Chapter 78: -13- The Masks We Wear

~~** Tachibana Shota’s Point of View **~~

When Chigusa returned to our home, it was two days later. Where she had been, who she had been with, and what she had been doing was something I didn’t have a clue about. I saw her in school during this time, but we didn’t talk, and she didn’t visit during lunch. I would have reached out to her, but on some advice from Kurone-chan, my kouhai from the Literary Club, she said it was a better idea to let her cool off until she was ready to come back.

So, I listened.

The atmosphere between us three was somewhat subdued now. I wasn’t angry at Chigusa for her disappearance, just a little concerned about her whereabouts during that time instead. Mayuri-san was walking on eggshells around her now, and it was obvious there was a need for us three to talk it out, but I don’t think we were prepared to do so quite yet.

She slept in our bed on the night of her return, but showed no interest in doing anything with me, nor did she even talk with her mother, and that meant a night where nothing was done at all, except to have an uncomfortable sleep between them.

There had been a guest over the next day while Chigusa and I were at school. My wife’s longtime friend, Kanna-san had come over to have a few beers and play catch-up after some incident at her house involving my wife made it difficult for them to meet over the last month.

They must have been at it thoroughly, as all three of them, Mayuri-san, Nene-san, and Kanna-san, were trashed and resting it off on the couch. My wife was in the middle, and both of the others leaned against her in their intoxication.

If Chigusa had any personal feelings on the matter, she kept them to herself. Instead, she asked if I would accompany her upstairs. What was waiting for me there was a simple conversation asking me why I hadn’t bothered to contact her while she was away.

I had told her I was giving her space, but that seemed to be something of a wrong answer.

“I could have been doing god knows what! You didn’t even think to send me a text?”

“For what reason? To get into a possible fight with you? I felt like it would be better if I was hands-off here, until you were ready to talk. I’m sure whatever it is you want to happen with Mayuri-san isn’t going to be easy to approach.”

Chigusa reached for me, taking me into a hug. I could feel the small bump of her protruding stomach pressing against me, making me feel guilty now for not having hounded her for her whereabouts over the days she was gone. I wonder if she thought I didn’t care?

“Shota, do you love me?”

“Yes.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

“Do you love me as much as… my mother?”

“Yes.”

“…?”

She began to tremble as she hugged me.

“You… are you lying?”

“No.”

I was, though not deeply. It was for the promise I made with my wife that I will say and do what I needed to that would keep Chigusa close and happy with Mayuri-san. I do feel a little guilty, but it’s not like this isn’t what she wants to hear from me.

“Then, since everyone’s passed out downstairs… can it be just you and I right now? I… want it to be just you and I right now. Will you make love to me?”

I reached up and gently stroked her head.

“If that’s what you’d like, we can do that.”

She was silent for a moment before squeezing me tighter and asking if I was sure about it.

“Why wouldn’t I be sure? It’s us three now, isn’t it?”

“What… happened?”

“Hm?”

“You would have never normally answered that you love me as much as her. So what happened after I left?”

Ah, I guess I was a bit too out of character with how I was answering her questions. It makes sense she’d be suspicious.

“You hurt your mother. Whether it was intentional or not, you already saw the result of what kind of state she’s in.”

“I don’t mean her. I mean you. Did something happen with you?”

“No.” I answered her honestly.

“…”

“Chigusa, while I don’t get exactly why you want to pull Mayuri-san into something sexual with yourself while we are in bed together, I won’t criticize it. Yes, I care about Mayuri-san as much as I ever have, and even if your gaslighting of her by provoking her to hit you was low, I won’t hate you because of it. You are important to both of us, and since she wants you to be a part of our marriage, then I have no business anymore saying I don’t love you.”

“…what kind of answer is that?”

“The answer I have to give you. Nothing more, nothing less.”

“…so you’ll love me as much as you love her from now on?”

“Yes.”

“Because it’s what she wants?”

“Partially.”

“Why partially?”

“What Saori and Izumi said… plays a part in that, I guess? You… didn’t mean to dump me the first time, did you?”

“…that’s the answer? Because I tried to spare your feelings by deciding to find someone else?”

“I agree with them, you know? I think you should have just done it quietly on the side, learned what your feelings for me really were, and let me remain in the dark while you got me all to yourself. But… you’re a good person. Because of that, you had to suffer. It’s not fair to you, but these things have happened. I met your mother because of it, and fell in love with her, deeply. She has immense guilt believing she stole me from you, and there’s nothing I can do to overturn it for her. You won’t give up on me, and Mayuri-san was trying to find some kind of peace with the situation. If I just show that I love you, it’s what everyone here wants, right?”

You are reading story The MILF I Married is my Ex-Girlfriend’s Mother. at novel35.com

“So it’s an act?”

“No.”

“You’re lying!”

“Chigusa. What answer do you want me to say? You’ve been pushing since day one of you arriving here to restore what we had. You barging in and behaving as you have, disrespecting the sanctity of our marriage to get what you selfishly wanted after you discarded it to keep some semblance of honor and goodness. You finally have it again, even if it’s maybe not in the way you desired, and now you’re throwing a fit?”

“…”

“You won. You got what you wanted, right? All that’s left is to corrupt your mother. Then when Mayuri-san and everything else is broken the rest of the way, you can truly be happy.”

“Shota, what the fuck?”

“Also, while it might be hurtful for her to hear me say it, it’s not for you, right? Yeah, as a man, I’d love to see you two getting into it together with me… I bet it would be fucking wild! But, I also don’t want to see it because of the damage it could do to her. Is what we have really not good enough as it is?”

