Of course, I know what would really happen. Still, if we’re just talking about the probability of staying together from now on, then it might be a little bit higher if Orihara-san were pregnant. They say that children are a bond between parents, so if we had a child, it would tie us together. That’s why Orihara-san was clinging to that possibility; that’s why she brought me to this hotel like she was grasping at straws.
“I’m sorry. I’m really sorry, Momota-kun,” Orihara-san said as she fought back tears. “I know what I’m doing is wrong... But I don’t know what else to do.”
“...”
“If not only my sister, but also my parents got involved, it would definitely be a big deal, and...I don’t know what’s going to happen now. When I think about how we might not be able to stay together or how I might not be able to be your girlfriend anymore, I...I...”
“Orihara-san...”
“W-Waah!” After looking like she was holding back tears this whole time, it seemed like Orihara-san finally couldn’t do it any longer and started to cry loudly. “Waah! I don’t wanna, I don’t wanna! I don’t wanna break up with you, Momota-kun!” The way she whined and cried out was just like a child. “Sob... But why, though? Why is it wrong? I just...want to be with you forever, Momota-kun! I’m not doing anything bad! Waah!”
Orihara-san wailed and wailed. It was like all of the anxiety and fear she had built up deep inside of her heart was spilling out as her tears and her voice.
I see. It looks like I’ve been underestimating Orihara-san. After about four months of dating, I thought I knew her pretty well, but it looks like that was just me being full of myself. I’m ashamed of myself for mistakenly thinking that the reason she brought me to this hotel was to make one last memory. It was the complete opposite; Orihara-san brought me here to make sure this wouldn’t be our last memory. Even if it took pulling out all the stops, she was doing it to not lose me. To her, being together with me means everything. The only thing she was seriously, earnestly thinking about was a future together with me.
If I’m being honest, the way she went about this wasn’t great. In a way, she was trying to deceive me. She ignored my feelings, tried to have a baby, and attempted to keep our relationship together by force. For her to think that way as an adult is perhaps overly irresponsible. It’s, perhaps, a very one-sided and selfish way of thinking. And to me, the way she tried to selfishly push her selfish reasons on me is just...irresistibly adorable.
I hugged Orihara-san tightly as she cried. I wrapped my hands around her in a strong embrace, like I would never let her go again.
“M-Momota-kun...”
“I’m sorry, Orihara-san. I’m very happy you feel that way. Thank you for thinking about being together with me more than anything else. Thank you. However, right now, having a child isn’t an option for me.”
“...”
“Even if you are a working adult, I can’t do something as irresponsible as force that burden onto just you, Orihara-san. Right now...I don’t have the determination or the money to raise a child.” I’m different from my dad, who would be accepted even if he had a shotgun wedding. He has money and is able to fulfill his duties as an adult. I’m nothing like him. “After all, I’m still just a kid in high school...”
“...Yes, I know. I’m so, so sorry for trying to do something so strange... You didn’t do anything wrong, Momota-kun...”
“You didn’t do anything wrong either, Orihara-san. This is just what happened because you were thinking seriously about me.”
“Momota-kun...”
“In the end, I’m a fifteen-year-old high school student. No matter how much I try to pretend to be an adult, that fact won’t change.”
“...”
“Still, after my birthday this month, I’ll be sixteen.”
“Huh...”
“After two years, I’ll be eighteen.”
No matter how much I may try, I won’t suddenly become an adult. However, one day I will grow up and gradually become an adult. I won’t just become an adult naturally, though; I have to become one by my own will and determination.
“And when I turn eighteen, Orihara-san, please marry me.”
Orihara-san was shocked at first, almost as if she had no idea what my words meant.
“What...?”
“I want to be with you for the rest of my life too. No matter what obstacles or hardships we may face, I want to overcome them together, Orihara-san.”
“...”
“I can get married when I turn eighteen. However, even then I think I’ll still be just a kid who isn’t ready to be independent. I’ll still be a high schooler, and...even after I graduate, I want to go to a vocational school. I won’t be able to make money on my own right away...” I can’t say anything outrageous like, “I’ll make her happy” that a grown man would. Right now, and probably even after I turn eighteen, that would be impossible. “There’s no way I can make you happy all by myself, Orihara-san. It’s pathetic, but that’s the truth. So I want to take on everything together.”
“Together...”
“The two of us, together.” I looked Orihara-san straight in the eye and said, “But I don’t want to just elope or force our way through it all while everyone objects. Let’s do our best to make everyone happy.”
“Everyone?”
“Kisaki-san, your parents, my family, and...of course, us. Everyone will be happy.”