Shiinahkz

White Day Cookies

The March wind drifted gently through the air, cool against the skin yet no longer as merciless as winter’s breath. The branches of the trees swayed softly, as though dancing to the quiet melody carried by the breeze. Now and then the faint scraping of twigs brushing against one another could be heard, a delicate sound that seemed almost like a vocalist joining the performance, nature’s own opera unfolding beneath the pale sky.

There was, in truth, nothing particularly remarkable about this day. For most people, it was simply another square on the calendar, no different from any other. Some might circle the date in red and scribble the words White Day beneath it, but for many such a note meant little at all. Life went on as usual, people still rose early for work, students still hurried to school, and the world continued turning with its ordinary rhythm.

But for a small handful of people—especially those who had carefully written that mark upon their calendars—this day carried a quiet significance. They had been waiting for it, anticipating it, perhaps even preparing for it far in advance. Kaoru was one of them.

He had been staring at a small package resting in his hands for quite some time now, his gaze filled with uncertainty. Inside the wrapping lay several soft cookies, still fragrant with sweetness. He had no doubts about the taste itself; after all, he had made them together with Ritsu. What troubled him was not the flavor, but whether those cookies would suit Shii’s palate at all.

This was the first time he had ever chosen sweets as a White Day gift for her. In the past, he had always given something tangible, a small accessory, or a trinket he believed she might treasure. Yet for reasons he could not quite explain, this year he had resolved to give her soft cookies instead.

The cookies were round, though imperfectly so, each one tinted a gentle shade of crimson from the red velvet extract he had used. Thin slices of almond rested upon their surface like scattered petals. To those who loved sweets, they would appear irresistible.

Unfortunately, Shii was not one of those people. She did not simply dislike sweetness, she actively avoided it.

Kaoru almost wanted to curse himself for such a foolish decision. Of all people, he should have remembered how much she detested sugary flavors. And yet here he was, presenting them to her as if he had carefully prepared a dose of poison.

After agonizing over the matter again and again, Kaoru finally sprang up from the bench in the small park where he had been waiting. Perhaps he still had time to run to a nearby shop and buy something else—anything else—to replace the cookies.

But the moment he rose to his feet, Shii appeared. She came running toward him, her hair swaying wildly behind her as if the wind itself were chasing after her. Even from a distance he could see the faint lines of guilt written across her expression.

“Sorry I’m late,” she said breathlessly the moment she reached him. “The train had some trouble earlier.”

Her hands rested against her knees as she bent forward, struggling to steady her breathing. Each inhale was hurried, desperate, as her lungs sought as much air as they could gather.

Kaoru felt his legs weaken slightly. A part of him had secretly hoped she would arrive later, late enough for him to change the gift waiting in his hands. But fate, it seemed, had other plans. Shii was already standing right in front of him.

“It’s alright,” he replied gently. “I only just got here myself.”

He was not lying. He had arrived barely ten minutes earlier, and the time he spent wrestling with his anxious thoughts had slipped by so quickly that it hardly felt like waiting at all.

“Do you want some water first?” Kaoru offered her a bottle.

It was a habit he knew by heart now. Shii absolutely hated walking around without water, and if she forgot to bring any she would immediately buy some herself. Because of that, Kaoru had gradually begun carrying water everywhere he went as well.

“Thanks… haaah.” Shii drank eagerly, the cool liquid sliding down her throat and easing the dryness left by her run.

“What terrible timing for the train to break down like that,” she grumbled once she finished, immediately launching into a complaint about the troublesome journey that had delayed her.

Kaoru listened attentively. Honestly, her story was rather ordinary, but the way she told it was always so dramatic that it felt less like a simple anecdote and more like listening to a grand tale, or watching a lively opera unfold before him. The train trouble she described sounded, in her retelling, as though the entire nation of Japan had plunged into a massive blackout while hordes of zombies roamed the streets.

He could not help but watch her expressions as she spoke, her lips moving quickly, her tone rising and falling like music carried upon the wind. Every word seemed to flow naturally into Kaoru’s ears.

“Anyway, it was so annoying,” she concluded with yet another grumble, perhaps the sixth or seventh one since she began.

“So why did you ask me out today?” Shii asked suddenly, as if she had only just remembered the purpose of their meeting. “Where are we going?”

“Ah… today is White Day,” Kaoru said quietly, his enthusiasm fading as his thoughts returned to the uncertain gift waiting in his hands.

“Oh! That explains it,” Shii said, snapping her fingers. “I was wondering why so many guys were giving chocolates to girls earlier.”

Then she looked back at him expectantly.

“And?”

Kaoru inhaled deeply. Handing her those cookies suddenly felt as daunting as performing a concert at the Tokyo Dome.

“Shii-chan…”

“This is my return gift for the one you gave me on Valentine’s Day. But first… I’m sorry. I made these soft cookies without thinking about the fact that you don’t like sweets. I should know better than anyone how much you hate sweet things, and yet this is what I ended up giving you.” He placed the small package into her hands.

Shii showed no reaction at first, leaving Kaoru completely unable to tell whether she liked it, or was simply enduring it out of politeness.

“Well, you are forgetful,” she said casually. “So I’ll forgive you.”

Kaoru’s heart tightened. Her reaction was exactly what he had predicted, far from what he had hoped.

Shii opened the package and took a bite of one of the cookies. The moment her teeth sank into it, a burst of cream cheese filled her mouth, spreading across her senses and dominating each bite.

A smile appeared on her face. Perhaps Kaoru had forgotten she disliked sweets, but somewhere deep in his subconscious, he had remembered after all. The cookies carried the richness of cream cheese, its slight saltiness softening the sweetness of the dough until the sugar almost disappeared entirely. Even what sweetness remained blended harmoniously with the filling.

“But this is really good!” Shii exclaimed. “Wow, are you sure you’re an idol and not a pâtissier? I think when you retire you should open a pastry shop!”

Kaoru blinked in surprise as she continued eating the cookies enthusiastically. He studied her face carefully, searching for any hint that she might simply be pretending.

“What? I’m not sharing these, they’re all mine!” Shii said sharply, shielding the cookies with exaggerated protectiveness.

“I’m not trying to take them, Shii-chan,” Kaoru laughed softly. “But are they really that good?”

She nodded vigorously, already halfway through another cookie. A warm sense of relief spread through Kaoru’s chest. The gift he had feared would disappoint her had instead delighted her completely. His earlier worries melted away, replaced by quiet pride. Reaching out, he gently ruffled the hair of the girl who was still busy devouring his handmade cookies.

After she finished them all, Kaoru asked again, “Do you really like them?”

Shii let out a long breath before suddenly wrapping her arms around his neck.

“Listen carefully,” she said. “The cookies were amazing, honestly even better than the udon I ate yesterday. I really liked them. And besides, even if I didn’t like them, I’d still make myself eat them, because I respect you. You’d do the same thing for me, wouldn’t you?”

