Chapter 16: Under the Fading Sunlight

Chapter 16: Under the Fading Sunlight

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“In the dying light, the world softens its edges, and the truths hidden by the midday glare finally find their voice.“

The clock already showed 5:49 PM, and the cafe where I worked began to buzz with the afternoon rush of customers seeking their late-day caffeine fix. I straightened the tables and double-checked the orders, ensuring everything was perfect before serving them. Today felt slower than usual, heavy with a lingering restlessness. Kazuaki was still buried in his work, and though we exchanged messages frequently, I felt an odd, indefinable distance stretching between us lately.

Just a few days ago, Kazuaki and I had talked about the future. Our relationship hadn’t exactly been smooth sailing, especially with the presence of his sister, Akiho, who somehow always managed to make me feel slightly out of place. And now, there was Yukifuyu.

I stared out the cafe window and let out a long sigh. That girl seemed to occupy my thoughts more often than I’d like to admit. It wasn’t direct jealousy, but there was something about Yukifuyu that constantly pricked at my insecurities. Perhaps it was because she was young, talented, and shared so much of Kazuaki’s professional world. Even though I knew it was purely work, I couldn’t suppress the hollow feeling that surfaced every time her name was mentioned.

I was startled by the chime of the cafe door. To my surprise, Yukifuyu herself walked in. She looked different today—more relaxed, lacking her usual hurried intensity. Her face was a bit pale, likely the exhaustion from the massive project they had just wrapped up.

“Oh, Yukifuyu-san!” I greeted her, waving my hand.

Yukifuyu gave a faint smile and approached me. “Ah, Oozora-san. It’s nice to stop by here again,” she said in her characteristically soft tone. She ordered several desserts and a drink, clearly intending to truly unwind this time.

After bringing her order, I decided to take a moment and sit with her. “So, how is everything? Your project is finally finished, right?”

Yukifuyu nodded slowly. “Yes, it’s finally done. It feels as if a massive weight has been lifted from our shoulders.” She laughed softly, but there was a flicker of something bitter behind the sound.

I observed her closely. Something was off; something was weighing on her mind. Usually reserved, today she seemed more open, as if she were searching for an outlet for something personal.

“You look more tired than usual, Yukifuyu-san,” I said with a sympathetic smile. “Is there something bothering you?”

Yukifuyu fell silent for a moment, weighing whether to open up. Finally, she exhaled and began to speak.

“To be honest, there’s something I’ve wanted to talk about, but I don’t really have many friends... especially since this is difficult to discuss with others.” She looked down, tracing the edge of her spoon. “It’s not about work or the exhausting project. It’s more... personal.”

I listened intently. “If you feel comfortable, you can tell me.”

She nodded. “A few months ago, I... I went through something terrible regarding romance.” Yukifuyu paused, gathering her courage. “I met someone I thought was a good man. He seemed attentive, kind, and we started to get close... personally, I didn’t even want him at first, and I was in a dilemma because I was forced to abandon my childish nature.”

I frowned slightly, sensing the wrongness in her story. “And then?”

“So... at first, he claimed he was young, twenty-six and single,” Yukifuyu continued. “We went on a few dates, and everything seemed fine. I really believed him... until I found out the truth.”

I could hear the tension vibrating in her voice. “What happened?”

“It turns out, he was... married. He wasn’t twenty-six like he said. He was actually thirty-five and had a family.” Yukifuyu lowered her gaze, looking both ashamed and disappointed. “I felt so stupid for not realizing it sooner.”

My heart constricted. Her story held a haunting similarity to the complexities of my own life, albeit in a different context. I could feel her pain—the sting of being deceived and betrayed by someone she trusted.

“What did you do once you found out?” I asked softly.

“I ended it immediately,” she said firmly, though sadness tinged her words. “I couldn’t stay with someone like that. He lied from the start, and I refuse to be the third person in someone’s marriage. Even so, it hurts. I feel foolish and worthless.”

I placed my hand over Yukifuyu’s, trying to offer a silent anchor of support. “You’re not stupid, Yukifuyu-san. Anyone can be deceived by a skilled liar. You did the right thing by leaving.”

She gave a weak smile, seemingly comforted. “Thank you, Oozora-san. I just... ever since then, it’s been hard to trust anyone. I feel like every time someone gets close, they’re just trying to take advantage of me.”

I nodded in understanding. “That’s a natural feeling after what you went through. But don’t let one bad person ruin your view of everyone. There are good people out there, and I’m sure you’ll find them.”

We sat in silence for a moment, letting the quiet hum of the cafe surround us. I could feel her genuine hurt, and I began to see her in a new light—no, she wasn't an enemy; she was cold and frozen. This girl, whom I had been secretly jealous of, carried her own heavy burdens. The envy that had clouded my vision began to dissipate.

“I’m glad I talked to you, Oozora-san,” Yukifuyu finally said. “You’re... kinder than I imagined. I thought you wouldn’t be interested in my problems.”

I let out a small laugh. “I’m a woman too, Yukifuyu-san. I understand. Besides, we’re more alike than you think.”

She looked confused. “What do you mean?”

“Well, I’ve had my own struggles with love and relationships. Just in a different situation,” I replied with a faint smile. “But in the end, what matters is that we learn from it and don’t give up on our happiness.”

Yukifuyu seemed to reflect on that before nodding. “You’re right. I have to keep moving forward, even if it’s hard.”

We spent the rest of the afternoon in light conversation, and I began to feel much more comfortable in her presence. Though I had once viewed her as a threat, I realized she was just a kind girl who was also wounded and trying to heal.

“This afternoon is quite beautiful, isn’t it? People say this is the perfect time to express our feelings to someone we trust.”

“You’re right, Yukifuyu—”

“But, Chinatsu-san. The sunset isn’t always beautiful.” Yukifuyu cut in sharply.

“W-Why is that?”

“I like reading mythology books. And my father often said that at dusk, our world and the ‘other’ world become very close. At this time, the boundary is thin, allowing spirits or creatures from the other realm to roam. That’s why there are so many stories of strange or terrifying things happening at sunset. At a time like this, you have to be careful, because you never know what might be peering from the shadows.”

“...”

“Ehh? Don’t be scared... just think of it as new knowledge,” she said, laughing slightly.

“Something that was never supposed to exist, right?” I whispered.

“Oh? At the company, we often call that ‘Fanfiction’ or fan imagination.”

As the sun began to sink below the horizon, Yukifuyu finally stood to leave. “Thank you, Oozora-san. I feel much better after talking to you.”

I smiled and nodded. “You’re welcome, Yukifuyu-san. Don’t hesitate to stop by whenever you like.”

She gave a warm smile before departing, leaving me with a head full of thoughts. I watched her figure fade into the distance and felt a shift within myself. Perhaps I had been too focused on unnecessary jealousy. Instead of worrying about Kazuaki working late with her, I needed to trust him—and myself—more.

That night, when I returned to the apartment, Kazuaki was already there. He was playing his video game console as usual, and I realized that even if our lives weren’t perfect, we still had so much to cherish.

And I was determined not to let jealousy or doubt ruin what we had built together.