POV: Risa
My phone exploded with texts.
Kana:
RISA???
YOU'RE JOKING
I'M COMING OVER!!
I froze. My heart thumped like a drum in my chest.
Did I… really just tell her?
My fingers hovered over the keyboard, each possible response feeling like a catastrophe waiting to happen.
…Oh no.
I groaned and buried my face in my pillow. Ten minutes passed. I still couldn't find the right words. Then—the doorbell rang.
Huh?
That fast?
Was that Kana already?
I crept to the door and opened it.
Kana exploded into the room, eyes blazing, her short red twin-tails bouncing like fireworks. "Risa!!!" She lunged forward, wrapping her arms tightly around me.
"K—Kana—" I managed, barely audible.
She pulled back just enough to grab my shoulders, her gaze wide and wild.
"You're married?!"
***
"You said yes just like that?!" Kana slammed her hands on the table, shaking our drinks. "You could've at least thought about it and told me first!!!"
"Kana—calm down…" I waved my hands, trying to create some space between her hurricane energy and my sanity.
"You've known him for a month! You had one dinner! You held his hand once!!" She barked, leaning in closer, her eyes flashing.
I—words… please... come to me.
"I didn't know what came over me—!"
Kana stumbled back slightly, then settled, her gaze fixed.
"It was… I thought about telling you first—" My fingers rubbed together nervously. "But… the answer came out on its own…"
Kana's eyes stayed wide. "Risa…"
I scrunched my face, hiding behind my hands. "It's just—" I blurted, voice trembling. "When I talked to him…" I tugged at my hair, heat flooding my cheeks. "When I'm with him…" My chest tightened. "It felt… right."
My eyes dropped. "Everything about him felt right." I clenched my hands. "Even marrying him felt like the most obvious choice..."
I lifted my gaze. "I'm sorry... Kana." I straightened and offered her a small smile. "If I made you worry…"
Her eyes glinted as she studied me—like witnessing a miracle happening before her eyes. And before I could blink, she lunged forward. "Risa!!!" She hugged me tight.
I wrapped my arms around her as she started to sob, her whole body trembling with excitement.
"I'm so happy! I'm in bliss!! Risa, you're way too cute!!!" she wailed between hiccupping sobs, squeezing me like I was a lifeboat in a storm.
I could only laugh, a little overwhelmed, letting her energy wash over me. Somehow, despite the chaos, it felt… right.
***
Kana finally settled down, though the tissues on the table formed a small fortress.
"So..." She sniffled once, then wiped her nose. "You're moving in with him?"
"Yeah." I rubbed her back, a small nervous smile on my lips. "This Saturday."
"Seriously? That fast?" Her eyes widened, sparkling as she leaned forward, all energy and disbelief.
I could only offer a weak, nervous laugh.
"Then," she leaned closer, eyes practically glowing with mischief, "can I come over?"
"H-Huh…?" I stumbled back, hands fluttering.
I mean... She can come over.
She's always welcome in my home.
But that's not my house...
It's Rion's house...
The Meguriya household.
Would he be okay with Kana dropping by...?
"I—I'll have to ask Rion..." I managed, voice embarrassingly small.
Kana studied my expression. Then she let out an exaggerated sigh, throwing her head back. "Jeez, you're already acting like a wife."
I choked on air. "N-No—It's— I mean—It's his house!"
"It's gonna be your house too." She waved a casual hand like it was the most obvious thing in the world. Then her lips curled into a dangerous smirk.
"Meguriya-san."
Heat exploded in my face. My hands flew up to cover everything from my nose to my dignity.
"K-Kanaaa!!" I squeaked.
She doubled over laughing—bright, warm, delighted—her voice ringing through the apartment like sunlight.
I buried my face deeper into my palms, wishing the universe would open a convenient hole for me to fall through.
But beneath the embarrassment, beneath the mortification…
…my heart fluttered.
Just a little.
At the sound of that name.
***
I walked down the hallway, carrying Meguriya-san's lunch with careful, steady hands. The familiar blend of medication and disinfectant filled the air. When I tapped the panel, the door slid open with a soft hiss.
"Excuse me," I stepped inside.
Ah—Rion.
His eyes were glued to his laptop, fingers flying across the keyboard.
My… husb—
Not the time! Not the time!!
