"Kanade... why did you pick February 14th for our wedding day?"
Her soft voice tickled his ear like a whisper on the wind. From behind, she draped herself over him, her delicate arms wrapping loosely around his neck. Her chin rested on his shoulder, her chest pressing softly against his back through a layer of fabric—warm, tender, and ever-so-slightly mischievous.
The bedroom basked in the soft morning light. Sunlight filtered through sheer white curtains, illuminating the girl's porcelain skin with an almost divine glow. Like an angel freshly descended from the heavens.
Natsukawa Kanade smiled and turned his head slightly, effortlessly sweeping the small figure off her feet and into his arms. Despite being twenty-two, Shiina remained adorably petite—more like a fairytale character than a grown woman.
"We've talked about this so many times already... it's all decided," he murmured, pulling her closer as he whispered near her ear, "Why are you asking now, all of a sudden?"
Shiina pouted, her soft lips forming a delicate curve. Resting her head against his chest, she let out a sigh tinged with anxiety. "I know... but when I really think about getting married, it makes me feel kind of nervous..."
Her voice was aggrieved yet sweet, like honey melting on a summer day. Kanade could feel her heartbeat against his own—fast, a little uneven, just like his had been on the night he proposed.
"You're not happy?"
"I am! Of course I am!" she quickly replied, lifting her head just enough to look up at him with a faint blush on her cheeks. "But it feels like time flew by too fast... like, one second we were just students, and now... boom! We're tying the knot. Even Megumi still doesn't have a boyfriend..."
Kanade chuckled and sat on the edge of the bed, keeping her snug in his embrace. She squirmed as he held her close, her small hands trying to pry his hand off her chest. When she failed, she gave up with a defeated mutter.
"Kanade, you're being naughty again..."
"You didn't say that seven hours ago," he teased.
"Aah! Don't say that!" she yelped, her face going crimson as she playfully hit his chest with her tiny fists.
Kanade shrugged innocently, pretending to zip his lips. Then, as if remembering something, he leaned back and looked at her. "Ah, that reminds me... starting tomorrow, we should probably change how we address each other, right? Any thoughts, Miss Mahiru?"
"Hmm..." She tilted her head thoughtfully, golden strands of hair falling into her eyes. "Calling you 'husband' sounds kind of weird... can I just keep calling you Kanade or Natsukawa?"
"As long as you're happy, you can call me whatever you want."
"Then what will you call me...?" she asked shyly, peeking up from under her lashes.
"Angel?"
"Ugh! I told you not to call me that!" Shiina puffed out her cheeks in protest.
"Then I'll just stick with Mahiru," he said, gently turning her around in his arms, his voice soft.
She nodded slowly, resting against him again. "Megumi will be my bridesmaid tomorrow, right?"
"Of course. And I've got Hachiman as my best man. He'll do all the heavy lifting—he's used to carrying emotional baggage, anyway."
Shiina giggled, though her eyes were still a little distant. Kanade leaned in until their foreheads touched, his tone turning serious.
"Everything's ready, Mahiru. We've come a long way... what are you still worried about?"
"...I'm not worried. I'm just feeling a little sentimental." Her voice dropped to a whisper. "I keep thinking about what you said that day… that if I hadn't confessed to you first, you might have confessed to Katou..."
"That was years ago," Kanade said with a sheepish smile, rubbing the back of his neck. "Back when I was still figuring things out... before I got hit by the beam of divine light that is Lady Mahiru."
Shiina eyed him suspiciously, but said nothing.
"I mean it. When you confessed, I thought I was dreaming. And now, under the divine guidance of Lady Mahiru, I've come to accept the pure blessing that is lolis—especially ones that are basically angels like you—"
"I'm not a loli!" she snapped, hitting the back of her head against his chest with a sharp bonk. "It's just that you're too tall, baka!"
With her being under 1.6 meters and Kanade towering at 1.8, she did look small in comparison. But still! She had been drinking milk every day, but it only seemed to be helping in... less useful places.
As she pouted, she felt his hand—that hand—start to wander again. Her cheeks flushed pink.
