Tokyo, 1991: Starting as a bank clerk.

Page 93

For a moment, she didn't even know what to say.

She understood.

I understood every single word.

Because I understood, I felt as if something was pressing heavily on my chest, making it difficult to even breathe.

original……

Kiryu's father did not simply lose to the times or to the collapse of the bubble economy.

Instead, they were gradually cornered by that person cloaked in the guise of bank rules, who used contracts, collateral, and loan withdrawals.

Keiko Miyazawa's eyes slowly reddened.

She finally understood why Kiryu Yaya got into Tokyo University and why he joined Mitsubishi Bank.

Why is it that, despite being quite young, he always seems to carry a lot more unseen burdens than his peers?

That's not maturity.

It's just a wound.

It was the pain that remained in his body after he heard the truth with his own ears in the corridor of his father's funeral when he was seventeen.

"Kiryu-kun..."

Her voice was very soft, so soft that it was almost drowned out by the sound of the rain.

The next second, she took a step forward, reached out, and gently hugged him.

It's like embracing that seventeen-year-old boy standing in the funeral corridor, and it's also like making up for myself for not being able to reach out many years ago.

"I feel so sorry for you."

When she said those words, her voice was already trembling with tears.

Kiryu Yaya's hand froze in mid-air.

Rain dripped from the edge of the eaves, hitting the steps and breaking into small splashes.

After a long while, he slowly raised his hand and gently placed it on Miyazawa Keiko's back.

The movements were very gentle, as if he were comforting her, or perhaps comforting himself.

"This is not your fault."

Keiko Miyazawa closed her eyes and gently rested her forehead against his chest.

"But I still feel sorry for you."

Her fingers slowly tightened, her voice low and trembling.

“The thought of you standing there all alone when you were seventeen, hearing those words, and keeping them hidden for so many years... makes me feel terrible.”

"Kiryu-kun, why do you always suffer alone..."

Kiryu Yaya did not answer.

Because some questions simply have no answers.

Who could he tell at that time?

Some things are destined to be borne alone.

The sound of rain continued.

The warm light from the hotel entrance fell on the two of them, clearly illuminating Miyazawa Keiko's reddened eyes.

After a long while, Kiryu Yaya finally spoke in a low voice:

"Huizi."

This was the second time he had called her by her name like that.

Keiko Miyazawa's shoulders trembled slightly.

She slowly raised her head.

Her eyes were still red, and there was still a little bit of moisture clinging to her eyelashes.

Kiryu Yaya looked down at her.

"That's why I can't agree to your request right now."

Keiko Miyazawa's eyes flickered slightly.

She didn't let go immediately, but just stared at him blankly.

Kiryu Yaya's voice was calm, but not cold.

It's not because I don't understand your feelings.

"It's not because I hate you."

"But not now."

Keiko Miyazawa's lips moved slightly.

"why?"

Kiryu Yaya looked at the rain curtain outside the eaves.

The streetlights were blurred by the rain, and occasionally a car would drive by in the distance, its tires screeching through the puddles and leaving a long trail of sound on the wet road.

"You just lost your father."

"The Miyazawa family has run into trouble again. Miyazawa Hara, Rokko, the main family's shares, the letter of appointment—everything is on your shoulders."

"At that moment, I happened to be standing next to you and shielded you from several things."

“You will rely on me, trust me, and feel at ease if I am there for you.”

“I understand all of that.”

Keiko Miyazawa's fingertips slowly tightened.

Kiryu Yaya looked at her again.

"But if I agree to you now, I can't tell if it's because you really want to be with me, or because you're in a storm and just happened to grab onto me as a lifeline."

"That's not fair to you."

Keiko Miyazawa's eyes reddened even more.

She said softly:

"I didn't say those things because I wanted you to take the pressure from the Miyazawa family for me."

"I know."

Kiryu Yaya answered quickly.

This time, he did not hesitate.

“I know you’re not that kind of person.”

Keiko Miyazawa was stunned.

Kiryu Yaya continued:

"That's why I can't agree now."

"If I nod, it's like taking your hand when you're at your most insecure and vulnerable."

"Perhaps one day in the future, when you look back, you won't be able to tell whether it was a choice you liked or one you made under pressure from circumstances."

I don't want you to regret it.

Keiko Miyazawa lowered her head.

Tears fell and landed on the back of her hand.

But she didn't cry out loud.

After a while, she asked softly:

"What if... I still think this way in the future?"

Kiryu Yaya remained silent.

Rain dripped from the tip of the umbrella and splashed on the ground.

After a moment, he said in a low voice:

"Let's wait until then to talk about it."

Keiko Miyazawa looked up.

Kiryu Yaya looked at her, his tone very serious: