CM Chapter 42

Chapter 42 – Maybe Things Have Changed

Chapter 2, Part 8.2

Novel Title: ひとりじめ (Completely Mine)

Author：椎崎 夕 (Shiizaki You)

Illustrator：小山田 あみ (Oyamada Ami)

Translator: K (@kin0monogatari)

Protagonists: 細川 湊 (Hosokawa Minato -MC) & 荻原 浩志 (Ogiwara Koushi -ML)

*Please read at knoxt.space, the original site of translation. TQ*

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“When the director of the cram school forced me into an arranged marriage, I ran into him at the hotel venue. That was where it ended, but later, Ogiwara-kun came to meet me. … After that, we started meeting occasionally, and the whole stair accident thing was just a random incident when we were out together.”

“So, you’re saying it’s more like a friendship? Based on how he calls you Minato-sensei, it sounds like you were his tutor?”

“Yeah. I’d say it’s more like that than just friends.”

Minato nodded in relief, but Yoshiharu tilted his head.

“Then there’s no reason for you to hide it. Especially since I don’t know him personally, right?”

Minato was struck silent, and Yoshiharu pressed on.

“Actually, that’s not true, right? When I first saw you two, I thought you two were a couple, but the atmosphere felt oddly heavy for that. You were pretending to understand each other, but it wasn’t really connecting. It probably has something to do with what happened ten years ago, right?”

“….Did Yoshiharu-kun hear anything from Eisuke?”

“I haven’t heard anything, but I could tell from watching earlier. Minato-kun, you still like him, don’t you?”

Once it was said, Minato had no choice but to admit it.

It took much longer than he expected to explain everything, from what happened ten years ago to the current situation. By the time he finished talking, the tea he had set down had completely cooled. Yoshiharu quickly made a new cup for him when he noticed. Minato, watching the steam rise from the cup, felt a sense of relief.

“It’s the same as ten years ago. It’s one-sided on my part… …Since the injury happened, though, I feel like he’s been a bit kinder.”

Minato managed to say it with a smile, but Yoshiharu’s expression grew complicated.

“I understand up to that point. …But, Minato-kun, can you forgive him?”

“…Huh?”

“As Ogiwara-kun’s brother said, what he did ten years ago was a crime. And what happened this time is a clear case of coercion.”

Minato smiled and tried to argue against Yoshiharu’s serious tone.

“Ten years ago, Ogiwara-kun was a minor, so I was the one who committed a crime. As for this time, if I really didn’t want it, I could have escaped. I chose to stay by Ogiwara-kun’s side. I don’t regret meeting him again or how things have turned out now.”

“If you really want to escape, kick my right knee,” Ogiwara said. While it was coercion, it was also likely exposing his biggest weakness.

“You don’t intend to confess, do you?”

“Even if I did, it would be meaningless. I don’t want him to know how I feel. I’m so bad at giving up, it’s almost pathetic.”

“Then, don’t you think you should confess? Otherwise, it’ll never end.”

Yoshiharu said this softly as Minato blinked, still holding the teacup.

“The feelings you’ve forced down will remain deep inside you. No matter how many years pass, every time you remember, you’ll feel the same way. It might be better to confess clearly and get an answer, so you can end it properly.”

“…But…”

“If you’re dealing with someone you’ll be with for a long time because of work, that’s one thing. But with one-sided feelings, if he gets bored, it’ll be over. You’ll never see him again, right? There’s no point in keeping your pride in front of someone like that. Honestly, if you let it all out, I think your feelings will clear up, and you’ll be able to move on.”

“Let it all out, and it’ll clear up…?”

Minato was struck by the clarity of Yoshiharu’s words.

It was true that, by forcing the feelings from ten years ago into a corner, he was still dragging them around. He couldn’t even confess properly or say goodbye, and he never got to know Ogiwara’s true feelings. He couldn’t forget or give up on him.

Would it be the same if it ended with him getting bored and walking away? Would he just repeat the same thing again, unable to speak, not knowing the truth, and never finding closure?

“People’s feelings are complicated. If his attitude has become kinder recently, maybe there’s been a change in his feelings.”

“A change?”

“Even if he thought it was his fault you got hurt, if he didn’t have some kind of affection for you, he wouldn’t have gone that far. After ten years, there are things people realize.”

“But, Ogiwara-kun and I are too far apart in age. We’re both men, so there’s no way there could be affection or anything.”

“I don’t think a high school student and a college student have such a big gap. If you’re talking about twenty-seven and thirty-two, it’s pretty normal.”

“Yoshiharu-kun…”

If Minato stayed quiet and listened, he might start getting a bit full of himself, so a scolding tone escaped his lips.

Yoshiharu shrugged and went to prepare a refill of tea. As he watched, Minato began to feel the time. He looked down at his wristwatch and said, “Whoa.”

“What?”

“It’s past midnight. The date’s changed.”

He took out his cellphone from the pocket of his jacket, which was draped over the back of a chair, and found multiple missed calls and messages from Ogiwara. He hadn’t noticed because he hadn’t turned off the silent mode when he left the office.

“At this hour, why not just stay over? The room’s booked for two.”

“Eh… is that so?”

“I wanted to talk more anyway. You can just send him a message.”

Considering it was late to ask for a ride at this hour, Minato decided to rely on Yoshiharu. He sent a message to Ogiwara and placed the phone on the table. Right after that, it rang. He hurried to pick it up, and Ogiwara’s voice came through.

“Where are you now? I’ll come pick you up right away.”

“I’m staying at the hotel. I still have things I want to talk about.”

“Let me know when you’re done, and I’ll come pick you up.”

“You don’t have to go that far. Ogiwara-kun, you have work tomorrow, don’t you?”

“I’m driving, so it’s not much trouble. Don’t worry about it.”

As the back-and-forth continued, Yoshiharu chuckled softly in front of him and said, “Let me talk to him?” before snatching the phone away.

“…Yes, understood. Tomorrow morning, we’ll make sure to get him to work. I’ll pass him back to you now.”

With a cheerful smile, Yoshiharu answered, then handed the phone back to Minato.

Minato regarded it like it was some complicated puzzle before slowly lifting it to his ear. When he spoke, Ogiwara’s voice sounded slightly restrained, as though holding back frustration.

“I’ll pick you up tomorrow night as usual.”

“Okay. Thanks, and sorry for everything.”

His own voice, which came out naturally, sounded more honest than usual. He placed the phone on the table after ending the call, and Yoshiharu quietly spoke.

“Minato, you’re so soft on him. He’s overprotective of you too, though. If you were just someone convenient for him, he wouldn’t offer to pick you up at this hour.”

“…I don’t really understand why he would either.”

Maybe it’s okay to have a little hope. That feeling began to grow in Minato’s chest.

Could it be that Ogiwara’s change in attitude wasn’t just because of the injury, but because there’s even a little bit of affection involved?

After taking turns in the shower, they both got into bed. As he lay on the semi-double bed, Minato felt lonely, thinking he would be alone all night.

Four days later, Minato would return the crutch to the hospital. If Ogiwara’s attitude was truly because of the injury, something would change again there.

Buried deep in the blankets, Minato gently closed his eyes. He thought, as if taking a bold step forward: If he knew for sure that change would happen, and if he was prepared for it to end, wouldn’t it be okay to summon the courage to confess?

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*Translator’s Note: On contrary, I’d rather bury my feelings for my secret crush forever so that they’ll never find out. Call me a coward or whatever. I can’t handle rejection and I’m damn honest about it. I rather not know. -K

Next update: 2026.09.06

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