She smiled at him. And that smile drew the same one onto Kaoru’s lips.

She was right.

If Shii ever gave him something he disliked, he would still accept it happily. Her happiness always came first to him. Perhaps they might pretend to enjoy such things sometimes, but the warmth that came from being thought of, from being cherished by the other, was never something that could be faked.

“What does udon have to do with cookies?” Kaoru asked with a quiet laugh.

“They’re both made of flour,” Shii replied carelessly before bursting into laughter herself.

Their laughter rose into the air, mingling with the quiet opera of wind and branches that had accompanied them all this while. It became another melody within the rustling of the trees, completing the performance until it felt perfectly whole.

An opera without an ending, because its performers refused to stop sharing warmth with one another in this gentle beginning of spring.

Capri, one word, carrying two ancient echoes. In Greek, it can mean wild boar; in Latin, it may speak of a goat. But for many people, Capri is neither beast nor word. It is a dream made tangible, a destination whispered about in longing, a place where sorrow seems to dissolve into sunlight, where tears feel out of place among the beauty that endlessly delights the eyes. Capri stands apart, an island gently separated from the mainland of Italy, as if the world itself wished to cradle it somewhere special.

For countless travelers, Capri holds a place on the list of places one must see at least once in a lifetime. Leo was no exception. To him, Capri had long become a place of fascination, a place where he could wander freely, watch the rhythm of strangers passing by, observe the quiet dance of everyday life unfolding beneath the Mediterranean sun. And of course, the sea was another irresistible reason for him to set foot on this little island.

Even before arriving, Capri had already stolen his heart. Photographs on the internet and glossy brochures had been enough to ignite his imagination. And now, at last, the wish he had nurtured for so long had come true. He would see it with his own eyes, the deep sapphire of the sea, the soft whisper of salt-laced winds brushing against his skin, and the charming buildings perched along the cliffs like pieces of a living painting.

Excitement surged through him the moment his shoes touched the ground of Capri. His chest felt as if it might burst with it. His eyes shone brightly as he took in everything around him, unable to contain his eagerness to try every little thing this island had to offer; tasting the food, riding the cable cars, basking under the sun, or even just running freely along the streets.

“Uwaaah!” The sound of pure amazement slipped from his lips before he could stop it.

“Leo-kun, you’re blocking the way for other people,” a girl gently scolded as she tugged lightly at his arm.

Leo turned toward her with a completely unapologetic grin, the kind that made it impossible to stay annoyed at him for long. Without protest, he shifted aside and stepped closer to her, allowing the path he had unknowingly occupied to open again.

Still smiling widely, Leo looked at Maru. The excitement in his eyes had not faded in the slightest. Being able to stand here in Capri already thrilled him beyond words, but what made the moment even brighter was the simple fact that he was here with her—his little sea, Maru. After everything they had gone through together—the quiet tears, the storms of emotion, the silent cries that never found voice—they had finally carved out a moment like this. A moment to breathe. A moment to simply exist beside each other and enjoy the gentle warmth of their bond.

“So, where’re we going first?” Leo asked, glancing at Maru, who was currently studying a map of Capri on her phone.

They had arrived without a tour guide, relying only on the internet and a few bits of advice from acquaintances who had once visited the island.

Maru stood there in a light white summer dress, its thin straps resting delicately on her shoulders. A straw hat crowned her dark hair, both adorning her and shielding her from the golden sunlight above. Her eyes were fixed on her phone screen with remarkable focus. Leo could even see the faint crease forming on her forehead from how seriously she examined the map application. Soft, indistinct murmurs slipped from her lips as she considered their route, carefully weighing where they should go first.

“How about we head to the Blue Grotto first?” Maru asked.

“Let’s go!” Leo didn’t hesitate even for a second. He grabbed Maru’s hand immediately.

“Leo-kun, wait! I still need to check which way we’re supposed to go,” Maru protested.

But Leo simply kept walking.

“It’s gotta be this way. Yeah, definitely this way!” Maru could only sigh softly before following him. His steps were quick, but not overwhelmingly so.

Without either of them truly noticing when it had started—perhaps a few months after they first met, perhaps even earlier—Leo’s naturally quick, long strides had gradually slowed whenever he walked beside Maru. His steps had begun to match her rhythm, adjusting instinctively to her pace. And now, it had quietly become his habit.

---

“So… this is the Blue Grotto?!”

Maru stood with her hands planted firmly on her hips as she stared at Leo, her eyes narrowing. Her eyes, twin blue orbs as clear and luminous as a shallow tropical sea, narrowed into a playful squint, their azure depths sharpening as they locked onto Leo's irises, which held the quiet, earthy green of a forest lake. There was a silent accusation in that look.

Leo, the owner of those sharp green eyes, could only answer with the familiar sheepish grin that seemed permanently etched onto his face. There was not the slightest trace of panic in him, nor even guilt. Instead, he looked almost absurdly relaxed about the fact that he had clearly guided them to the wrong place. After all, situations like this had happened far too many times to count.

Maru drew in a long breath, the kind one takes when accepting a fate that feels both frustrating and oddly inevitable. Once again, she had become Leo’s victim—the victim of wandering astray simply because the man stubbornly refused to use a map or ask the locals for directions. Leo possessed an almost unbelievable confidence in navigating the world using nothing but instinct alone.

It wasn’t that Maru doubted his instincts entirely. In certain matters, Leo’s intuition was remarkably sharp—almost frighteningly so, as though he could sense things others could not. But when it came to directions… well, Maru often felt that particular instinct of his deserved at least a little suspicion.

“Mmm… maybe we should’ve turned right back there when we were heading down,” Leo muttered while folding his arms across his chest, tilting his head as though he were a philosopher contemplating the mysteries of the universe rather than someone who had simply gotten lost. His thoughtful pose might have looked convincing—if not for the fact that the cause of the problem was standing right there.

“Or maybe,” Maru replied calmly, lifting a brow, “we were already going the wrong way from the beginning.”

“Ah… yeah, okay, fair point,” Leo admitted with a light chuckle. Then, as if the solution were the most obvious thing in the world, he suddenly brightened. “Alright! Let’s just go back to the start.”

Before she could say another word, Leo had already reached out and grabbed Maru’s hand again, tugging her along with an easy, unbothered enthusiasm that seemed completely immune to frustration. And just like that, whether she liked it or not, Maru found herself following him once more.

Sometimes Maru truly didn’t understand herself. She didn’t understand why she continued to trust Leo like this, even after he had led them astray more than once today alone. She could have stopped him. She could have insisted that he wait while she checked the map again, traced the correct route, and guided them properly toward their destination.

Yet instead of doing any of those things, she simply walked beside him again.

Step for step, their footsteps fell together along the winding paths of Capri, allowing the warm summer breeze drifting in from the sea to guide them toward places neither of them had planned to find. Perhaps they would get lost again. Perhaps they would wander in circles and never reach the Blue Grotto at all, even after an entire day of walking beneath the golden Mediterranean sun.

