Chapter 7 | Pure Feelings

On a holiday morning, my heart thumped loudly as I headed to the plaza in front of the station for my date with Rinka. The anticipation gripped me, a nervous energy I couldn’t shake. Glancing at the lively crowds—youths laughing, families bustling toward the station—I made my way to the trees at the plaza’s center and settled onto a bench. The rustling leaves, stirred by a gentle breeze, whispered around me as I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves.

“…It’s not calming down…”

No matter how hard I tried, composure eluded me. It wasn’t the kind of tension that blanks your mind, but a swirling mix of excitement, embarrassment, and something else I couldn’t quite name. Every thought circled back to Rinka, heightening my awareness of her. I’d scoured the internet to pick an outfit—nothing too flashy, nothing too plain—but now I wondered if it was right. What would Rinka wear?

“…Ah.”

From the plaza’s entrance, I caught sight of her weaving through the crowd. She was still far off, her features unclear, but I could make out a navy beret and large decorative glasses, likely to mask her face. Her outfit—a simple T-shirt paired with a long skirt—was a stark contrast to her usual cool demeanor. She radiated a soft, almost cute aura, nothing like the commanding presence of Mizuki Rinka, the idol. No one spared her a glance, proof that her disguise worked perfectly.

“Sorry to keep you waiting, Kazuto-kun.”

Rinka stood before me, her slight smile sending my heart into a frenzy. Even something so small had that effect.

“You’re early in real life,” Rin teased. “In the game, you’re always late.”

“I’ve told you before, haven’t I? When I’m early, I’m early.” My tone was playful. “Besides, if I’m late, it’s your fault, Rinka.”

“Mine? How’s that?”

“I get so caught up watching your videos that I lose track of time.”

“W-Well…” Rinka’s cheeks flushed faintly as she averted her gaze, clearly embarrassed. “I’m not sure if I should be mad or happy about that.”

My words were a bit exaggerated, a playful attempt to shift the blame, but her reaction was too endearing.

“So… shall we head to the movie theater?”

“Yes.”

I rose from the bench, falling into step beside her. Glancing around, I noticed no one paid us any attention. It reminded me of that time in the cafeteria—Rinka, a popular idol, blending seamlessly into the crowd. As Kurumizaka-san had said, a change in clothes and demeanor could mask an idol’s aura. Perhaps an image was that fleeting.

“Kazuto-kun, what’s wrong?”

“Uh, well…”

I’d planned this date meticulously in my head, but now, faced with executing one of those plans, I faltered. The first step felt impossible.

“Are you feeling unwell? Your face is red…”

“N-No, that’s not it.”

I wanted to hold her hand. It wasn’t just a plan—it was my own desire. But saying it out loud was a hurdle I couldn’t easily clear. Rinka didn’t seem nervous at all, probably because she saw us as a married couple, not even registering this as a date. Was I the only one overthinking it? The thought stung a little.

“Kazuto-kun?”

“Hey, Rinka, um…”

“What’s wrong? You can say it. No need to hold back.”

“H-Hand…”

“Hand?”

Rinka tilted her head, her pure eyes looking up at me with curiosity.

“I want… to hold hands…”

I finally managed to say it, the words feeling like a first in my life. I braced myself, expecting her to brush it off casually—something like, “Sure, we’re husband and wife, so it’s only natural, right?” That’s what I thought she’d say.

But there was no reply. Rinka stared at me, eyes wide, frozen like a statue.

“Uh, Rinka?”

“W-Well, um… S-Sure.” Her words came out in a rush. “We’re husband and wife, so there’s nothing unnatural about holding hands. You don’t even need to ask permission.”

Her rapid speech felt like a shield, hiding her true emotions. Then she abruptly turned her face away.

“Then… I’ll hold it.”

“G-Go ahead…”

I reached for her outstretched right hand, my heart racing. Her hand was softer than I’d imagined, almost mystical in its warmth. Holding Mizuki Rinka’s hand felt like touching something sacred, stirring awe within me.

