WHAT'S NEXT?

WHAT ARE YOU?

It's funny you ask me that now. After all...I've been wondering about that my entire life.

I'm not a human, that's clear. So what am I? Now that the one person who loved me more than anyone is in disbelief, even she's curious. Well about that...I'm not so keen on thinking right now. I have no obligation to. Why? Well...

I looked at Yuki-nee. I kind of felt sad. I don't know what happened, but I was certain that this matter was concluded, for now, that is. There's no way that these two women would let me off the hook.

I just went close to Yuki-nee. I could feel her heavy gasps of breath while trying to calm herself down. She really was a crybaby. I stepped closer. There was little to no space between us. I put my forehead gently on her shoulder, avoiding looking at her.

"I'm sorry for everything. Maybe someday, I'm sure, at least hopeful, that I can amend things and let you know in a better way. But that day's not today. That's why, even if it troubles you, or worries you, I want you to leave me behind and go on. I'm not the Nao you know, I'm not your Nao. I'm not Nao at all. I am someone else. I'm something else. But not the person you want. So please, spare yourself from the pain, and spare me too, from trying to be someone else."

I just muttered some words, but as I went on, I knew it was suffocating for me to just go on phrasing them, but a part of it was the truth. It may not be the complete truth, so I'd say it is a necessary lie. There's no way that day would come when I could express myself wholeheartedly. For that day to arise meant that the sun has already set upon me, and bring upon an ending to this misery. I'm not a good guy. So it doesn't matter if I lie to you. For it'll be too late for me to even apologize.

The onlookers at that section froze at the sight of me on her shoulder. Had I not given a little bit of space to our bodies and embraced her, it would have given the vibe of a couple. But I was careful about that, and just laid my forehead, giving enough space.

I slowly moved away from her, while she was still reminiscing those words. I gently put my hand on her cheek and gave a peck on her lips. It would just hamper all my doings till now if I just kiss her and embrace her, plus that was just to bring her back here.

She was caught off-guard, and a kid just gave out an 'Oh!', while the girl next to her gave out an 'Eeeek!'. I looked around to see, and it was just a couple, a boy and a girl, along with their mothers. I guess they were 7-8 years old, but they seemed to be good friends, maybe even more. For a moment, I could see Nao and Yuki-nee. I just hope they find their happiness and never, even relatively close, end up like us.

I turned back to Yuki-nee and just patted her shoulder while whispering...

"SAYONARA! YUKI"

And I walked past her. I know that the convenience store is not ideal for this stuff, but what can I do? I didn't invite her for this scenario. I don't know what brought her to take such a drastic step, but that's all I can do. I know Yuki-nee. Not to a great extent, but well enough to understand what she wants. Right now, I'm sure, she would have thought of Nao disappearing again, and she couldn't handle it. Logically, that's it. But was that it? If I had to apply logic for everything, I would have had my life in 'EASY' Mode. Heck! I'd be one of the top elites to exist in this world. I could proclaim to be at the top of the world, but that would just raise new problems and foes. Not that I'm scarce of those right now.

I didn't turn back even once, nor did Yuki-nee...I mean Harumi senpai, respond in any way. I know that there are things we'll always be connected to, but I think this is as far as it goes. No! This is as far as it must go.

I started to go in search of my beautiful and mature tyrant. Think back, with all the facts and what I could see, I think I could understand why this chump latched onto her mother over her every time. It's good that my emotions were taken away from me, and I'm just an intelligent conscience. I wonder what ulterior motives I would have had if I retained any of that stuff. Well, call me a pervert or of any sort, but I'm sure that I don't need to understand my feelings to notice the beauty of Rinko-san. She really looks like she's my elder sister. Maybe, let's say a 5-7 years age difference.

Something's wrong with me. There's no way I would be interested in this stuff. I guess I do have a concussion after all. I just rejected her daughter, and now I'm appreciating her beauty. Ugh! Why? It's just hideous.

I might have to settle being alone forever. I mean, my grades are decent. Plus I have no aspirations for my future. If I had to choose something that would not criticize me over the long run, and let me stay at comfort, that would be a house-husband. But there are many factors that reject that notion. What are they?

That's a topic for another day. But thinking about it, Yuki-nee's obsessed with me, so is Rinko-san. Plus, if I were to pursue my life as a house husband, then I would be stuck at home with Rinko-san. The only complication is Yuki-nee. She's so gorgeous that I'd be curious if she's getting hit at her workplace, and as her husband, I wouldn't like to entertain that thought. Why?

Unlike a gentleman. and as a scumbag, what I would like it to declare is, it jeopardizes my life of peace, and I'd have to live on my own, after being introduced to heaven. Even if I did love her seriously, how can I express it? How could I convey those feelings in mere words?

Honestly speaking, I would have used the card on this birthday and married Yuki-nee, as it'd be legal. But that's that. I hope there's a show about this stuff someday. I want it to have a banger opening.

What people think is, maybe if things were different, if I could go back in time, and just change everything. But that's just another waste of time, energy, and brain cells. I'd rather be a pervert with an active brain that keeps thinking and being aware of what's going on than be stuck in those what if's? I just think that an alternate me in a parallel universe is living the life I wish for, and if he's living, then I send him my best wishes and happiness.

Rinko-san approached me and pulled my cheeks hard.

"Argh...It hurts!"

"You just left me alone on our date, were flirting and having fun with some girl, while I and my daughter were getting hit on! Nao! How will you take responsibility?"

She's scary! I'm happy that this timeline 'me' doesn't have her as my mother-in-law.

"Alright, I'm very ashamed of what I've done. Please spare me, and let's go."

"Go where?"

"Home."

"Why would we even go back now?"

"Huh?"

"Look, mister. Our date was ruined. So I won't let you off the hook so easily."

"Uh-huh!"

Why ain't I surprised?

"Mom."

I heard Yuki-nee's voice from behind. She approached us quietly, and spoke in a calm manner, so much as of its like the Yuki-nee before middle school, the prodigy. Hurrah!

'I'm going home, it looks like you're done here, so ill take them back for you..."

Rinko-san was dumbfounded at this exchange but kept her composure. She handed over Yuki-nee the groceries, lent her the money for the groceries, and also some spare cash for Yuki-nee, and embraced her for a moment. She didn't utter a word, and just let go of her.

"Alright, let's go!"

"Huh?!"

She started dragging me again. Please remember to handle with care. I'm just a recovered patient!

I sighed and reluctantly asked her.

"WHAT'S NEXT?! WHERE DO I OWE YOU THE PLEASURE OF OUR DATE?"

"Hmm...let's see."

She put her finger on her chin, while the pedestrians and bystanders were throwing glances at us. Really? Mind your own business.

"Ah, that's it!"

EUREKA! THAT'S IT!

Jimmy Neutron? Horrid Henry?

While I was thinking of utter nonsense, my intuition, or my spider-sense was telling something bad was waiting for in-store and...;

"CLOTHING!"

"WAIT! WHAT?!"

"LET'S GO AND SHOP FOR SOME NEW OUTFITS!"

She lifted her left arm and right leg in the air in unison. Seems like a joyful high school kid.

I'M DOOMED!