But strangely… Maru didn’t mind.

As long as her steps were carried forward by the gentle wind of summer that seemed to follow Leo wherever he went, and as long as her hand remained wrapped in the warmth of his like this, Maru found that she didn’t mind wandering a little longer before reaching their destination. After all, sometimes the most beautiful journeys were the ones that took the longest way around.

They had been walking for quite some time—long enough for the sun to climb higher and the shadows to grow shorter—yet there was still no sign that they were anywhere near the Blue Grotto. If anything, it felt as though each step they took carried them farther away from that famed jewel of Capri, the place they had set out to find with such bright anticipation. And yet, the path they wandered was anything but disappointing.

Along the way, they stumbled upon places no less enchanting, as if the island itself was gently offering them hidden treasures in exchange for losing their way. They passed through a garden overflowing with blossoms, petals swaying softly in the breeze like a quiet chorus of colors. They paused atop high cliffs where the sea stretched endlessly below, its surface shimmering beneath the sun like scattered fragments of glass. And of course, they couldn’t resist stopping for small local treats, the taste of them lingering sweetly as part of the memory they were unknowingly weaving together.

But even the most beautiful journey begins to weigh on the body after enough time. Maru’s steps gradually slowed, the rhythm of her walking losing its earlier lightness. The heat of the sun pressed down more insistently now, wrapping around her shoulders and settling into her skin. Her feet, having endured far more than they were prepared for, began to ache with each step she forced herself to take. Still, true to her stubborn nature, she said nothing. She simply kept walking.

The wind shifted suddenly, brushing past them a little stronger than before, almost as if it had noticed something Maru was trying to hide. And then, without warning, Leo stopped and crouched down right in front of her.

The suddenness of it caught Maru completely off guard, her breath hitching as she stared at him. There was something almost striking about the way he moved just now. It reminded her of a knight from some distant tale, one who had sworn himself to the quiet duty of protecting someone precious.

“Eh—Leo-kun, what are you doing?” she asked, her voice faltering slightly as the warmth already lingering on her cheeks deepened into a vivid red.

“… I think your feet and your shoes got into a fight in there,” Leo said thoughtfully, his gaze lowering toward her feet, “and yeah… your little feet totally lost.”

“Huh…?” Even after all this time, after everything they had shared, there were still moments when Maru found Leo’s way of thinking utterly impossible to predict.

“C’mon, take your shoes off for a sec.” Before she could protest, Leo had already reached out, gently helping her slip off her shoes. And just as he suspected, the evidence was clear. The skin of her feet had turned red, especially around her heels, the irritation obvious enough that if she had continued any longer, it might have broken into painful blisters.

“Whoa… your feet are seriously red. Like, tomato-level red,” Leo commented lightly.

Maru was just about to complain when suddenly, a soft breath brushed against her skin. Leo had leaned closer, gently blowing over the irritated area of her foot. The sting eased ever so slightly under the cool touch of air, but in exchange, something far more dangerous took its place.

Her heart.

It was no longer safe.

The sight of him—his expression unexpectedly serious, his movements careful and focused—sent her pulse spiraling out of control. Once he was done, he repeated the same gentle gesture with her other foot, his touch so delicate it almost didn’t seem real.

It was the kind of gentleness one might expect from someone playing the keys of a piano, each movement measured, precise, and filled with quiet care. Tsukinaga Leo, who was so often reckless and unpredictable, now looked…soft.

“Maru, your feet are kinda in bad shape,” Leo said after a moment, straightening slightly. “You probably can't walk anymore.” And just like that, the fragile image of tenderness shattered.

“Don’t say something that scary so casually!”

“Wahaha~☆” Leo laughed freely, clearly amused. Teasing Maru, it seemed, was a source of endless entertainment for him.

“Alright, let’s find somewhere to take a break,” he added, turning his back to her while remaining in a crouched position.

“Hop on.”

“…Hop on?” Maru repeated, hesitation flickering in her voice.

“Oh? What, you want me to carry you princess-style instead?” Leo shot back immediately.

That was all it took. In an instant, Maru climbed onto his back, arms wrapping around him without another word. The mere thought of being carried that way, in public no less, was enough to make her abandon any resistance. There was no way she could endure the strange looks from others, or, more truthfully, the storm it would stir within her own heart.

Leo rose to his feet and began walking again, his steps steady and unbothered. Carrying her didn’t seem to weigh on him at all. If anything, it felt natural. Their journey continued, now in a different rhythm.

They talked as they went, their voices weaving into the warm air between them. Sometimes they laughed, the sound light and carefree. Sometimes Maru protested at something Leo said, her tone sharp but never truly serious. And sometimes, her voice softened in a way that lingered quietly in his ears.

Walking like this… it was strangely enjoyable. Especially with Maru so close. From where she rested against his back, Leo could faintly hear it—the rapid, unsteady rhythm of her heartbeat. It drummed softly against him. And though he said nothing of it, his own heart had begun to echo that same rhythm. Of course… that was something he absolutely had no intention of letting Maru notice.

A Small Promise

“Your Highness, your guest has arrived,” someone announced from outside the private chamber of Yufeng Xun, one of the landowners rumored to carry the blood of the Wind God within his veins.

Yufeng Xun was deeply respected by the people of his village; they treated him like royalty, perhaps even more reverently than a king. Every ceremony held in honor of the Wind God they worshiped was led by Xun himself, his presence regarded as both sacred and authoritative.

“Let her enter,” Xun replied calmly.

The door slid open with a soft sound, and footsteps entered the room one after another—light, measured steps that suggested their owner possessed a small and graceful frame. Xun did not need to turn his head to know who it was. From the rhythm of her steps, from the cadence of her breathing, from the faint fragrance that accompanied her, he recognized her instantly. Everything about that person had long since become familiar to him. Everything about her felt like it belonged solely to him, and though Xun was known to be kind and generous, this was the one thing he would never share, never surrender to anyone else.

“Lord Yufeng, how long will you continue pretending not to notice that I’ve already entered?” the girl spoke, her voice as melodious as ever, soothing to Xun like a private lullaby he had come to rely on.

“In that case, Miss Qing, how long will you continue pretending we are in public and insist on calling me by my family name instead of my given one?” Xun replied without turning to look at her.

“Huh, you’re no fun,” she muttered before walking over and sitting beside him.

“You’re preparing for the New Year ceremony, aren’t you?” she asked, glancing at the bamboo slips before him, where he was carefully inscribing prayers using his maobi, his brush gliding effortlessly across the surface without a hint of stiffness.

“Mm, that’s right. I must finish these before the ceremony begins,” Xun answered, his strokes fluid and precise, as if even ink obeyed his will.

“If you’re this busy, then why did you call me? I’m busy preparing for tomorrow too, you know,” she complained, her face souring in visible displeasure. Xun did not need to look to imagine the expression she wore; a quiet chuckle escaped him nonetheless.

