Chapter 59: Make A Way For Tomorrow

The first night of marriage is supposed to be romantic. Mine was spent discussing honeymoon budgets, a list of wild guests, and the impending social threats posed by my university peers.

I lay on the futon, staring at the ceiling, which felt perceptibly narrower now that another person occupied the space beside me.

Mitsuzu Kurumi. My wife. Even now, the phrase felt like a delivery error by the hand of destiny.

She was lying on her side facing me, her ashen-silver hair sprawling across the pillow, her crimson eyes fixed on me with uncharacteristic intensity.

"So... what happens now?" "Your question is far too broad." "I mean, after all the ceremonies are over." "Oh." I thought for a moment. "There is one place I’ve always wanted to visit." "Where?" "Indonesia."

She blinked. "Indonesia?" I nodded. "Beaches, cities, food, culture. A proper place for a honeymoon." Mitsuzu offered a small smile. "That sounds lovely." "So, we’re in agreement?" "As long as you don't draft the itinerary like a military drill."

I gave her a flat look. "You know me too well." "You’re just too easy to read."

We shared a soft laugh. The night felt still—like a lake with a peaceful surface, even though the depths were still littered with untouched stones. Then, my phone vibrated. A message from Nozomi.

"We’re coming tomorrow in full force. Celebration party included."

I sat bolt upright. "What is it?" Mitsuzu asked, sitting up beside me. "They're coming. All of them." "Didn't you tell them just a few people were enough?" "I did." "And?" "They declined my request."

She pressed a hand to her forehead. I followed suit. "Good grief..." I muttered. "I hope tomorrow ends quickly. I hope I’m still alive by sunset."

The Next Morning

The small station of Hisuikaigan is usually a bastion of tranquility. This morning, that tranquility officially retired. The train pulled in with a long, screeching hiss of brakes. The doors slid open, and the disasters began to disembark one by one.

Touma was the first to leap onto the platform. Disheveled hair, a massive suitcase, excessive energy, and a volume level that violated several local ordinances.

"KENGO! WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL US YOU GOT MARRIED?!"

The shout echoed across the platform. A station attendant turned. Two elderly ladies turned. Even a stray bird seemed to pause and stare. I briefly considered applying for a new identity.

Touma ran over and gripped my shoulders. "What kind of friend are you?!" "The kind that appreciates silence." "You got married first and didn't tell us!"

Nozomi appeared from behind him with a casual stride, promptly whacking Touma on the head with a rolled-up ticket. "Don't scream in public." Touma rubbed his head. "You always choose violence." "Because words don't work on you."

Then came the next figure. A wide-brimmed hat. Oversized sunglasses. A mask. A scarf wrapped around the neck despite the warm weather. Her movements were those of a failing spy. A security guard immediately approached.

"Excuse me, could you remove the mask?" The figure froze. I already knew. Ishikawa Yukari. She glanced left and right. "I’m not a criminal. I’m a regular citizen." The guard narrowed his eyes. "Why is a regular citizen dressed like a fugitive?"

Touma roared with laughter. Nozomi took two steps back, clearly refusing to be associated with the scene. After I explained that this strange woman was indeed my friend—and, unfortunately, had been like this for a long time—the guard surrendered to the absurdity of life.

The Invasion of the Living Room

The walk to my house was a parade of bipedal chaos. Touma continued his interrogation.

"So when did you two get back together?" "When was the wedding?" "How was the first night?" "Why are your questions jumping the gun so much?"

Yukari stared at the village houses. "This place is good. Perfect for a family drama setting." Asahi walked along, peering into every corner. "I suspect there's a great secret hidden in this village." "The greatest secret here is why you all showed up," I muttered.

Only Nozomi remained quiet, walking with a faint, knowing smile. That was significantly more terrifying.

When we arrived, the door was already open. We stepped inside, and every footstep halted. In the living room, a woman with ashen-silver hair and crimson eyes was calmly arranging tea cups.

Kurosaki Yuki. At least, that was the name they knew.

Touma froze. He looked at me, then at the woman, then back at me. His brain seemed to be undergoing a hard restart. Yukari slowly lowered her sunglasses. Asahi took a step back.

"So my secret identity theory was correct?" "No," I replied. "Your theory is still wrong."

Only Nozomi remained composed. She already knew. Mitsuzu turned toward them and bowed deeply.

