"Heeh… Akari-san is your patient?" Daiki scooped a spoonful of food, his eyes narrowing playfully at me. "And now she's also your mother-in-law."
Risa's cheeks flamed pink, "...Yeah." She fidgeted with her napkin, her fingers twisting the corners nervously.
"How nice~" Daiki added, giving me a pointed glare that made my shoulders tense.
I waved a hand awkwardly, trying to sound casual. "Yeah… like I said—it's a lot to take in."
His gaze lingered on Risa, scanning her as if he were assessing some rare artifact. The light hitting her hair made it glint in soft, golden strands, and I felt my chest tighten, heart beating faster than it had a moment ago.
Daiki huffed, amused. "No wonder you were never home…" he muttered, shaking his head slightly.
I twitched, defensive. "I-I was looking after Mother!"
"Alright, alright," Daiki said, finally pushing his plate aside and wiping his hands. "Good for you, Rion." His grin softened the tension that had been knotting my shoulders all afternoon.
I had never seen him smile like that before—honest, approving, free of his usual teasing.
He drained his glass with a satisfied sigh. "Finally, you found someone to look out for you," he said, patting my shoulder briefly as he rose.
Turning toward Risa, he jabbed a finger in my direction. "He's more foolish than he looks. Take good care of him, alright, Risa-chan?"
I twitched. "Risa-chan?!"
"Whaat?" Daiki shrugged. "I'm not calling her 'Meguriya-san'. You're both 'Meguriya-san'."
That hit me. "A—Ah... I guess..."
Risa's eyes sparkled, her jaw set with determination. "I'll take good care of him, Inoue-san." she said firmly.
Daiki smiled. "I'll leave this weirdo in your hands, then."
I felt a small warmth bloom in my chest, the kind that quietly settles in when someone sees you for who you are. Daiki's teasing tone, his casual jab at my foolishness—it didn't sting. Somehow, it felt… genuine. And for the first time, I let myself accept it.
"Aight, I'm heading out," he said, turning toward the door with that casual swagger I both respected and feared.
"Daiki," I called, leaning forward, a little unsteady. "Come over anytime."
He glanced back, eyes sparkling with amusement. "Then reply to my texts, you fuckass."
I exhaled, shoulders relaxing. "I will."
He smirked, shaking his head as he walked away. "Also… you're paying for my food." And with that, the door closed behind him.
I sank back in my chair, exhaling a shaky breath. My pulse was still somewhere on the floor where Daiki had stomped it into paste. I glanced at Risa.
And everything hit me like a truck.
I called her my wife.
I introduced her to my best friend as my wife.
I—I actually said it out loud.
Ah… I'm about to explode.
My face is scorching.
Someone get the fire extinguisher.
"Rion?" Risa tilted her head, concern softening her features. "Are you okay?"
No.
Absolutely not.
I'm dying.
I was not prepared to meet Daiki.
I was not prepared to introduce my wife to him.
And for that reason,
He just drained all of my energy in a single lunch.
I inhaled sharply, trying to hold myself together. My facade was cracking like cheap plastic.
"…Mother," I muttered toward the ceiling as if appealing to some higher power. "I need to vent…"
A quiet chuckle. Risa's.
I snapped my gaze back to her.
She was smiling—small, embarrassed, yet impossibly warm. "You have me," she said softly, leaning in just a little. "You can vent to me."
Her cheeks turned pink, and she hesitated before reaching out. Her fingers brushed my hand, feather-light, cautious… then settled on top of it.
"I'm…" she swallowed, voice barely above a whisper. "Your wife… after all."
My heart didn't just skip a beat—it rage-quit entirely.
I stared at her, dumb and breathless, feeling that single sentence echo through me like a bell.
My wife.
And for the first time since this whole wild, impossible marriage began…
It felt not like a title.
It felt like the truth.
***
The walk back home was… enjoyable. The sun painted the sky in gold, long streaks sliding across the pavement. Somehow, we'd stayed out far longer than I'd planned. All because of a single—socially draining—sentient landmine named Daiki.
Risa giggled as I vented, but it didn't feel like mockery. Her laughter… it healed me, quietly, without even trying.
Her hand—soft and small—rested in mine as we walked.
It didn't feel strange.
Nor did it feel embarrassing.
It felt… right. Perfect.
Like something I hadn't even realized I'd been missing my whole life.
And then… finally home.
We stepped inside, carrying the shopping bags together. Risa set the groceries into the fridge, organizing with her quiet care. I finally allowed myself to breathe.
Then my phone buzzed. Was it Daiki? My pulse stuttered.
Nope.
Mom:
No kids before my rebirth.
THUD!!!
I threw my phone onto the couch. The thud was louder than intended, startling Risa slightly.
"Uh—Rion?" she asked, eyebrows raised.
"No! I'm good," I said a little too quickly, rubbing the back of my neck.
She tilted her head, unconvinced, but she let it slide. I exhaled, watching her return to the fridge, and for a brief, perfect moment… everything felt calm.
Home.
"Ah, Rion."
Risa peeked her head out from the fridge, the cool light spilling over her cheeks before she gently closed the door. She stood there for a second, hands hovering uncertainly at her sides.
I turned from the counter. "Yeah?"
She shifted her weight, almost hiding behind her own hair.
"Can I… have a friend over tomorrow…?" Her voice was barely above a whisper—soft, cautious, like she was afraid the question might bother me.
I blinked. "Uh… sure? You don't need to ask me—"
Her head shot up. "I have to!" she blurted.
Her own volume startled her—her shoulders jerked, eyes widening. Then she shrank a little, clutching her fingers together as if trying to squeeze the embarrassment out of herself.
She took a small step closer, her gaze lowered, her voice a trembling thread.
"Because…"
Her fingers curled and uncurled, twisting lightly, nervously. Her lips pressed together before she forced herself to speak again.
"Because…" she repeated, even softer.
Then, with cheeks blooming pink, she lifted her eyes to mine.
"You're my husband… after all."
The words landed like a direct hit.
My brain short-circuited.
Something in my chest hiccupped.
And I swear—if hearts could combust, mine just did.