“Sorry, Ai. I just needed someone to keep me company,” Xun admitted honestly.

“You could have asked someone else,” Ai replied, her tone carrying a faint edge.

“Do you want me to call someone else?” he asked lightly.

“Forget it,” Ai answered quickly, far too quickly. She was slightly—no, very—unwilling to let anyone else be the one to accompany him.

“Then let’s exchange a few words. After that, I’ll help you with your preparations,” Xun suggested. Ai sighed at his request, but as always, she yielded.

After some time passed, Xun realized he no longer heard Ai responding to him. When he finally turned his gaze toward her, he found that she had fallen asleep. A gentle smile curved upon his lips at the sight. It did not matter if he had to sit in silence again; the steady rhythm of her breathing alone was enough to encourage him.

---

A soft breeze drifted through the room, and golden sunlight brushed against the peaceful face of the sleeping girl.

“Ai, wake up. Shi Ai, wake up,” Xun murmured gently.

She stirred faintly, letting out a soft sound as she felt his subtle shaking. Her eyes opened slowly, and she found Xun’s smiling face waiting for her.

“Ngh… Xun? You’re finished already?” she asked, rubbing her eyes before shifting into a seated position.

“Yes. The sun is nearly setting now,” Xun replied, smiling at Ai, who was still not fully awake.

“Mm, I should head back if—wait, why am I in your lap?!” Ai suddenly exclaimed once awareness returned to her.

Xun laughed softly at her delayed realization.

“You looked so peaceful sleeping. I couldn’t bear to let you rest on hard surface,” he explained. Ai’s face flushed instantly at his words.

“You could have woken me up,” she protested.

“How many times do you think I tried?” Xun asked teasingly, though there was truth behind his tone, he had indeed attempted to wake her several times before giving up and allowing her to rest against him.

“Ugh… never mind. It’s time for me to go home. I have to prepare for the New Year,” Ai said, attempting to rise from his lap, but Xun gently held her back.

“Stay like this just a little longer, Ai,” he whispered, wrapping his arms around her and burying his face in the soft strands of her hair, breathing in the scent that had quietly become his addiction over the past months.

“What if someone sees you like this, huh? A dignified noble reduced to a spoiled man,” Ai teased, though Xun paid no mind to her mockery, too occupied with memorizing her warmth.

“But in reality, only you can see this side of me. And forever, it will only be you,” he replied softly.

Ai found herself speechless at his words, the blush that had begun to fade now returning to her cheeks.

“You’re impossible,” she muttered.

After a while, Xun lifted his face to look at her properly, only to feel his heart quicken as he lost himself in the crimson-jade whirlpool of her eyes.

“Ai, never leave me,” Xun said quietly.

She responded with a soft laugh. “I do plan on troubling Lord Yufeng until we grow old.”

Though she spoke playfully, Xun treated it as a promise.

“I would be honored if Miss Qing would take responsibility for being my lifelong nuisance,” he answered with a smile so gentle and sweet that Ai could not help but smile back.

The teasing words they exchanged were, in truth, a vow between them—to protect one another, to remain side by side until the end of their days. A small promise born within a room bathed in the golden glow of the setting sun, accompanied by the tender breeze of early spring that drifted softly through the open window.

'Heartfelt' Handmade Chocolate

“Do you know what Valentine’s Day is?” Tartaglia asked, his voice cutting through the endless silence as he watched the girl who had been staring blankly at the vast white blanket stretching before them. Snow covered everything in sight, an unbroken expanse of pale silence beneath the cold sky.

“You’re askin' me? I think you’ve thrown that question at the wrong person,” the girl replied flatly, not even bothering to turn her head toward him. Her tone carried its usual sharp edge, irritated, as the very concept he mentioned held no relevance to her life.

“It’s a day when you give chocolate to someone special,” Tartaglia explained anyway, undeterred. Shizu offered no response to his rambling. To her, such a day was meaningless. What was Valentine’s Day to someone who had no one to cherish, and who believed she herself was unworthy of being cherished in return?

“Hey, how about this,” Tartaglia suddenly proposed, his tone brightening with mischief. “Whoever can make the most snowballs without gloves has to grant the winner’s wish.”

This time, Shizu finally looked at him properly, her gaze shifting into something far more interested. The idea was childish, perhaps even pointless, but it was certainly better than standing here doing nothing but watching snowflakes vanish into the eternal frost beneath their feet.

“Fine,” she said, a crooked smile curling onto her lips. “Don’t cry when you lose.”

“Hahaha, don’t get too confident. I’ve been friends with snow since I was a child,” Tartaglia shot back, grinning. This challenge had already become a game he intended to enjoy thoroughly.

---

Later, Shizu wore the most bitter expression she could muster as Tartaglia stood before her with an infuriatingly pleased smile, happily accepting the chocolate she had just made. She had underestimated the ginger in front of her. Although she had used her vision to keep her hands warm, the snowballs she formed kept melting in her palms, and whenever she stopped channeling her power, her fingers quickly grew numb and stiff. Meanwhile, Tartaglia had shaped snowballs effortlessly, even crafting them into various neat forms with casual precision, as though the cold were nothing more than an old companion embracing him in familiarity.

“Shizu, this isn’t biteable. It’s hard,” Tartaglia commented after attempting to take a bite of the chocolate she handed him, only for his teeth to clash against something suspiciously solid.

“You’re acting like you’ve never eaten my cooking before,” she retorted dryly, crossing her arms.

Tartaglia could only laugh helplessly, because she wasn’t wrong. Her combat skills were beyond question, sharp and lethal as ever, but when it came to cooking, there was truly no hope for a girl who had once survived by eating raw meat rather than learning how to prepare it properly.

“Happy Valentine’s Day, Ajax~” Shizu said at last, flashing him a teasing smile that carried both mockery and something softer hidden beneath it.

“Enjoy the chocolate I made with all my ‘heart.’”

First Morning

“Hngh…” Kaoru stirred in his sleep, a soft groan escaping his lips. Every muscle in his body ached with a pleasant, deep-seated fatigue, his joints feeling pleasantly loose and heavy, as if his very soul had been floating somewhere distant and was only now sinking back into his limbs. A sudden, cool draft brushed against his bare arm, making him shiver slightly.

“Ugh, cold…” he mumbled, shifting and pushing himself up into a sitting position. The blanket that had been draped over his torso slipped down, pooling around his waist and revealing his completely bare chest and shoulders.

“Hmm? Why am I shirtless?” A wave of sleepy confusion washed over him. He didn't make a habit of sleeping without a top. But as his gaze drifted down, his eyes caught sight of faint, reddish marks scattered across his stomach and hips. The sight immediately dissolved his confusion, replacing it with dawning warmth that spread from his heart. A soft smile curved his lips.

“Ah…” he breathed out, the sound a mixture of amusement at his own momentary forgetfulness. How could he have forgotten, even for a second? Last night… last night had been nothing short of magnificent, a night spent with his wife.

