Chapter 21 – The Truth at the End of the Road

Morning came softly, almost too peacefully for the weight Haruto carried in his chest.

He stood outside the guesthouse, leaning against his car, watching the quiet street. The sunlight was gentle, the air cool. It should have felt like a normal day.

It didn’t.

The door behind him opened.

Sakura stepped out.

She looked different from the night before. No makeup. Simple dress. Hair loosely tied. The silver earrings he had given her still hung from her ears.

For a moment, they just looked at each other.

“Morning,” she said.

“Morning,” he replied.

She walked closer, stopping a step away from him. Her voice was calm, but her fingers fidgeted slightly.

“I wanted to talk before everyone wakes up.”

Haruto nodded.

She took a breath. “Tomorrow… I’m getting married.”

Even though he expected it, hearing it in the quiet morning made it feel more real.

He stayed silent.

“It’s at the marriage office,” she continued. “Simple registration. Nothing big.”

Still, he said nothing.

Then she looked up at him. “Can you drive me there?”

That caught him off guard.

“Me?” he asked.

She nodded. “Yes.”

“Why?”

Sakura hesitated. “Because I trust you. And… I want someone familiar there.”

Haruto looked away for a second. The request felt heavy, like something pressing against his chest.

He could refuse.

He should refuse.

But he didn’t.

“Okay,” he said quietly. “I’ll take you.”

Her shoulders relaxed just a little. “Thank you.”

Kenji was not calm when he heard.

“You agreed to what?” he nearly shouted, pacing around the room.

Haruto sat on the edge of the bed, watching him tire himself out.

“She asked for help,” Haruto said simply.

“She asked you to take her to marry another man!” Kenji snapped. “What are you, her driver? Her emotional support vehicle?”

Haruto rubbed his forehead. “Kenji…”

“No,” Kenji continued. “This is too much. First she pushes you away, then she cries, then she asks you to stay, now this?”

Haruto didn’t respond.

Kenji stopped pacing and looked at him carefully. “You still love her.”

It wasn’t a question.

Haruto stayed quiet.

Kenji exhaled slowly, anger fading into frustration. “You’re going to get hurt again.”

“Maybe,” Haruto admitted.

“And you’re still going?”

“Yes.”

Kenji dropped into the chair and shook his head. “You’re a strange man, doctor.”

Haruto gave a faint smile. “I know.”

After a moment, Kenji sighed. “Fine. Go. But I’m not coming to watch this tragedy.”

The next day arrived faster than Haruto wanted.

Sakura was already waiting outside when he brought the car around.

She looked nervous now.

“Ready?” he asked gently.

She nodded and got in.

The drive to the marriage office was quiet. The streets were slowly filling with people, the city waking up.

Sakura stared ahead, hands folded tightly in her lap.

Haruto focused on the road.

After a while, she spoke softly. “You’re not asking anything.”

He kept his eyes forward. “You made your choice.”

Her lips pressed together, but she didn’t reply.

A few minutes later, they reached the building.

It was simple. Just a small government office with people walking in and out, holding documents and talking quietly.

Haruto parked the car.

Sakura didn’t move right away.

“Thank you,” she said.

He nodded. “You should go. He’s probably waiting.”

She opened the door and stepped out.

Haruto followed a moment later, more out of habit than intention.

They walked toward the entrance together.

And then—

Haruto stopped.

A man stood near the doorway, holding a file, checking his watch.

He looked up.

And smiled.

“Haruto,” he said. “You came.”

Haruto felt the world go still for a second.

“Satoshi?” he said, stunned.

Satoshi Kazuma stepped forward, looking relaxed, almost amused. “I didn’t expect you to be the one bringing her.”

Haruto’s mind struggled to catch up. “You’re…?”

Sakura stepped beside him.

“He’s my boyfriend,” she said quietly.

The words echoed in Haruto’s ears.

Satoshi looked between them, then chuckled softly. “Life is strange, isn’t it? We almost became family once. And now…”

He shrugged.

Kenji’s voice suddenly rang in Haruto’s head.

Same circle. Same people. Must be fate.

Haruto stood there, frozen, as the truth settled in.

The man Sakura was about to marry…

Was the same man who once told him,

Even if you don’t marry my sister, at least you gained a friend.