"Let go."
"Nope."
"Y-you're just changing the subject again!" she huffed. "Be honest! After all these years, have you really never had any lingering feelings for Katou?"
Kanade raised an eyebrow. "My head's already full of Mahiru energy every day. How could I possibly spare a thought for anyone else?"
"Hmph."
Letting her go at last, his hand slid down to her waist—only to be caught in the act.
Shiina wriggled out of his grasp and pushed him down. Sitting atop his chest, she glared down at him. Though she barely weighed anything, her presence was commanding. Kanade rested his hands behind his head, eyes sparkling with amusement.
"I admit I like your innocent side... but I really like this version of Shiina too."
"You mean... that time?"
Her cheeks turned red again. She leaned forward, strands of hair brushing his face. Then, with a mischievous glint in her eyes, she gave the corner of his lips a light lick.
Caught off guard, Kanade reacted instantly—grabbing her, flipping her over, pinning her down.
"Nope!" she squeaked.
"Huh?"
"This time, I want to be on top!" she declared, puffing her cheeks. "I'm not going to lose to you again!"
Kanade blinked, then gave her a slow, wicked smile. "Heh... Then don't blame me if you can't get out of bed tomorrow."
"I-I'm not scared of you..."
Their eyes locked—flames of teasing and affection dancing between them.
And so, the night before the wedding passed quietly, under the warmth of tangled sheets, whispered names, and the sound of two hearts beating in sync.
...
The next day marked the university graduation season, and fittingly, it also happened to be Tanabata—the Star Festival, when Orihime and Hikoboshi meet across the Milky Way. A romantic day, bathed in sentiment and legend.
It was on this special day that Natsukawa Kanade and Shiina Mahiru chose to hold their wedding. Dusk had begun to fall, casting a gentle golden glow over the town as a soft breeze stirred the lanterns fluttering beneath the shrine gates. Rather than a traditional Western ceremony, they had opted for a Shinto-style wedding—a celebration steeped in elegance, nostalgia, and a touch of whimsy.
Part of it was to honor Kanade's memories from his previous life—the fragments he still occasionally dreamed of. Another part of it was simply to mark the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. A farewell to their adolescence and a salute to their shared future.
Because they had essentially eloped—quietly leaving the city behind long ago—there was no need for grand family processions or elaborate banquet halls. There had only ever been the two of them since high school, having met ten years ago. And even now, it still felt as fresh as spring rain.
University was nearly behind them. Kanade, with his pen name hidden behind countless serialized short stories and novellas, had made a modest name for himself in the publishing world. His works were reflective, warm, sometimes bittersweet—much like the man himself. Mahiru, on the other hand, had opened her own pâtisserie. It had started as a small project, but her gentle charm and exquisite skill quickly won over the town. Kanade often helped during her busiest days, and the sight of the two working side by side was familiar and comforting to locals.
Their life was slow, but it was peaceful.
Sure, there had been stumbles—youthful arguments, misunderstandings, moments of doubt—but they had long since grown past those. The occasional storms had only drawn them closer. This—this—was their happy ending.
For the ceremony, Kanade had invited a mix of old classmates, university friends, and fellow literature enthusiasts. Mahiru didn't have many friends, but the ones she had were cherished and loyal. She had sent each of them personal invitations, handwritten in delicate script.
Kanade stood near the shrine, wearing a traditional montsuki haori hakama, a crimson hana-kanmuri tucked into the folds of his sash. His black hair, slightly tousled, contrasted sharply with the vivid red and white of his ceremonial garb. Despite the dignity of his outfit, the smile on his face was boyish and a little smug.
He had once said it jokingly, but now, standing here, it was true:
"No matter how many lifetimes pass, I'll always choose Mahiru again."
They had long moved away from the noise of Tokyo, choosing instead a quiet town surrounded by forested hills and whispering rivers. People here knew them—recognized Mahiru's angelic presence and Kanade's sharp wit. So when word spread that they were having a wedding in full Shinto style, it drew attention. Curious whispers, smiles, and soft gasps of admiration followed wherever they walked.
