Final Episode: Carry Me to Bed Just Like This
I woke up by smacking my palm hard against the alarm clock, which was blaring a deafening ‘Riiiiing!’.
It was spring, five years after I’d moved to Tokyo.
A Friday in May.
Time had passed since then, and I can finally manage to get up on my own, but as I’m still not a morning person, I threw off the new duvet, which still felt unfamiliar against my skin, and leapt out of bed.
To wake myself up properly, I yanked open the blackout curtains in the bedroom and let the morning sun flood in.
Now that I’m working, I’ve moved out of my student studio flat with great determination into a two-bedroom flat, but even after a month, it still doesn’t feel like ‘my home’. There are still piles of cardboard boxes stacked in the corner of the room.
My hair, which I used to dye a lighter shade when I was at university, is now dyed a slightly darker brown, and I only wear one of my favourite pairs of earrings in everyday life.
Now that I’m twenty-two, I’ve grown up quite a bit compared to when I was at secondary school.
Looking at the results of my pre-employment health check, I’d grown a little taller and had finally surpassed 170 centimetres.
After curling and styling my long hair, I applied some red lipstick. A spritz of my favourite perfume, and I’m ready to go.
I throw on a jacket and dash out of the house. Feeling the pleasant spring breeze, I hurry to the station.
I’ve got used to the packed commuter trains, and I’ve got used to the narrow patch of sky peeking through the gaps between the buildings.
Time flies.
I feel as though I’ve settled into this city completely, so much so that there are times when I even miss the clear air of my hometown, which I used to find so stifling.
I pass through the ticket gates at the station nearest my office and walk past the trees with their lush green leaves lining the street.
In my first year as a working adult, I used to collapse into bed the moment I got home and was completely exhausted every day, but recently my body has finally started to keep up.
The day before my first day at work, I was so anxious about becoming a working adult that I couldn’t stand it, but now my step feels somewhat lighter as I head to the office.
I slip through the automatic doors, pass through the security gate and step into the lift.
When I get off on the floor where the office is, it’s 8:53. I tap my pristine employee ID card against the clock-in system at the entrance.
‘Good morning!’
I head towards my desk, greeting everyone loudly as I go. The head of the Corporate Planning Department, where I work, is already seated at her desk.
‘Good morning, Manager Ichinose.’
“Mm, good morning, Asami.”
The department head looked up from her monitor, her long black hair cascading smoothly over her shoulders.
When our eyes met, she gave me a warm smile.
On the ring finger of her left hand, a simple silver ring always glistened.
I was a little surprised when I first heard about it, but apparently she has a female partner.
I love that ring; it’s lovely. It makes her seem like such a mature woman.
I wonder if I’ll ever be like that. I find myself looking up to her a little.
To be honest, there were times when I thought I’d made a mistake with my choice of university… but thanks to my desperate efforts during the job hunt, I managed to join a company that met my original goal: ‘a company with a high salary and generous benefits’.
So I’ve decided to just think of it all as ‘everything turned out fine’. My boss is really kind, too.
To be honest, working eight hours a day is absolutely exhausting. There are days when getting up is a real struggle.
Even so, I feel like I can manage for now.
There are tough times, but there are fun times too.
Whilst I’m struggling to make sense of the figures, the clock keeps ticking round and round, and before I know it, the day is over.
‘Asami-san, it’s time to go home now. Well done this week. Have a good rest over the long weekend.’
‘Yes, thank you. Thank you for your hard work today.’
Once I’ve finished work, I give the department head a slight bow, gather my things and leave the office.
I passed a female colleague from the secretarial department just as she was leaving, so I greeted her with a “Good evening.”
I see her quite often. She’s on good terms with my manager, so I’ve come to recognise her. It seems they’re always having lunch together.
While pondering such trivial matters, I checked my watch.
Oh-no, there’s only a little time left until my meeting.
In a panic, I rapidly pressed the down button on the lift and slid my body through the open doors.
When I arrived at Tokyo Station, I grabbed my jacket and hurried through the crowds towards the Shinkansen ticket gates.