"Ah, Risa-chan." Meguriya-san greeted warmly.
Rion looked up, but the moment our eyes met, he quickly averted his gaze.
My heart fluttered.
...Cute
I set the tray on the overbed table. "Here's your lunch, Meguriya-san," I said, nudging it closer with a gentle smile.
"Risa-chan…" She shook her head knowingly.
I twitched.
I—Is something wrong?
Does she not like today's menu?
She lifted a finger, eyes twinkling. "Do you go around calling your own name? You're Meguriya-san too, y'know."
My heart exploded, and Rion audibly choked on thin air.
"I—Uh… Um—" The words wouldn't come. My hands trembled, fingers curling and uncurling as if rehearsing something impossible.
Rion shot up from his chair, nearly tripping over the edge of the desk.
"Mother! Please settle down!" His voice was half command, half panic, eyes darting between us.
"I merely stated the obvious, boy." Meguriya-san crossed her arms, her grin faint but unmistakable, the kind that said she knew exactly the effect her words had.
Their banter blurred into the background as my chest tightened, and the weight of her statement finally landed.
I'm… Meguriya-san too…
"Very well," I said softly. My words carried through the quiet room and stopped even Rion in his tracks.
I met her eyes. "M—" My throat tightened, but I straightened my spine, held my chin up, and called again, clearer this time:
"Mother!"
Her eyes widened, glinting like sunlight catching the facets of a jewel.
In an instant, she leaned forward, arms opening, and pulled me into a warm, steady embrace. Her hands stroked my hair as if trying to memorize the strands, and her voice softened into something intimate, almost maternal:
"Yes, Risa, my dear."
Heat rushed to my cheeks. My heart hammered, both overwhelmed and relieved, a rush of belonging I hadn't known I was missing.
I caught a glimpse of Rion from the corner of my eye. His usual composure was gone. He was frozen, wide-eyed, mouth slightly open, a hand half-raised like he was unsure whether to intervene or retreat. The sight made my chest ache with warmth—and a little amusement.
For a moment, the three of us simply existed in that quiet, sunlit room, a fragile, precious bubble of acceptance and new beginnings. And in that embrace, I felt at home.
***
"So? Have you packed your stuff?" Megu—Mother scooped a spoonful of soup, eyes glinting with amusement.
"Not everything yet," I said with a nervous laugh, fingers twisting the hem of my sleeve. "I'll finish packing today and have it delivered tomorrow."
"You're moving in on Saturday, right?" Rion looked up from his laptop, then glanced at Mother. "I have to help A—Risa... unpack, then. Will you be okay?"
"Rion…" Mother's spoon paused midair. Her eyes softened, warm and teasing all at once. "I'll be fine. Be a good husband and put your wife first, okay?"
Both Rion and I practically jolted in our seats.
"Y—Yeah… Okay." Rion's gaze flicked to the floor, ears likely burning, and he ran a hand through his hair.
My husband…
Mother turned to me, eyes sharp but gentle. "And Risa… make your husband feel at home, alright?"
I felt heat rise to my cheeks, a flutter deep in my chest.
"Yes, Mother…" I whispered, my voice barely audible, though firm enough.
His wife…
I stole a quick glance at Rion. He avoided my gaze, his shoulders stiff, fingers fidgeting near the edge of the laptop. I couldn't help the small, soft smile that tugged at my lips.
This… this felt right.
***
I carried Mother's empty tray through the hallway, each step echoing a little too loudly in my ears. Nurses glanced at me as I passed—curious, polite, oblivious—and I wished the floor would swallow me whole.
I reached the trolley and set the tray down, fingers trembling as if they belonged to someone else. Then my knees buckled.
I sank to them, heat surging through my face. My hands gripped my lap, trying to ground myself. My heartbeat drummed in my ears.
Aaaaaahhh!
I called her… "Mother."
She called me… his wife.
She called him… my husband.
I can't. I can't! I can't!!!
"Risa-chan?" A familiar voice broke through my spiraling thoughts.
Ayumi crouched beside me, concern etched across her features. "Are you okay?" She peeked over my shoulder. "Huh?! Your face is bright red! Do you have a fever?"
Her hands gently gripped my arms, pulling me upright. My legs trembled, and I swayed a little.