But neither cared. Let the whole world look. This was their moment. Their once-in-a-lifetime.
Then, finally, guided by Katou, Mahiru appeared.
She was radiant—clad in a pure red uchikake embroidered with swirling clouds and gold-threaded cranes. Her long black hair, usually loose and flowing, had been tied with delicate white ribbons and decorated with a few red camellias. A white silk veil, gently covering her face, gave her a mysterious, almost ethereal beauty.
Kanade stepped forward and took her hand.
"I can't see anything… I'm leaving it all to you, Kanade."
"Of course," he whispered, his voice warm and steady. "Leave it all to me—your sight, your hand… your whole life."
They stepped forward together, crossing the crimson carpet beneath the torii, walking in sync toward the shrine. The sunlight filtering through the trees dappled the path, and the wind carried the faint scent of incense and sakura petals.
As the ceremony began, Kanade couldn't help but steal glances at Mahiru. Her small hand rested lightly in his, but her fingers playfully traced circles in his palm. It was such a Mahiru-like gesture—subtle, sweet, and teasing.
Guests sat quietly, whispering among themselves about the beauty of the bride, the simplicity of the ceremony, the love radiating off the couple in waves. But all of that blurred to Kanade.
His eyes found Katou—seated toward the back, a soft smile on her lips.
He returned the smile, but something tugged at him.
There was something in her gaze—a flicker of sorrow, a glint of loss—quickly hidden behind her usual warm expression. Was it his imagination?
He remembered. Back then, he had planned to confess to Katou. She had been the bright, popular girl everyone liked. But before he could, a timid knock came at his door one night.
And there stood Mahiru—her eyes red, hands trembling.
"Kanade… I like you… Could you, maybe… like me too?"
Even now, the memory of it hit him like a spring storm. He hadn't known what to say. He hadn't wanted her to cry. So he'd nodded, comforted her… and slowly, without realizing it, he'd begun to love her. Truly.
At first, he wasn't sure if it was real. But years passed. They studied together, ate together, spent winter nights curled up under kotatsu, and he realized that her presence was irreplaceable. That if she let go of his hand, he wouldn't know how to breathe.
As for Katou... the feelings he once thought were love quietly faded after he truly fell for Shiina. That innocent excitement, that flutter in his chest—he later realized it wasn't romance at all. It was the yearning for connection, the desire to be understood.
But really, isn't everyone's love a little bit baka in the beginning?
Yet even that naïveté... is the warmth that gets you through the long, cold stretches of life.
The emcee's voice, after a slight pause, suddenly rang out again.
"First, bow to the heavens and the earth!"
The crowd hushed.
"Next, the couple bows to each other!"
Shiina and Kanade turned to face one another, hands still linked.
"Okay, now bow your heads," the emcee chuckled.
Shiina bent slightly, her petite frame swaying as she lowered her head. Her soft forehead lightly brushed against Kanade's. Just the gentlest of touches.
The crowd erupted.
Laughter, applause, cheers—like the festive energy of a matsuri at night. A wave of joy washed over the entire venue.
Of course, they didn't immediately head off to the fūfu dōnatsu bridal room. That could wait.
Kanade gently reached out, his fingers brushing the delicate red veil that had covered Shiina's face. He lifted it slowly, revealing her blushing cheeks and wide, glistening eyes.
Shiina Mahiru—the usually calm, elegant girl who could easily command a room with grace—was now shyly clutching the hem of her elaborate kimono, her face as flushed as a spring sunset.
"I'm going to kiss you," Kanade whispered, one eyebrow quirked as he gave her a playful grin.
Shiina's lips trembled. Her eyes reddened as she tiptoed forward and wrapped her arms around his neck, holding him close.
Kanade pulled her gently into an embrace and kissed her, their lips meeting in a moment more sincere than words could ever express.
....
Later at the reception, Kanade held a glass of lightly diluted umeshu and made the rounds.
First up was his oldest friend, Hikigaya Hachiman. True to form, Hachiman wore an expression caught between reluctant congratulations and sheer disgust.
"You look like you're about to curse me into the next life," Kanade teased.