We stood there in the bustling plaza, hands clasped, silent amidst the passing crowd. The tension, the awe, the warmth of the girl I liked—it made reality feel distant. But why was Rinka so still? Why wasn’t she saying anything?

After a few seconds, my head cleared enough to wonder. I stole a glance at her. She was looking in the opposite direction, deliberately avoiding my gaze.

“Um, Rinka-san?”

Curious about her expression, I mustered the courage to peek at her face. She turned even further away, clearly determined not to let me see.

“Rinka, what’s wrong?”

“…Don’t.”

“Huh?”

“Right now… don’t look at my face…!”

Her voice trembled with embarrassment, and I could imagine her cheeks burning red.

“Are you… embarrassed?”

“!”

“Even though you think of us as a married couple?”

“It’s not just thinking—we are married.”

“But holding hands makes you embarrassed…?”

“Because it’s the first time… touching the person I love like this…”

Her voice grew quieter, barely a murmur as she whispered, “This is Kazuto-kun’s hand…” She was impossibly cute, like a scene straight out of a manga, an arrow piercing my heart. This wasn’t the cool, confident wife from the game. She was just a girl in love, shy and vulnerable. If I were bolder, I might’ve hugged her right then.

“L-Let’s go…!”

“Y-Yes, let’s go…!”

We started walking, stiff as rusty robots, drawing odd glances from passersby—not because Rinka was an idol, but because we must’ve looked absurd.

☆

At the movie theater, we settled into seats near the back center, Rinka to my left. The theater was still lit, faint conversations drifting from others around us. The earlier tension lingered, and we kept stealing glances at each other, silent but not uncomfortable. It was a thrilling kind of tension, electric in its own way.

I was about to start a conversation when Rinka spoke first.

“Um… we got married first, but today will be our first date anniversary, won’t it?”

“Yeah, it’s weird that we got married before dating.”

“Oh? You’re not denying it like usual.”

“Well, yeah…”

If I were going to deny it, I wouldn’t be here. That’s how it was.

“Finally, you’re starting to feel like a husband…!”

“…”

“You know, Kazuto-kun, being ignored is the most painful thing for a person.”

Her tone was the most serious she’d used all day. I’d tried a different reaction instead of denying her, but ignoring her had been a mistake. To shift the mood, I pivoted to a random topic.

“Do you usually watch romance movies, Rinka?”

The movie was a romantic comedy, chosen with confidence that it wasn’t too far from her tastes, but I asked to keep the conversation going.

“Not really.”

My attempt crashed and burned. Did her cool image mean she wasn’t into romance?

“If I have time to watch movies, I’d rather log into Black Plains.”

“That’s so you… an idol gamer.”

“…The reason is you, Kazuto-kun.”

“Me?”

Rinka nodded quietly. “To me, Black Plains is just a communication tool. Of course, it’s fun, but for me, it’s the world where I can meet Kazu.”

“I-I see…”

“If I hadn’t met you, I would’ve quit Black Plains in two weeks.”

“That’s no good! There’s still so much fun to be had, and the depth of mining is something you couldn’t master in a lifetime!”

“Sometimes you flip a weird switch, don’t you, Kazuto-kun?”

Why did it feel like she was pulling back? I just wanted her to appreciate Black Plains’ charm.

“You fish too much, Rinka. You should explore other aspects. Also, let me do something besides fishing.”

“What are you talking about? Do you know what the most popular activity in Black Plains is? …Fishing. Most players are fishing.”

“That’s just AFK farming, right? They’re just leaving it on for money.”

“That just means fishing is so great you can enjoy it even AFK.”

“That’s not enjoying it, it’s just AFK!”

Before I knew it, “Kazuto and Rinka” had slipped back into “Kazu and Rin,” bantering like we did in the game. The earlier tension faded as we chatted animatedly until the theater lights dimmed.

As the movie began, the theater fell silent, and so did we.

…What now?

In the dim light, sitting so close to her, my heart started racing again. The quiet intimacy was overwhelming.

“Um, Kazuto-kun.”

“Hm?”

Rinka leaned close to my left ear, her warm breath tickling as she whispered, mindful of others. “Can we… hold hands again, like before? During the movie…”

“We’re husband and wife, right? Do whatever you want… I think.”

