Chapter 38: The Best Girl I Married (Semi-Canon)

Three years had passed since the unscripted drama at the studio. I couldn't forget that scene. Mika's kiss, Kazuki's glare, and the promise I made in front of her father... everything was swirling in my head. I remembered Kazuki's words: "You can't run from your destiny."

Maybe my destiny wasn't to live a quiet life with books. Maybe my destiny was to become a real Prince.

That afternoon, I went to Mika's room. Mika, who had just finished posing for a photo shoot, looked at me in surprise.

"Akira-kun? What's wrong?" she asked.

I took a deep breath. "Mika... there's something I want to ask you."

"What is it? Is it about that unscripted kissing scene?" Mika asked with a teasing tone.

I shook my head. "No. This... this is more serious than that." I knelt down in front of her. "Mika Tanaka, you're the girl who made my life no longer silent. You made me realize that my life could be filled with happiness. So... will you marry me?"

Mika was silent, tears welling up in her eyes. Then, a wide smile appeared on her face. "You idiot!" she yelled. "Of course, I will!"

She jumped up, hugged me tightly, and kissed me in front of all her staff. I was embarrassed, but I didn't pull away.

Three years had passed since that day.

Now, Mika and I were husband and wife. Mika had become a very successful actress and model, and I had become a famous lawyer who handled many big cases. We had a beautiful daughter named Katsumi. She was one year old, with gray hair and red eyes just like Mika.

That afternoon, Mika and I were teaching Katsumi how to walk. She took a few wobbly steps on the carpet, then fell.

"Oh no! Katsumi-chan, are you okay?" Mika immediately picked her up.

Katsumi laughed. She hugged Mika, then looked at me, waving her hand.

"Mama! Papa!"

I smiled. A sincere smile, a smile that I learned from Reina.

"Akira-kun, look! She called you Papa!" Mika exclaimed happily.

We both laughed. I knew my life, which was once silent, was now filled with happiness.

"Mika," I said. "There's something I want to tell you."

"What is it?"

"Thank you," I said. "You made my life, which was once silent, alive."

Mika smiled. She kissed me. "You idiot," she said. "From now on, you'll never be alone again."

A few months later, Mika, Katsumi, and I went to California, America. We were on vacation, which was also our delayed honeymoon. Under the sun, we played on the beach, laughing and happy.

I looked at Mika, she smiled, and I smiled back. I knew this was the perfect ending for me.