"Normies should explode," Hachiman muttered, eyes squinting with mock disdain. "What happened to those special glasses I gave you? I told you they'd increase your charm stat by at least 1000 percent."
"They're your glasses, you know. And today's not about me. I'm already dazzling enough." Kanade winked.
"Hmph, as if you weren't annoying enough already."
"Anyway, just don't go stalking high school girls when you hit thirty."
"Oi! Be serious!" Hachiman flailed as Kanade was already walking away.
Left alone, Hachiman grumbled under his breath. "Tch… if I hadn't met that guy back then… Nah, scratch that. It's probably better this way."
"...Be happy, you damn normie..."
Kanade smiled faintly as he passed Miyuki Shirogane and Tsubasa Tanuma, offering toasts and exchanging short conversations. After the last table, he noticed Katou sitting alone in the corner. Her plate held a small slice of cake, a barely touched glass of wine beside her.
Shiina had gone to the bathroom, so Kanade walked over, glass in hand.
"Congrats on the wedding. You two better stay happy forever, got it?" Katou stood up, glass in hand, and gently clinked it against his. Without waiting for a response, she downed the wine in a single gulp.
Kanade blinked in shock. "Oi... you can't even handle a can of beer without getting tipsy!"
Katou wiped the corner of her mouth with a napkin, eyes bright—but just a little too shiny. Her voice trembled, either from the wine or something deeper. "It's been seven years, huh? Finally reached the goal... You did it, Kanade-kun."
Shiina returned then and trotted over on light feet, hugging Katou around the waist.
"Nee, Katou-chan... Give me a kiss?"
Katou smiled and pressed her lips gently to Shiina's cheek. Shiina giggled, returned the kiss, then rested her forehead against Katou's.
"You and Kanade-kun must be happy forever, okay? One hundred years, no less!"
"Un!" Shiina's smile was radiant—Kanade couldn't remember seeing her look so genuinely content.
After a few more moments of chatting, Katou excused herself with a soft smile. Kanade and Shiina found a quiet bench under the sakura trees outside, where he wiped her face with a handkerchief, brushing away a stray tear she hadn't even noticed.
"...Wife?"
"Huh... say it again." Her eyes sparkled, hopeful.
"My wife."
"Then... my husband!"
She leapt into his arms, arms around his neck like a child with her favorite plush toy. Kanade caught her effortlessly and sat her in his lap.
"In the future... let's stay together until our hair turns silver. Okay?"
"Kanade has to promise too... always by my side."
He nodded, voice warm. "Then it's a promise."
"Mm!"
Her tears began to fall again—shiny, happy droplets like dewdrops catching sunlight.
....
Opening his eyes, Natsukawa Kanade stared at the unfamiliar ceiling above him, blinking a few times before sitting up with a quiet groan.
"…Yabai," he muttered, rubbing his eyes. "That dream again…"
Stretching like a lazy cat and yawning as if he hadn't slept in years, he took a moment to adjust to reality. The dream still lingered faintly in his mind—the wedding, Shiina's warmth, the cheers… the bittersweet smile of Katou. But now, reality felt much softer, warmer, and undeniably more fragrant.
After throwing on a T-shirt and sweatpants, he shuffled out of the bedroom with messy hair, only to be greeted by a familiar and beloved sight—his girlfriend standing in the kitchen, wearing his oversized hoodie and an apron that hugged her petite frame.
"Megumi…"
"Hm?" She turned, her warm brown eyes twinkling under the morning light. "Ohayou, Kanade-kun."
Kanade smiled and slipped behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist as if it were the most natural thing in the world. He rested his chin on her shoulder, inhaling the gentle scent of her shampoo and her warmth.
"Mou… again?" Megumi blushed but didn't push him away.
"What kind of bento are you making today?" he asked with mock seriousness, as if this were a life-or-death mission.
"Fried chicken cutlet… and tamagoyaki," she replied softly, her voice sweet like warm honey.
"Oooh… the legendary combo!" Kanade's eyes sparkled.
