Chapter 61: The Garden Between Us
Rika stood in the doorway of the garden, the faint light from the hallway catching in her eyes. The sight of their hands still lingering close, though no longer touching, lingered in the air like an unspoken truth.
Naoto took a small step back, his hand dropping to his side. "Rika... I didn't hear you come in."
She nodded, her eyes avoiding his. "I just wanted to water the lilies. I didn't know anyone would be here."
The air thickened with tension. Himari's calm expression didn't waver, but Naoto could feel her body stiffen slightly beside him. Rika moved past them, her steps a little too careful, a little too quiet.
Naoto opened his mouth, then closed it. The moment was gone. Whatever he and Himari had almost begun to express now hung awkwardly between all three of them.
Rika knelt near the edge of the flowerbed, silently tending to the lilies. Her fingers moved quickly but lacked their usual care. Naoto watched her, unsure whether to speak or leave her alone. But his heart wouldn't let him walk away.
He stepped forward. "Rika, are you alright?"
She paused, then gave a small nod. "Just tired."
"I didn't mean for you to see that."
Her hands stilled. "You don't need to explain anything, Naoto. I understand."
But the way her voice trembled said otherwise.
Himari stood from the bench. "I'll give you two some space," she said softly, brushing her skirt and walking back toward the hallway with a grace that made it seem like she belonged to a different world. One that could only be seen in the distance, never touched.
Naoto watched her disappear inside, then turned back to Rika, who was now hugging her knees to her chest.
"Rika," he said gently, kneeling beside her. "I didn't want to hurt you."
She laughed — not with amusement, but the kind that hurts. "You didn't. I'm just being stupid. It's not like I ever had a place in your heart to begin with."
He blinked. "That's not true."
She looked at him then, her eyes wide with disbelief. "Isn't it? From the beginning, I was just someone you had to be with because of your job. You didn't choose me."
Naoto's heart thudded. "At first, yes. I didn't choose this. But over time... I started to care. About your moods, your laughter, your worries. You're not invisible to me, Rika."
She bit her lip, shaking her head. "But she's the one you love."
He didn't answer. Not with words. The silence that followed was answer enough.
Rika swallowed hard. "Then why didn't you ever tell me? Why let me think..."
"Because I was afraid," he admitted. "Afraid of ruining everything. Afraid of hurting you."
She turned away, tears slipping down her cheeks. "Too late for that."
He reached out, hesitated, then gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "I'm sorry. I never wanted to cause you pain."
Rika didn't move for a long time. Then, quietly, she asked, "Do you think... do you think if we had met in a different way, things could have been different?"
Naoto didn't answer right away. The garden around them felt like it held its breath.
"Maybe," he said finally. "But we are who we are because of everything that happened. I don't regret knowing you, Rika. And I don't want to lose that."
She wiped her eyes. "I don't want to lose it either. But I need time."
He nodded. "I understand."
They sat together in silence, watching the lilies sway under the moonlight.
---
Meanwhile, inside the house, Himari leaned against the wall, clutching her phone. She stared at the screen, the background image of her and Naoto from years ago lighting up. The past was creeping back faster than she'd prepared for.
A message popped up: "Still holding on?" — It was from an unknown number, but she knew exactly who it was.
She typed back: "He's struggling. I won't push him. But I won't walk away either."
"You'll have to choose, Himari. Soon."
She closed her eyes, the weight of that truth settling into her chest.
---
The next morning arrived quietly. No words were exchanged at breakfast. Rika avoided Naoto's eyes. Himari had already left early, citing errands. Mr. Hayato glanced between his daughter and Naoto but said nothing.
Later, as Naoto stood outside waiting for his bus, Mr. Hayato stepped up beside him.
"You're doing the right thing," the man said, his voice low.
Naoto turned, startled. "What do you mean?"
"You're trying to be honest. That takes courage. I know it's not easy. Rika will heal. She's stronger than she looks."
Naoto hesitated. "I never meant to deceive anyone."
Mr. Hayato nodded. "I know. That's why I chose you. You may not realize it, but you've helped her grow more in these months than anyone ever has."
Naoto blinked. It was the first time Mr. Hayato had spoken so openly.
"Just promise me something," the man continued.
"Anything."
"Don't run away from what you feel. Not from her, not from the past, and especially not from yourself."
Naoto nodded slowly. "I won't."
As the bus pulled up, Naoto glanced back toward the house. For a fleeting second, he thought he saw Rika watching from the window. Their eyes met — just briefly — before the curtain fell shut.
And as the bus carried him away, he clutched the strap of his bag tighter, his mind torn between the hand he had let go, and the one he wasn't ready to reach for just yet.
To be continued...