CHAPTER 284: FINALLY, TOGETHER ( 284 )

Kyouko stood up, her eyes soft and her expression peaceful as she stepped back.

Now it was Haruki’s turn.

He stepped forward, holding his own tamagushi. He took a deep breath, filling his chest.

He knelt and bowed low, wrapped in the silence of the shrine.

Let this offering be my vow, he thought. To protect her. To love her. To never let her cry alone again.

He placed the branch before the altar and slowly stood up.

When he turned back, he saw Kyouko there, waiting, her smile gentle.

Then, the shrine maiden returned once more.

This time, she carried a small tray with two matching wedding rings.

Not part of any tradition.

But chosen by them, by Kyouko, who once told him, "I want something to wear every day... to remind me I belong to you."

Haruki took one ring.

Kyouko took the other.

Their hands met between them.

Her fingers trembled slightly as he gently slid the ring onto her finger.

Not out of fear.

But because of the overwhelming significance of the moment.

Then it was her turn.

She did the same.

Their hands didn’t let go right away.

Not until the priest’s voice, low and serious, rose:

"Under the watch of the kami, and through the bonds of ritual and vow... the two are now husband and wife."

They bowed deeply.

Together, Haruki and Kyouko turned toward the altar.

And bowed again.

And as they rose, their eyes met again.

Her soft smile.

His trembling breath.

Inside Kyouko’s mind.

Finally...

She kept her gaze fixed ahead, her posture perfectly composed.

But inside her.

Tears.

Not falling.

But rising.

Quietly swelling in her chest, held beneath the surface like a calm lake just before it overflows.

She didn’t let them show.

She didn’t need to.

Because this moment wasn’t for drama or noise.

It was something deeper.

Something sacred.

Finally...

Haruki is mine.

Not in secret. Not behind closed doors. Not borrowed, not forbidden.

He’s my husband now.

And yet, as the gentle breeze moved through the open corridor of the shrine, lifting a strand of her hair from her cheek, Kyouko’s face remained serene.

Soft.

Graceful.

Just as she always was.

But inside... she was smiling so wide she could hardly breathe.

She wanted to laugh.

She wanted to cry.

She wanted to throw herself into Haruki’s arms and whisper "thank you" a hundred times.

But for now, she only let her fingers brush his.

Delicate.

Quiet.

Beautiful.

As her new life—her true life—began.

Meanwhile.

Kitayama stood with his arms crossed, shoulders stiff, but his throat moved slightly as he swallowed something thick. His usual low grumble escaped, unreadable, but those who knew him would see it.

His eyes, though still stern, glinted faintly. A flash of pride. Of deep, silent approval.

Hanako dabbed at the corner of her eye with a handkerchief.

Not too much, just enough to let one tear slip down her cheek.

She didn’t hide it.

Because this was a mother’s joy.

Her daughter... finally glowing with happiness she had always hoped for.

Kenji chuckled softly, his arm around his wife’s shoulders.

"About time," he murmured.

His wife nodded, smiling without words, watching the scene as if witnessing a dream come true.

Kazuma grinned with a hand in his pocket, while Keiko leaned softly against him, her fingers intertwined with his.

"She’s glowing," Keiko whispered. "More than I’ve ever seen."

Kazuma nodded. "She’s finally where she belongs."

As they stepped quietly away from the shrine, walking side by side beneath the golden Okinawa light, Kyouko reached out, slowly, gently Their fingers found each other, clasping tightly with a warmth that needed no words.

The gentle rustle of her shiromuku followed her with every careful step, but her eyes... they weren’t on the path.

They were on him.

She tilted her face upward, her gaze resting on Haruki’s face , calm, handsome, steady.

And then she smiled.

A trembling, quiet smile that bloomed through the tears already shining in her eyes.

"Haruki..." she whispered, her voice almost carried away by the breeze.

He looked at her, surprised by the softness in her tone.

"I’m happy," she said, her lips forming a gentle curve even as her eyes brimmed with emotion. "I didn’t think... this moment would ever come."

Her voice trembled, not from sadness—but from joy too overwhelming to hold inside.

"That I could truly be your wife. Not just a woman you love... but your real wife."

She paused, her fingers tightening around his.

"Thank you, Haruki," she said softly, tears falling silently down her cheeks. "For choosing me. Even though I’m older... even though I carry so much."

He stopped walking.

He turned to her.

Looked down at her with quiet intensity.

And then, without a word, he lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it softly.

As if sealing away her pain.

As if promising forever.

And around them, the air seemed to hold its breath.

Like the whole world paused to honor this moment.

Just two souls, hand in hand.

Finally, truly together.

Inside Haruki’s mind.

No, Kyouko...

I should be the one thanking you.

Because...

Meeting you...

was the best thing that ever happened in my life.

Before you, everything felt cold.

Even when I smiled...

Even when I spoke to people...

Inside, I was always alone...

Trapped in something I couldn’t put into words.

A marriage with no warmth.

A home filled with silence.

A bed where love didn’t exist.

There was no tenderness...

No joy...

No one who truly saw me.

Every dinner was eaten alone.

Every morning passed without a touch.

Every night, I’d lay beside someone who never reached for me.

And I started to believe....

That maybe that was just what life was.

But then you came into my world.

You looked at me.

You listened.

You held me, not just with your arms, but with your heart.

And you made me feel again.

Desired.

Cared for.

Whole.

You awakened something in me that had long been buried...

And now...

Now, you stand beside me as my wife.

The woman I once thought I could only love in secret...

is now the woman I will walk with, in the open.

Forever.

Thank you, Kyouko.

For saving me from a life of quiet emptiness.

For showing me what love truly is.

And for giving me the kind of happiness I thought only existed in stories.

When they reached the sleek black van waiting at the front of the shrine, the driver stepped forward with a respectful bow and gently opened the door.

Kyouko paused for a moment, her hand still holding Haruki’s. The soft breeze brushed her white sleeves as her gentle gaze lifted to meet his.

Haruki turned fully to her, his expression tender and unreadable to others—but clear and meaningful only to her.

And then... without hesitation, he leaned down.

Their lips met.

A gentle, reverent kiss.

Silent, sincere.

In front of everyone.

Kyouko’s eyes widened briefly in surprise, her cheeks flushing, yet she didn’t pull away. Her hands trembled slightly as she clung to his kimono sleeve.

A quiet hush fell over those nearby.

Kitayama grunted but smirked faintly, crossing his arms with quiet pride.

Hanako gasped softly, lifting her hand to her lips, a rare spark of emotion in her eyes.

Keiko and Hitomi both stared, stunned.

Kenji let out a low whistle, giving a respectful nod.

Kazuma folded his arms and offered a quiet, approving look.

Meanwhile, Daichi awkwardly reached down and covered Riko’s eyes with his hand.

"Too early for you," he murmured, flustered.

But Riko, muffled behind his palm, giggled softly.

Kyouko looked breathless when the kiss finally ended. She blinked up at Haruki.

"...Haruki," she whispered.

He only smiled, gently brushing his thumb along her cheek.

"You’re mine now," he whispered back. "Let the whole world know."

Kyouko swallowed, her chest fluttering.

"Mm... I’m yours."

( End Of Chapter )