Goodbye Ring Finger. Episode 5: "Reversal" [#CreativeAward2025]

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Episode 5 #Reversal

"I am so, so sorry about yesterday!"

Mayumi put her hands together and apologized. In the end, I always forgive her. Even though we're the same age, she's like a little sister. I'm weak when she apologizes so honestly.


Since she apparently has no memory of the UNO game last night, she must have woken up in bed after having fun and falling asleep. She tends to make mistakes when drinking, but because we've known each other for so long, I can't help but look after her.

When Kazuhiro and I returned to the inn from our walk and said our goodbyes, Mayumi was waiting in the room, fast asleep with her legs spread wide. In the corner of the room, my childhood friend Takaaki was watching Mayumi with a bitter smile, looking like a guardian.

"Takaaki."
I thanked him for carrying her.
"No, it was nothing. Mayumi is the same as ever. Free-spirited and doesn't fawn over anyone." Even though he narrows his eyes and calls her 'Mayu-tan' in front of her, he looks a bit more mature when it's just the two of us.

He was often teased by classmates for seeming weak since we were young, and he had been hiding behind me, the eldest daughter type, since we were in elementary school. Back then, he was like a younger brother to me, and I would lead him around, acting like a big sister.

"You've grown up, too."

I laughed and patted his short-cropped head. Seeing him laugh and say, 'What's with that, you're being formal,' I wished that Takaaki would truly find happiness with someone he loves. The weak boy with the black school bag who used to hide behind my red one is no longer there.

My first love became the husband of my best friend Mayumi, and the lover of my ex-husband Kazuhiro.

How complicated.

At breakfast the next morning, the two men looked relieved to see Mayumi looking refreshed. There was a lovely aroma of dashi and freshly cooked rice from the Japanese-style breakfast.

"Oh, the grilled fish is delicious."

Kazuhiro eats fish so neatly. He's always been good at Japanese food. I was enchanted by his chopstick skills even when we were married.

"Hey, where are you two going today?"
Mayumi served herself another helping of rice, along with portions for her ex-husband and his companion.

"We don't have any plans. We spent yesterday walking around Ise Jingu."
"……That sounds nice. Why don't we go sightseeing together around Oharai-machi? They have Akafuku there, too."

It was unexpected for Kazuhiro to invite us.

Takaaki added that they had gone to Toba yesterday. It seemed they had prepared quite a bit, having bought several guidebooks. He told us one by one which shows were good and which souvenirs were the best. I thought he was a diligent man, and it was clear how much he had been looking forward to this trip.

We had set off on a carefree trip, having only booked our accommodation without making any specific plans. Plans are forbidden on a trip meant for a change of pace. Deciding freely on the spot and following our whims has been Mayumi's and my travel policy for a long time.

Still, I never thought I'd be spending time with these two.

"Sightseeing together! Are you sure? Akafuku!"
Mayumi seemed quite enthusiastic.

This girl is truly free-spirited to the core. She took my hand and, despite having just eaten breakfast, was already excited, thinking about all the street food we could try.

We wandered through Okage Yokocho and Oharai Yokocho, browsing the shops. Along the way, we peeked into places offering kimono dressing experiences and maneki-neko painting. Mayumi insisted on trying the kimono dressing, but since it was popular and had a long line, I reluctantly made her give up on it. Afterward, the four of us each bought souvenirs at the Akafuku main store, just as Mayumi had wanted.

Lured by the delicious smells and the lively atmosphere, we ended up enjoying street food like dango and "Ise Hiryozu." Our stomachs were pleasantly full.

There was no longer any "past relationship" between us.

It felt just like the atmosphere of the trips we had taken together countless times when we first met and after we were married.

"Hey, that dolphin strap..."

I gently touched the dolphin attached to Takaaki's bag. It's a matching set, isn't it? The two of you.

"I thought it looked familiar," Mayumi laughed mischievously. I hadn't noticed. It was a subtle dolphin, crafted in silver with a blue ring. Kazuhiro had casually attached it to the zipper of his bag, and at Mayumi's remark, he became flustered. "It was from Toba Aquarium yesterday," Kazuhiro said, sounding a bit defensive.

I am surprised that Kazuhiro is wearing matching items with Takaaki, something he wouldn't normally wear. It's not jealousy, though.
I am also impressed, as if it were someone else's business, that Mayumi managed to spot the matching items so easily; she truly has a knack for uncovering the lies and secrets of men.

But somehow, it feels good; my ex-husband is going to change from here on out, too.

We decided to head toward Toba, where the Toba Aquarium is located. After listening to the two of them talk, I became completely captivated by the idea of dugongs. It is said that dugongs are the inspiration for mermaids.

We arrived at the rental car counter. Since the two of them were also on a business trip, they immediately started discussing work. When Kazuhiro tried to part ways, saying, "Well, we'll leave it here," Mayumi called out, "Wait a minute, both of you." She started again, saying, "Look."

"We, too, are thinking of taking back this ring finger."

The ex-husbands froze in their tracks, saying, "Huh?"

Mayumi spread out her left hand to show them. Her ring finger was bare.

Actually, we are now wearing pinky rings on our little fingers. Both Mayumi and I are. Rings on the little finger are said to attract opportunities and make wishes come true. We chose small pink gold rings with stones for each other.

Six months ago, we filed for divorce and took off the rings from our husbands. We poured our hearts out to each other at a cafe. Then, we exchanged rings and vowed to live freely as ex-wives.

On the anniversary of our divorce, we decided to exchange rings and went into a casual accessory shop.

A clerk with almond-shaped eyes bowed with mock politeness and said, "Where are your husbands, ladies? Since there are personal preferences, perhaps you should choose together." She brought out several samples of wedding rings with beautifully manicured fingers.

Mayumi puffed out her chest proudly for some reason and said, "No, these are for ourselves."

The clerk froze for a moment, then with an indescribable expression, said that there were also lovely matching rings, and brought out a case of pinky rings.
"It is said that pinky rings are best worn on the right hand if you want to attract opportunities, and on the left hand if you want to cherish and protect your happiness."
Without hesitation, we chose the pink gold ones we both liked, to be worn on our left hands.

That was the moment.
Amidst the dazzling space where the rings were displayed, I found the profile of my female friend, whom I had been with for years, choosing a ring to be truly beautiful, and I felt that I wanted to be with her forever.

Love at first sight? With a girl? Please, don't ask such boorish questions.

"Hey, I'm glad Takaaki and Kazuhiro said it first, aren't you? It would have been hard for us to go first," I said with a chuckle. I gently placed my hand over Mayumi's small hand.

"That's how it is."

Kazuhiro and Takaaki muttered, "We seem to be doing nothing but getting surprised..." and "It's frustrating, but I don't really know what to say."
I told them with a smug look, "Isn't it mutual?" We were surprised too, you know—the way you two managed to camouflage your lines and underwear—

Is this a reversal drama for the ex-wives, or perhaps a reversal of the couples?

Leaving the two ex-husbands looking like they'd been shot, we walked off hand-in-hand to go see the mermaid.
I wonder what kind of face the dugong will be waiting for us with.

One year later, another meeting was held by our ex-husbands.

To be continued

Thank you for joining me again today.
Now, onto the final episode.
Please stay with me until the very end~♪