She pushed me away when I said that.

“Why are you only saying this now!?”

“There was no reason to even think of it before you made it an issue.”

“You are an unbelievable asshole!”

Even if I was wrong, I made my stance clear at least. Chigusa got what she wanted, why she can’t be satisfied with that, I don’t know. Nor… do I really care. I’m willing to love her honestly, it’s not like that part is fake. I love my wife tremendously, and if that’s what it takes to keep her happy, then so be it.

However, this conversation definitely threw off Chigusa’s mood. She no longer wanted the intimate sex between just us, and it’s not like I particularly cared either. She instead asked if I would leave her alone here, and I complied with her wish. I went downstairs, and sat in the kitchen, making an effort to write a bit more, since I might not have the time over the holiday break.

It was late, and since all three of the women were still out cold, I decided to order some pizzas. It might cheer Chigusa up, and spare Mayuri-san from making a late dinner. Kumi-chan had come home as well, and I let her know food was on the way.

When the pizzas came, I did feel it was a good idea to shake those couch potatoes awake. Kanna-san and Nene-san were showing signs of a mild hangover. My wife on the other hand, seemed to be sobering up, and unaffected with the aftermath of her heavy drinking. Kanna-san was also invited to eat with us, which she accepted happily.

It turns out Yusuke-san, Kanna-san’s husband was out of the prefecture for two days on a business trip, so she didn’t need to rush home. Even after eating, the older trio wanted to chat a bit more, at least without further alcohol. I was there for part of the conversation, but I was a little tired, so I said good night and retired to my bed upstairs.

Chigusa was on the bed, using her phone. I just crawled in and laid down, thinking nothing of it. She didn’t come down for pizza even when I called her, so I let her know she had most of a whole one waiting for her when she got hungry.

She continued to give me the cold shoulder. It’s not like it was unexpected.  

Mayuri-san eventually came upstairs to fetch a futon from the closet.

“Shota-kun, we’re going to have something like a slumber party downstairs, so feel free and enjoy tonight with Chigusa, okay?”

I grunted acceptance, because I already knew nothing was going to come of it. It’s not like I can’t hold back my urges. When she left I simply rolled over into Mayuri’s spot with my back turned to Chigusa, and made an effort to go to sleep.

I managed to drift off to sleep, but I wasn’t down for long. I was awoken by the sounds of Chigusa’s crying next to me. While I didn’t think it would make much of a difference, I did roll over to hug her at least.

“Shota… what if I had… done it with someone else?”

“Then there’s nothing I could have done to stop it.”

“I don’t mean that. I mean… would you have even bothered with me anymore?”

“Am I supposed to have expected you to not do anything? We were done, and you already saw the results on my side. I believed what you said, that I was a boring person, and if you had, then what right would I have had to stop you from finding someone you felt suited you better?”

“…then what if… I do find that someone?”

“Well, what do you want to do? I already said I will take responsibility for our child. I have no intention of separating from your mother, and even I need to be aware this situation isn’t the most beneficial for you. I might not be comfortable with the idea of you and some other guy, but it’s your right to seek out your own happiness, isn’t it?”

“Will you try and hold on to me at least?”

“Chigusa,” I stroked her face with my fingers, “There’s a proverb that goes ‘A man who chases two rabbits, catches none.’ I feel like it’s appropriate for you to understand that even though I’m married to your mother, I still don’t think I’ve captured her heart fully. And until I do, if I am distracted in having to chase after you, I might really lose her.”

“…”

“If you choose to stay, I will love you as much as I can without having to chase you. If you wish to go find a better happiness elsewhere, I will support you as much as I can… that’s all that I can commit to.”

“You say that so easily, but what am I in this relationship? Aren’t I a piece of your puzzle, too?”

“You may very well be. But many puzzles are cut from the same stencil. It’s entirely possible you are someone else’s piece too.”

“Do you not want me?”

“I don’t think it’s fair to you, being in this relationship. From the very beginning I thought it was a terrible idea, because I don’t really know how to divide my feelings. I do care for you, but if you ask me how, it becomes difficult. I want to see you happy, but I don’t think I can be the one to give you that happiness, or at least, I don’t know how. Not without hurting Mayuri-san.”

“…are you scared?”

“Yes.”

“Even though mom and I both love you, you’re scared to love both of us?”

“Yes. Because I imagine somehow I won’t be able to give you both the amount of love you need. I’ll leave you both feeling like it’s deficient, and I’ll lose you both. That’s why I drew a hard line at first. You are, and will always be special to me, Chigusa. I didn’t want to cross it… because I worried I would hurt you so much, it would hurt you to see me anytime you came to visit your mother. Her too, knowing I… did that with you, when I committed myself to loving only her.”

“So, as long as I don’t go… you’ll love me as much as her?”

“That’s my promise, yes.”

“Then you’ll make love to me right now? As much as I want, thinking only of me?”

“If that’s what you want.”

“It’s what I want.”

That night, Chigusa and I were exclusive lovers, something we hadn’t been since right before our breakup. I had thought I made things right, but it was only the beginning of a hardship to come… something that would test everything I believed in.

You can find story with these keywords: The MILF I Married is my Ex-Girlfriend’s Mother., Read The MILF I Married is my Ex-Girlfriend’s Mother., The MILF I Married is my Ex-Girlfriend’s Mother. novel, The MILF I Married is my Ex-Girlfriend’s Mother. book, The MILF I Married is my Ex-Girlfriend’s Mother. story, The MILF I Married is my Ex-Girlfriend’s Mother. full, The MILF I Married is my Ex-Girlfriend’s Mother. Latest Chapter