That day was Saturday.
The large house felt quiet, almost too quiet.
Morning light streamed through the living room window, a gentle breeze swaying the curtains.
Nao sat on the sofa, hugging a small pillow.
Ayano stood by the window, his mind restless since waking up.
Then—
The sound of a car.
Ayano turned instinctively.
"…They're here."
Nao tensed as well.
Ayano called softly,
"Nao… come down, okay?"
A few minutes later, the door opened.
Seiya and Kana entered with bright expressions—
too bright.
They stood close together, hands intertwined, laughing softly as if they'd forgotten the situation.
Nao lowered her gaze.
Ayano clenched his fist.
When they finally sat together in the living room,
Seiya took a deep breath.
His face turned serious.
"Ayano. Nao."
"Today… I want to hear your decision."
The room fell silent.
Nao looked down, her fingers intertwined.
Ayano also lowered his gaze—his chest felt tight.
A few seconds passed.
Seiya gave a small, bittersweet smile.
"I already know your answer," he said softly.
"You're not ready yet. And that's okay."
Kana nodded, her eyes gentle.
"We will cancel this engagement."
Nao was startled.
She lifted her face.
"I-I—"
Before Nao could speak—
Ayano stood up.
His chair scraped loudly.
Everyone was surprised.
"Ayano?" Kana looked at him.
Ayano's face was red.
His hands trembled.
He stepped forward—
then bowed deeply toward Kana.
"Mom…"
His voice trembled, but it was clear.
"At first… I wanted to refuse."
"I was a coward. I hesitated. I was afraid."
Nao stared at him with wide eyes.
Ayano raised his head.
"But now… I'm not."
He swallowed.
"I accept these feelings."
He took a breath, then spoke more firmly—
"Not engagement."
Everyone fell silent.
Ayano turned toward Nao.
His eyes were slightly teary, but filled with determination.
"I don't want to delay it with the word 'engagement.'"
He looked back at Seiya and Kana.
"I want to marry her—after we graduate."
Nao covered her mouth.
Tears fell.
"I love Nao."
"I will protect her."
"Not because you asked me to—but because I choose to."
Ayano clenched his fist.
"Even if I have to risk my life… I won't run away anymore."
The room became completely silent.
Nao cried—
not out of sadness, but overwhelming happiness.
She stood up and unconsciously held Ayano's arm.
Seiya stared at his son for a long moment.
Then—
he chuckled softly.
"You really are my son."
Seiya stood, walked closer, and patted Ayano's shoulder.
"You finally stopped being a coward."
Kana wiped her tears.
"Thank you… for loving my child sincerely."
Nao couldn't say anything.
She simply hugged Ayano tightly—
her face buried in his chest.
"Ayano…"
"I… I love you too…"
Ayano hugged her back.
His hands trembled, but they were warm.
That day—
it wasn't an engagement that was decided.
But a promise.
A promise born from courage,
not pressure.
And from that day on—
Nao Karuizawa and Ayano Kei
no longer walked in doubt.
They walked together.
Final Episode
"The Day That Keeps Going"
The front door closed slowly.
Seiya and Kana's car disappeared at the end of the street, leaving the large house quiet once more.
Ayano and Nao stood side by side on the terrace.
They didn't speak. They didn't move.
Then—
they turned to each other.
Their eyes met, and unconsciously…
they smiled softly.
Nao stepped closer first.
Ayano followed.
The distance between them slowly disappeared.
"Ayano…"
"I love you."
"I love you too," Ayano replied softly, honestly, without hesitation.
They kissed—
not rushed, not driven by desire,
but warm, gentle, like a promise finally taking shape.
The Next Day
That morning, the aroma of cooking filled the house.
Nao stood in the kitchen, wearing a neatly tied apron, her hair simply tied back.
She was stirring soup when—
footsteps were heard.
Nao turned.
"…Eh?"
Ayano stood at the kitchen doorway.
