Serial Short Story | Swaying (Part 2) 8 | Mari
I never imagined he would barge into the branch manager's house; I had already given up, thinking the matchmaking session was ruined.
Akira-kun had burst in with such force, but when the branch manager's daughter told him to leave, he went home without a fuss. What was that all about? I was so shocked that all the strength left my body and I collapsed into a seat.
I explained my long history with Akira-kun, but I couldn't bring myself to mention the reason we broke up: his 'mama-katsu' on a matching app. I'm relieved they didn't pry any deeper.
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The branch manager's wife's home cooking and the wine were both delicious, and Yada-san, whom I'm starting to see, seems like a good person too, so I told myself that coming here today was the right choice after all.
I will never see Akira-kun again.
I made that resolution firmly in my heart.
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Unlike his impression at work, Yada-san was talkative and seemed like a very kind person. I had always thought he was a colder person, so this was a surprise.
“Would you like to come over to my place sometime?”
Being invited to his home happened shortly after we started seeing each other. I wanted to forget about Akira-kun as soon as possible, and I wanted to get married quickly, so perhaps I was just impatient.
Sooner or later, this day would come.
There is no point in being shy now. After all, I already made such a spectacle of myself at the branch manager's house.
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One day, after I had started visiting Yada-san's house and we were practically living together,
“Please marry me.”
The scene I often see on TV, where someone pops open a ring case, was now happening to me, but for some reason, it didn't quite sink in, and
“Huh...”
I let out a listless sound, but I quickly came to my senses. The past and the future swirled in my head, and my thoughts raced at incredible speed, but I couldn't find a reason to refuse. To get married, have a family, and live happily. It's such a natural thing.
“Yes.”
I want to be happy.
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When I told him I wanted to continue working, he said that was fine. I was nervous about meeting his parents, but they both welcomed me kindly.
I've started to feel more motivated in my familiar job, and every day is fun. Somehow, the news of my marriage spread through the workplace, and I've started talking about it openly with everyone. The branch manager is acting as our matchmaker, and I'll be inviting my colleagues to the wedding reception.
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Every weekend was busy with wedding preparations. When I was thinking about marrying Akira, I had thought a simple wedding and reception would be fine, but as the partner and his family changed, my own feelings kept changing too.
For the high-class wedding venue, we decided on the top-tier course for the food we tasted. The dresses also used more lace the higher the price went, and the fabric had an elegant sheen and was beautiful. Once I started comparing them, I stopped caring about the budget and just kept choosing the things I thought were nice.
From the color of the tablecloths at the reception to the types of flowers and the music to be used, there was a mountain of things that had to be decided, but it didn't bother me.
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Staying over at his house, cooking, and cleaning had become second nature. On this day, I took some of my remaining paid leave, and while I was cleaning, I touched the mouse of his laptop, which had been left open. The top screen appeared on the monitor.
How careless of him to leave the power on and not even set a password...
When I looked at the screen, there was a folder placed in the center named 'Mari'.
He's such a meticulous person. He must be organizing the wedding preparations...
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When I opened the folder, there was only one Word file inside. The name of this file was also 'Mari'.
I didn't intend to peek, but the file was named 'Mari'. I clicked the icon thinking I had the right to see it, but I hurriedly closed the data.
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Seeing the screen in front of me, my whole body froze, and my thought process stopped. I was suddenly overcome with nausea and rushed to the bathroom to vomit, just as he returned home.
Are you okay?! Does that mean...?
The palm that felt so gentle until yesterday now feels like thorns rubbing against my back.
I'm going to have you quit your job.
Eh...
Between the agony of nausea and the sudden surge of anxiety, tears overflowed, and I kept vomiting while clutching the cold toilet bowl.
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To be continued in Part 2, Episode 9 (Final Episode)
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