Chapter 33 – “Home Is Where You Are”

The sky over Himawari Chapel was a gentle blue — soft clouds drifting lazily as spring sunlight fell on rows of white chairs and pink petals scattered by the breeze.

Inside the waiting room, Riko Tachibana stared at her reflection in the mirror.

Her wedding dress shimmered faintly under the light — simple, elegant, with soft lace along the sleeves. Her hair, pinned gently by Mina, was styled with tiny white blossoms that matched the bouquet she held.

She took a deep breath. “I can’t believe this is really happening.”

Behind her, Mina grinned, fussing over the veil. “Believe it. You’re finally marrying your high school sweetheart. I told you those hallway stares meant something!”

Riko’s face turned pink. “Minaaa…”

“Relax! You look perfect. Now just don’t trip while walking down the aisle, okay?”

“I might after that curse of yours,” Riko muttered.

Mina laughed, giving her a reassuring hug. “You’ve survived detention, college, and Daichi’s cooking. You can survive a wedding.”

---

In the chapel hall, Daichi Sakamoto stood nervously, tugging at his tie. His best man, Rei, gave him a teasing glance.

“You look like you’re about to face a final exam.”

Daichi exhaled. “Honestly, I’d rather take one. What if I mess up the vows? What if she—”

Rei cut in. “She’s Riko. She once punched a guy who made fun of you. You really think she’s backing out now?”

That earned a small laugh. Daichi smiled. “Yeah… she’s always been braver than me.”

Rei’s tone softened. “Then match her courage, idiot. You both earned this.”

The doors opened. Music swelled. Everyone rose.

And then — she appeared.

Riko walked down the aisle, step by step, her veil catching the light like a scene from a dream. Daichi forgot how to breathe for a moment.

His chest tightened — not from nerves, but from the realization that every laugh, every argument, every silly memory had led here.

When she reached him, he whispered, “You look beautiful.”

Riko smiled through a faint blush. “You don’t look too bad yourself, Sensei.”

---

The ceremony was a blur of laughter and teary smiles.

The officiant began. “Marriage is not just the union of two people, but the joining of two lives — two stories that choose to continue as one.”

Riko and Daichi exchanged rings, their hands trembling slightly.

“Daichi Sakamoto,” she said softly, her voice quivering. “You’ve always been the calm to my chaos. The person who made me laugh when I wanted to cry. From our first argument to this moment, you’ve never stopped seeing me — not as ‘one of the boys,’ but as me.”

Daichi swallowed hard. “Riko Tachibana… you were my light when I didn’t even realize I was in the dark. You made me believe in things I couldn’t explain — luck, timing, maybe fate. And no matter how ordinary our days are, you make them feel special.”

Tears glimmered in her eyes. “That’s because we’re both idiots in love.”

He laughed softly. “The best kind.”

The officiant smiled. “Then by the power vested in me — you may now kiss the bride.”

---

Their first kiss as husband and wife was shy, clumsy, and utterly perfect — just like them.

The audience erupted in cheers. Mina’s voice rang above all others: “Finally!”

Even Rei, who pretended to be stoic, clapped with a small smile.

Daichi leaned his forehead against Riko’s. “See? You didn’t trip.”

“Not yet,” she teased. “Wait till the afterparty.”

---

The reception was a mix of laughter and nostalgia.

Photos of their high school days played on a projector — Riko in her messy ponytail, Daichi blushing during the school play, Mina photobombing everything.

During dinner, Riko’s former students presented a handmade card that read: Congratulations, Riko-sensei!

Daichi’s students joined too, waving signs that said: Go, Nakamura-sensei!

Everyone laughed when the kids started chanting, “Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!”

Riko covered her face. “We just did!”

Daichi smirked. “Guess we have fans of romance now.”

Mina snapped a photo. “I’m so posting this. #TeacherCoupleGoals.”

“Don’t you dare!” Riko protested.

Too late.

---

Later that night, when the crowd had gone and the moon hung over the quiet courtyard, Daichi and Riko sat together beneath the cherry tree outside the chapel.

Fireflies glowed softly around them. The air smelled faintly of spring rain.

“It’s strange,” Riko said, resting her head on his shoulder. “After everything, it still feels like we’re just those same kids from high school.”

He smiled. “Maybe that’s what love does — it keeps part of you young.”

She chuckled. “So… what now, Mr. Sakamoto?”

“Now?” He looked at her gently. “We keep going. Different classrooms, same heartbeat, remember?”

Riko’s eyes softened. “Always.”

He took her hand, their fingers interlacing as naturally as breathing. “Welcome home, Mrs. Sakamoto .”

“Home?” she echoed.

He nodded. “Wherever you are.”

She smiled — that same bright, unstoppable smile that had first caught his heart.

> And as the night settled around them, Riko whispered —

“Home is where you are.”