LM0038: A Different Direction

The night was crisp and clear as Mizuki walked alongside Pablo through the winding paths of Willemspark, her home. The sky above was scattered with stars, the soft glow of the moon casting long shadows across the trees. The air was cool, with a hint of dew forming on the grass underfoot. Mizuki glanced up at the tall, old trees that lined the park, their branches swaying gently in the breeze. The sounds of distant city life were muted here, leaving an eerie quiet that felt like they were in a world of their own. After a few minutes of walking in silence, Pablo suddenly broke it. 

"I'm so sorry," he said, his voice low, almost hesitant. Mizuki's heart skipped a beat, and a familiar chill ran down her spine. The words seemed to echo from another time, a time when Pablo had said the very same thing before he had died in her past life. She felt a wave of emotion wash over her but quickly pushed the thought away. Pablo was alive. He was right here, walking beside her. 

"About what?" she asked, her voice trembling ever so slightly. 

"About my mom," Pablo replied, his face turning a shade pinker, his smile sheepish. Mizuki's lips twitched into a small, understanding smile. 

Earlier, just after they were introduced, Mizuki's mother, Kai, and Romina—Pablo's mother—had wasted no time in playing matchmaker. Romina had gone on and on about Pablo's qualities, listing everything that made him an ideal partner. He was hardworking, loyal, and dependable. Kai had eagerly added her own comments, nodding approvingly, making it clear that she thought Pablo would make a fine son-in-law. 

The two women had been so invested in their plan, practically shoving the idea of a union between Mizuki and Pablo into the air. Mizuki, no longer the naïve young woman she had once been, saw through their antics immediately. She could feel the heat creeping up her neck as she watched the show unfold. Romina and Kai had exchanged looks, almost daring Mizuki to disagree, while Mizuki glanced at Pablo, who, to her surprise, was just as embarrassed by their overt attempt at matchmaking. He shifted uncomfortably, his eyes darting around as if searching for an escape. Feeling a wave of sympathy for the man who had once been her husband, Mizuki decided to put an end to the charade. She wasn't about to let them continue with their plotting. 

"What do you think, Mizuki?" Romina asked eagerly, her voice full of expectation. "Won't Pablo make a good husband?" Kai echoed the question, her gaze equally expectant, while Pablo turned to Mizuki, a look of mild concern flickering in his eyes. Mizuki could almost feel the pressure mounting, but she wasn't going to cave in as she had in her past life. Back then, when she had first met Pablo, she had been swept away by the idea of him—a handsome man, the first she had ever seen in that light. Not to mention, their mothers had practically sold him as the perfect match. There had been no room for doubt. She had agreed, her heart fluttering with the idea of marrying him. But now, with the weight of her past life's memories, Mizuki knew better. She took a deep breath and, with a playful glint in her eye, said, "Oh, I think Brother Pablo will make a good husband." Her words were the same as in her past life, the words that had sealed their fate before, but this time, she didn't let the mothers get ahead of her. She looked at Pablo, who was looking at her with wide, nervous eyes. She could see the innocence in his expression, the uncertainty of what was about to happen. "I'm sure you'll find a good partner," she continued, her voice sincere, but with a mischievous edge. "When you do, please don't forget to invite us to the wedding…" 

There was a long, stunned silence. Romina and Kai stared at her, mouths agape. Their hopes for a smooth, easy match were dashed in an instant. "Mizuki, what did you say?" Kai asked, her voice trembling in disbelief, as if she had misheard. 

Mizuki tilted her head slightly, her expression innocent as she repeated her words, "Huh? I answered your question. Brother Pablo is good husband material, and I'm sure he'll find the best partner for him. So, he shouldn't forget to invite us to the wedding." 

The shock on their faces was priceless. It was as though the ground had shifted beneath them, and they were left trying to make sense of it. The mothers exchanged glances, realizing that their well-laid plans were already unraveling before their eyes. But then, Pablo—who had been trying so hard to hold back his laughter—finally gave in. He burst into a hearty laugh, his shoulders shaking with the force of it. Tears welled up in his eyes as he laughed so hard that Mizuki thought he might fall over. She couldn't help but smile, her heart lightening at the sight of him so genuinely amused. She had never seen him laugh like this before. 

"Sure, of course, I'll never forget to invite you," he said, wiping a tear from his eye as he composed himself. Mizuki grinned back at him, her gaze softening. 

Of course, their mothers weren't pleased. Both Romina and Kai stood there, stunned into silence, their faces a mixture of shock and frustration. They had clearly underestimated Mizuki's ability to turn their scheme on its head. And so, the two mothers, their grand plan in tatters, decided to unceremoniously usher Mizuki and Pablo out of the house. 

Now, the two walked aimlessly outside the mansion, the cool night air brushing against their skin as they meandered down the quiet path. The tension between them had shifted, replaced by a surprising sense of ease. 

"It's fine," Mizuki said, breaking the silence. "It's not like my mom wasn't in on it either. They were obviously tag-teaming earlier." She glanced up at Pablo, who towered over her by a head, even though she was considered tall at 5'7". "Are you upset?" 

Pablo blinked, startled by the question. "Upset? No, of course not," he replied, his tone sincere. 

Mizuki's lips curved into a knowing smile. "Of course. You must be relieved now—you won't be forced to marry." She paused, deliberately leaving out the words 'someone you don't love.' Even though she knew the truth, speaking it aloud in Pablo's presence would only deepen the sting. Pablo suddenly stopped walking, his footsteps ceasing on the cobblestone path. Mizuki turned to him, puzzled. 

"I'm sorry, I—" he began, his voice hesitant. Mizuki raised her hand, a gentle smile softening her expression. 

"There's no need for an apology." It's not your fault that you didn't love me, she thought, the words echoing in her heart. Pablo nodded, his smile faint but genuine. 

"Well, I guess it's better this way, although I don't think our mothers will give up so easily." 

"They won't," Mizuki said flatly, her deadpan delivery earning a chuckle from both of them. "But that doesn't mean we have to follow the direction they want us to go, right?" 

Pablo's eyes softened, a playful glint dancing within them. "Now, I'm having second thoughts," he teased, his tone light. 

Mizuki gasped dramatically, placing a hand over her heart as though mortally offended. "Brother, I'm no wife material—don't change your mind now." 

The laughter between them faded, replaced by a quieter moment of reflection. Pablo's expression grew serious as he glanced away, letting out a tired sigh. 

"All my life, I was taught there could only ever be one option for me in everything—who I should marry, what I should become, how I should live. I've always followed what my parents dictated without question. After all, children like us—raised in privilege—pay a price for our lifestyle. It's a responsibility we never asked for, but one we can't avoid." He turned back to Mizuki, his gaze gentler now. "They never would have expected you to turn down the marriage proposal so bluntly. To be honest, I feel relieved." 

Mizuki felt her heart pinch at his words, but she forced herself to smile. She had made the right choice. The Pablo standing beside her now looked more human—relaxed and happy—not the perfect, almost robotic figure she had known in her past life. 

"Thank you, Mizuki," Pablo said softly, his voice carrying a sincerity that struck her deeply. "I don't know how things will play out after this, but I think it's time I start thinking about a different direction…"