POV: Ayase Risa
My marriage form lay on the table between us—signed by him and three witnesses. The only things missing were an official stamp, and signatures from Meguriya-san, Rion, and me.
Dad set his mug down with a gentle thud.
"Mm. Sounds like a good man," He nodded once, slow and firm.
"…Yeah." My voice came out softer than I meant.
I lowered my gaze, and despite the whirlwind in my chest—a tiny, helpless smile tugged at my lips.
Dad noticed. Of course he noticed.
"And you're sure about him?"
"Huh—" My shoulders flinched. "…Yes."
He leaned forward, elbows on the table. The way he did when he wanted the truth.
"How so?"
How…
How?
I looked up, confused. "What do you mean?"
Dad's eyes sharpened—calm but cutting, steady but merciless, like he was peering straight through the words I hadn't said.
"How are you so sure?" he asked. "You said you've known him for just over a month. You've had one dinner. So how are you"—he slid the marriage form closer—"so certain about marrying him?"
I froze.
How am I so sure?
How could I possibly be?
Rationally, it should be impossible.
Every reasonable part of me should have doubts, should hesitate, should… something.
Anything.
But—
"Well…" I began weakly. "He works hard—"
"I know that," Dad cut in gently. "You told me all of that already."
My breath hitched.
"What I want to know," he said, quiet yet unwavering, "is How. Not Why."
I sat completely still. My fingers curled around the fabric of my skirt, unsure, searching for an answer that didn't exist in words.
His voice softened.
"Do you like him that much?"
…
I nodded.
Dad didn't blink.
"Do you love him?"
The word hit me like a stone dropped into still water—ripples spreading through my chest, stirring things I didn't dare name.
I lowered my gaze, speechless.
Love.
Do I…?
Can what I'm feeling really be described as Love?
"What do you feel when you're with him?" Dad asked quietly.
"Huh?" I lifted my head, startled.
He watched me, patiently waiting.
What do I feel…?
...
When we sat together…
When we talked late into the night outside the hospital…
When he held my hand like it was the most natural thing in the world…
When he looked at me with those overwhelmed, honest, terrified eyes…
"It felt…" I swallowed. "Right."
My hands tightened on my skirt. "Just… right. Like… that was how things were supposed to be."
As I spoke, the words came easier, untangling themselves.
"His eyes… His voice… The way he carried himself... His... presence..." My voice trembled. "Everything about him feels right."
My shoulders fell—not in defeat, but in relief, as though speaking the truth let something unclench inside me.
"I don't know how to explain it. But I keep doing things without thinking—reaching for him, looking for him, worrying about him…" My chest warmed painfully. "Like it's the right thing to do."
My gaze traveled to the marriage form. "And right now… marrying him feels right too. Just… right."
When I finally looked up, Dad's eyes were wide—soft and shining, like he'd just heard the answer he'd been waiting years for. Then his expression softened gradually. A small smile formed, warm and proud… and unmistakably relieved.
"Is that so?" he murmured.
My lips trembled. "…Yes."
He exhaled, long and quiet. "I'm happy for you, Risa."
I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. "Thank you, Dad…"
Then—
"So," he brightened suddenly, "do you have a spare futon?"
"Huh?" I blinked. "You're… staying over?"
"Of course!" he said like it was obvious. "I want to see my son-in-law."
"Wh—Dad! That's my workplace!"
"Don't worry!" he waved a hand. "I won't get in the way. Besides, I want to see Akari too."
I blinked at him—stunned, exasperated, overwhelmed—and yet, deep down…
A tiny, impossible laugh bubbled in my chest.
***
POV: Meguriya Rion
I rubbed my stomach as I step towards Mom's room. I really shouldn't have had that spicy ramen. I had been foolish, drowning my emotions with hot and spicy foods.
When I reached her door, I heard an unfamiliar voice, muffled behind this barrier—hearty, roughened with age.
"Akari!" He chuckled. "I know you said you were sick, but you look like hammered shit!"
Lightning struck every muscle in my body, paralyzing me from the neck down.
I remember that voice now...
From last night.
Is that—
Ayase-san's father?!
My hands started to tremble, and it spread all the way to my legs.
What do I do?
I don't think I'm prepared for this...
I thought of turning. I thought of running away. Just for a moment to gather myself.
No.
I did that once.
And what it brought was not a solution.
A sharp inhale. A tight fist.
Okay.
I reached for the panel and the door hissed open.
I stepped in. "Excuse me..."
A man.
And I mean a Man.
Stood by Mom's bed. Dressed in a neat black suit. Greying hair slicked back, glossing slightly in the light. Laughing his heart out.
When our eyes met, he paused, and my breath hitched.
Then a smile formed on his face—almost a smirk—hiding some ancient knowledge I was completely oblivious of.
"You must be Rion."
"...Yes." I stepped closer—cautious, but determined.
Ayase-san peeked from the other side of Mom's bed. Her brows were furrowed—worried, but somehow confident. About me.
He approached—meeting me in the middle—and held out his hand. "Ayase Kazuto."
I reached for his hand. And believe me when I tell you his hand was firm as a rock.
I tried my best to match his ironclad handshake.
"Meguriya Rion. It's nice to meet you, Ayase... san..."
"BAHAHAHAHAH—!" His hand clamped my shoulder. "Must be confusing, hah!"
I could only manage a nervous laugh.
Then his hands eased. "Just Kazuto is fine."
I felt myself lift. "Right. Kazuto——san..."
As I expected, I could not get myself to call this man without honorifics.
When I focus back on him, his eyes were wide, staring into me for a long moment before it became unbearable.
"U—Uh... Kazuto-san?"
"Huh?" He blinked. "Ah... My apologies."
He cleared his throat. "So, you want to marry my daughter?" His eyes slanted and his features sharpened like a spear.
This is it.
The big moment.
There's no backing out.
I must meet him with full force.
"Yes, sir!" I straightened myself. "Please allow me to take your daughter's hand—"
"You can't have my daughter!"
Thunder struck the room.
I froze, utterly paralyzed.
...I've been rejected.
Straight into my face,
Without missing a beat,
Raw and unfiltered...