His wife. The thought sent another, stronger wave of warmth crashing through him. His eyes drifted to his left hand, to the elegant white gold band gracing his ring finger, a small, deep red ruby glittering quietly in the morning light. Yesterday, he had finally, officially married the woman of his dreams. His chest tightened with overwhelming affection as the memories of the previous day flooded back—the ceremony, the vows, the tears, the laughter, the triumphant culmination of a love story that had weathered its own unique storms. All their struggles had led to this sweet, perfect beginning.

Speaking of his wife… He realized the space beside him in their large bed was empty and cool. Where had his little wife wandered off to? A ridiculous, fleeting fear—that it had all been an impossibly vivid dream—tried to surface, but he shook his head, dismissing it with another smile. He could still feel her warmth, smell her scent on the sheets. It was all gloriously real.

Pushing himself fully out of bed, he found his discarded clothes from the night before neatly folded on a chair, he pulled them on. Once dressed, he padded out of their bedroom, intent on finding her.

He didn’t have to look far. The frustrated voice coming from the kitchen led him right to her. And there she was, standing in the middle of their kitchen, locked in an intense staring contest with a whole, raw chicken lying defiantly on the cutting board.

“Shii-chan, what are you doing?” Kaoru asked, leaning against the wall.

Shii, who had been laser-focused on the poultry, jerked her head up. “Ah, you’re awake! Good! Help me deal with this chicken!! It’s impossible to cut! Stupid, weird chicken. Look what it did to my hand!” she exclaimed, holding up her palm to reveal a rather nasty-looking cut running across it. She had clearly tried to clean it, but a fresh bead of blood was welling up from the gash.

“You…” Kaoru was by her side in an instant, gently taking her injured hand to examine it. The very first day as husband and wife, and she’s already managed to injure herself.

“How did this even happen?” he asked softly as he guided her away from the battlefield. He led her to the mini bar in their kitchen, lifted her onto one of the high stools, and immediately went to fetch the first-aid kit.

“I lost the fight against that chicken,” Shii declared matter-of-factly. Under any other circumstances, Kaoru would have laughed out loud at the sheer randomness of her statement. But right now, with her hand bleeding, he only felt concern.

“The chicken isn’t even alive, Shii-chan,” he pointed out gently, returning with the white kit. He carefully cleaned the wound with antiseptic. He felt her flinch as the stinging liquid made contact.

“Shh…” Shii whimpered quietly, the antiseptic somehow hurting more than the initial cut from the knife.

“Just bear with it for a moment,” Kaoru murmured. Once the wound was clean, he expertly applied a gauze pad and secured it with medical tape.

“All done,” he sighed in relief. Thankfully, the cut wasn’t too deep. It would have been terribly unromantic to spend their first post-wedding morning in a hospital emergency room.

“Huh.” Shii lifted her hand, studying his handiwork with a critical eye. “Pretty neat,” she concluded with an approving nod.

Kaoru could only release another resigned sigh. This woman would test his patience like no one else. Good thing his reserves of it were far deeper than, say, Koga’s or Izumi’s.

“Shii-chan, please be more careful next time. But why on earth were you trying to butcher a whole chicken all of a sudden?” he asked as he tidied up the first-aid kit.

“To cook, of course! I’m… ehem, I-I-I’m a w-wife now,” she stammered, her cheeks flushing adorably. She was still getting used to the titles.

“So I should be taking care of m-my husband, right?”

Kaoru sighed again, a sound now fondly familiar. He walked back to her and placed his hands gently on her shoulders, looking her straight in the eyes. “I didn’t marry you so you could serve me. I married you to be my partner, to be with me, because I love you. More than anything, if you get hurt just trying to ‘serve’ me, what kind of husband would that make me? I’d feel like a terrible boss, not a partner.”

Shii could see the utter sincerity in his eyes. It was so heartfelt it made the tips of her ears burn with a mix of embarrassment and profound love.

“O-okay… but don’t complain later if I never cook for you,” she mumbled, looking away.

Kaoru let out a soft chuckle and said, “Don’t worry, I’m not hopeless enough to not be able to cook for myself. From now on, you can only cook with microwave, no chopping, no stove.”

Shii’s face lit up with a bright, radiant smile. It was the same smile that had captured his heart from the very beginning.

“In that case, I’ll happily embrace my privilege and become a very lazy wife~” she declared with a mischievous glint. Being a wife who got to lounge around didn’t sound bad.

Kaoru couldn’t help but smile back. His wife was truly a master of witty comebacks. He gave her forehead a gentle flick. “You’re really something.”

Shii just responded with that cheeky grin of hers.

“Alright, fine. I’ll have a lazy wife, as long as she’s not a hurt wife,” he conceded, his hand coming up to cup her cheek, his thumb stroking her skin softly, and then he closed the small distance between them, leaning in to place a sweet, soft kiss on her lips, a proper, gentle good morning kiss to officially start their first morning as husband and wife.

“I love you, Hakaze Shiina,” he whispered against her lips, the new name still a wonderful, miraculous sound on his tongue.

First Confession : Rejection

The autumn wind, already harsh enough to resemble the breath of winter, blew fiercely across the grounds, forcing leaves whose branches could no longer hold them to finally surrender and fall. One by one, they were carried down to the earth, destined to become part of autumn’s quiet ornamentation, leaves that would later crackle softly beneath passing footsteps, marking the season with their fragile presence.

Kaoru Hakaze, a young man whose eyes reflected the very hues of autumn itself, walked forward with a restless heart, his expression so tangled it was impossible to name. Those around him could not help but steal glances filled with curiosity—what could possibly trouble the school’s so-called prince? His thoughts were so scattered that he nearly collided with someone, barely registering the world in front of him.

“Hey, watch where you’re going,” the other person snapped sharply, irritation dripping from his voice.

“Ah, Sena-kun… sorry, I didn’t see you,” Kaoru replied absentmindedly.

“Are you trying to tick me off?!” Izumi snapped back, his annoyance flaring, perhaps because Kaoru’s tone sounded as though he were implying Izumi was too small to notice, or perhaps simply because Izumi himself was unusually sensitive that day.

“Sorry, sorry. I’ll buy you juice later,” Kaoru said quickly, not bothering to engage further before walking away. There was something far more important waiting for him, and that urgency only made Izumi more annoyed.

“Tch—hey,” Izumi muttered, clicking his tongue in frustration as he watched Kaoru leave.

Kaoru’s strides grew longer, faster, his heartbeat pounding harder with every step as though it were racing ahead of him, urging him onward. When he reached the rooftop, he slammed the door open without hesitation, not caring if anyone inside was startled by the sudden noise.

“Shii-chan,” he called out.

“E–eh? Y-yes? Hakaze-senpai, what is it?” Shii replied, still pressing a hand to her chest as she tried to calm her racing heart, now forced to face Kaoru standing before her with a look that was both nervous and unbearably serious.

