CHAPTER 7

11:30 AM – Living Room

The atmosphere inside the room was thick with anticipation. Seated across from Rina's mother, Kei's parents, Yoshi's mother, and Kerin's father were Yuchi, Osamu, Michi, Ayume, and Tadao. Everyone was present—except Kei.

Toshiro and Harumi sat at the center, the bridge between both families, their hands unconsciously seeking each other for comfort.

Yoshi's POV

"Where is he?" I whispered to Rina, who stood beside me. "Kei never misses anything important like this. Could he have already left for Kyoto?"

Just as Rina voiced my thoughts, Kerin answered casually, "Yeah, almost. But I stopped him. I told him I'd be coming with him, and we'd leave in the evening."

Before I could react, Raiden-ojisan said something that prompted my mother to smack him lightly on the head. It was amusing how, even in their mid-forties, they still acted like playful children.

Amidst the idle talk, my gaze fell upon one of the guests—Tadao. There was something oddly familiar about him, but before I could place it, my mother interrupted my thoughts.

"You're scaring him," she told Raiden-ojisan when I abruptly excused myself. "I'll bring some tea."

---

Ayume's POV

We had come here to discuss Toshiro's marriage, yet the room's attention seemed to drift elsewhere—particularly to Mochi, the quiet boy beside me. The whispers floating around were indistinct, but the tension was palpable.

A young man with glasses approached, offering coffee.

That was when I noticed it.

Osamu's gaze was locked onto him, unwavering and intense, as if the boy was the only thing that existed in the world. His eyes gleamed with something I hadn't seen in a long time.

Leaning slightly toward Osamu, I muttered under my breath, "We're here to discuss Toshiro's wedding, not for you to find a new obsession."

Osamu merely rolled his eyes but never broke his stare.

Beside us, Michi, who had been quietly observing, suddenly perked up in excitement.

---

Harumi's Father Clears the Air

A deep cough echoed in the room, silencing the hushed conversations.

Harumi's father, Raiden, straightened, his sharp eyes locking onto Toshiro.

"So this is your family?" he asked, voice steady but laced with scrutiny.

Toshiro met his gaze and bowed slightly. "Yes, sir. These are my elder brothers, Ayume and Osamu."

Both Ayume and Osamu respectfully returned the gesture.

"This is Michi, Ayume's younger brother, and my twin, Tetsu."

Michi's radiant smile broke the tension. "Thank you so much for allowing us to introduce ourselves," he said, his voice warm and polite.

Raiden offered him a rare smile but quickly reverted to his unreadable expression when he looked at the others.

Harumi took a deep breath. "I'm grateful that you all came despite your busy schedules."

"This isn't about work," Michi said brightly. "It's about family."

Harumi proceeded with introductions.

"This is my father, Raiden, and my mother, Suzuka. My two younger brothers aren't here. This is my uncle, Raichi, and his wife, Minato. Their twin daughters, Kerin and Rina, are here as well. And this is my favorite aunt, Himari, after whom I was named. That's her son, Yoshi."

Michi practically lit up. "Wow! What a huge family! I love it, sister-in-law!" He turned to Harumi with an innocent but mischievous look, seeking permission to call her that.

She laughed, nodding.

Michi's POV

While introductions continued, I couldn't help but notice Osamu's eyes glued to Yoshi, who seemed all too aware of the attention but was doing his best to ignore it.

Yuchi, on the other hand, kept stealing glances at Rina. She had an aura of quiet kindness, so pure and delicate compared to my brother's intensity.

It was clear—both of them had fallen.

But the real problem?

Yoshi and Rina were both soft-hearted, innocent, and entirely unprepared for the storm that was Osamu and Yuchi.

This was going to be interesting.

---

The Wedding Announcement

"As both of them love each other and wish to marry, we have no objections," Raiden declared, bringing the discussion back to its purpose.

The room erupted in joy.

Minato suddenly turned to Toshiro. "When do you both plan to get married?"

Without hesitation, Toshiro responded, "Within two weeks."

The room fell silent.

"You don't think that's too fast?" Yoshi blurted out.

Before he could say anything else, his mother, Himari, shut him down.

"Shut up, Yoshi. You know nothing about marriage. It's not something that should be delayed."

---

Yoshi's POV

I wanted to argue, but looking around, I saw the pure joy on everyone's faces—our parents, our aunts and uncles.

For the first time in twenty years, our family was about to have a wedding.

A buzzing sound snapped me out of my thoughts.

I checked my phone.

"Hello? …What?! …Okay, fine. Where are you right now? Kei?! Hello?! Kei!!"

I clenched my fist.

That idiot was running away again.

When I lifted my head, everyone was staring at me.

I turned to Raiden-ojisan and Suzuka-obasan.

"Kei left for Kyoto. He's already on the bus."

Kerin, who had expected this, immediately stepped forward. "Mom, Dad, I'll go after him. You don't have to worry. I'll take care of him."

"I'm coming with you," I said firmly.

But she shook her head. "No. Stay here with Harumi and Rina. Come with them later."

Reluctantly, I hugged her.

Harumi looked devastated, guilt washing over her face, but Kerin moved toward her and wrapped her in a reassuring embrace.

"Don't blame yourself," Kerin whispered. "I'll bring him back. He just needs time to process everything."

---

Shimochiguchi Station – Dropping Kerin Off

As I drove Harumi's car, the roads blurred into the background.

It took only ten minutes to reach the station—fifteen if she had taken the bus.

After making sure she got on safely, I returned home and parked the car in the lawn.

---

Yoshi's POV – A Collision of Fate

I pushed open the door and—

BAM!

I collided into something—or rather, someone.

A firm, unyielding chest pressed against mine.

Before I could step back, strong arms wrapped around me in a vice-like grip.

Warmth.

Strength.

A presence so overwhelming, so intense, that my breath caught in my throat.

Slowly, I looked up—

And that's when I saw his eyes.

Osamu.

His piercing gaze locked onto mine, dark and burning with something unreadable.

A shiver ran down my spine.

I should step away. I should say something.

But I couldn't.

Because in that moment, under that gaze—

I felt something I couldn't name.