Megumi glanced at him over her shoulder. "You slept pretty late last night. Shouldn't you get a bit more rest?"
"Not when my angel is here preparing breakfast," he mumbled as he nuzzled into her neck.
But of course, his hand—oh so naturally—wandered again.
"…Kanade-kun," Megumi warned gently, eyes glancing at the knife nearby. "Dangerous, you know?"
"Hidoi! I just want a little affection…" he whined, lips trembling like a kicked puppy. "Megumi doesn't love me anymore…"
"Stop being a baby and go brush your teeth," she said, face growing red as she turned back to the pan. "We can eat soon."
"You're still iya iya with me, huh?" he pouted.
Megumi sighed. "Baka…"
Still, her head tilted slightly, as if responding to his silent request. She leaned in to peck his lips—but Kanade smirked, catching her lightly, and deepened the kiss before she could pull away.
"…Mmm…"
"Woo…" she let out a faint sound, hands instinctively clinging to the edge of the counter.
"Hm? What's wrong?" Kanade whispered, knowingly.
"…Hand…"
"Oh, sono te huh?" He grinned mischievously.
And just like that, he began a careful, affectionate motion, tracing the sensitive spots he'd come to know during their time living together. His hand glided with practiced ease, and when her breath hitched, he knew he had succeeded again.
"Kanade-kun…" she murmured, resting her forehead against his chest. Her voice was soft, almost dreamy.
"Hmm?"
"The bento…"
Kanade blinked, looking over to where she pointed. The once golden-brown cutlet now looked like a charred sacrifice offered to the gods. Smoke curled faintly, the smell unmistakable—burnt.
"Ah…"
He looked at her, her face still flushed, lips moist, but her expression oddly serene. Like nothing could ruin this moment.
"Guess we'll have to skip lunch today."
"…But we can still enjoy a different kind of meal now, right?" Kanade grinned as he leaned down and placed another kiss on her lips, this time sweeter, deeper.
Megumi didn't resist.
And so, breakfast turned into a completely different kind of indulgence, pushing back their schedule by quite a bit…
....
Later that evening, after wrapping up his part-time work at the bookstore, Kanade hurried back home. Saturday had arrived, and they'd promised to clean the apartment together and maybe binge a few episodes of that shoujo anime Megumi secretly adored.
On the way, he stopped by a convenience store and picked up her favorite snacks—kinako mochi and strawberry Pocky.
As he stepped inside the building and reached the door, he called out softly, "Tadaima."
The door clicked open just a second later.
"Okaeri," came Megumi's gentle voice.
As if connected by some kind of mysterious ishin denshin—heart-to-heart telepathy—Kanade had barely opened the door when the image of his gentle and lovely girlfriend appeared before him in the entryway. Standing with her hands clasped behind her back, she looked up at him with that faint, soft smile that always melted his heart.
"You weren't waiting by the door for me again, were you?" Natsukawa Kanade asked, raising an eyebrow and putting on a mock-serious face. His tone was that of a scolding husband, but his eyes sparkled with affection.
"I just happened to hear you unlocking the door," Megumi blinked at him innocently, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear as she approached with light footsteps.
He squinted at her suspiciously but couldn't hold back his smile for more than a few seconds. Defeated by her cuteness—again—he let out a long sigh and opened his arms, gently embracing her.
"I really should start sending you a message before I get home," Kanade murmured as he held her close. "I don't want you always standing here waiting…"
"It's not like I was," Megumi murmured against his chest, not quite denying it either.
Kanade chuckled and took her hand, fingers intertwining naturally as they walked into their cozy apartment.
"People might start saying I've got no authority in this relationship, you know?" Megumi teased, looking up at him with a playful smile.
"What? It doesn't bother me at all!" Kanade puffed out his chest. "Let them say what they want. They're just jealous because I have the most perfect girlfriend in Japan!"
"That's too much," Megumi said with a roll of her eyes, but the corners of her lips betrayed her. Her heart fluttered. In truth, she felt the same—I'm the one who has the most wonderful boyfriend in the world.
"It's hot outside. Here, drink some water first." She reached up with a handkerchief to gently wipe the sweat from his forehead, her every motion full of quiet tenderness.
