Chapter 50: “I’m… His Wife.”

The café had been warm and peaceful a moment ago. Soft chatter, quiet music, the hum of the coffee machine. Normal.

Then Hanami stood up.

She smoothed her skirt, gave a polite bow, and introduced herself with a gentle smile that could kill a man on the spot.

“Hello, I’m his wife.”

The entire world seemed to stop.

Even the barista froze mid-pour.

Kosuke felt his soul leave his body.

For a second, nobody breathed.

Then—

“HIS WHAT?!”

“NO WAY, SENSEI?!”

“WAIT—WIFE?!”

Kosuke’s students practically catapulted out of their seats, eyes wide like they’d just discovered a secret government plot.

One pointed dramatically at Kosuke.

“You? Married?!”

Another leaned toward Hanami with genuine shock.

“How did YOU get HIM??”

Kosuke almost choked.

“Stop saying ‘get him’ like I’m a lost puppy!”

Hanami hid her smile behind her hand, loving every second of this chaos.

She nodded seriously.

“Yes. He was very hard to catch. I had to chase him all over campus.”

Kosuke slammed his palm on the table.

“No—no you didn’t! Please stop inventing things!”

But it was too late. The students were already kneeling metaphorically at Hanami’s feet.

“Ma’am, please tell us how you fell in love.”

“Did he propose in the library?”

“Did he stutter? He definitely stuttered, right?!”

Kosuke looked like he was about to disintegrate.

Hanami placed a thoughtful finger on her chin.

“Well… since you’re curious… our marriage happened because—”

Kosuke lunged across the table, whisper-hissing,

“Hanami, I’m begging you, don’t—”

But she continued anyway, voice sweet as honey.

“—because he kept following me everywhere.”

Kosuke’s face caught fire.

“I DID NOT FOLLOW YOU! I went to the same school!”

The students nodded as if this confirmed everything.

One whispered, “He was smitten… wow…”

Hanami leaned closer to them.

“During our high school days, he used to walk behind me, pretending he wasn’t staring. But I always knew.”

Kosuke clutched his head.

“Hanami, please—”

She lowered her voice dramatically.

“And then… one day… under the cherry tree…”

The students gasped.

Kosuke shook his head violently.

“No cherry tree! Absolutely no cherry tree!”

Hanami placed her hand on her heart.

“He confessed. With tears in his eyes.”

Kosuke nearly fell out of his chair.

“WHY WOULD I CRY?!”

The students turned to him.

“Sensei, that’s so romantic…”

“I never thought you were capable of such emotion.”

“Teacher… this is inspiring…”

Kosuke nearly fainted.

Hanami wasn’t done.

She leaned in even closer, voice soft and carrying just the right amount of drama:

“And during our wedding—”

“WE DIDN’T HAVE ONE!” Kosuke yelped.

Hanami continued like he hadn’t spoken.

“—he cried again. More than before.”

One student slapped the table.

“I KNEW IT! He IS a crier!”

Kosuke buried his face in his hands.

“I’m transferring schools…”

Hanami’s laugh was quiet and warm.

She wasn’t mocking him. She was… enjoying him. Enjoying being next to him. Enjoying this version of him that no one else ever saw.

Eventually, she took pity.

She rested a hand gently on Kosuke’s arm.

“Alright, alright. I’m teasing.”

The students blinked in confusion.

She smiled kindly.

“We’re not married.”

The students exhaled in relief and disappointment at the same time.

“So… then… who are you?”

One of them asked softly.

Hanami didn’t look at the students first.

She looked at Kosuke.

His eyes lifted hesitantly, searching hers for the answer he was afraid of hearing.

Hanami’s smile softened, losing all its playfulness.

When she spoke, her voice carried weight.

“I’m someone… who used to be very important to him.”

The students quieted.

Kosuke felt something tighten in his chest.

She didn’t stop there.

“And maybe,” she added gently, “someone who still is.”

Kosuke swallowed, unable to speak.

The students stepped back, understanding enough to stop asking questions.

They bowed politely and returned to their table, whispering softer this time—not teasing now, but curious and oddly respectful.

Kosuke leaned back in his chair, still red, still embarrassed, but strangely… grateful.

Hanami leaned closer.

“You’re welcome,” she whispered.

Kosuke sighed.

“You’re unbelievable…”

She grinned.

“You love it.”

He didn’t deny it.