the park, we headed to the orca pool.
It seemed like it was Miki-san's first time seeing orcas, and she was excited watching them swim in the pool.

“That one is Bingo, and that one over there is Stella. It looks like they had a baby this year, but I don't think it has a name yet.”
Watching me explain about my favorite orcas,
“You make that kind of face too, huh? You look so happy. It makes me feel happy too.”
Miki-san said with a smile.

We looked around other areas for a bit, and it became time for the last orca show of the day.
Miki-san and I took our places in the front row.
Since we were just going back to the hotel, we were prepared to get as wet as we needed to.
As expected, we both ended up soaked on our way back to the hotel, but Miki-san enjoyed it along with me.

We returned to the hotel and both took showers.
Even during that time, Miki-san was in high spirits.
“Orcas are amazing, aren't they? How should I put it... they're very pretty. Maybe 'beautiful' is closer. It was my first time seeing them, but I've come to love orcas.”

“Right? Orcas are beautiful. They are so beautiful that it's hard to believe they exist in the natural world.”
Having something I love praised made me feel like I was being praised, and I was happy.

We finished our showers and changed into loungewear.
We spent time relaxing in the room until dinner.
After we finished dinner at the hotel, Miki-san invited me for a walk.

We walked along the road next to the hotel, holding hands.
It wasn't even 8 o'clock yet, but it was dark all around, and cars only passed by occasionally.
After walking a little way, Miki-san let go of my hand and stopped.
Thinking something had happened, I turned around.

“I’ve been thinking about a lot of things since then. I thought about everything, and I decided that we really have to break up.”
I was bewildered,
“What’s wrong? Did something happen?”
was all I could manage to ask.

“You are kind, and I’m sure if I wished for it, you would stay by my side forever. But that’s not right. I would be very happy, but... would you be happy then?”
“There’s something I haven't told you yet. After I came to Tokyo, I found out I had an illness, and I was told that natural pregnancy is very difficult. I might not be able to have children.”
“I’m sorry I didn't tell you properly. I’m very happy that you say you like me. That’s why I don't want to burden you with this.”
“You’re still in your first year of working, and your world is going to expand more and more. You could meet someone cuter and purer than someone like me.”
“That’s why I don't want to get in the way of your world. So let’s break up. Please, I want you to forget about me and be free.”

It was a sudden confession, but I had felt some kind of premonition.
Perhaps that’s why I was able to convey my feelings firmly.

“I told you I love every version of you, didn't I? I’m happy if I can be by the side of the person I love, and if that person says they are happy. Do I want children? If you ask me that, I would want children with you, Miki-san. But I don't want to be with you just because you can have children.”
“So don't call yourself a burden. I’m sure my world will expand from here on out. But in that world, I want you by my side, Miki-san. The Miki-san I know is very cute and very pure.”
“Please don't speak so poorly of the person I love most. To me, you are the only person in the world that I love.”

I said that, approached Miki-san, and hugged her.
"My happiness is here. So, please let me be happy forever."

Miki-san's arms tightened around me.

It was only two years, but they were two precious years to me.
Various memories came flooding back.
The smile on the day we first met.
Her face filled with tears.
The smile she had while eating eel, looking like she was truly enjoying it.
Her face filled with anger and hatred.
Her face when she would lounge around on her day off and act spoiled.
No matter the time, no matter what expression she wore, she was overflowing with loveliness.

I don't know how long we stayed like that.
But I knew exactly what I was going to do.

~25 years later, at the late-night staff station

"I'm actually working a side job at night," a fellow nurse said.

"Oh, really? Like at a lounge? If you tell me the place, I'll come by for a drink if I get the chance," I replied.

"That's definitely something you'd never actually do. Besides, your wife would get mad at you."

"Well, as long as it's not sex work, my wife is actually pretty tolerant of night jobs. Besides, I'd like to see what it's like these days..."

As we were talking, a nurse call rang.
"Well, I guess I'll go do some work..."
I stood up from my chair and touched the ring on my left ring finger.
I headed toward the room indicated by the nurse call.

[End]