Chapter 153.1 Breaking the Barrier

The late afternoon sun streamed through the windows of Ayaka and Akihiko's new home. It was cozy, warm, and familiar.

On the coffee table sat two matching mugs, steam curling up like breathless whispers.

One cup had a faint lipstick stain on the rim.

The other sat untouched for a while its owner distracted by the woman curled up beside him on the couch.

Akihiko sat back with one arm lazily draped across Ayaka's shoulders, the other flipping through a photo album they'd finally started putting together.

Some pages were printed wedding photos.

Others were candid shots, grainy, imperfect, filled with laughter and crooked smiles.

"This feels strange..." Ayaka murmured, resting her head against his chest. "It's really… the end."

Akihiko hummed. "Not the end. Just the last chapter."

She smiled faintly. "You sound like a writer now."

"I learned from the best." he said, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.

Then, they both turned...facing the audience.

You.

Their reader.

Their friend who had followed them through every high and every heartbreak, every silence, every stolen glance, every storm and sunrise.

"Thank you..." Ayaka said first, her voice was soft and sincere.

"For being with us, for watching us fumble through awkward first meetings, misunderstandings, and emotions we didn't quite know how to name at the time."

Akihiko smirked a little. "She means her. I was perfectly aware of my feelings."

"Liar!" Ayaka muttered under her breath.

He laughed, the sound low and full of warmth. "Alright. Maybe not at first."

Their fingers laced together between them.

"But seriously..." Ayaka continued, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear, "thank you for witnessing our story. It was messy, complicated, sometimes painful but it was ours. And now it's also yours."

"We didn't expect this ride to mean so much." Akihiko added, gaze steady. "But now, looking back, I think… we both grew into the people we needed to become and maybe, in some quiet way, you grew with us, too."

They smiled.

"We're happy!" Ayaka said gently, her eyes shimmering. "And we want you to be, too."

She then leaned forward with a grin. "Oh! And before we forget!"

Akihiko arched an eyebrow. "You almost forgot. I've been keeping track."

Ayaka rolled her eyes with a laugh. "Right! We are thrilled to announce that two very familiar names-"

"Azrael Emberlight and Moonlight Sonata..." Akihiko added, his smirk widening. "also known as Takeshi and Makoto..."

"Are teaming up for a brand new collaboration story!" Ayaka finished, clapping once in excitement.

"It's called The Traveller Was a Princess, and let me tell you… it's full of surprises, sharp banter, heartbreaks, and maybe more!"

Akihiko added. "We've read the early draft and trust us. You won't want to miss it."

Ayaka leaned into him once more. "So stay tuned for the first chapter release. We'll be cheering them on from here."

She turned to Akihiko, smiling quietly. "Ready for the next adventure?"

He didn't hesitate. "With you? Always."

------

"Thank you for reading.

With all our hearts."

- Ayaka & Akihiko

💍💙