“Sorry for making you wait,” Kaoru said as he stepped closer. His pace slowed, yet his heart only beat louder, heavier.

“I just got here too. What’s wrong? You suddenly said it was urgent. If you’re asking me to be a temporary substitute producer, you should probably get Morisawa-senpai’s permission first, Ryuseitai has events coming up too,” Shii said, trying to stay calm, half complaining out of habit

“That’s not what I wanted to talk about,” Kaoru said quietly, swallowing hard as dryness filled his throat. He placed a hand over his chest, as if trying to steady the storm raging inside him.

“Shii-chan....I”

“Shiina... I like you” At last, the words escaped him, the words he had been holding back since yesterday, the words that had lodged themselves in his chest like a painful knot, suffocating him with every breath. Shii froze, her words caught between her lips as she stared at him.

“Hakaze-senpai.” She searched his eyes for the familiar playful glint, the teasing sparkle he always wore when joking with her, but it was nowhere to be found. What she saw instead was sincerity.

“I…” Shii clenched her fists. It wasn’t that she felt nothing, on the contrary, that was precisely the problem. She couldn’t yet identify the emotions stirring inside her, couldn’t tell whether what she felt truly mirrored what Kaoru had confessed. Fear gripped her as countless thoughts rushed through her mind. She had only just broken free from her father’s control, still searching for solid ground beneath her feet, still new to the complexities of real social connections, still drifting without certainty.

She didn’t want to accept Kaoru’s feelings halfheartedly, so she straightened her posture and met his gaze head-on.

“Hakaze-senpai, I appreciate your feelings, but I don’t think I can accept them right now,” she said carefully.

“I still can’t distinguish the emotions I’m experiencing for the first time, and I’m afraid that if I accept you now, it might only turn into regret later. Because I respect you, I don’t want to accept your feelings when I don’t even understand my own.”

At her words, Kaoru’s shoulders visibly slumped. This was not the answer he had hoped for, not the ending he had imagined the night before. The dreams he had built so vividly felt as though they had crumbled in an instant. And yet, even as disappointment washed over him, he understood, this was the most honest answer she could give, and perhaps the best one.

“Let me sort out my feelings first,” Shii continued, offering him a gentle smile she rarely showed him. “After that… maybe time will have the answer.”

“May I wait for you, until you’re ready?” Kaoru asked softly, his voice barely carrying over the wind.

“Don’t wait for something uncertain, Hakaze-senpai,” Shii replied, patting his shoulder lightly.

“I can’t promise anything.” She smiled faintly before adding, “You should practice harder and stop skipping class. Make yourself suitable for something more useful than me.” With that, she turned and walked away, leaving Kaoru alone beneath the relentless wind.

“Haah… that really startled me,” Shii muttered once she was inside, clutching her chest as her heart refused to slow down.

“Tch, can’t you calm down?” She clicked her tongue at herself, annoyed at how little control she had over her own body.

Meanwhile, Kaoru remained on the rooftop, gazing up at the sky as it slowly turned orange. His confession had been rejected, and for a moment, he felt like laughing, laughing at his own fate. He, who was always thought to effortlessly capture hearts, now had to swallow the bitterness of rejection.

“So… I got rejected, huh,” he murmured.

His first rejection, delivered by Shii. A rejection that would lead to a different story altogether, a rejection that was not the end of their tale, because the red thread between them was still there, quietly connected, merely waiting for the right time to finally pull them together.

Sorry

This is the short version. For the long version tunggu etmin tidak malas. So that's why it feels rushed hahaha

It had been four days since Kaoru and Shii last spoke. Four days in which Shii had been visibly on edge, so irritable that even her coworkers didn’t dare greet her. Four days of Kaoru staring at his phone in restless anxiety. To Kaoru, the problem itself didn’t seem that big, but he knew all too well that it became big, because it clashed directly with the very principles their relationship was built on.

“Do you really have no respect for our relationship? Is it really that hard for you to talk to me? You might as well throw that phone away if giving me an update is that difficult,” Shii snapped, her sharp gaze cutting into Kaoru. She even stepped back when Kaoru reached out to her.

“Shii-chan…” Kaoru called softly, looking at her as she refused to meet his eyes.

“Forget it. I have things to take care of,” she said. Before he could explain anything, Shii had already disappeared from his sight, her firm footsteps echoing down the corridor.

Kaoru lowered his head weakly, replaying their argument from four days ago. It had all started when he forced himself to work despite being sick. He told Shii that he was already feeling better, but when it was time to perform, he could barely move, and his voice was almost gone. That alone wouldn’t have been the real problem. The real issue was that he hadn’t told Shii about his condition, and she had found out from someone else instead. At first, Kaoru tried to explain over the phone, and everything seemed to be going fine, until he said,

“Besides, Shii-chan has been busy. I didn’t want to burden you with something unimportant.”

“Oh? Then why don’t you just leave my life altogether? Since you’re not important anyway.” The call ended abruptly.

Cursing his own thoughtlessness, Kaoru tried calling Shii again and again, but she never picked up.

Kaoru let out a frustrated sigh. Shii was truly avoiding him. Even asking Rei for help was pointless—his leader had only suggested bringing ice cream. A completely useless piece of advice.

000

Elsewhere, Shii was staring at her computer with such an intense gaze that it was as if she were at war with the screen itself. Her fingers slammed relentlessly against the keyboard, her hand clicking the mouse with unnecessary force. Her aura was anything but friendly—almost as if there were a sign hovering behind her that read “Do not disturb.”

“Shii, sorry to bother you. I need to submit a proposal.” Her hands came to a halt the moment her name was called. Still wearing that unfriendly expression, she looked up at the person who had interrupted her.

“Anzu? Ah… whose proposal is this time?” Shii took the document, flipping through the pages as she examined it.

“Knights? Rejected.” She handed the proposal back without a shred of hesitation.

“Too many unnecessary props for a performance on that scale. Revise it, or change the concept to something simpler,” Shii said firmly, already turning back to her computer and resuming her typing. Anzu raised an eyebrow in mild confusion. She was sure they were a bit over budget, but normally, as long as it wasn’t excessive, Shii would still approve it.

“Anzu-san… Anzu-san, psst.” Someone quietly called out to Anzu from behind. It was another employee from New Dimension.

“Since yesterday, Shimizu has been really hard to approach. I think it’s better not to bother her for now,” the employee whispered.

“Since yesterday?” Anzu asked. The employee nodded in response.

“Four days, to be exact.” Anzu frowned. Usually, what stressed Shii out was her university workload, but even then, she was still relatively friendly. Today, she was completely different.

“Ah… I see.”

000

Kaoru took a deep breath. He was now standing in front of Shii's apartment. His heart was pounding uncontrollably—anxiety, nervousness, and fear all mixed together on his face. He had decided to apologize to Shii in person this time. That afternoon, he had met with Izumi, who had given him a much-needed—slightly sharp—wake-up call.

