Antique Shop?BEAR? - Chapter 32
Chapter 32 – Obsessive Ring
“Please marry me!”
Mai’s eyes were wide open. She had merely finished bringing the food to the table and was about to dine when the proposal came out of the blue.
“Huh?”
“I wouldn’t say… twice!” Her boyfriend, Haru, smiled wryly in embarrassment.
Mai felt like she was ready to snap in her heart.
“Thank you. But I need to think this over.”
“Eh?? Aren’t these things usually replied with yes?”
Haru wiggled and took out a small box and presented it to Mai.
“I made sure I bought it right. Take a look.”
Opening the wrapping, a Tiffany emerald green box was revealed inside.
“Eh? You bought me a ring?”
Haru grinned while nodding. “Of course. If you say yes, then I’d be obliged to put a ring on your finger.”
Mai opened the case in amazement and found a simple silver ring in it.
“Huh?”
“What’s wrong?”
“There’s no diamond.”
“Oh, come on?!”
And the size was too big.
“What size did you get?”
“Uh, what size are yours?”
“I’m a size seven!”
“Well, you can still wear it even if the size is big, right?”
Mai closed the case, annoyed. “Let’s eat for now.”
Mai and Haru had been dating for three years and living together for a year, and frankly speaking, she was considering parting ways with Haru, who treated Mai like a housekeeper by not performing housework, and on his days off, he either played video games all day or hung out with his friends. After work, he frequently went out drinking, gambling and smoking, making it impossible for her to deal with Haru.
Even with the curry she just made, he said, “Ah, curry again. I want to eat something elaborate once in a while,” and she nearly hurled the boiling pot at Haru, but restrained herself.
It wasn’t because she didn’t like the idea of Haru getting hurt. She refrained from doing it for the sake of having to clean up the mess.
“You’ll keep the ring then.” Haru tucked the ring into her pocket.
I don’t want it!
No, I would sell it instead and exchange it for cash. That’s how much work I’ve done as a housekeeper.
After the meal, Haru began to play a game while drinking shochu without cleaning up the dishes. He munched on some potato chips for snacks.
“If you’re a thoughtful wife, you’ll make me an egg roll or something?”
Mai almost flung the plate she was washing. No, no, no, if the plate shattered, it would be her who would have to clean it up, thus doubling the trouble.
“Well, the payment for next month, I am a little tight, can you pay me a little more for the rent?”
Oi. Do you see the knife that I am currently washing?
Mai went ahead and hid under the futon laid out in the loft. By herself, she used her smartphone to search for a moving company. Today, she would apply and move in next week. Even though they were living together, the room was a 1k with a loft, and Haru had originally begun living alone. Even if Mai were to leave, there would be no issues.
When they first started living together, she was thrilled to sleep in the loft, but now she was on her own seeking a moving company.
At that moment, Haru snuggled under the futon.
She hastily turned off her phone.
She didn’t like to be touched, so she refused utterly.
The next morning, Mai was awakened by her alarm and rushed to get ready before preparing her breakfast of cornflakes and coffee. This was how she spent her mornings daily. Haru even complained about that too, and before long, she stopped taking her breakfast.
“What time do you get home today?”
“I’ll call you when I’m done.”
Haru replied from the loft.
“Okay!”
On the table lay the ring from yesterday.
“Then I’m off?!”
Mai left the apartment and cycled to the town hall where she was employed.
Mai worked at the childcare support section of the local government office. Although the salary may not be great, the work was stable and she could go home on time practically every day. During the lunch break, another colleague from a different section and she had lunch at a nearby coffee shop. Generally, she would be eating at her desk, but not on days when she wanted to have a chat.
“Finally, I am considering splitting up.”
“Finally?”
Her colleague Aoi, who worked in another section, nodded her head. Since she was a married woman, she was able to calmly listen to her dating discussion.
“I searched for a moving company yesterday, but I would prefer to move out right away.”
“Do you have that much stuff to require a moving company?”
“Yeah, well, I don’t need furniture or appliances, just some clothes?”
After further reflection, she realized that her belongings were not worth the trouble of hiring a moving company. However, since the only means of transportation was a bicycle, it would be difficult to transport them. It was then that Mai had an idea.
“Hey, Aoi. Excuse me, but can you drive me…?”
“Huh?”
“I’m going to gather my stuff immediately after I get home today, so can you give me a ride to my parents’ house?”
“Eh? Where is your parents’ house?”
“It’s about an hour by bicycle from Hosho Station, so maybe 30 minutes by car. It’s near Sakurada Minami Park.”
“Oh. I know that park. But I wonder if it’s alright to move and split up so suddenly?”
Mai held her hands together and pleaded Aoi. “Please! I can’t deal with him anymore!”
“Well, if it’s a simple move, there’s a chance you’ll be back together soon.”
“We’ve broken up before, but this time it will be a permanent breakup! And I’m moving out.”
“Fine. My husband has to work today, so no problem.”
“Thank you!”
Mai felt unusually buoyant. After finishing work on time as usual, she returned to her apartment on her bicycle at full speed.
Right away, she shoved her clothes and shoes into her bag and backpack. There were more items than she anticipated; cosmetics in the bathroom, books and sundries in the shelves… but she thrust everything unnecessary into a garbage bag. While cleaning up, a carefully folded paper bag on a shelf caught her attention.