Chapter 15 – Autumn (Part 7)
Autumn, Part 7
Novel Title: ツァイガルニクの恋の沼 (Zeigarnik’s Love Swamp)
Author：月村奎著 (Tsukimura Kei)
Illustrator：志水ゆき (Shimizu Yuki)
Translator: K (@kin0monogatari)
Protagonists: 市川春音 (Ichikawa Harune -MC) & 二ノ宮航輝 (Ninomiya Kouki -ML)
*Please read at universalnovel.com, the original site of translation. TQ*
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After cutting the fabric and gathering the yarn and some accessories, Harune placed them into a paper bag along with the instructions. Then, on a whim, he reached into the glass case at the counter and pulled out a little acorn hat brooch.
It was made of purple thread for the acorn and paired with a matcha-coloured leaf—something that would suit Hinako’s outfit.
“Here, as a thank you for the oranges.”
“Wow, it’s adorable!”
“I used acorns I picked up in front of Kouki’s house.”
Hinako’s eyes widened in surprise.
“No way, you made this too? Harune, are you a genius?”
“Thanks,” Harune said with a bashful smile, feeling flattered by her genuine surprise.
“I should be thanking you. I never imagined I’d get something so lovely in exchange for some oranges. I feel like I’ve hit the jackpot. Mind if I try it on?”
“Go ahead.”
As she removed the pin from the backing, Harune noticed Hinako’s delicate hands. They were a bit dry, and her nails were neatly trimmed to the point of being short, a sign of someone who worked with their hands. Harune found it endearing, and it left a good impression on him.
The only ornament she wore was a thin silver ring on her left hand, catching Harune’s eye as she tugged at her collar to attach the brooch.
Harune’s hands stopped as he was taping up the handle of the paper bag.
It was on her ring finger.
Hinako had such a casual, almost boyish aura that Harune hadn’t expected her to have a partner.
“How does it look?”
Hinako pinned the acorn brooch to her collar, tilting her head slightly with a shy smile.
“It looks great on you.”
“I don’t usually wear accessories, but something with this kind of natural vibe is nice. I can enjoy fashion without feeling too self-conscious.”
Hinako, who said she doesn’t wear accessories, was purposely wearing a ring. It definitely feels meaningful.
Harune wondered what kind of person gave it to her. Could it be a fellow craftsman?
As Harune was thinking about that while working at the register, Hinako noticed the half-eaten sandwich plate that had been secretly placed on the counter.
“Oh, is that by any chance Kouki’s pulled pork sandwich?”
“Yes, it is.”
Harune was surprised that she recognized it so quickly, and Hinako chuckled softly.
“It’s spicy and delicious, isn’t it? Kouki was frustrated, saying that since he used thigh meat, it turned out a bit chewy.”
Harune tried to laugh along, but couldn’t manage it well.
Those were the sandwiches that Kouki occasionally left behind as a shared breakfast. In other words, Hinako had eaten that breakfast with Kouki.
Now that Harune thought about it, when he went to Kouki’s workshop the other day, Hinako had been freely coming in and out of the place.
Harune’s head suddenly went cold.
Could it be that the ring was a gift from Kouki?
But Harune had never heard anything about him having a lover.
Or maybe Kouki thought that it’s not something that needs to be said.
From being completely estranged, suddenly acting like nothing ever happened, Harune felt like his relationship with Kouki had drastically shortened in distance—but not in a strange way.
Is it possible to hide the existence of a lover, even when they meet so frequently?
But even ‘frequently’ is just one or two times a week, when he stops by after making deliveries. Besides, since they’re related by marriage, maybe Natsuno asked Kouki to check on him, and he’s only coming by out of obligation.
“I’ll try my best to make it,” Hinako said cheerfully, holding the kit’s paper bag.
Harune hastily put on a smile.
“If you’re unsure about anything, feel free to ask.”
“Thank you very much.”
As Harune watched Hinako’s retreating figure bowing and leaving, he felt a deep sense of shock—and then felt shocked at himself for being so shaken.
Kouki has probably hated him for a long time.
That incident seems to have been brushed under the rug, but there’s no way Kouki could be comfortable with Harune’s sexual orientation. No matter how much Harune clings to his unrequited feelings, there’s no chance it will ever come true.
It’s laughable how foolish he is to be this shocked by something he already knew.
Wrapping the leftover sandwich in wax paper, Harune silently returned to typing on the computer.
In the afternoon, the customers began trickling back in. He made sure to provide sincere service to each one. During the breaks, he worked on new patterns, updated the shelf displays, and busily continued knitting the sample piece.
It truly is a blessing to have work that he loves.
Even when the cold wind outside rattles the power lines, threatening to make him feel lonely, as long as he’s doing the work he loves, his heart should never completely freeze over.
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Next update: 2026.06.21
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