“…Mm…”

After her soft reply, her right hand gently rested on my left, which lay on the armrest. The movie faded into the background as my nerves took over. My cheeks burned without needing a mirror to confirm it.

During the film, I glanced at Rinka. At the exact same moment, she glanced at me, our eyes locking. Embarrassed, I snapped my gaze back to the screen. Her face, I noticed, was faintly red too. Despite her bold “wife” persona, holding hands was enough to make her blush.

After the movie, we tried discussing it but couldn’t get far. Honestly, I barely remembered the plot. The warmth of her hand in mine overshadowed everything. Maybe Rinka felt the same—she didn’t engage much when I brought up the movie, just shyly rubbing her right hand.

☆

We walked down the street in silence, keeping a subtle distance to avoid brushing shoulders. Since holding hands, Rinka had grown quiet, like a timid animal. Thinking of us as a married couple was one thing, but experiencing it was clearly different.

“Kazuto-kun…”

“What?”

“Um… nothing. I just wanted to say your name.”

“I-I see…?”

Her blush made her earlier confidence seem like a facade. If holding hands did this, what would happen if we went further—wait, what was I thinking? Still, I wanted to see more of her expressions, ones I couldn’t see in the game.

“Ah…!”

Rinka suddenly ducked behind me, startled. I quickly understood why. Three guys loitering by the street were staring at us—more precisely, at Rinka—muttering among themselves. Instinctively, I knew this was trouble.

Shielding her behind me, I quickened our pace to escape their view, slipping into a quiet alley with fewer people.

“Did they… figure it out?”

“No, from their vibe, I don’t think they were sure. Maybe they thought you looked similar…?”

Rinka’s voice betrayed her anxiety, her shoulders hunching slightly as she looked down.

“I thought we were completely in the clear…”

“Yeah… Most people would hold back even if they noticed, but…”

If word got out that an idol was on a date, fans might not hold back. It could end her career. While Star☆Mines didn’t have a strict no-dating rule, the unspoken taboo was clear, even to someone like me who wasn’t steeped in idol culture.

I’d been so excited, staying up all night planning this date. But…

“This might not work.”

“…What?”

“I think it’s too risky to continue… Let’s call it a day.”

I said it for Rinka’s future. I didn’t want to ruin her idol career because of me. We still had the game, even if real life was too dangerous.

I tried to convince myself of that.

“It was short, but I had fun. Thanks, Rinka.”

I forced a smile, thanking her. She had to know the risks. No matter how much she liked me, she’d agree…

“No…”

Rinka grabbed my sleeve tightly, her grip weak but desperate, as if she couldn’t bear to let go. She stared at the ground, hiding her face.

“…I want to stay with you a little longer.”

“Even if you say that…”

“You invited me on this date…”

“Rinka…”

“Our first date…!”

Her voice trembled, tinged with tears. Seeing her so sad made me regret asking her out. We’d known the risks from the start, but our desire to be together had made us overly optimistic, believing her disguise would keep her safe.

“A place where no one will see us… Home… Yes, home. Kazuto-kun, want to come to my house?”

Rinka looked up, her eyes bright with a sudden idea, though her voice carried a frail hope, fearing rejection.

“Your house?”

“No one’s home until evening. A date at my place… What do you think?”

There was no reason to refuse. The date plan I’d crafted was scrapped, but that was trivial now. I nodded, and Rinka’s relieved smile warmed my heart.

☆

We arrived at Rinka’s house around noon. The constant tension had dulled my hunger, but Rinka kindly offered to make lunch. Tying her hair into a ponytail and slipping on an apron, she transformed into a rare, domestic version of the cool idol. The sight made my heart skip, just as it had before.

“Kazuto-kun, make yourself at home.”

Guided to the living room, I sank onto the sofa as she suggested. Hearing her call from the kitchen, “You can turn on the TV,” I grabbed the remote from the table and switched it on.

