A warm afternoon breeze drifted through the Katagiri estate's garden, carrying the soft scent of blooming flowers and rustling the leaves of the old oak tree that had stood there for years.
Hayato stood nearby, hands in his pockets, watching as Chiaki approached. The golden light of the setting sun lit her face, making her look even more beautiful. She walked slowly, curiosity and wonder in her eyes.
"Why did you bring me here?" she asked, stopping in front of him.
He smiled softly and nodded toward the swing. "Do you remember this?"
Chiaki looked at it, her smile turning nostalgic. "Of course. We spent so much time here as kids."
Hayato stepped closer and gently brushed his fingers against hers. "It's where I first realized," he said quietly, "that no matter where I went or how many years passed, my heart would always come back to you."
hiaki's breath caught, her chest tightening as her heart pounded. Before she could speak, Hayato slowly dropped to one knee, every movement gentle and full of meaning. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box, opening it to reveal a beautiful engagement ring that sparkled in the sunlight.
Chiaki gasped, her hands flying to her mouth as tears filled her eyes. Her fingers trembled, and her heart overflowed with joy, disbelief, and love.
"Chiaki," Hayato said, his voice rich with emotion, "I've loved you for as long as I can remember. And I want to love you for the rest of my life. Will you marry me?"
The world seemed to pause. Chiaki stared at him, tears falling freely as the weight of his words sank in. At first, she couldn't speak. But then, her voice came out in a trembling whisper.
"Yes." She took a shaky breath and said it again, louder, with all her heart. "Yes, Hayato!"
A wide smile broke across Hayato's face as he gently slid the ring onto Chiaki's finger, the band fitting perfectly. He stood and pulled her into a tight embrace, holding her like he never wanted to let go.
"I promise to love you every day, for the rest of our lives," he said softly, his voice full of quiet emotion.
Chiaki wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing her face into his shoulder as her happy tears soaked into his shirt.
"And I promise to always stand by your side," she whispered, her voice shaky but sure—filling his heart with warmth.
*****
News of Hayato and Chiaki's engagement brought the long-overdue reunion of Mr. and Mrs. Katagiri and Mrs. Matsumoto. As they sat together in the elegant sitting room of the Katagiri estate, the mood was warm and nostalgic. Though years had passed, their conversation flowed easily, with laughter and old memories filling the space. The bond between their families, built over years of friendship, still held strong—making this moment not just a celebration of the couple's future, but also a heartfelt return to the past.
"You two were always so close as kids," Mrs. Matsumoto said with a warm smile, glancing at Hayato and Chiaki, who sat side by side with their fingers gently intertwined. Her words made Chiaki's heart flutter. "It's no surprise you ended up together." Mrs. Katagiri laughed softly, nodding. "We all saw this coming," she added, her tone teasing but sure. Even Mr. Katagiri, usually serious, smiled faintly. "Back in elementary school, Hayato talked about Chiaki every day after school," he said fondly. "It was like she was already part of our family."
Mrs. Matsumoto smiled warmly. "Chiaki talked about Hayato all the time too. Even when she acted like she didn't care, it was obvious how much he meant to her." Chiaki's eyes widened as her face turned red. "Wait—you all knew?!" she blurted out, clearly embarrassed.
Mrs. Katagiri chuckled and gently patted her hand. "Of course we did, sweetheart. It was obvious," she said with a teasing smile. Hayato grinned and squeezed Chiaki's hand. "Looks like we weren't as sneaky as we thought." Chiaki groaned and hid her face in her hands, though her shy smile gave her away.
The adults chuckled at Chiaki's reaction, their laughter warm and full of shared memories. But as the laughter faded, Chiaki's mum's expression turned serious. She looked at Hayato and asked gently, "Do you really love my daughter?" Her voice was soft, but the weight behind her words brought a hush to the room.
Hayato didn't hesitate. He met her gaze with calm sincerity. "With everything I have," he said quietly, but firmly.
Chiaki's mum let out a slow breath, emotion flickering in her eyes. "I used to think you deserved someone better," she admitted, her voice trembling slightly. "But the way you look at her… I know you wouldn't want anyone else."
Before Hayato could respond, Mrs. Katagiri gently placed a hand on Mrs. Matsumoto's arm and said with a soft laugh, "Don't say that. In fact, I think Chiaki's the perfect daughter-in-law. Honestly, it's Hayato who doesn't deserve her." She smiled affectionately at Chiaki, her tone turning light but firm. "And don't worry—I'll make sure he treats her like the treasure she is."
