Mountain, I Bought It – Living in Another World Isn’t Bad Either

Chapter 8. The Troublesome Ex-Boyfriend

I found out what happened to my stepsister through the angry message she left on my voicemail.

Apparently, she ended up staying at an internet café. I thought, “A high school girl, really?” but it seems she was with friends. Honestly, the fact that she even considered having her friends stay over at our place made me furious.

Later, my mom also called, but I had my phone on silent and ignored it. She left a voicemail too, but I ended up deleting it halfway through.

Just when I thought peaceful days were returning, my ex-boyfriend reached out.

If it were about work, fine. But we’re already in different departments and have no reason to interact anymore. Naturally, the reason he contacted me was… about his current girlfriend… his affair partner, probably.

Once before, while discussing our breakup, he brought it up—no, he just rambled about her, and I had to listen.

——Why do I have to hear about this?

At least his message came through LΙΝΕ, so compared to the shrill voices of my mom and stepsister, it was bearable. I replied with just a sticker.

For a few days, I managed to brush it off like that… but then, out of nowhere, on Friday, he called me on the office phone.

“Hey, are you free now?”

“No, I’m busy.”

“Sorry, um, can you spare some time later?”

“What’s this about?”

“Don’t be so cold…”

“…If it’s not work-related, I’m hanging up.”

“Satsuki!”

……Don’t call me by my name.

I quickly hung up and left my desk. I didn’t think he’d come to my floor, but just in case.

When I returned from the restroom, my senior at the next desk told me my ex had called again. At least he had the sense not to come to the floor, I thought, but I didn’t call him back.

There was no further contact from him until the end of the workday. I left the office feeling relieved.

“Satsuki.”

“Ugh.”

Right outside the company, my ex called out to me.

Was he waiting for me? Is he a stalker?

I’ve already moved on from him. Honestly, he’s just annoying.

“What? Sorry, but I have plans after this.”

“Ah, sorry, but, um—”

“Bye then.”

“Satsuki!”

I completely ignored him and hurried toward the station. Luckily, I made it across the street just as the light changed. I could feel his gaze on my back, and it gave me chills.

I hate this, I hate this.

——Ah, I should go camping.

While on the train, I checked out campgrounds and made a reservation. As soon as I got home, I started packing my backpack.

Of course, I turned off my phone.