The television flickered to life with a midday variety show, its lively chatter filling the room. The hosts were buzzing about Star☆Mines, showering praise on Kurumizaka-san’s boundless energy and the group’s meteoric rise. Mizuki Rinka’s vocals, they said, were nothing short of breathtaking.

“That’s amazing,” I muttered, half to myself.

Can you believe it? Here I was, casually gaming with these wildly popular idols. And right now, I was at Rinka’s house. My everyday life had taken a turn for the surreal.

A while later, Rinka’s voice cut through my thoughts. “Kazuto-kun, lunch is ready.”

I rose from the sofa and settled at the dining table. Before me sat a plate of fried rice that looked almost too perfect, its savory aroma teasing my senses and coaxing a growl from my stomach. Finely chopped green onions and tender braised pork were woven through the grains, the dish’s vibrant colors rivaling anything you’d find in a restaurant.

“Wow, Rinka, this looks incredible. It’s gotta taste as good as it smells.”

“I think it will.” Rinka’s tone was confident, free of pretense. “I’ve loved cooking since I was a kid, so I’m pretty sure of myself.”

That unapologetic boldness was pure Rinka—every bit the cool idol persona she carried so effortlessly. She brought her own plate of fried rice and slid into the seat beside me.

“Kazuto-kun, let’s eat.”

“Yeah, let’s dig in.”

I scooped a spoonful of the neatly domed fried rice and brought it to my mouth. The flavors hit me all at once. “This is insanely good…!”

I wasn’t a food critic, so I couldn’t pin down exactly what made it so perfect. It was just… delicious. Plain and simple.

“I’m glad it suits your taste,” Rinka said, a faint smile tugging at her lips.

“Seriously, this is the best fried rice I’ve ever had.” No exaggeration—it was the real deal. Rinka’s cooking was a bonus, but the flavor alone was a guarantee. I shoveled another bite into my mouth, savoring every grain. Delicious.

“Hehe, I actually put something special in that fried rice.”

“…Something special?” My spoon froze midair as I glanced at her.

For some reason, Rinka’s smile turned almost seductive, her eyes glinting with an unsettling intensity. “Yes, something special. Hehe.”

“…”

…Is this fried rice safe to eat? My imagination ran wild, and suddenly my stomach felt uneasy. No, no way. There couldn’t be anything weird in it. She probably meant something cute, like, “I poured my love into it for you, Kazuto-kun. Eat up!” That had to be it. Please, let it be.

“What’s wrong, Kazuto-kun? Not eating?”

“Oh, yeah…” I forced a smile.

“If you want, you can have mine too.”

“No way, you need to eat too, Rinka.”

“I’m fine. Just watching you eat so happily is enough for me…” Her gaze softened, dreamy and content, as she watched me.

Guess I had no choice. Shaking off the unease, I kept eating Rinka’s special fried rice.

☆ ‘Note: No harmful ingredients are included. Please rest assured.’

[T/N: This note is likely a playful narrative aside to reassure the reader about the safety of the food.]

After lunch, we moved to Rinka’s room. As expected, it was tidy and serene, a calming space. For the record, my stomach was perfectly fine.

We chatted about trivial things, the conversation naturally drifting to Black Plains—how cold Rin had been when we first met, or how I’d get obsessively focused on mining. The mundane back-and-forth stretched on until I noticed the sky outside her window glowing orange. Time had slipped away faster than I’d realized. Her family was supposed to be back by evening, right?

“…”

“…”

The conversation tapered off, and a quiet settled over us. The gentle evening light bathed the room, a reminder that we were alone. I glanced at Rinka, sitting so close our shoulders nearly brushed. She seemed aware of it too. Our eyes met, each reflecting the other’s face.

Somehow, this felt like the moment.

All I had to do was speak my truth. Such a simple thing, yet my palms were slick with sweat.

“Rinka… I have something to talk about.”

“What’s wrong? You sound so serious.” She straightened, sensing the weight in my voice.

Being this close, I could see every detail of her face. My heart pounded. Come on, just say it…

“You’ve always shown me your genuine affection, haven’t you, Rinka?”

“Yes. We’re husband and wife.”

“…I wasn’t sure about my own feelings and couldn’t give you a proper answer.”