Chiaki's eyes widened, her heart tightening as she reached for her mother's hand. "Mum…" she whispered, moved by the love and support surrounding her.
Her mother gave her a small, teary smile and squeezed her hand. "Take care of each other," she said simply.
Hayato gave a respectful nod, his voice steady. "I promise."
With their families watching warmly, Chiaki felt a wave of gratitude. After all the hardships and years apart, they had finally found their way back—together, in love and at peace.
*****
The wedding day arrived in a swirl of cherry blossoms and warm spring air—perfect for a celebration of love. The garden venue was beautifully decorated with soft white and blush flowers, petals scattered along the aisle, and the quiet rustling of leaves adding to the peaceful atmosphere. The air was filled with the sweet scent of spring and the faint fragrance of white lilies, a subtle tribute to the couple's love story.
Hayato stood at the altar, tall and composed, though a flicker of nervousness showed on his otherwise calm face. Dressed in a sharp black tuxedo, he waited quietly, hands clasped, his thoughts focused only on Chiaki. As the music changed, he turned—and everything else faded.
Chiaki stepped into view, and time seemed to slow. Her ivory gown flowed with every step, the lace and beads catching the light like stars. Sunlight lit up her face, bringing out the soft blush on her cheeks and the sparkle in her eyes. She looked breathtaking—like a dream made real. When their eyes met, the world around them disappeared. Hayato's breath caught, his heart full to the brim with love, too moved to speak.
"You look stunning," Hayato whispered when she reached him, his voice thick with emotion, his eyes never leaving hers. Chiaki smiled, her eyes shimmering with happiness as she replied, "And you look as handsome as ever." Their hands found each other, fingers intertwining naturally, as if they had been made to fit together.
They stood before their loved ones, their voices unwavering as they exchanged vows, each word filled with love, devotion, and the weight of all the years they had spent apart—and the promise of never being apart again. The officiant's voice was soft but clear as they spoke the final words, "You may now kiss the bride," and Hayato wasted no time. His hands cradled Chiaki's face gently, his touch tender yet filled with a quiet intensity, as he pressed his lips to hers in a kiss that poured every unspoken emotion into the moment. The crowd erupted into thunderous applause and cheers, the sound echoing through the garden as the newlyweds pulled apart, their smiles radiant and their hearts full.
The reception was a lively affair, filled with laughter, dancing, and heartfelt speeches that brought both tears and laughter. The hall was adorned with white lilies, their presence symbolic of Hayato's quiet devotion to Chiaki all these years, a reminder of the love that had endured time and distance.
"Hayato, I never thought I'd see you cry," Sohei teased as he raised his glass for a toast, his grin wide and mischievous. "I didn't cry," Hayato replied smoothly, though the faintest hint of a smile tugged at his lips as he took a sip of his drink.
"Oh, come on, we all saw you wipe your eyes," Hana chimed in with a grin, her eyes sparkling with amusement. Chiaki giggled, linking her arm through Hayato's as she said, "It's okay. It was sweet." Hayato exhaled, surrendering with a small smile. "Fine. Maybe a little."
Sohei smirked, clearly pleased with himself. "I knew it. My big brother does have a heart after all." The room filled with laughter, the sound warm and joyful as love and happiness intertwined seamlessly.
When it was time for the bouquet toss, all the single women eagerly gathered at the front, their laughter and excitement filling the air. Chiaki, standing on the stage with a playful smile, turned her back and tossed the bouquet high into the air. It arced gracefully before landing straight into Hana's hands, catching her completely off guard. "Oh—wait, what?!" Hana blinked in shock, staring at the flowers as if they might explain themselves.
Sohei, who had been watching from the sidelines, burst out laughing. "Looks like you're next, Hana!" he called out, his tone teasing but filled with affection. Hana turned red, her cheeks flushing as she stammered, "D-Don't be ridiculous! It's just a coincidence!" Sohei leaned in with a teasing grin, his eyes sparkling. "Or maybe it's fate?" Hana huffed, holding the bouquet close but unable to hide the small, flustered smile creeping onto her lips.
As the night carried on, Hayato pulled Chiaki into his embrace on the dance floor, his hands resting securely on her waist as they swayed to the soft music. With a soft kiss on her forehead, he whispered, "It's always been you." Chiaki gazed up at him, her heart overflowing with love as she leaned in closer, feeling the warmth of his embrace. With a tender smile, she whispered back, "And it always will be."
-The End-