"C—Come on," she said, guiding me carefully. "Let's get you to the staff room."
I followed, head bowed, cheeks burning like the sun itself had decided to live inside me. Each step felt heavy, but I couldn't stop the little smile threatening to escape.
The staff room was quiet, empty except for the soft hum of the refrigerator and the faint scent of coffee lingering in the air.
I sank into a chair, still flushed, burying my face in my hands. My fingers pressed against my cheeks, trying to hide the heat that refused to subside.
"Huh?!" Ayumi leaned forward, eyes practically sparkling with disbelief. "You married Meguriya-san?? That Meguriya-san?? Meguriya Rion??? Meguriya Akari's son??? That absolute cutie???"
"Yumiii!" I squeaked, pressing my hands harder against my face. "Please… stop saying their name…"
Yumi froze for a moment, her eyes wide and unblinking. "I can't help it! That's huge! You… married him?? Like, officially??"
My heart thudded violently against my ribs. I parted my lips, but no words came out. How could I explain this without sounding like a complete lunatic?
"I—I just…" My voice came out as a squeak. "It just… happened…" I peeked through my fingers. "Last night…"
"Last night??" Yumi leaned in, eyes sharp with curiosity. "For real??"
"...Mm." I nodded, my throat tight, words sticking somewhere between my heart and my tongue. That was all I could manage.
Her gaze softened as it lingered on me, tracing the corners of my eyes, the curve of my lips, the faint flush that still spread across my cheeks.
Then she leaned back, a small smile tugging at her lips. "You're glowing, Risa. Honestly… I've never seen you like this. You look… happy. Totally happy!"
I peeked again through my fingers, my cheeks burning hotter. "I… I am," I whispered, voice barely audible. "It's just… overwhelming."
She leaned closer, lowering her voice, her eyes sparkling with gentle mischief. "Overwhelming in a good way?"
I swallowed hard, nodding. "Yes… very good…"
Even as I said it, the words kept looping in my mind: wife… husband… wife… husband…
A warm, dizzying rush that made my knees weak and my chest feel impossibly full. I couldn't stop the small, dreamy smile threatening to spread across my face.
Yumi smiled, soft and gentle, her eyes warm. "I'm happy for you," she said, tilting her head slightly. "Congratulations on your marriage, Meguriya-chan!"
The title… it felt surreal. My chest tightened, a shiver running down my spine. Meguriya… My heart skipped, stumbled, and raced all at once.
I lowered my hands onto my lap, fingers brushing together nervously, and met her gaze. "Thank you," I whispered.
A smile escaped me before I could stop it, wider than I had anticipated. It felt… right. And for the first time, I didn't care that it was bigger than intended.
***
The morning sun spilled gentle gold across my apartment floor, catching the dust in soft little glitters.
I stood by my door, watching the mover bots glide efficiently through the hallway, their arms lifting boxes of my belongings and setting them neatly onto a lev-pad. The hum of its engines filled the quiet corridor as it floated forward.
The courier handed me a digi-pad. "Sign here, please," he said, tapping the screen.
My fingers traced across the surface smoothly. No trembling. No second thoughts. It was strange—when I first moved into this apartment, my hand shook with nerves. But now? I felt… steady. Sure. Almost eager.
I handed the pad back.
"All right," he said, scanning through it. "Recipient is Meguriya Rion. Sender is…" He paused, looking at me with a knowing little smile. "Meguriya Risa."
My breath hitched—but only a little.
"Yes," I nodded.
His smile widened. "Newly-weds, huh?"
A tiny twitch escaped me. "Uh—yes…"
He turned to leave. "Congratulations on your marriage, Meguriya-san."
Meguriya-san…
The words echoed in me like a soft bell.
I stepped back into my apartment. Aside from the built-in furniture, it was practically empty now—no books on the shelves, no photos on the walls, no soft clutter of my daily life. But somehow, I didn't feel empty. I didn't feel hollow like I expected.
Instead… I felt full. Warm.
Eager. Excited.
Tomorrow, I would stand in a different doorway.
Tomorrow, I would wake up in a different home.
I pressed a hand lightly to my chest, feeling my heart flutter, wings beating against my ribs.
Tomorrow… I would live with Meguriya Rion.
As his wife.
Meguriya Risa.