Big problem  

The diamond ring beautifully encircles Aira's left ring finger, a sign and proof that she now belongs to someone else, or more precisely, a wife and soon-to-be mother.

When Aira was still in a relationship with her ex, Kairo Kenzaki, she once imagined that someday she would wear a beautiful wedding gown with a ring on her finger, a gift from Kairo.

But sadly, Aira's love life didn't go as smoothly as she hoped. God decided to cut her fate with Kairo and brought her together with Renji Ishikawa, a narcissistic young man, arrogant, annoying, selfish, stubborn, and childish, yet surprisingly, still a third-year high school student at Empire Gakuen.

But who would have guessed that beneath Renji's teenage-like demeanour, playing and having fun with his peers, he had a very mature mindset far beyond his age. He was even very responsible, as proven by his insistence on marrying Aira despite their seven-year age difference. For Renji, age was just a number, and it couldn't stop him from loving Aira with all his heart.

There was no lavish or grand party; it was just a simple celebration organized by Tetsuya and the staff at Asahi Cafe.

Although it wasn't a grand party in a star-rated hotel's ballroom with thousands of guests, considering the young man who married Aira came from a wealthy and respected family, the Ishikawa clan.

In this simple celebration, few people were present to celebrate their happy day, including Renji's and Aira's extended families. Only Tetsuya, a relative of Renji, and Aira's friends from Asahi Cafe were there, as Aira's mother had passed away. Her father refused to acknowledge her as his daughter, even though the Hoshino surname was carried in her name.

After the celebration, the couple returned to Aira's late mother's house to rest. Saki and other friends had helped clean it, as every corner was covered in thick dust.

The atmosphere in Kawamata village was quiet and peaceful, with no hustle and bustle from the people outside. The streets were empty, and the place was still very green, with vast rice fields and vegetable gardens decorating the village. Most of the residents worked as farmers.

The sounds of night animals echoed like music, accompanying the night.

Once they arrived home, they didn't talk much. Aira decided to clean up and went to bed without waiting for Renji.

Meanwhile, Renji, seeing his wife, the woman with the black crown, who was already fast asleep, lay beside her on the futon.

The corners of his lips lifted, a wave of happiness rising in his chest as he called Aira his wife. What was happening now felt like a dream; Renji didn't want to wake up, even if it was just a dream.

"Oyasuminasai, my wife." He placed his lips on Aira's forehead, kissing her lovingly.

Fatigue mixed with drowsiness washed over him, making it easy for Renji to close his eyes and drift into the world of dreams while holding the beautiful woman tightly in his arms. Just a few hours ago, she officially became his wife, though Renji had to keep this a secret from school for now.

Their bedroom was deliberately arranged to look beautiful and romantic, to make their first night as a married couple a success, not knowing that Renji wouldn't be able to touch his beautiful wife for the next few months because she was in the early stages of pregnancy. It would be risky to engage in intimate relations during the early months of pregnancy, even though Renji wanted to embrace Aira, but he held back.

Marriage is not the end of the journey but a new chapter in a married couple's life, where many problems will come and go.

But no matter how heavy the problems are, Renji never lets go of Aira's hand, even if he has to fight his grandfather or the whole world. Renji didn't care; with all his strength, he would protect his family until his last breath. That dark past should never be repeated, especially if it threatened his child and wife.

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A week passed after Aira and Renji's wedding celebration. The two enjoyed their time as newlyweds, not hesitating to show affection to others.

The atmosphere at Asahi Cafe was still lively with visitors, and it became even busier with the arrival of the pale-skinned man, who was Renji's cousin.

However, not everyone was happy with this young man's presence, who was seen as a source of trouble.

Saki's face was frowning in annoyance, her hands gripping the wooden tray tightly. She vented all her anger and jealousy toward the pale-skinned young man with black hair who had been flirting with her boyfriend, Issei.

Although it seemed he was chatting, Saki knew the longing look the young man had given Issei very well.

Saki felt this wasn't without reason; two days ago, a man named Tetsuya Ishikawa had come to the cafe not just for coffee but to find Issei and openly confessed that he had fallen in love with him at first sight during Aira's wedding.

Of course, this surprised Saki, and she couldn't believe that a handsome man was courting her boyfriend.

"I can't take it anymore," she muttered, quickly setting the tray on the table and walking off hurriedly.

"Saki, where are you going?" asked Ryuji, who happened to pass by.

