Chapter 12 – The Truth Between Conversations

The guesthouse was unusually quiet that afternoon.

Aiko sat near the window, folding ribbons meant for the wedding decorations. Sakura lay stretched out on the tatami, staring at the ceiling, spinning a hair tie around her finger.

“You’re quiet today,” Aiko said gently, without looking up.

Sakura shrugged. “Just tired.”

Aiko smiled. “That’s a lie.”

Sakura turned her head. “Wow. Marriage really gives you superpowers.”

Aiko laughed softly, then grew thoughtful. “Do you remember when I first met Masato?”

Sakura sat up a little. “Of course. You tripped over your own bag and spilled tea on him.”

Aiko groaned. “Please don’t remind me.”

“But he apologized,” Sakura continued. “Even though it was clearly your fault.”

Aiko nodded. “That’s when I knew he was different. He didn’t try to impress me. He just… stayed.”

There was a pause.

“And Haruto?” Aiko asked carefully.

Sakura stiffened.

“I heard things,” Aiko continued. “About his wedding being canceled.”

Sakura laughed suddenly, sharp and defensive. “Yeah. That mess.”

Aiko turned to her fully now. “Sakura… were you involved?”

The room went still.

Sakura looked away. “I didn’t mean for it to turn out like that.”

“What happened?” Aiko asked softly.

Sakura exhaled. “I panicked. I was drunk. I said stupid things. I tried to push him away before he could leave on his own.”

Aiko’s expression changed. Not angry. Just understanding.

“So you hurt him first,” she said.

Sakura swallowed. “Yeah.”

Outside the room, Masato stood frozen.

He hadn’t meant to eavesdrop. He was looking for Aiko. But the words stopped him cold.

“Haruto?” Masato muttered under his breath.

Pieces clicked together. The canceled wedding. Haruto’s silence. Sakura’s strange behavior.

Masato clenched his fists.

That night, Masato found Kenji and Haruto sitting together, pretending to enjoy tea.

Masato dropped down in front of them. “We need to talk.”

Kenji blinked. “That tone scares me.”

Masato looked straight at Haruto. “Sakura. She’s the reason your wedding was canceled, isn’t she?”

Haruto didn’t answer.

That was answer enough.

Kenji let out a long sigh. “Well… crap.”

Masato ran a hand through his hair. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

Haruto gave a weak smile. “Didn’t feel like ruining your wedding.”

Masato stared at him, then stood up abruptly. “That’s it. We’re fixing this.”

Kenji raised a finger. “Define ‘fixing.’”

“We go to the bride’s guesthouse,” Masato said. “We talk like adults.”

Haruto hesitated. “Masato—”

“No,” Masato interrupted. “You’ve been carrying this alone. Not anymore.”

Kenji grinned. “Wow. Groom energy is terrifying.”

They walked together, tension heavy but purpose clear.

Halfway there, Kenji stopped.

“Actually,” he said, checking his phone, “I’ll catch up.”

Masato narrowed his eyes. “You’re ditching us?”

“Strategic retreat,” Kenji said. “Also… I think I just met fate.”

Before they could respond, a voice crashed into him.

“Hey! Watch where you’re walking!”

Kenji turned to see a girl glaring at him, arms crossed. She had sharp eyes and an expression that suggested she took no nonsense.

“Sorry,” Kenji said automatically.

She squinted. “You look suspicious.”

Kenji smiled. “I get that a lot.”

“I’m Hina,” she said. “And you are?”

“Kenji. Professional troublemaker.”

She snorted. “Figures.”

As she walked off, Kenji watched her go, then laughed to himself. “Well… this is unexpected.”

Back at the guesthouse, Masato and Haruto stood in silence before the door.

Haruto’s heart pounded.

Masato placed a hand on his shoulder. “No matter what happens, you won’t face it alone.”

Haruto nodded.

Inside, Sakura looked up as the door opened.

Their eyes met.

And everything they had avoided finally stood between them.