Chapter 99
Takamine Mineo had originally planned to head straight to sleep.
However, unexpectedly, Mai chose that exact moment to speak up.
"Mineo-kun..."
"Did you know? To be honest, even if I were to disappear tomorrow, I don't think I'd have any regrets left."
"Because I've realized that... I'm not actually hated by this world..."
"If only time could be turned back... I think I would..."
"Stop, stop, stop!" Mineo cut her off firmly.
"I said, hey, Senpai—I've told you already, stop wasting time on this topic!"
He looked at her, his expression a mix of exasperation and concern. "I obviously want to see you living a very happy life. Why are you suddenly getting all melancholy on me? I'm starting to suspect you've been possessed by someone else!"
"Mineo-kun, can I ask you one question? I want you to answer me honestly. Don't lie to me!"
"I can answer one question," Mineo conceded, "but Senpai has to promise me something first. After you ask, you have to go to sleep obediently. Understood?"
"I can do that!"
"Fine then. Ask away, Senpai!"
Mai took a breath, her gaze searching his. "Taking me to so many places to have fun today... what was really going through your heart? Do you truly hope for me to find happiness, or were you just hoping I'd have a few less regrets before leaving this world?"
"..."
Mineo remained silent for a moment before answering. "I've already answered that question before, Senpai. I purely wanted you to feel relaxed. There's no other reason behind it."
He stepped closer, his voice steady and full of conviction. "Senpai isn't going to disappear. You're going to stay in this world forever. This is a promise I'm making to you, as well as my answer."
"Do you have any other questions? If not, go to sleep like you promised!"
"Mineo-kun!" Mai called out again, her voice dropping to a whisper.
"If I allowed you to do whatever you wanted tonight... what would you do?"
Mineo blinked, caught off guard. "Allow me to do whatever I want? Like what, for example?"
"Everything."
Mineo's eyebrows shot up. "Does that mean... even if I wanted to do 'husband and wife' things with you, Senpai would agree?"
"That is also included in the scope of my promise," she replied, her face flushing.
"Well then, it seems Senpai really does like me! You've become quite proactive, haven't you?" Mineo let out a small, playful huff. "However, I don't really feel like bullying Senpai tonight. If you're giving me permission to do one thing I want... then I want you to sleep obediently so you can welcome a beautiful tomorrow!"
"Mineo... won't you regret it?"
"A real man never regrets his choices!"
By now, Mai-senpai's cheeks were stained with tears. She bit her lip, holding back any stray sobs that might escape.
After ten full seconds of silence, she finally spoke in a soft, tender tone.
"Mineo-kun... goodnight."
"Senpai... goodnight."
As the wall clock ticked away, second by second, the quiet night slowly drifted toward the dawn.
When the first light of the morning sun gently brushed against Mai-senpai's face, her eyes fluttered open.
Suddenly, she bolted upright. Her gaze darted toward Mineo's bed, her body tensed with anxiety.
Mineo wasn't there.
Panic flared in her chest. Mai scrambled out of bed and ran out of the room.
But then, her footsteps came to a sudden halt.
In the kitchen, she saw Mineo busily moving about, humming a little tune to himself.
As if sensing her presence, Mineo turned around and offered her a bright smile.
"Good morning, Mai-senpai! Since you're up, go wash your face quickly. Breakfast is almost done, we can eat in a bit!"
There had never been a sentence that touched Mai's heart so deeply.
She covered her face with both hands, the corners of her eyes glistening.
Mineo... hadn't forgotten her.
He... he could still feel her existence.
Am I really not completely abandoned by this world yet?
After washing up, Mai-senpai quickly pulled out her school uniform. Once she had changed, she entered the dining room and began eating the lavish breakfast Mineo had prepared for her in silence.
With every bite, a small spark of happiness flickered in her heart. Every mouthful tasted sweet, a direct result of Mineo's kindness.
When she finished, Mai-senpai grabbed her school bag and stood in the genkan.
"I'm... heading out."
"Yeah! Go on then. Be careful on your way to school, Senpai. Be full of energy—Genki—today too, okay?"
"Full of energy? What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means I want you to be a little happier! By the way, Mai-senpai, here's a Bento I made for you. Take it with you!"
"Okay."
Mai-senpai accepted the lunch box, looking at him deeply. Mineo could clearly see the trace of a beautiful smile on her lips before she stepped out the door.
Tsk tsk, Senpai seems to be in quite a good mood!
Watching Mai-senpai leave for school, Mineo knew it was time for him to get down to serious business.
Just you wait, Senpai. I'm going to create a miracle for you!!
Walking along the path to school, Mai-senpai had no idea that Mineo was back at the house planning what could only be described as a massive operation.
Even if everyone today acted as if they couldn't see her, her heart didn't feel the slightest bit shaken.
As long as Mineo remembered her, that was enough.
Perhaps God hadn't treated her so badly after all. He had sent the best man in the world to her side. Even if the price was her complete disappearance, Mai felt she truly had no regrets.
She crossed the street, boarded the city train, and after a short walk from the station, finally arrived at the school gates.
Just as she was about to enter the school grounds, clutching that small bit of hidden happiness in her heart, her phone suddenly vibrated.
Pulling it out, she saw a message from Mineo.
[Mineo]: Senpai, I suddenly feel a huge sense of regret!
[Mai]: Regret about what?
[Mineo]: I feel like I was totally played last night! Senpai finally gathered her courage and gave me official permission to do husband-and-wife stuff, but I actually turned it down! I feel like I've missed out on an entire world!
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