Quarrel

After waiting for a while, Tsukinaga-san finally had time for me. She sat on the couch in front of me.

"So, what is it?"

"'What is it?' you say? It should be my line! What is it with your outfit? Where have you been all this time? Why did you start working without telling me?"

"It's none of your business. I have no obligation to report every single thing that happens in my life to you."

I gasped in disbelief. It never crossed my mind that those words would come out of her mouth.

"Hey, Tsukinaga-san. Tell me, what am I to you?"

"My boyfriend."

"Then is that not enough reason for you to tell me?"

She averted her eyes from me. Her being stubborn only irritated me more.

While we were arguing, someone in the same uniform as Tsukinaga-san walked up to us. She then whispered something to Tsukinaga-san.

"Ah, yes. I'm very sorry."

When the waitress left, I asked.

"What did she say?"

"She said that we are disturbing other customers. We have to choose between solving our problem quietly or finding another place to do so."

I glanced around when she brought that. It's true that I got carried away and yelled at her. It's not strange if we attract some attention.

"Sorry, I caused trouble for you."

"No, it's fine."

If we were just ordinary customers then it wouldn't be a problem. But since Tsukinaga-san works here, we have to watch our behavior if we don't want to cause trouble for her.

"Let's start it from the beginning. Why are you always so slow to reply to my messages?"

"I have been busy working all this time. So I didn't have time to answer."

"So why are you suddenly start working? Without even considering telling me either."

"As I said before, I just didn't have the chance to tell you."

"Okay then. So, why are you suddenly working part-time?"

"... Just felt like doing so. Since I don't have much to do, I thought working part-time would be nice."

Again with that. She always has a reason to lie to me.

I'm genuinely feeling sad right now. I didn't expect her to look down on me to this extent. I know she is smart, but if she thinks I could be fooled this easily, then she is dead wrong.

"Hey, Tsukinaga-san. Am I not good enough for you?"

Tsukinaga-san, who had been looking the other way, immediately turned to me. Both of her eyebrows were shot up, probably not expecting how bad I looked at the moment, haha.

"Are you tired of me already? Do you feel that it's time to dump me? Is... what you said back at the amusement park just empty words?"

"It's not like that!!"

Tsukinaga-san banged the table. Of course, it caught everyone's attention. The eyes of those who had forgotten about our presence returned to us. But neither of us cared about that.

"Come with me."

Tsukinaga-san grabbed my hand and pulled me out of the store. She took me to a place away from the crowds.

Maybe it's because we've been warned once so Tsukinaga-san pulled me out of her workplace. Especially since she was in uniform, it would be bad if rumors spread that a waitress in that place fought with a customer. Moreover, there is no guarantee we won't fight again after that.

"Please! I don't want us to fight like this."

Tsukinaga-san pleaded to me while gripping my clothes tightly with her fingers. I could tell from her voice that she was about to cry.

Honestly, I don't have the heart to push her any further than this, but I can't just leave this matter at it. If we don't solve this problem right now, I'm sure a similar issue will reoccur in the future.

"I love you, Minamoto-kun. Can't you just believe in me?"

"I've always trusted you, Tsukinaga-san. That's why I never push you no matter how many times you change the subject. However, if you feel I'm not worthy enough for you to tell me, then it's you who doesn't trust me."

Tsukinaga-san looked up at me. Her eyes were glazed over, ready to burst into tears at any moment.

"You know, Tsukinaga-san? I believe in relationships trust is the most important thing. But to engender mutual trust, we must establish good communication. Therefore, it hurts me when you keep things from me like that."

"I...I..."

"It's not like I'm forbidding you from working or anything. I won't restrain you from doing what you want either. I'm just wondering, 'Why didn't you tell me?' That's all."

Tsukinaga-san sobbed. She still couldn't reply to my words.

After conveying everything I wanted to say, the emotions within me subsided. I honestly didn't expect it would get this big. But maybe it was our respective egos that caused the problem to drag on.

I want this to end soon. I want to have a happy chat with her again. I want to go on another date with her. I want us to be an intimate couple who don't argue much.

They say a fight between two people shows the closeness of their relationship. But for me, the fight with Tsukinaga-san was very painful. I've experienced it several times and don't want to experience it again.

"Am I asking too much?"

When we both calmed down enough, I asked Tsukinaga-san. She tried to stop her sobbing before answering.

"No, you're right. Although I have my own reasons, I should at least let you know."

I'm happy that we're finally on the same page.

"Promise me, don't hate me nor laugh at me for the reasons I will give."

"I won't, rather I can't. I can't possibly hate you, Tsukinaga-san. But if it's a silly reason like wanting to give me a surprise, then I'm going to whack your forehead and scold you severely."

Tsukinaga-san paused, deciding whether the answer I gave was yes or no. After a moment of thought, she decided to open her mouth.