The click-clack of my heels might have been loud, but I had no time to worry about that. I was in a rush, and sweat was beading on my forehead.
I glanced at my watch: it was already five minutes past the Shinkansen’s scheduled arrival time. Oh no, I might have kept her waiting already.
Hurry up, me, so I can get there even a second sooner.
As soon as I spotted the ticket gates, I caught sight of my beloved girlfriend, suitcase in hand, looking around anxiously.
“Mitsuki! Sorry to keep you waiting!”
I called her name loudly. Mitsuki turned to face me, her face lighting up with a smile.
“Nana! I’ve missed you so much!”
“Guh!”
Mitsuki let go of her suitcase, ran towards me, spread her arms wide, and threw herself into my embrace.
She threw her whole weight at me without a second thought, and I nearly toppled over, but I managed to brace myself and hold her slender frame close.
Ugh, I’m sweating from rushing over, so I really don’t want her getting too close, but oh well.
Even as I thought that, I rubbed my cheek against her glossy black hair.
I’ve missed you too.
I hugged her tightly, determined never to let go.
＊＊＊
‘Having a month-long residential training course, it feels like I’ve been given a baptism of fire right from the start. Ah, I wonder if I’ve picked the wrong company. I should have applied to the same one as you, Nana.’
Mitsuki said, sounding rather disgruntled. I pulled Mitsuki’s suitcase along, holding her hand with my other hand as we began to walk slowly.
‘The training centre’s too far away to commute to, so I suppose there was no choice, was there?’
‘I suppose so… But weren’t you lonely, Nana? I certainly was… I thought I’d finally get to live with you.’
‘…I was lonely, too. I crossed off each day on the calendar, counting down the days until you came home.’
“Oh, really? Hehe, that makes me so happy, Nana, you were looking forward to me coming home.”
“Well, of course.”
We walk along, our linked hands swaying gently. Even the walk home seems to shine brighter than usual today.
During our four years at university, so many things happened between us.
We had arguments. There were times when we were on the verge of breaking up.
But no matter what happened, we never drifted apart.
And so, Mitsuki is still right here by my side.
I steal a glance at her profile.
Mitsuki, who’s grown just a little more mature since those days, becomes more and more charming with every passing moment.
Her round, cat-like eyes, the corners of her mouth turned up just a little, her plump, pale pink lips… Now twenty-three, Mitsuki is still just as cute as ever.
Ah, she’s so cute, I’m actually starting to feel a bit anxious.
Please, I hope nobody at work tries to make a move on her. Just spending time with her is enough to make everyone fall for Mitsuki.
As I stood there gazing at her in a daze, Mitsuki glanced up at me and gave a little smile with just her lips.
‘Nana’
‘W-what?’
‘……You look smart in a suit, too. It suits you, I’m falling for you all over again.’
She gave me a gentle nudge with her elbow, and I shifted my gaze. Ugh… honestly, she’s still the same in this respect. I’m flattered, of course, but even now, I still don’t know what face to pull when Mitsuki compliments me.
After finishing dinner at the pasta restaurant on the way home from the station, we walked hand in hand back to the house.
When I opened the front door and gestured for her to come in, Mitsuki turned to me with a delighted smile.
‘Nana, I’m home!’
‘Yeah… Welcome home, Mitsuki.’
I said ‘welcome home’ as if savouring the words.
Our life together begins today. The reality of it slowly sinks in.
Once in the living room, Mitsuki plonked her bag on the sofa and looked around the room.
‘So this is our home, is it? Now that I think about it… I look forward to living with you from today, Nana.’
‘Yeah.’
We’d chosen the house together before the graduation ceremony, but because Mitsuki had been away for a month on a residential training course for new employees, this was her first time back here since moving day.
In one corner of the room, there was a pile of cardboard boxes stuffed with Mitsuki’s personal belongings, still unpacked.
“…Wasn’t Tasuku sad about being apart from Mitsuki?”
I asked quietly, looking at Mitsuki’s back as she gazed thoughtfully around the house.
‘On the day I left, he was bawling his eyes out. It was a right struggle when he clung to me. Next time we go home together, Nana, you must play with Tasuku too.’
