A week had passed since the two of them flew together.
Their lives had once again returned to what seemed like their former normal routine.
But over the past week, Haizaki had clearly felt an uncomfortable sense of abnormality.
There was less laughter, and more heaviness.
Now, he instead felt that Utaha's occasional teasing and seduction were what made her seem normal, mentally healthy.
If things continued like this, Haizaki suspected that Utaha might develop serious psychological issues before April of next year.
"I'm full. Thank you for the meal. I'll go back to my room now. I'll wash the dishes."
At this moment, Utaha's manners were impeccable. Her words and behavior revealed no hint of impropriety.
But this was the attitude Utaha showed toward strangers.
She was not like this with people she was close to.
"Mm, I understand. I'm preparing to fly this afternoon. I still need to go to a farther fuel station and transport some fuel back. I might be back a bit late."
"Please be careful. I don't want anything to happen to you."
Words of concern, but tinged with a hint of coldness.
"I will. How's your novel coming along?"
Utaha, who had just stood up to leave, froze for a moment. She hadn't expected Haizaki to ask about her writing.
"I'm writing it now. I think at most two months, and I'll be able to finish it…"
"Then let me congratulate you in advance. I hope I'll have the chance to read it, Utako Kasumi-sensei."
A trace of joy flashed across Utaha's face, but in the end, she concluded the conversation with a calm expression.
After returning to her room, Utaha threw herself onto the bed at once, slapping the blanket with both hands, completely different from how she had been in the living room.
"Useless woman. Just one sentence made you this happy."
She was complaining about her own weakness.
"Ahh… I can't compromise. I can't forgive. Except for abnormal situations, I can't take the initiative to say a single word to him."
Utaha had been waiting for Haizaki to take the initiative.
That way, she could naturally continue the conversation.
But until now, Haizaki had not spoken to her.
It made her feel miserable.
So miserable.
It was summer now, and her room had already started using air conditioning, keeping the temperature at twenty-five degrees.
Compared to July in Japan, July in Wuhua City felt even more stifling.
Utaha had also changed into summer clothing.
A light blue dress, with a deep blue waist belt perfectly outlining her figure.
At this moment, she was dazzling and captivating. In the past, just walking down the street would have attracted countless admiring glances. But now…
She couldn't even attract the only man left.
Since getting to know Haizaki, Utaha had never once heard him compliment her clothing or appearance.
"I have to keep working hard today…"
With her only reader wanting to read her work, she naturally had to put in the effort.
Aside from taking care of the chickens, ducks, and geese, and watering and weeding the vegetables planted in the villa courtyard, she devoted almost all her remaining time to finishing Love Metronome 2 and working on her new novel, His and Her Lonely Apocalypse.
The inspiration for the new work had emerged after Haizaki's plane crash.
Utaha wanted to use her writing to record, in novel form, their meeting, acquaintance, joy, happiness, conflicts, and all the little details of their lives together.
If one day in the future there were still people in this world, she wanted them to know the story of him and her.
Utaha looked toward the photo frame on the left front corner of her desk.
Inside was a photo of Haizaki and her in pilot uniforms.
And in her hand, she held another identical photo.
But she still hadn't had the chance to give it to Haizaki.
...
On August 3rd, Wuhua City was hit by strong winds, accompanied by heavy rainfall. The violent wind and rain lasted for four days, showing no sign of weakening.
On August 2nd, Haizaki was still able to go out to search for supplies. But on the 3rd, the ferocity of the storm made him abandon the idea of going out.
Going outside in this weather was simply too dangerous.
"Is there a typhoon over here in Wuhua City?"
Listening to the intense whoosh-whoosh of wind and rain outside the villa, Utaha asked.
Haizaki shook his head.
"Even if the southeastern coast encounters a super typhoon, Wuhua City wouldn't be affected that much. It's just that this round of strong winds and heavy rainfall…"
At the edge of the sky, dark clouds pressed down heavily. There was no telling when this strange weather would end.
"I won't go out today. I'll handle feeding them."
"No, I'll go,"
Utaha shook her head, rejecting Haizaki's suggestion.
"It's not far. Nothing will happen. I've always been the one taking care of them. If you go, they might get scared."
That was true. The last time he appeared alone at Villa No. 4, the chickens, ducks, and geese had all shown varying degrees of intense fear, as if afraid he was there to kill them.
He had been thinking about them, but at that time, he really was just checking their growth and whether they were getting plump.
"Put on your raincoat and hat. If you're not back in fifteen minutes, I'll go to Villa No. 4."
Utaha felt warmth in her heart. This was Haizaki showing concern for her.
"I know. Don't worry. Nothing will happen."
"Mm…" Haizaki responded and casually began clearing the dishes.
Seeing this, Utaha habitually left the task of washing the breakfast dishes to Haizaki.
After months of living together day and night, they had long become familiar with each other's habits.
As Haizaki went to the kitchen to wash up, Utaha went to the first-floor storage room to change into a raincoat and rain boots.
"I'm heading out."
Holding an umbrella, Utaha turned slightly toward Haizaki, who was washing dishes in the kitchen, and spoke.
"Be careful."
As soon as she stepped into the courtyard, Utaha felt a powerful gust trying to tear the umbrella from her hands. She had to lower her body and grip it tightly.
She needed to hurry back. If she didn't return within fifteen minutes, the man at home would start worrying.
Thinking of that, Utaha couldn't help but curl her lips upward.
Though she thought that way, that man still wasn't her man.
Clearly, Haizaki himself knew that as long as he took the initiative—even just a little romantic confession—he could successfully pursue her. Yet he stubbornly kept his distance, subtly avoiding her.
Did he really plan to live like this for the rest of his life?
Even if that was his plan, she had no intention of living alone for her entire life.
She still wanted to wear a wedding dress, walk into a church, and become the happiest bride in the world.
...