“…”

“But I finally understand. I… you, Rinka—”

“Wait.”

“…Huh?” My mouth hung open, frozen mid-confession, looking utterly ridiculous.

“I can feel how serious you are, Kazuto-kun.”

“Y-Yeah…?”

“But, well, you see…” Her hesitation sent a chill through me. Was this some last-minute plot twist? Like she had someone else, or our whole relationship was just a prank…

“I meant to keep it hidden forever… but it’s not right.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I’m sorry, Kazuto-kun. I’ve been keeping a secret.”

“W-What kind of secret?” My mind raced. Depending on what it was, I might just leap off a cliff without a rope.

“…It might make you hate me.”

“Seriously?” My vision blurred as I faced Rinka, her gaze fixed downward.

“You’ve thought so much and planned this date to confess your feelings… I’m so happy. No, that’s why keeping this secret hurts so much…!”

“What’s the secret…?” I swallowed hard, bracing myself.

“It’s faster to show you.”

Rinka stood slowly and approached the closet. She gripped the handle, glanced at me, and hesitantly slid it open.

“…”

Inside were vibrant clothes, from casual wear to dazzling idol outfits. Nothing seemed out of place… until I looked down. At the bottom sat four felt dolls, huggable in size. They looked eerily familiar. No, not just familiar—they were me. Four adorable, chibi-fied felt dolls of Ayanokoji Kazuto, proudly displayed in Rinka’s closet.

“T-These are…?”

“Kazuto-kun dolls.”

“…” My jaw dropped as I stared at the meticulously crafted dolls. Did Rinka make these? Even if they were of me, they were impressively done.

“You see… I hug a Kazuto-kun doll every night when I sleep…”

“…W-What?”

“As time went on, I wanted to be surrounded by more Kazuto-kun dolls… So now there are four.”

“Four… dolls…” I corrected myself mid-sentence, realizing that wasn’t the point.

“Even you must think this is weird, right?” Rinka’s eyes glistened, her fingers nervously twisting together.

I understood now. That’s why, when hiding from Nonoa-chan, she’d shoved me under the bed instead of in the closet. She was hiding these dolls.

“You must think it’s creepy… Making Kazuto-kun dolls and hugging them every night…”

“N-No, it’s not like that.”

“Really?” Her voice trembled, on the verge of tears.

“Yeah.” I nodded, and Rinka let out a shaky breath, relief washing over her.

Sure, I was shocked. One doll might’ve been cute, but four was… intense. How long does it take to make a felt doll? We’d only known each other for a month and a bit. That was a relentless pace.

“Actually, there’s more.”

“More Kazuto-kun dolls?”

“No. Kazuto-kun merchandise, volume two.” With a strange hint of pride, Rinka peeled back a Star☆Mines poster on the wall. Behind it was a mini-poster of me eating lunch in the classroom.

“What do you think? Isn’t it super cute?”

“No, I don’t think so. Is this a candid shot? I’m not looking at the camera, and I don’t remember being photographed.”

“It’s not candid. There’s nothing wrong with a wife taking pictures of her husband, right?”

That was next-level. “Every night, I hug the Kazuto-kun doll while looking at the Kazuto-kun poster… Hehe.”

“Rinka, you’re the one who’s supposed to be on posters, not staring at them.” A mega-popular idol making dolls of me and turning candid shots into posters?

“I’m sorry, Kazuto-kun. I kinda know what I’m doing is weird.”

“Only kinda?”

“But I can’t suppress my feelings… If I could live under the same roof as you, maybe my desires would be somewhat satisfied.”

“I-I see…” Words failed me. I hadn’t imagined Rinka would go this far.

“Wait, you said Kazuto-kun merchandise volume two earlier, right? Is there a volume three?”

“Of course.” Rinka opened a pencil case on her desk and pulled out an eraser. “I put a photo of your face on the eraser cover.”

“—!”

“This way, I can feel close to you even while studying. Isn’t it genius?”

“…Y-Yeah…” I didn’t know what expression to make anymore. Laugh? Be shocked? Creeped out? What was the right reaction? For now, I settled on being happy. Being treated like an idol by a super-popular idol was pretty great, right?

