About Love: Chapter 19

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Before he knew it, August had already passed its midpoint. Summer weddings were rare, so everyone took turns taking extended vacations.

Asaka had planned to do the same, but as he hesitated, summer was already nearing its end.

His relationship with Sasagawa remained at a standstill—or perhaps even on a slight decline. Whenever he sent a message asking to meet, he would be turned down with excuses like, "I have to work overtime today," or "I have a farewell party for an acquaintance..." Sasagawa always replied quickly, and their phone conversations felt normal, but the thought that he was being avoided surfaced in his mind again and again.

How long could it possibly take to clean up his place? He hadn’t even been invited over yet, nor had Sasagawa shared his address.

Asaka held back from asking, believing that Sasagawa would invite him when the time was right. But still, it weighed on his mind.

Koenji, on the other hand, seemed to have taken Asaka’s harsh scolding to heart. He had started actively engaging with clients on his own initiative. Though Asaka had once snapped, "Just handle everything yourself," he hadn’t actually abandoned him. He still sat in on discussions when necessary.

At first, Ikegami-sama had been openly distrustful, but after multiple meetings, he had gradually warmed up to both Asaka and Koenji. Finally, it seemed like he was beginning to look forward to his wedding.

That day was oppressively humid.

It only took one offhand comment from Kohara—"I could go for a beer!"—for everyone in the office to head out drinking together.

Tomorrow was a weekday, but there were no weddings scheduled.

Asaka had a feeling things would get a little out of hand, and, sure enough, everyone started off at full throttle. As a mentor figure, he had intended to keep his drinking in check in front of his juniors.

But the moment Koenji learned that Asaka liked sake, he got carried away, ordering round after round. Maybe he meant well, but it was more trouble than kindness.

Still, once things had escalated, there was no turning back. The alcohol seeped into him, loosening his mood.

"Asaka-san, I really, really appreciate everything you've done for me."

Seated formally on the tatami floor of the izakaya, Koenji declared this with complete sincerity.

It was nice to hear, but Asaka couldn’t quite bring himself to accept it at face value. He responded with a vague smile.

"At first, I had no idea how things would turn out, but it's going well, isn't it? I guess I can actually do this after all..."

Just as Koenji finished speaking, a sharp smack rang through the air.

"What do you mean, ‘I guess I can actually do this’?"

Beside him, Takahashi glared at him with narrowed eyes.

"Don't get ahead of yourself. You're only managing because Asaka has been backing you up. You do realize that while you're dealing with your client, Asaka has been taking on extra work and staying late to finish it, right?"

Koenji turned to Asaka as if to confirm, "Is that true?" But before he could say anything, Takahashi smacked him again.

"I can’t believe this. What are you even looking at? You only have one client, but Asaka is handling more than thirty. Of course he’s busy."

Koenji shrank back, looking utterly deflated.

Asaka watched his slumped shoulders and, for some reason, they overlapped in his mind with Sasagawa’s.

Before he realized it, the words slipped out—"You’ve been working hard too."

"I can tell you're being careful with how you talk to clients. And I’ve been checking your paperwork and arrangements—you’ve barely made any mistakes. The only thing I’d say is… If the client’s schedule allows, try moving things along a little faster. If you drag things out until the last minute, it’ll get chaotic. And once you start handling more clients, you’ll end up completely overwhelmed."

"Understood." Koenji bowed his head meekly.

Beside him, Takahashi added mercilessly, "You better really reflect on this."

Then, suddenly—

"You know, I’ve been meaning to say this for a while… But Koenji kind of reminds me of Sasagawa-san, the client Asaka coordinated for."

It was Kohara who spoke.

She had been quietly listening the entire time, but now she brought up Sasagawa’s name out of nowhere.

Asaka was caught completely off guard.

"Sasagawa-sama... Ah, you mean that couple where Asaka stepped on the bride's dress during the ceremony? The wife was so stunning, almost unrealistically beautiful. I feel bad saying this, but the husband was… kind of plain? Or rather, just unimpressive..."

At Takahashi’s blunt words, Kohara shot her a warning look. Watch your mouth.

"Asaka, you're still in touch with Sasagawa-sama, aren't you?"

He couldn’t exactly say they were dating in the true sense of the word, so he mumbled, "We go out for drinks and hang out sometimes."

"Who is this Sasagawa-sama?"

Asaka wanted to end the topic, but Koenji, of course, had to stick his nose in.

"Sasagawa-sama was the first client Asaka coordinated a wedding for," Kohara explained. "He was polite, kind, and left a good impression. He was also tall and slender, kind of like you, Koenji. That’s why I said you reminded me of him."

Maybe it was the alcohol, or maybe it was Kohara’s words getting to him, but suddenly, Koenji started looking eerily like the real Sasagawa. The way he hunched forward slightly, swirling his glass—it was uncanny.

"Asaka-san, is there something on my face?"

Asaka quickly averted his gaze. "No, it's nothing," he muttered.

At the end of July, he had thought about planning his vacation around Sasagawa’s schedule. But when he asked about his plans, Sasagawa had replied vaguely, "I haven’t decided yet..."

Since Asaka had already asked once, he figured that Sasagawa would reach out when his vacation was set. But there had been no word.

Maybe Sasagawa was planning to take time off in September instead. But for Asaka, September marked the beginning of the busy bridal season—it wasn’t a time he could afford to take a break.

He had wanted to go on a short trip, even just for a night, matching their schedules. It would be a way to set his resolve—to show Sasagawa that he was serious.