‘Yeah, of course.’
Around the autumn of her fourth year at university, Mitsuki’s mother remarried Tasuku’s father. So Mitsuki was no longer tied down by family obligations. She had finally gained her freedom.
I find love… very difficult.
I don’t know what’s right and what’s wrong. Sometimes, whilst someone is happy, someone else is crying in the shadows.
I suppose that’s just how life is. Not everyone can live exactly by the book.
Since Mitsuki didn’t say anything in particular about it, I decided to simply accept that fact.
‘Hey, Mitsuki, you must be tired from the move today. Shall we unpack tomorrow morning? Today, just have a bath and get some rest…’
Just as I said that, Mitsuki suddenly threw her arms round my neck. Taken by surprise, I couldn’t catch her properly and she ended up landing on her backside on the rug.
‘Ouch, sorry Mitsuki, are you alright?’
As I peered down at her, trying to apologise for not catching her properly, Mitsuki grinned and pressed her ear against my chest.
Back in high school, Mitsuki used to press her ear against my chest like this all the time, listening as if to check my heartbeat.
Just being in contact with Mitsuki made my heart race. No matter how many years pass, I’ll never get used to this.
“Hmm, Nana hasn’t changed a bit. Does your heart still race when you’re with me?”
“……You know the answer, so don’t ask.”
It does race. Because Mitsuki, you’re always absolutely adorable. I’m completely head over heels for you.
But since I couldn’t say that, I stayed silent, and Mitsuki leaned her face right up close to mine. I could see my reflection in her dark eyes.
‘……Me too, you know. My heart skips a beat when I’m with you. You’re getting more and more wonderful, Nana. I feel like I’ve been in love with you for ages.’
‘Heh……’
‘Hey, Nana, you’d better take responsibility for this. You haven’t told me “I love you” for today yet! Hurry up and say it.’
Mitsuki’s arm wrapped around my neck.
Then, the moment her lips gently brushed against mine, a wave of heat surged up from around my navel as if a fire had suddenly been lit.
Impulsively, I pulled her close by the waist, and we pressed our lips together in silence.
Ah, this feels so good. Mitsuki’s scent and warmth, which I haven’t felt for a month, ignite the desire hidden deep within my heart, making it blaze fiercely.
The sound of wetness echoes through the silent room.
As I savour her sweet tongue and hold her tightly, Mitsuki gives a faint, happy smile.
I can almost hear the sound of my rationality sizzling and burning away.
Oh, I can’t take it anymore; I want to just push her down right here and now.
But then again, today is our first day living together…
I want to invite Mitsuki to bed in a smooth, cool way, without being too forward, but is there any good way to do that…?
As if she’d noticed me thinking this in the back of my mind, Mitsuki pulled her lips away with a soft ‘peck’, then turned to me with a mischievous, innocent smile.
‘Nana, pick me up. Carry me to the bed like this.’
‘………………………You dummy, Mitsuki.’
I could hear the sound of my rationality exploding.
I slipped my hands under her back and under her knees and, with a single burst of strength, lifted her up.
‘Eek!’
Mitsuki clung tightly to my neck, laughing happily.
Thank goodness, I’m glad I still have enough strength to carry Mitsuki princess-style… I breathed a sigh of relief inwardly as I kicked open the bedroom door and tossed Mitsuki onto the bed.
Mitsuki was laughing happily, so I found myself laughing too.
Ah, I’m so happy… I thought, savouring the moment.
That’s enough.
Unpacking can wait until after I’ve made up for all the loneliness I felt whilst we were apart.
After all, tomorrow, the day after, and from now on until the day I die, forever and ever. Mitsuki will be right by my side.
And so, my first love came to a safe and happy ending.
This is the story of the first and last love of my life.
Happily ever after.
― The Tale of a Closet Romance: The End ―
Thank you all for reading over the past six months!
Your comments, ⭐︎s and ♡s were a real source of encouragement.
Thank you so much.
(Although the main story concludes here, I plan to write one more extra chapter from Mitsuki’s perspective. I look forward to your support.)