“Well… being liked this much makes me happy as a guy.”

“Really? Even with your kindness, I was worried you’d be put off.”

“No, no, idol merchandise has been a thing forever, right? It’s not that different.”

“You’re right. Thank you, Kazuto-kun, for accepting me like this.”

…The difference is whether you have permission, though! “Just to check, there’s no more merchandise about me, right?”

“It’s not merchandise, but…” Rinka opened a desk drawer and pulled out a sheet of paper.

“What’s that?”

“Our marriage certificate. Both our names are filled in.”

“Whoa, that’s crossing a line! This is bad! It even has the Ayanokoji seal!”

“It’s fine. I made this certificate myself and left out required fields like the family register, so it won’t be accepted if submitted.”

“O-Oh, I see.”

“Don’t worry. Even I know my limits.”

“L-Limits… You know your limits…?” I was utterly bewildered.

“Every time I look at this certificate, my heart feels full. Like, ‘Ah, Kazuto-kun and I are husband and wife!’” Rinka hugged the certificate, her smile radiant with contentment, while I could only muster a strained one.

“Real life is inconvenient, isn’t it? There’s an age limit for marriage… But don’t worry. Even if we’re not recognized as a couple in real life, our hearts, bound in the game, are real.”

“…Y-Yes.” What a situation. Shocking revelations kept piling up.

“Does it… creep you out?” Rinka’s voice was small, laced with anxiety.

“Huh?”

“Objectively, my actions are over the top. The dolls, eraser, and poster are one thing, but the marriage certificate is weird.”

“…” Objectively, it was all weird.

“Even you must think a girl who does such strange things is bad…”

“That’s not true.” I answered without hesitation, but Rinka continued, her head bowed.

“It’s okay, you don’t have to force yourself. If you think I’m creepy… you can cut ties with me.”

“What are you saying?”

“I love you from the bottom of my heart. That’s why I want your happiness above all.”

“Rinka…”

“If I’m a burden to you… I’m okay with a divorce.”

…Divorce? We weren’t even dating yet. “You’ll surely meet a woman far better than me. So if I’m standing in the way of your happiness—”

“Rinka.” I cut her off, my voice firm.

She lifted her tearful face, meeting my gaze.

“I’ll accept you, no matter what you’re like.”

“But you didn’t expect this, right?”

“Yeah.”

“…See, I knew it.” She sniffled, on the verge of breaking down.

“If you feel that way, why did you show me the Kazuto-kun merchandise?”

“…I value a relationship built on heart. So I decided I had to tell you before hearing your serious feelings. To let you know the real me I’ve been hiding…”

If I hadn’t resolved to confess, would she have kept this hidden forever? No, that wasn’t it. For Rinka, who cherished a pure heart above all, this was a secret she feared exposing.

“Be honest. If you can’t handle this anymore… please don’t force yourself. I don’t want to be a burden to you…” Her voice trembled, eyes averted.

Everyone has secrets they’d rather keep buried. Even a mega-popular idol was no exception. But Rinka had bared hers, prepared to be hated, for the sake of her beliefs and my happiness.

What could I do for a girl like that? There was only one thing. Speak my honest feelings, no holding back. For years, in the world of the game, our hearts had connected.

“Rinka.”

“…Kazuto-kun…?” She looked up, tears shimmering, waiting for my response.

“I’ll accept you, no matter what you’re like.”

“…Really?”

“Yeah. Because I… I’m completely in love with Mizuki Rinka as a person.”

“—!” Her eyes widened, breath catching.

I chose my words carefully, pressing on. “Even if you weren’t an idol, I’d have fallen for you. This might sound crude, but even if you were shockingly unattractive, my feelings wouldn’t change.”

“…Kazuto-kun…!”

“Though if you were a guy, I’d probably punch you. Haha.” I tried to lighten the mood with a laugh, but Rinka, cheeks flushed, covered her mouth with both hands, her glistening eyes fixed on me.