"Actually... I am Mitsuzu Kurumi." "EEEEEH?!" Touma, Yukari, and Asahi shouted in unison.

The room fell into a stunned silence. Touma stared blankly. Yukari looked like she was rewriting her entire plotline. Asahi stroked his chin. "Reality truly is unreliable."

I let out a long sigh. The party hadn't even started, and the atmosphere was already broken.

The Hot Springs

That afternoon, in a desperate bid to save my remaining sanity, I took Touma, Yukari, and Asahi to the village hot springs. The bath was located at the foot of a hill, steam rising slowly into the air while pine trees stood like ancient hermits. A perfect place for peace.

Unfortunately, Touma was there. He stood before the signboards. "Kengo." "What?" "I want to ask something important." "If it’s stupid, I’m going home." He whispered, "Is this a mixed bath?"

I stared at him. Even the evening breeze seemed embarrassed. "Did you come here to soak, or to find a way to get slapped by a stranger?" "I’m just appreciating the local culture!" "Local culture doesn't need people like you."

We entered the pool. The hot water seeped into my muscles. I closed my eyes. Peace. Then Touma’s voice shattered it. "Kengo..." "What now?" He smirked. "How was the first night?"

Silence. A bird stopped chirping. Asahi leaned in. Yukari turned her head. An old man in the corner of the pool raised an eyebrow.

"Why are you asking that while smiling like a villain?" "Just answer!" I exhaled. "It was ordinary."

Touma froze. "O-ordinary?" "Yes." "Impossible! There should have been a storm! Dramatic music! Lightning! Moonlight!" "Why does your version of my life sound like a budget film?"

Yukari splashed the water, laughing. "This man’s fantasies are so cheap." Touma pointed at me. "Then what did you actually do?" "We talked." "About?" "Honeymoon plans." Touma stared at the sky. "How romantic..." "Then we went to sleep."

He submerged half his body in the water. "Ruined... all my imagery, ruined..." Asahi nodded solemnly. "This is an educational moment for Touma."

My phone vibrated by the edge of the pool. The name on the screen made me sit up reflexively. Kurumi.

Touma narrowed his eyes. "Aha! The call of love!" I picked up. "Yes?"

Mitsuzu’s voice was hurried. She was preparing an impromptu dinner party. Ingredients were missing. I was tasked with buying meat, vegetables, drinks, and snacks before the shops closed.

I looked at the sky. So this is the life of a husband. Touma leaned in. "Was that a sweet, intimate call?" "No." "Then?" "A call to duty."

I climbed out of the pool. Touma panicked. "Where are you going?!" "Grocery shopping." He watched me with horror. "After marriage, you’ve become an NPC husband." I patted his shoulder. "And you’re still a loud supporting character."

The Intersection

After shopping, I walked home carrying several plastic bags. The evening sky had turned a deep orange, and the sea breeze was gentle. I thought about the dinner ahead. About Touma’s inevitable noise. About Yukari’s critiques. About Kurumi waiting for me.

Then, everything changed in a single second.

At the intersection near the market, a young girl dashed into the middle of the road to retrieve a fallen doll. She didn't see the light. She didn't see the car speeding from the right.

My eyes widened. "WATCH OUT!"

The grocery bags hit the ground. My body moved faster than my thoughts. I ran. I reached the girl. I shoved her toward the sidewalk. She landed safely.

Then came the screech of tires. A violent impact slammed into my body. The world spun. I was thrown onto the asphalt. Pain radiated through me. A sickening warmth flowed from my head, blood trickling down the side of my face.

People were screaming. "Call an ambulance!" "Hurry!" "The child is safe!"

Footsteps thundered toward me. Through my blurring vision, someone broke through the crowd.

Nozomi.

Her eyes were wide with panic. Her own groceries lay scattered on the street. She knelt beside me, her hands trembling as she cradled my head.

"KENGO!" "Don't go to sleep! Look at me!" "Please... stay with me!"

I wanted to answer, but my body felt like lead. The voices around me began to recede. The orange sky above me slowly faded to black. The siren of an ambulance wailed in the distance. Closer. Then fainter.

Nozomi was still calling my name. And before everything went dark, I had one final thought.

Kurumi is going to be so angry because I’m taking too long to get home.

Then I closed my eyes, and the world simply stopped.