Chapter 41: I Vow to Be Yours — Forever and Always

The morning sun over Tokyo felt different today. Warmer, brighter. As if the entire sky was celebrating the long-awaited union of Ren and Aoi.

Inside a serene countryside-inspired wedding hall just on the city's outskirts, sunlight filtered through tall windows draped in white linen. Sakura petals had been scattered across the aisle. Rows of family and close friends filled the space, dressed in elegant formality.

Ren stood at the altar in a tailored ivory suit, his fingers slightly trembling. Not from nervousness—but from anticipation.

Then the music began.

Aoi stepped into the hall.

The crowd hushed.

She wore a pure white wedding gown—flowing, floral, and slightly off-shoulder—accentuating her beauty in a way no one had ever seen before. Her hair was swept up in a loose bun with soft strands curling at her cheeks, a pearl pin glinting beneath her veil. Her eyes locked on Ren's, and time froze.

Ren's breath hitched. He'd never seen her like this. Not even in his dreams.

As she walked toward him, each step felt like a promise. A journey. An answer to all the questions they had once feared asking.

Outside… in the shadows

Saki stood behind a column of the back garden terrace, just barely in view of the wide-open hall doors.

Dressed in a black coat and scarf, her long hair tied back, she watched from behind the edge of a flowering tree that leaned into the ceremony's line of sight.

Her eyes didn't blink. Not once.

This should've been me, she thought bitterly.

But her feet refused to move. Even as her heart burned, part of her needed to witness it. Needed to hear his voice. His words. Just one more time.

The Vows

The priest stepped forward, but Ren gently raised a hand.

"If it's okay… we'd like to read our own vows."

Aoi blinked at him with surprise. She hadn't prepared hers aloud—but she gave a small nod.

Ren turned to her, drawing a deep breath.

"Aoi… I never imagined someone like you would fall for someone like me. From the moment you called me out on the rooftop in our third year, to all the secrets, the festivals, the fights and the kisses… I realized something. You weren't just my first love. You're the love I want for all of my life.

I vow to build a home with you—not just a house. A home where you can laugh, cry, scream, or sulk… and I'll be there. I vow to protect your dreams as if they're mine, and I vow to hold your hand through every season—until we're old and grey and still stupidly in love.

I'm yours. Now and forever."

Tears welled in Aoi's eyes. Her lips trembled, but she smiled through them.

"Ren… I was lonely before you. Even when I laughed, even when I was popular—there was a part of me that always felt empty.

But you looked past everything. You saw the real me. The clingy, jealous, protective, hopelessly-in-love-with-you me.

I vow to always chase you when you pull away, to cheer for you even when I'm insecure, and to love you so much that you'll never forget what it means to belong to someone completely.

I'll be your wife, your partner, your crazy gal, your yandere queen—forever."

The hall erupted in soft laughter and applause, some guests wiping their eyes.

Ren and Aoi slid rings onto each other's fingers.

"You may now kiss—"

But before the priest could finish, Aoi grabbed Ren by the collar and pulled him in.

A kiss like no other. A vow sealed not just in words—but in soul.

Back at the Garden's Edge

Saki turned away.

Tears rolled down her cheeks—silent, angry, aching.

But she didn't speak. Didn't scream.

She walked back down the garden path and disappeared into the crowd.

But her eyes… still burned with obsession.

"Enjoy it while you can, Aoi-chan," she whispered. "Because I haven't given up yet."