From countless worlds—online games—we’d chosen one, Black Plains, and forged a bond. It might sound simplistic, but maybe that was a miracle.

“As long as I’m with you, Rinka, I think I can enjoy anything. No, I want to stay with you forever. That’s my ‘pure feeling.’”

“…Ah.”

“I love you, Rinka.”

I said it clearly, finally voicing what I couldn’t before. It didn’t take courage. It was just natural.

“…That was all there was to it.”

“Kazuto-kun… Is it really okay, even with someone like me?”

Her voice trembled, fragile with doubt, as if she were bracing for rejection. Kazuto’s gaze softened, unwavering as he met Rinka’s eyes.

“It has to be you, Rinka,” he said gently. “A candid photo or a doll? I’d laugh it off and accept it. I might tease you a bit, but hate you? Never.”

“Kazuto-kun…!” Her voice caught, a mix of relief and overwhelming emotion.

“I think loving someone means accepting all of them,” he continued, his tone steady but warm. “It’s not about expectations or chasing some perfect ideal.”

If he had turned away from Rinka after learning her secrets, it wouldn’t have been love for her—it would’ve been for the polished “cool idol” label the world had placed on her. Rinka herself had said it countless times: in the game, you could strip away those labels and expectations. In that space, they could face each other with pure, unguarded hearts.

“Sorry it took me so long to say it,” Kazuto admitted, his voice quieter now, almost reverent. “I’ve loved Rin for years. Even after learning who you really are, my feelings haven’t changed. Your idol status, your beautiful looks—none of that matters. I love Mizuki Rinka. In real life… please go out with me, with marriage in mind.”

He’d said it. Every word, laid bare. Rinka’s eyes glistened, tears spilling over as she crouched down, covering her mouth to stifle a sob.

“Is it… okay?” she whispered, voice breaking. “I’ll probably… keep causing trouble for you…”

“Bring it on,” Kazuto replied with a grin. “I won’t lose, either.”

He settled beside her, his hand gently patting her head, a comforting gesture that felt as natural as breathing.

“Kazuto-kun…” Rinka murmured, her voice soft but brimming with warmth.

“Rinka…” he echoed, his tone matching hers.

Their eyes locked, the world narrowing to just the two of them, the air heavy with unspoken understanding. No words were needed, no signal required. Kazuto’s hand found her cheek, and Rinka’s eyes fluttered shut, her chin tilting upward in quiet invitation. It was clear what was about to happen. His lips drew closer to hers, soft and waiting—

“I’m home!” a cheerful voice rang out. “Huh, Kazuto-oniichan’s shoes? Is he here to hang out!? Yay!”

The moment shattered. Kazuto half-glared at Rinka, silently demanding an explanation.

“Weren’t your family supposed to be out until evening?” he asked, his tone a mix of exasperation and amusement.

“That was the plan,” Rinka said, wincing slightly. “But… kids are unpredictable.”

“Can’t be helped, I guess.” Kazuto sighed, then a small smirk tugged at his lips. “Well, maybe it’s convenient.”

“Convenient?” Rinka tilted her head, curiosity flickering in her eyes. “How?”

“We can tell your family, right? That we’re officially dating now.”

“Kazuto-kun…!” Her eyes sparkled, overwhelmed with joy, her expression so adorably radiant it made his heart skip.

“Then let’s officially file the marriage certificate—”

“That’s too soon!” I cut in, flustered. “I’m still seventeen. Marriage is impossible until I’m eighteen.”

“So next year’s fine, then.”

“No, it’s not fine!” I exclaimed, my cheeks flushing. “It’d be a scandal that’d ruin our lives.”

“It’s fine,”, her voice light but earnest. “With our destined love, nothing’s impossible.”

“Haa…” I sighed, exasperated but fond. “We’re not officially married yet, you know…”

Kazuto chuckled. She was unshakable, wasn’t she? From now on, she’d probably act like a wife already, even as just his girlfriend. Their daily life as lovers promised to be anything but calm.

Man, really… what now? What’s next for them?

All he could do was return a wry smile to Rinka’s joyful grin, her happiness infectious despite the chaos of it all.