Regret

Two days had passed since Renji's departure, and until now, Aira had not received any news about her husband. Was he doing well or not?

If it weren't for Tetsuya, who explained the real reason behind Renji's departure and had been caring for and comforting her, Aira would likely have locked herself at home, crying in sorrow.

Today, Aira came to Asahi Cafe to work and meet her friends. Initially, she was forbidden from helping and was only asked to sit quietly in Renji's office. However, Aira insisted on helping, unable to sit idly by while her friends were working.

Reluctantly, Rika permitted Aira to help at the cafe. Everything seemed normal until Aira brought an order to table number twenty-seven. Aira's face turned shocked, and her body stiffened. She stood still, staring fearfully at a young man with blonde hair and sky-blue eyes, dressed casually, sitting at a table in Asahi Cafe.

"Is my face so terrifying or too handsome that it shocked you like that?" he asked teasingly, flashing a sweet smile.

"What are you doing here?" Aira retorted sarcastically.

"Of course, to drink coffee and relax," he replied casually.

"Then, please enjoy your meal."

"Sit down for a moment. I want to talk to you."

"Sorry, I'm busy," she said as she walked away.

But Kairo grabbed Aira's hand tightly, preventing her from leaving. "Please, just for a moment," he pleaded beggingly.

"Let go of my hand," Aira demanded.

Tetsuya, who entered the cafe then, clearly saw the scene. Without wasting time, he quickly approached and roughly pushed away Kairo's hand, which had dared to touch Aira.

Was Kairo looking for trouble and digging his grave by coming here, seeking Aira, and even daring to touch her without realizing that the person he was trying to approach was the wife of the future head of the Ishikawa clan?

"Tetsuya!" Aira exclaimed in surprise.

"What is Young Master Kenzaki doing here?" Tetsuya asked sarcastically, showing no friendliness at all.

"Of course, to drink and meet someone. What about you? Do you have a client meeting here?"

"No. I just came to check on the cafe. It happens to belong to my cousin," Tetsuya explained, his eyes watching Kairo's every move.

"Really? I just found out. Since when?" Kairo asked curiously.

"Since two months ago," Tetsuya replied flatly.

"In that case, can I ask you for a favor as an old friend?"

"What?" Tetsuya looked at him lazily.

"I want your permission to talk to Aira alone."

"What do you want to talk to her about, Kairo? About your past as lovers, where you dumped Aira so easily and chose to marry that ugly girl, who stole her best friend's boyfriend?"

"I just..."

"There's nothing left to talk about, Kairo. Everything is over. Even if you apologize, regret your actions, and want to get back together with Aira, it's impossible."

"Why are you saying that, Tetsuya? I'm sure Aira still has feelings for me."

"In your dreams. Listen to me, Kairo. Don't you dare bother Aira again because she's already married and will soon become a mother." Kairo looked at Aira's face, searching for an answer, hoping that what Tetsuya had said wasn't true.

"Everything Tetsuya said is true, so I beg you, don't disturb me anymore." Kairo's blue eyes stared deeply into Aira's, and from the look in her eyes, there was no lie at all. His heart ached as if pierced by thousands of knives, and disappointment and sadness were visible on his face.

"You must be lying to me," he whispered, trying hard to deny the reality.

"Tell me it's all a lie, Aira-chan," he shouted, gripping Aira's shoulders.

Tetsuya roughly pushed Kairo's hands away and stood before Aira, shielding her from Kairo. "If you keep bothering her, I'll have someone throw you out right now."

"I..."

"It's all over, and I've found my happiness, so please don't disturb me anymore. Live happily with your wife," Aira said coldly, staring straight into Kairo's face before walking away quickly, followed by Tetsuya.

Kairo could only stand there, lowering his head. "Aira," he whispered.

Aira's body slumped as she sat down in front of the women's locker room door, crying and leaning her head against the wall.

Tetsuya crouched before Aira, pulling her fragile body into his embrace. "Cry if it makes you feel better. I'll be here with you until you've cried enough," he whispered gently. Aira's hands clenched tightly onto Tetsuya's shirt.

Aira felt like a fool for still feeling sad and even crying when she remembered Kairo's betrayal. After all, she had a new life with Renji, who loved her deeply and did everything to make her happy, comfortable, and safe.

However, Aira and Kairo had been together for years, sharing laughter, jokes, and tears. Kairo had once been so important to Aira, although his sincerity was eventually repaid with betrayal. Still, it wasn't easy for Aira to forget the Kairo who had once held a place in her heart.

"Renji-kun," Aira thought sadly, missing her husband deeply.

Tetsuya could only pat Aira's shoulder, anxiously hoping Renji wouldn't kill him if he found out he had hugged Aira. If it weren't for the responsibility Renji entrusted him—to protect and watch over Aira while he was away—Tetsuya would never have gotten involved in the messy love affair between Aira and Kairo. He would have much preferred to spend the day chatting casually with Issei, especially since the annoying witch grandma was on leave today, allowing him to spend the entire day freely with Issei.

"Hurry back, Renji," Tetsuya thought as he held Aira.

.

.

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Regret always comes later, in the end, when we begin to realize the mistakes we've made, the actions we've taken, and the things we've left behind in pursuit of something we thought was better, something that would make us happy—or sometimes, to satisfy our desires.

Kairo felt that regret now. He was experiencing karma for his actions toward his ex-lover, Aira Hoshino.

He deeply regretted his choices and felt like the biggest fool for leaving a good girl like Aira to chase his desires. He had been tempted and fallen for Mika's sweet charms, now his wife.

If only he had held stronger principles, remained loyal, and hadn't been so easily swayed as a man, perhaps the woman by his side now would have been Aira, not Mika. And Aira wouldn't have been taken by another man. They had once planned a future together.

Now, regret is useless because Aira will never return to him. Accepting Mika into his life is difficult because he still loves Aira.

Kairo's visit to Asahi Cafe today was to ask about the raven-haired young man he had accidentally seen carrying Aira a few days ago on a street in Tokyo. It was late at night, and Aira had been sound asleep on the young man's back.

Could that young man be Aira's husband? But that seemed impossible. Judging by his face and appearance, the young man seemed much younger, definitely below Aira's age.

Kairo was deeply curious and wanted to learn more about the man who had married Aira, especially since it hadn't been long since they had broken up and he had married Mika. Since when had Aira gotten close to and started a relationship with another man, even to the point of marriage?

His phone ringing interrupted Kairo's thoughts as he enjoyed solitude, smoking a cigarette and gazing at the night sky.

...