"The end? What do you mean?"
Nifuji was a bit confused, but inwardly he knew what Tayama was thinking, yet this also left him feeling at a loss, wondering why she had said those words, even though what she had given him.
Yes, she had given it to him.
It wasn't him who had taken the loss, but it was hers, as he took her virginity, and she was also happy with him, yet in the end, she decided to part ways with him.
"You don't like me that much, right?"
"..." Nifuji.
"Thank you for being with me, but I don't want you to take responsibility for me when you think of me as a burden. It's enough for me to have a good memory of you like this, so..."
Tayama took a deep breath, closed her eyes, trying to hold something that was about to leak out, yet despite how hard it was, she could do it and finally say, "Let's end it like this. With this, instead of being one among many, I want you to remember me as the woman who has escaped your seduction, and don't seduce Goto-san, okay? She might still be charming, but she is pure, and unlike me, who is strong enough without you, she might lose herself. Also, stop being a nice guy who accepts all the responsibilities. It is okay for you to be selfish even if you hurt someone."
Her face was sincere, and she lightly punched his shoulder. "I don't know why you try to make yourselves miserable with so many of your adventures, but you should go home and sleep. You look horrible."
"..."
Nifuji didn't know what to say, as he was at a loss for words.
No, he couldn't say anything at all, as he had never thought Tayama would say something like this to him.
"Also, my real name is Yamada. I am that clerk at the supermarket."
"...I know that."
"You know that?!"
"It is impossible for me not to realize it, as you aren't that smart to hide it."
"....." Tayama.
"Probably, only an idiot would not realize that you are Yamada in disguise."
"...then, why didn't you say it?"
"Well, you are a woman, so you might not feel comfortable when someone knows your real identity, so I have never said it."
The reality was scary, and while some women were naive, many were often scaredy cats, so they hid their identity or refused invitations to go out, yet when they decided to accept, they even exposed their secret. It would mean the man meant everything to her.
Yet this was also why he was at a loss, since he knew she meant everything to him, yet she still wanted him to leave her.
Still, when he looked at his reflection in the mirror, despite how hard he had worked, he knew well that he appeared horrible. No, he was as good-looking as ever, but with work, daily life, taking care of women, and all other things. At the same time, his physical ability might put him among the top athletes. His recovery was almost a supernatural level; it was still impossible to handle the stress that came from various things within his life.
His business might appear smooth, but there were, without a doubt, many problems, as being in business meant he had to face those clients personally. Some, if not many of them, were shitty, as they seemed like they were above everyone, and had many troublesome traits that made him helpless, yet that was how it was, right?
While he could give away all the problems to his followers, he needed to take the control over the helm, so that way, when the ship was about to hit a dangerous place, he could manage it, and frankly, there were so many shitty people in the world, including his company since many of them acted so troublesome even if he had given them a lot of benefits, which was why, sometimes, he had to act like he wasn't to be, yet that was how it was.
Then, many women were by his side, and frankly, the problems of the women were even worse, as many of them tried to seduce him, but he didn't have the energy, and his time was limited, as there were only 24 hours a day.
Even if he could sleep two hours or less a day, he had to admit that sometimes it was tough.
No, his body was okay, but his mind was constantly challenged, and frankly, he needed a break.
Nifuji knew that this was what he deserved, as he was the one who had caused all of them to depend on him, and that was why he took care of them.
Still, for someone who loved him so much that she decided to part ways with him because she thought she would become a burden, it left him not knowing what to say.
Nifuji had never thought of Tayama as lower; everyone was working hard, and she also knew that he cared about her. Yet even so, when they were together, it was he who took care of her, not the other way around.
Instead of two people who supported each other, it felt like he was an Atlas bearing the weight of the Earth.
Yet, that was normal, right?
After all, that's how it's meant to be a man, to be the provider, yet—
"Don't ask me about my resolve. This is what I have decided, and let's end this."
Nifuji took a deep look at Tayama for a while, then put out the fire of his cigarette, and then started to dress up. He wasn't sure whether it was wrong or not, yet this was what Tayama had decided, and frankly, his mind was just so exhausted that he didn't even have the energy to cling to her, telling her that he wanted her, as it was just a hypocrite, and he knew well that he didn't love her that much.
"Thank you. I am glad to know you."
"Um, me too."
"I hope you are well. Thanks for being with me."
"Me too. I hope you are well, too. Thank you for being with me."
The two smiled before Nifuji left without looking back, knowing that if he turned, he would stop and return. At this moment, Tayama couldn't stop her tears and cried, knowing they wouldn't be able to meet again.