"Thanks, Megumi. But no skipping housework today. We promised to do it together, right?" Kanade said as he took the glass and sipped.
"Still… I can handle it by myself," Megumi said with a small sigh. "You just got back. You should rest more, Kanade-kun."
"Nope. I'm part of this family too, so I'm not letting you handle everything on your own. Besides, I'm not as useless as I look—I used to live alone, remember?"
"I know, but…" Megumi paused. The way he always talked about being 'part of a family'—about sharing responsibilities—it touched something deep in her heart. But it also made her feel conflicted.
She often didn't understand how he could believe in such warm ideals so completely. She had grown up with quieter expectations: that housework was hers to handle, that men—especially someone who worked hard all day—shouldn't have to lift a finger once they returned home.
And yet… they were both convinced the other was giving more. So much so that they often ended up arguing, not out of resentment, but because they each felt undeserving of the other's love.
Small things became battlegrounds: like who should cook, who should clean, who was 'doing too much.' Outsiders would find it ridiculous, but for them, it was how they learned to live and love each other better.
"Alright, I'm recharged. Let's get to it," Kanade said after changing into comfortable clothes. His secret energy source? The warm presence of Megumi, of course.
Megumi nodded, then bent down and picked up the laundry basket from beside the sofa, handing it to him.
"I'm going to vacuum. You hang these up to dry, okay?"
"Eh? That's it? Shouldn't I be the one cleaning the floor instead?"
"Nope. Kanade doesn't clean properly. You always miss the corners." Her tone was matter-of-fact, but the way she said it made Kanade sulk a little.
"...That's harsh. I mean, come on, I don't do that bad."
True, compared to her, his cleaning was a bit rough around the edges. But that didn't mean he was bad at it, right?
Still, he dutifully took the laundry to the balcony, grumbling under his breath.
They had good habits, and because it was summer, the laundry wasn't too heavy. It took him less than ten minutes to finish hanging everything.
As he returned to the living room, he saw her crouched over, vacuuming the corners of the carpet with precision. Her back arched slightly, her hair bouncing gently with each motion, and the curve of her body beneath her house clothes was…
Dangerously distracting.
Kanade's brain sparked. A perfect idea took root. A mischievous grin slowly formed.
"Finished," he declared proudly, walking up behind her.
"Mm… Just a bit more here. You can relax now, or watch TV."
"Can I do anything I want?" Kanade asked innocently, his voice light and casual.
Megumi looked up briefly, confused by the sudden question. But his face was unreadable, so she simply replied, "Yeah, whatever you like."
Yatta! he cheered internally.
Without wasting a second, Kanade gently placed the basket aside, tiptoed behind her, and wrapped his arms around her waist.
"Eh? Kanade… if you do that, I can't…"
"Didn't you say I could do whatever I want?" he whispered, his voice low and teasing near her ear.
"Ugh… Mou…"
It was true. She had said that. But still!
Well… it's just a hug. It's fine. He was just being clingy again—nothing new.
Or so she thought.
What he was doing behind her back was less "clingy" and more… devilishly bold.
"Kanade…" she said in a trembling voice.
"What's wrong?" he replied nonchalantly. "You go ahead and keep cleaning. Don't mind me."
Don't mind you?! Are you kidding me?! Her thoughts spiraled in panic as she tried to continue vacuuming, but her concentration was long gone.
She clenched her teeth, trying to power through. But his hands weren't giving her a break. It didn't take long before her clothes were pooled around her ankles, and a sheen of sweat formed not from housework—but from something far more intense.
A faint plop on the carpet.
She couldn't see it, but Kanade noticed the growing spot on the soft floor. His heart skipped a beat, overwhelmed by affection, by desire, by that indescribable bond they shared.
"Megumi…"
"Nn…"
"I love you."
"Guh… Don't just say that all of a sudden… at least pull out first…"
"But if I do that, I'll miss your reaction…"
"Idiot… I never said I didn't believe you…"
"Heh… I love you. Always."
"…Baka… Me too…"