“Apologize in person. Is there anything better than apologizing directly?”

“But, Senacchi—”

“Ah, why should I even have to think about your relationship? Are you a child? Can't even apologize properly? Go to her place, say you're sorry, and that's it. Do you need me to do it for you?!”

And here Kaoru was, standing nervously before Shii's door. So nervous, in fact, that he hadn't brought anything as a peace offering. It’s fine, he thought, he’d order ice cream after Shii forgave him.

“But what if she doesn't forgive me?” he muttered to himself. His hand, already reaching for the doorbell, lowered again. His eyes remained fixed on the white-painted door until it suddenly swung open.

Click.

“How long were you planning to stand there?” A sharp, ruby-eyed glare greeted him from behind the door.

“Sh-Shii-chan,” Kaoru stammered, his throat tightening under her gaze. He could barely swallow his own saliva.

“I-I'm s-sor—” Kaoru’s world spun as his hand was yanked, and suddenly, he was on the floor.

“Huh?” Not only that, Shii was now on top of him, her expression still furious.

“YOU—(*)” Shii grabbed the collar of his shirt roughly. Their faces were close, not in a romantic or sweet atmosphere, but in a way that made Kaoru feel his life was slightly in danger.

“DID IT REALLY TAKE YOU THAT LONG TO APOLOGIZE?!” Kaoru could feel Shii's hand trembling, whether from anger or something else.

“Shii-chan, c-calm down,” Kaoru tried to take control of the situation, but Shii wouldn't allow it. She tightened her grip on his shirt, and a second later, bumped her forehead against his, not too hard, as she didn’t intend to hurt either of them, just enough to deliver a small punishment. Still, it was enough to make Kaoru groan.

“Ouch.”

“Hakaze! Answer me. Did you really need four whole days to come here? You really tested my patience.” Shii's angry expression began to soften.

“I thought you really weren't going to come anymore.” Her grip weakened, and her head hung down.

“Shii-chan,” Kaoru slowly freed his shirt from her grasp, then gently patted her head.

“Shii-chan, can you get up first, hmm?” Kaoru asked softly, and Shii immediately stood, followed by Kaoru.

Seeing Shii still looking down, Kaoru smiled. He pulled her into a hug. His heart felt calm, the raging storm of anxiety inside him slowly faded.

“I'm sor—”

“I'm sorry, Kaoru.” His apology was cut off as Shii spoke first.

“Sorry for getting so angry at you,” Shii murmured, continuing her apology. She buried her face deeper into Kaoru’s chest as she felt him trying to look at her. She didn’t want Kaoru to see her expression right now—it felt too embarrassing.

“Hey, Shii-chan, let me see your face,” Kaoru tried to push her shoulders gently, but Shii wasn't having it.

“No, I don't want to. Hakaze, don't make me angry again,” Shii threatened, her voice muffled.

“Alright, alright,” Kaoru surrendered, letting Shii remain hidden in his embrace.

“I’m sorry too, for taking lightly something I shouldn't have. I’m sorry for disappointing you,” he murmured, kissing the top of her head. His hands gently stroked her back, trying to convey warmth and calm her down.

“Mmmhm,” Shii gave a small nod in his embrace. Kaoru’s smile widened—he couldn't help but let the corners of his mouth curve upward. He tightened his embrace, his heart now at peace. Several times, he kissed the top of her head, a small gesture to make up for the four days he had spent without her.

Epilogue

A nameless tune hummed softly from Shii’s lips. Her face was bright—no more dark circles under her eyes, no more frown lines on her forehead. She offered smiles to anyone who greeted her. The world looked beautiful through her eyes; even the shouts behind her sounded like music.

“Shimizu-senpai.” Shii turned toward the voice.

“TSUKASA-KUN!!” She waved at Tsukasa, her smile growing even wider when he stopped in front of her.

“What is it? Want a snack? I know a café that just opened, apparently their desserts are really good.” Shii almost reached out to ruffle his hair if he hadn’t dodged in time.

“Please don’t treat me like a child.” Shii only pouted at him briefly.

“Tch, stingy.”

“Ah, that’s not why I’m here. I came to negotiate. Anzu-san and I revised the proposal a little, but it’ll still be slightly over budget. I hope you’ll consider it.” Tsukasa handed her the document he was holding, but Shii didn’t take it.

“Huh? Why make a new proposal? Just use the old one. It’s fine if it’s over budget, you can cover it by raising the ticket price a little~ No need to lower the quality.” Tsukasa looked confused by her response.

“Eh? But Anzu-san said you asked for revisions.”

“Ah, maybe Anzu misheard. I already approved your proposal. I have a meeting now, Tsukasa-kun~ Oh, and if you ever want to visit that café I mentioned, feel free to contact me, okay?” And just like that, Shii walked away, leaving Tsukasa standing there, still trying to process what had just happened.

So she hadn’t rejected their proposal after all. Then why was it different from what Anzu said? Did Anzu prank him? That couldn’t be it. So what had really happened?

(*) Shii uses “Omae” instead of “Anta”

Savage Love Affair

Warning: NSFW, No Minor

Moonlight floods the midnight ballroom. Her gown trembles softly in the gentle breeze as her gaze whispers danger. The man can no longer restrain himself, he wants to embrace her figure, the body that seems to radiate a heat that sets his own blood aflame.

Driven by instinct, he leads the girl away, into a lust-filled corner of the ballroom where only the two of them exist, submerged in their own shared desire.

“Don't,” she whispers, a flicker of hesitation still lingering in her eyes. But he takes her hand, brings her wrist to his lips, and inhales her scent—tracing a slow, path up her forearm before murmuring against her skin,

“Don't bother playing hard to get. We'll just end up even more hot and bothered.”

The air in the room grows thick and charged as the sound of their heated kisses fills the silence. The man’s whispers are like a sweet, intoxicating spell, coaxing her to surrender. She tries to resist, but the enchantment is too potent—she falls, swept away by the tide of his seduction.

He reassures her with the words, “I offered you my heart, my everything.” It is as if those words dissolve the last of her doubts. This isn’t just her surrender—it is his as well. They fall into each other's allure, both equally consumed by longing. He pulls her close, wrapping her in a warm, possessive embrace, each movement drawing soft, breathy moans from her lips. Her body grows hot and numb, beyond refusal, beyond resistance. She lets herself be devoured by him, willingly trapped in the prison he crafts—a prison that holds her in an eternal night of passion.

A satisfied smile touches his lips. He doesn’t move with haste or roughness; instead, he ensnares her with slow, deliberate motions, allowing her to savor the world he unveils. He worships every curve of her body, tracing them slowly, reverently, as if studying a masterpiece that deserves every detail of his attention.

