Chapter 65

This is the sixth and final chapter of the eleventh volume and the sixty-fifth chapter overall of the More Than a Married Couple, But Not Lovers manga series written by Yūki Kanamaru.

## Summary

Jirō recalls the events on the balcony that night. He had thought he would be more depressed after Akari refused his proposal to live together after high school. He knew Akari was just kidding about living together. However, after seeing the look in her eyes, even though it may seem conceited of him, he knew she was serious. He resolves to stop running away and tell her how he feels even though they just had a misunderstanding.

Elsewhere, Akari is at a cafe with Sachi and Natsumi. Natsumi shares that she's excited about spending her Christmas with her boyfriend, Ryō. Sachi tells them that she's planning on studying all throughout Christmas break. Natsumi tells her that it's great that she planned on going to college. Akari chimes in, saying that she would have had it worse if she stayed with her ex-boyfriend.

Sachi says that she's happy that they broke up before they started to live together and apologizes to her friends for making them worry. Natsumi says that she'd be really happy if someone asked her to move in together. Sachi says that there's no need to rush those things. Akari thinks that she's talking about curfew, but Sachi corrects her saying that she meant there's no need to rush into sex.

Akari clarifies why a man and a woman would want to live together. They reply that even if the main reason isn't so they can have sexual relations, it is definitely something they need to take into account. She further asks if that would still be the case if the guy and the girl aren't going out. Natsumi wonders if people did something like that. Akari again asks if it's alright to do those things with someone you live with even though you're not in a relationship with that person.

Sachi smells something is amiss and starts interrogating Akari and demands that she tell them everything. Akari reveals that Jirō invited her to live together after graduation. She admits that she brought it up as a joke, but Jirō suddenly asked her to seriously consider it. She was happy for a moment, but she ultimately rejected his proposal because she wanted to be in a serious relationship with him.

Akari's friends agree that she made the right decision. However, Akari confesses that she's regretting what she did because she actually wanted to live with him. Sachi points out that she didn't want to be friends with benefits, so she needs to get it together and stand her ground. Natsumi also exclaims that Jirō needs to get himself together, too. Sachi pauses to think and suggests that Akari just confess her feelings for Jirō. Natsumi agrees, saying that it's better than waiting. Akari's afraid that she'll get rejected. If that happens, it will leave her a scar in her heart, especially now that she and Jirō have spent so much time together.

She recalls the night at the balcony and thinks that maybe Jirō actually feels the same way as her. Perhaps the reason why he can't confess his feelings for her is because, like her, he's afraid to be rejected and that she could understand the pain that rejection could bring. After thinking it over, she resolves to do her best. With this declaration, her friends get hyped up that she's cheered up and about to confess her feelings to Jirō.

After Akari leaves, Natsumi and Sachi walk around and brainstorm on how to help Akari. Sachi suggests that they help with finding the right place and time for her to confess. They come across a poster for a Christmas light show and determine that it's the perfect occasion for a confession.

## Characters in Order of Appearance

Jirō Yakuin
Akari Watanabe
Natsumi Ōhashi
Sachi Takamiya
Ryōmentioned
## Chapter Notes

* Jirō thinks back on what happened on the balcony, and judging by the look in Akari's eyes, he's sure that she feels the same way as he does.
* Even though they just had a misunderstanding, Jirō is planning on using it as an opportunity to finally tell Akari how he feels.
* Akari and her friends hang out and the discussion on living together with a guy is brought up.
* Akari's friends tell her that the only reason for two people who are not in a relationship to be living together is to have sexual relations.
* She shares that Jirō proposed that they live together after graduation, but that she rejected it because she wanted to have a serious relationship with him.
* Her friends approve of her decision, but also suggest that she confess how she feels to him so that their relationship will finally move along.