"Saving my boyfriend," Saki replied in an annoyed tone.

"Huh? Saving him?! Issei is in danger?" He shook his head in confusion.

"Issei-kun!" Saki called, showing a sad face.

Issei immediately stood up and rushed over to his girlfriend in a panic. "What's wrong? Why are your eyes so glassy? Did something get in your eye?"

Tetsuya tried to smile, though he was very annoyed by Saki's arrival.

Damn ugly witch, troublemaker, Tetsuya cursed under his breath. Not wanting to lose to Saki, he also sought attention.

"Ah, it hurts," he suddenly yelped, holding his eye. It seems like something's in my eye. Could you blow in my eye, Issei?" he said with a pleading tone. Saki's fists clenched tightly, wanting to poke Tetsuya's eye out.

"Arashi," Issei called to one of his friends who happened to be passing by.

The young man covered in piercings stopped. "What's up?" he asked, confused.

"Please, blow in this young master's eye; he says something got in it."

Arashi's eyes rolled as he gave Tetsuya a flat stare, who looked both shocked and scared at the same time. "Him?" Arashi pointed.

Tetsuya's body immediately shivered in fear. "No need. My eye doesn't hurt anymore."

Issei sighed deeply, "If there's nothing else to talk about, I'll take my leave, Young Master Tetsuya."

"Yes. We'll talk again next time."

While holding Saki's hand, Issei walked casually toward the lockers. Saki continued to lower her face, hiding her tears.

It was the first time Saki had ever felt jealous of a man, not a woman.

"Stop crying." He gently wiped Saki's cheek.

Saki collapsed into Issei's chest and cried loudly.

"Sob..."

"Your face looks ugly when you cry." He teased, wrapping his arm around Saki's shoulder.

"Why do you keep talking to that pale guy?" she whined, still crying.

"He's a customer, and I'm just doing my job as a waiter here. That's all, nothing more." He explained plainly, not wanting Saki to misunderstand.

"Really?"

"Yes. How could I be tempted and leave my very beautiful girlfriend?"

"Smooth talker," she muttered, lightly tapping Issei's chest.

"Are you not angry or sad anymore?" He looked at her puffy face.

"Hmm." Saki nodded, giving a small smile. Issei smiled back and kissed Saki's soft pink-glossed lips briefly.

"We'll continue this tonight." Issei whispered seductively as he kissed her ear.

"Pervert!" Saki shouted. Issei laughed lightly as he walked away, leaving Saki flushed.

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Arriving uninvited in the middle of the night and constantly pressing the doorbell, disturbing their rest time together as husband and wife, Renji's heart almost leapt out of his chest. He coughed hard, spitting out his drink.

"What did you just say?" he asked, his face still in shock.

"I've fallen in love with Issei and I want him." Tetsuya replied casually, even smiling widely.

"Are you out of your mind, Tetsuya!?" Renji shouted angrily.

"Why are you saying that? What's wrong with falling in love?"

"No. But Issei is a man, find a woman, there are many beautiful girls out there."

"I don't care about gender, my heart chooses him." Renji's head throbbed with pain. His cousin's behaviour was beyond unexpected. Didn't Tetsuya say before that he met a beautiful angel at Aira's wedding, and now he was talking about Issei?

"I'll take him, even if I have to remove that girl named Saki Fujimoto from his life." Tetsuya's face twisted into a cruel grin.

"Touch Saki, and you'll face me directly, Tetsuya," Renji warned.

"Why are you trying to protect her? I'm your cousin, and she's someone else."

"Saki is Aira's close friend, if you try to hurt her, it's the same as hurting Aira. And anyone who dares to hurt my wife will have to face the consequences."

"Can't you just close your eyes this time?"

"Sorry, Tetsuya, but I can't help you this time. If you really like him, win him over in a gentlemanly way, like a man, not like a coward who uses dirty tricks to win his heart."

"Didn't you also use dirty tricks to get Aira?" he accused.

"No. Everything was purely my hard work, with help from God." Renji denied.

"Tch~" Tetsuya clicked his tongue in annoyance and turned away.

Meanwhile, Aira, who had unintentionally overheard their conversation, was shocked, not expecting Tetsuya to be gay. He was so handsome, and Aira was sure many beautiful girls were waiting to be his girlfriend.

This time, Saki had a love rival, and that rival was a handsome man. Aira hoped there wouldn't be any big problems between them.

…