CHAPTER 278: BEFORE THE VOWS ( 278 )

They all arrived at the large vacation house Haruki had rented, nestled in a quiet part of Okinawa, not far from the coast. The sound of cicadas filled the air, and the salty breeze from the ocean flowed gently through the open gates.

The children spilled out of the shuttle van with wide eyes and excited laughter, racing toward the house with their backpacks swinging behind them.

"Whoa!! Look how big it is!!"

"Is this really for us?!"

"There’s a garden! Look!!"

Haruki stood by the gate, hands in his pockets, watching them with a soft smile.

The caretaker, Mrs. Himari, was trying to calm them down, her husband already following the staff toward the guesthouse entrance to meet with the property manager.

Haruki chuckled quietly.

It was loud. Messy. A little chaotic.

But it felt right.

He glanced at the house again.

A modern villa with clean lines, wide windows, and plenty of space. Comfortable and warm. The kind of place these kids rarely got to experience. He’d made sure of that. The best rooms. Private baths. Games. A garden. And staff from the travel agency ready to help with anything.

He turned to Mrs. Himari. "Everything okay?"

She smiled, a little overwhelmed. "Yes, thank you, Haruki-kun... You didn’t need to do all this. It’s too much."

Haruki shook his head. "No such thing. They’ve waited long enough to feel like this."

Mrs. Himari looked at him for a moment, eyes soft.

"...You really turned into someone amazing, Haruki-kun."

He smiled again, modestly.

"I just became the man someone believed I could be."

He turned back to the kids, who were now running inside to pick their rooms—shouting over each other, laughing, peeking through every window and door.

"Mrs. Himari?"

She turned toward him as she finished checking one of the children’s bags.

"Yes?"

Haruki hesitated for a moment, then asked softly, "Are you sure... you and your husband don’t want to be my nakōdo?"

Mrs. Himari paused.

Then smiled gently, her eyes warm with affection.

"It’s an honor, Haruki-kun, truly, if you thought of us that way... But no, we really can’t."

Haruki looked at her, his brows slightly furrowed.

"This wedding—it’s not just a celebration. It’s a formal Shinto ceremony, right? Hosted by the Takahashi Group, no less. A prestigious family... with deep traditions."

She walked over to him, placing a hand gently on his shoulder.

"In ceremonies like this, only one nakōdo is chosen," she said kindly. "Usually someone highly respected, or someone who represents the family’s honor and trust."

She gave a small laugh. "We might have helped raise you, fed you, cleaned your messes," she teased, "but we’re just caretakers, Haruki-kun."

Haruki opened his mouth, but she continued.

"Don’t forget... Mr. Yamashita is the one who paid for your education. From middle school, to high school, and all the way through university. Quietly. Without asking for anything in return."

She looked at him, her expression a gentle mirror of pride.

"Not just you, either. Your... siblings, too. The other children you grew up with here."

Haruki lowered his gaze for a moment, the memories flooding back.

Those late nights studying with secondhand books, wearing donated uniforms, eating curry rice in the dining hall with others like him... all of them trying to find some light in their future.

Mrs. Himari’s voice softened even more.

"So let Mr. Yamashita represent you. Let him walk with pride beside you. You’re not turning your back on us, Haruki-kun."

She touched his chest lightly.

"We’ll still be there... as your real family. The ones cheering from the crowd. The ones crying quietly when we see you take her hand."

Haruki blinked quickly, then gave a quiet, grateful smile.

"...Thank you, Mrs. Himari."

She patted his shoulder again.

"Go on. Tell that beautiful bride of yours that you’ve arrived."

Haruki looked down for a moment, then glanced back up with a quiet smile.

"...The others will be attending too?" he asked.

Mrs. Himari blinked, then understood at once.

"You mean the ones who grew up here with you?"

He nodded. "The ones who already moved out... the ones who built their own lives."

She smiled deeply, a trace of pride in her expression.

"Yes. Some of them already contacted me and confirmed they’ll be coming today. Probably arriving soon."

She tilted her head slightly.

"Thanks to you, Haruki-kun. You sponsored all their flights. Their hotel rooms. Even arranged transport from the airport."

Haruki rubbed the back of his neck.

"I just thought... it wouldn’t feel right without them."

Mrs. Himari laughed gently.

"You always say that—but do you know what it means to them? Being remembered? Being invited... not just to a wedding, but your wedding?"

Haruki stayed silent, a warmth blooming quietly in his chest.

He could still remember their faces. The way they used to share futons, fight over snacks, whisper late at night in the boys’ dormitory. Their laughter. Their tears. Their shared dreams.

To him, they weren’t just old friends.

They were his true siblings.

And now, they would witness this moment with him, when he married the woman he loved more than anything.

Mrs. Himari nudged him playfully.

"Now, go change or freshen up a bit. You might be their senpai, but you’re also a groom now. Can’t let the bride see you messy, right?"

Haruki chuckled.

"Yes, ma’am."

Haruki stepped out to the garden walkway for a bit of quiet.

He took out his phone and dialed.

The line rang once... twice...

Click.

"Hello?"

"Ah, Kyouko? We already arrived. I’m with the kids now. I can’t wait for our wedding day tomorrow..."

There was a brief pause.

Then came a familiar, amused voice.

"Ara~ Haruki-kun."

Haruki blinked. "A-ah! Mrs. Hanako... I’m sorry, I thought—Kyouko..."

A soft chuckle. "She’s inside the bathroom now. You can call her later."

Haruki scratched the back of his head, flustered.

"Ah... I see..."

"Still so impatient," Hanako teased gently. "You just arrived and already can’t wait to hear her voice?"

Haruki smiled, his voice softer now.

"...Yes. I miss her already."

Hanako’s tone shifted slightly, warm and sincere. "Don’t worry. She’ll be with you soon. Just one more night."

"Thank you, Mrs. Hanako."

"And don’t forget to rest. You’re the groom, not the babysitter."

"Yes, ma’am."

The call ended, and Haruki looked up toward the sky for a moment.

Just one more night.

Then he would finally take her hand, in front of everyone, and never let go again.

( End Of Chapter )