The door hissed shut behind us as we stepped in. Aisles stretched out, stocked with everything we could possibly need. We walked side by side, tossing items into our basket, checking off our list like the harmonious newly-wed-couple we are.
We. Our. Us.
Ahhh! I can't!
I still can't properly process that there's an 'Us'!
Me and Her.
But here we are...
Together.
Risa stepped lively. Her gentle, beautiful eyes scanned across the display coolers. Seeing her like this made my heart ripple with warmth.
Is this fun for her?
Shopping for groceries…
With me…
"Rion," she called, pausing by the dairy section. She reached for a carton of milk. "Do you like chocolate or plain?"
"Hmm…" I tapped my chin, feigning deep thought. "I feel like chocolate right now."
She lit up, "Me too!" and placed the carton into our basket. Her fingers brushed mine for a fleeting second that made my chest seize.
She returned back to scanning the coolers and started muttering. "Hmm... Should we get yoghurts... Or maybe..."
A soft, relaxed exhale escaped me.
And then I saw him—
A familiar figure rounding the corner. My height. Lean build. Spiky blonde hair that seemed to defy both gravity and good judgment. My heart skipped a beat upon fully recognizing the man's features.
Then our eyes met—
"Ah—"
"Ah—"
I froze. There was no mistaking it. This may be the end for me.
"Rion?"
"D-Dai—!"
Daiki. The literal menace to society. The one person in the entire world who should never see me with a woman.
"It is you!" He approached, planting his hands on my shoulders. "I haven't seen you in months!" His grin was wild, eyes sparkling with mischief. He turned to Risa. "And this is…"
Daiki blinked.
I blinked.
Risa blinked.
We all blinked.
"A GIRL!?" He exploded. "A WOMAN?! WITH YOU?!"
"Daiki!!" I barked. "Shut your mouth!!!"
"Seriously?!" He leaned in towards her. Close. Too close. "You got a girlfriend?? A super cute girlfriend??"
Risa twitched at the word, cheeks blooming pink.
My hand flew into his face, shutting his mouth with a crisp and loud smack. "You scoundrel." I glared, tightening my grip with every ounce of strength. "Get off her face!!!" I shoved his face back and held him in place.
"AaAaAgh—" he wailed, flailing his arms around as I grip his mouth. "Uncle! Uncle!!"
Daiki gasped for air after I released him.
I crossed my arms. "I thought I taught you about personal space!"
"Ehehehe..." He laughed, scratching his head. "My bad, my bad." He leaned back, hands on his hips, mock-serious. "Ahh… I never thought The Loner Rion would get a girlfriend!"
Risa stepped forward. "That's not—"
"She's not my girlfriend," I snapped, clutching the basket like it could save me.
Risa's eyes met mine—soft, curious... concerned?
Don't look at me like that.
I'm not done.
"She's my wife."
Her eyes widened, lighting up like sunlight.
Daiki, on the other hand, exploded.
"HAAAAAAAAH?!"
***
We ended up in a famiresu[1] nearby. Daiki practically dragged me here, and Risa followed silently, still pink-cheeked and wide-eyed.
He slammed a glass down on the table with a clang that made every nearby head turn. "You left me on read for a month… and got married?!" His voice cracked in theatrical horror. "You're despicable!!"
"Daiki—shut your mouth! This is a public space!" I hissed, leaning forward, cheeks hot.
Risa buried her face slightly in her hands, trying to disappear into the booth beside me.
"I demand an explanation!" Daiki ignored everything but me, voice trembling with righteous fury. "How—how could you betray me like this?!"
I shot up, slamming my palm on the table with all the flair of a stage actor in a tragic play. "I carried my mother's wish!" I declared, voice ringing through the small restaurant.
Then my gaze flicked toward Risa. "…While… also… granting my own." My ears burned hotter than the coffee in front of me.
Risa fidgeted, cheeks pink as a summer sunset. "…Rion."
Daiki's fists clenched so hard the knuckles shone white. "Damn you!" he bellowed, voice teetering between outrage and despair. "Getting all… lovey-dovey in front of me!"
I leaned back, dramatically throwing my hands into the air. "Yes, Daiki! Revel in my happiness! Watch as I—we—flourish!"
Risa ducked her head, muffling a giggle into her sleeve.
"Flourish?!" Daiki's voice cracked. "I can't… I can't handle this—I'm going to combust!"
I sighed, leaning closer to Risa, murmuring only loud enough for her to hear, "He'll survive… probably."
Her eyes sparkled, and despite myself, a small smile tugged at my lips.
"Thanks for waiting!" The waitress set our plates down. "Please enjoy!" She bowed and disappeared.
"Anyway," I said, gesturing to Risa. "This is Aya—well—Meguriya Risa. My wife."
Risa bowed slightly. "Nice to meet you..."
I gave her a smile, then pointed at Daiki. "And this Neanderthal is Inoue Daiki. A walking pain in the ass."
"Hold up," Daiki snapped. "Pain in your ass. Yours only."
Risa choked on her water.
I shoved a hand to his face. "Dude," I muttered. "Why are you alive? Seriously."
[1] Japanese term for "Family Restaurant". I hope you still remember this from previous chapters. pls remember