But without knowing Sasagawa’s plans, he couldn’t make any. And he couldn’t bring himself to pester him about it either.

If Sasagawa did have other commitments, Asaka had a feeling that, if he insisted on the trip, Sasagawa would push aside his own plans to prioritize him. And he didn’t want to put that kind of emotional burden on him.

There was one more thing Asaka wanted to ask but couldn’t.

He had heard that Sasagawa’s old apartment had been bought for him by his wife’s parents when they got married. The fact that he had moved out probably meant the divorce was finalized.

But Asaka couldn’t bring himself to ask outright, "Did you get divorced?"

Instead, he had tried a roundabout approach, asking, "Why did you suddenly move?"

All Sasagawa had said was, "That place was just too big for me..."

—A ringtone.

It was Sasagawa’s.

Asaka gripped his phone tightly. Ignoring his junior’s concerned "Are you okay?" he stumbled out of the izakaya on unsteady feet.

"Sorry for calling so late. It's Sasagawa."

His head felt oddly light. He couldn’t even stand properly.

Slumping against the wall outside, Asaka let himself slide down until he was sitting on the ground.

"…Yes."

"Are you still at work?"

"No, I finished a while ago. I was out drinking with everyone from Dragée."

"Ah, I see. Sorry to interrupt while you're having fun. It wasn’t anything urgent—I can call back tomorrow."

"It’s fine. My junior kept making me drink, and now I think I had too much... I should sober up a bit before heading back."

Sasagawa didn’t say "Alright, then, goodnight." Instead, silence filled the call.

Cars passed along the narrow road before him.

"...Aren’t you going to say something?"

After a brief pause, Sasagawa answered, "Ah, right. Sorry. I just thought… maybe you were sleepy?"

"I’m not sleepy. …If I fell asleep, would you wait until I woke up?"

Asaka had meant it as a joke, but Sasagawa answered seriously, "Well… it’d only be thirty minutes to an hour, right?"

Asaka couldn’t help but chuckle. He could picture Sasagawa sitting in silence, waiting, no matter how long it took.

Yeah. He really liked this man. So much it almost hurt.

"…Yasumi."

"Yasumi? (Good night / Rest / Day off / Vacation)" Sasagawa echoed in confusion.

"I asked you before, didn’t I? About when you’d be taking your vacation. So… have you decided?"

"Ah, that’s right. That too, but… actually, I’ll be transferring to a different workplace starting in September."

The soft, floating warmth that had been filling Asaka instantly vanished.

"…Does that mean you’re being relocated?"

"No, it’s just a temporary assignment for six months. It’s in F City, about an hour and a half by car from here. Technically, I could commute, but with the morning rush, it would take nearly two hours each way. After thinking it over, I decided to move."

"Moving? But you just moved not too long ago."

"I know, right? The timing is terrible. But luckily, I have a relative in F City who manages student apartments. When I explained the situation, they offered to let me stay in a vacant unit for free for the six months. So I’ll be keeping my current apartment here while just bringing essentials like a washing machine, fridge, and clothes over there. I’ve decided to use my vacation at the end of August for the move."

Just like that, the trip Asaka had envisioned so clearly in his mind crumbled to nothing.

But he wasn’t one to give up so easily.

"Then I’ll take time off around then, too, and help you move."

"No, that’s really not necessary. It’d just be tiring for you. Besides, I went to high school in F City, so I have a few friends there who’ve already offered to help—with their cars and everything."

If his friends were already helping, then maybe extra hands weren’t needed.

But for Asaka, the offer wasn’t really about the move. It was an excuse—any excuse—to spend time together. Yet Sasagawa, instead, seemed worried about troubling him.

Asaka was used to meeting new people in his line of work. He had no trouble making conversation and keeping things lively. But maybe Sasagawa thought it would be awkward for him to be there.

He probably didn’t want to introduce his failed wedding planner as a guest.

Asaka bit his lip hard, swallowing the words he really wanted to say: "I waited to take my vacation until you decided yours."

If he said it, Sasagawa would have no choice but to apologize. But hearing an apology wouldn’t make him feel any better. If anything, he’d just feel worse.

"So you’re using your entire summer break for the move?"

"…Looks like it."

"Not even one day to meet up?"

Silence.

No response meant the answer was no.

"Moving is exhausting, right? …So if you do find some free time, let me know. I’m busy on weekends too, but if we have a matching day off during the week, I’ll come see you."

"Got it. Actually, between training my replacement and preparing for the move, I’m going to be really busy. I’ll probably be working late…"

Mid-sentence, Sasagawa trailed off.

"So, basically, you’ll be too busy to see me until you move. Got it. I’ll make sure not to bother you with calls, either. Just let me know early when you figure out your new address."

The words came out sharp, almost like a slap.

"…Asaka-san. Um, are you mad?"

Just the fact that he had to ask pissed Asaka off even more.

"Not really. Ah, someone from work is calling me. I have to go."

No one was calling him.

It was a lie.

He hung up and immediately turned his phone off.

Gripping the useless device tightly, he lowered his head.

I have no right to be angry.

Sasagawa had his own circumstances.

But still…

The frustration boiled inside him, impossible to suppress.

We’re dating, aren’t we?

If we’re together, isn’t it normal to want to spend at least one day off together?

"…Asaka-san."

He didn’t even need to look up.

He knew who it was—Koenji.

"Are you okay? You were gone so long that Takahashi told me to check on you… Did you fall asleep?"

"I’m not asleep. I’ve sobered up."

Asaka pushed himself up from the wall, grabbing onto his junior’s arm.

"…We’re drinking more."

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