His hair…
no longer covered his eyes.
It was neatly styled, slightly voluminous.
His face was fully visible—mature, calm, and… handsome.
Nao froze.
Her face heated up.
"A-Ayano…?"
Ayano smiled shyly.
"Morning…"
"Actually… I wanted to show this on our wedding day."
"But I couldn't wait."
Nao swallowed.
Before she could say anything—
Ayano stepped closer, then hugged her from behind.
"Thank you… for choosing me."
Nao held his arms.
Her face was red, but her smile was gentle.
At School
That day—
the entire school was in an uproar.
"Is that Ayano Kei??"
"Seriously??"
"Why does he look so different?!"
"Wow… he's so handsome…"
Ayano became the center of attention without intending to.
And Nao?
Nao didn't hide anything.
She held onto Ayano's arm.
Rested her head on his shoulder during breaks.
Gave sharp looks to every girl who came near.
Like a fierce cat guarding her territory.
"What's wrong?" Ayano asked innocently.
Nao smiled faintly.
"Nothing."
Their friends sighed.
"Alright, alright—we give up."
Days Passed
🎵 soft music plays 🎵
— They went on dates after school, sharing drinks from the same cup.
— Played games and laughed out loud in the living room.
— Studied together, sometimes arguing, then making up again.
— Sat by the pool at night, talking about the future.
— Encouraged each other during exams.
— Held hands on graduation day.
Time moved slowly—
yet surely.
And before they knew it…
Graduation Passed
Time Moved Forward
Wedding Day
The sky was clear.
Seats were filled with their classmates.
Faces that once witnessed everything—
awkwardness, growth, love.
Music played.
Nao walked in,
escorted by her mother.
Her dress was simple, yet beautiful.
Her face blushed, her eyes sparkling.
Ayano looked at her—
and fell silent.
"…You… look so beautiful."
Nao smiled shyly.
"You too," she replied softly.
"Handsome."
They stood facing each other.
They spoke their vows—
with trembling voices, yet firm.
"I love you."
"I will always choose you."
The rings were placed.
Their hands intertwined.
And before everyone who had witnessed their journey—
they kissed.
Not an ending.
But a beginning—
of the life they would live together.
✨ THE END ✨
After Credit Scene — "A Place to Return To"
The front door opened slowly.
"I'm home."
The voice was deeper, more mature—calm.
Ayano Kei stood at the doorway, still in his work suit, his face tired but warm.
Before he could step further—
"Papa!"
A small voice ran toward him.
A little girl rushed into his arms without hesitation.
Ayano instinctively bent down and hugged her tightly.
"Akano…"
"Were you waiting for Papa?"
"Yes!"
The child laughed cheerfully, clinging to his chest.
Soft footsteps followed from inside the house.
Nao appeared, wearing simple home clothes.
Her face was the same as before—gentle, calm, full of warmth.
"Welcome home," she said with a smile.
Ayano looked at her.
It was always like that—every time he came home, Nao was there.
That night, Akano went back to playing inside the house.
Her laughter echoed from afar.
By the poolside, the night breeze blew softly.
Nao sat beside Ayano.
"Akano had a fun day today," she said with a small smile.
"She learned to swim… fell, but laughed. She's like you."
Ayano chuckled softly.
"You too. She's stubborn like her mother."
Nao nudged his arm, annoyed—then laughed.
Ayano leaned back, looking at the night sky.
"Work was tiring today. Something stressful happened… but," he turned to Nao,
"I'm okay. For both of you."
Nao was silent for a moment.
Then she looked at him with the same eyes as before—eyes that were once hurt, now full of love.
"We made it here," she said softly.
Ayano nodded.
"Yeah. We did."
They moved closer.
No more words were needed.
The kiss was brief—warm, calm, filled with the feeling of home.
The pool lights reflected softly.
Akano's laughter echoed again from inside the house.
The screen slowly faded to black.