Just before he delves deeper, he whispers once more, “Hold me close, hard enough to make me numb.” And when he finally enters her, she tightens her embrace instantly, her nails digging into his back as a sharp sting of pain pierces through her spine. The scratches she leaves on his skin burn fiercely against his own sweat, but he doesn’t stop. He continues to move above her, his tempo quickening, each thrust more urgent than the last. For him, the pain is proof—proof that this is real.

Heat blazes fiercer between them, neither willing to yield in this fervent duel. Their breaths grow ragged, matching pace, and moans escape them freely as they finally taste the honey they have both been waiting for.

“Thank you,” are his final words before he envelops her in a gentler, softer embrace, so tender it almost makes her forget how heated and tense their previous union was.

Sparklers of Love

The sound of fireworks rang out clearly. Those bursts of light exploded beautifully in the sky, inspiring awe in those who saw them.

“Tch, what is this? It's so cold!” Except for one person, who was grumbling while holding a plastic bag filled with sparklers.

“I'll spare time to play sparkles together with you. HA! WHAT A LIAR!” Shii grumbled loudly. Her eyes looked up at the sky decorated with blossoming lights, dancing beautifully, yet in her eyes, they seemed to mock her loneliness.

“I regret turning down the others' invitation to have dinner together. Damn it, Hakaze, I really am going to kick your shins, replace your shampoo with your expensive facial cleanser, and then—”

“Ah, so you're the one who replaced my facial cleanser with shaving cream, Shii-chan?” Her tirade was cut off by a voice from behind her. She was startled, of course, but what was even more terrifying was how she was going to explain what she had just said.

“A-ah, Kaoru, you came after all,” Shii said, forcing an awkward smile.

“Mmm, I hurried here, but my taxi got stuck in traffic, so I decided to run,” Kaoru wasn't lying. His breath was still a little ragged, and his hair was damp with his own sweat.

“O-oh, you should take a bath as soon as you get back, then. You could catch a chill if you don't wipe off your sweat,” Shii warned, taking out her light-brown handkerchief and wiping Kaoru's face.

“As long as you don't replace my shampoo with my facial cleanser.” Shii immediately pulled her hand away from Kaoru's face.

“Hah? What are you talking about? I don't understand,” Shii's “playing dumb” tactic finally emerged at a time like this. Hopefully, Kaoru would buy it.

“Hmmm?” Kaoru leaned his face closer to Shii's, forcing her to step back.

“Okay, okay, sorry! I won't do it again. Stop intimidating me like that,” Shii finally surrendered.

“Fufu~” Kaoru just laughed lightly while ruffling his girlfriend's hair. Teasing her once in a while did wonders for his mood.

“Did you bring the sparklers?” Kaoru redirected his attention to the bag Shii was holding.

“Yeah, I brought a few, and I have the lighter, too. Ta-da~” Shii's expression instantly brightened as she showed off what she had brought.

“Come on, hurry, let's light them. It's already past midnight!” Shii wasn't wrong. When the year changed earlier, Kaoru was still on his way, and Shii was busy grumbling, so they had missed the countdown moment.

Their sparklers began to spark to life, each of them holding two sparklers side by side.

“The sparklers are beautiful.”

“Mmm, they really are so beautiful.” They watched the small sparks emitted by their sparklers, a wisp of thin white smoke curling upward.

“Guess what I'm drawing right now.” Shii moved both her hands, tracing patterns in the air with the sparklers.

“Mmmmm...” Kaoru furrowed his brow, trying to guess, but nothing came to mind.

“A mouse?” Shii immediately glared at him sharply.

“It's a bat!! The symbol of Undead, how can you not recognize your own group's logo?” Shii mocked him sharply.

“Ahaha,” Kaoru laughed dryly, a little afraid Shii might jab him with the sparkler. It would be trouble if his jacket caught fire.

“Alright then, how about you guess what I'm drawing now?” Kaoru began moving his own sparkler.

“Hmmm?” He raised an eyebrow at Shii, signaling her to answer.

“Tch, you playboy. You're drawing a heart, aren't you?” Kaoru burst into laughter upon hearing Shii's accurate guess, his laughter was genuine and soon drew a laugh from Shii as well.

This New Year's Eve held nothing special, no grand celebration. They hadn't even counted down together. But just this simple, warm moment between the two of them was enough for them to feel grateful for the arrival of the new year. Silently, they whispered the same wish in their hearts:

'I hope this year, I can love you more.'

Not sure if you know this but when we first met, I've got so nervous I couldn't speak. In that very moment I've found the one and my life has found its missing piece.

“Are you feeling sad?”

He looked in the direction of the voice and saw a girl with black hair, calmly swaying in the evening breeze. Her rubies were very enticing and made one to gaze in them. In that moment, he found himself entranced by her presence, as if she were a shimmering star amidst the dusk, pulling him out of his reverie.

“Oh, and nice to meet you, Kaoru. My name’s Shiina, but you can call me Shii. I hope next time we meet, it’ll be under better circumstances,” she added before disappearing from Kaoru’s sight.

So as long as I live I love you will have and hold you. You look so beautiful in white. And from now 'til my very last breath this day I'll cherish. You look so beautiful in white tonight.

“Kaoru. Hey,” he flinched slightly when Shii tapped his shoulder.

“What’s on your mind?” she asked, her round eyes studying him with a probing look.

“Ahaha, sorry, sorry, Shii-chan. I was just thinking about what to eat for dinner later.”

Shii shot him a sharp look.

“Since when did you turn into Niki, always thinking about food?” She asked.

Kaoru scratched the back of his neck—though it didn’t even itch—at Shii’s remark.

“Well… maybe because I only had onigiri earlier.”

“Yeah, five onigiri.”

Kaoru winced. She got him there.

What we have is timeless, my love is endless. And with this ring I, say to the world; You're my every reason, you're all that I believe in. With all my heart I mean every word.

“Shii-chan.” Kaoru tugged at the hem of Shii’s sleeve, his face flushed all the way to his ears.

“What is it? Why is your face so red?” Kaoru opened his mouth, but no words came out.

“Are you okay?” Shii watched him with slight concern, wondering if he was unwell and in need of help.

Kaoru took a deep breath, trying to calm himself.

Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a delicate pendant—its gem reflecting the deep blue of the ocean.

The necklace was a keepsake from his mother. His mother once told him that she had worn the pendant on her wedding day, never once parting with it since.

But in the final weeks before she drew her last breath, she gently unclasped it, placing it in Kaoru’s hands, telling him that one day, he should pass it on to someone he truly cherished.

“Kaoru, be a strong man, strong, but kind. And when you find someone who truly means something to you, give them this necklace.” Her fingers gently ran through young Kaoru’s hair, her voice soft like a lullaby carried on a sea breeze.

“Tell them this necklace is the symbol of your heart. It’s shaped like the waves of the ocean, a sign of sincerity, in both the calm and the storm.”

She gave him a faint smile, a fragile curve of her lips that held both love and farewell, as her hand rested on the head of the boy who looked up at her with eyes the color of sunlit sand, the same sand that lined their favorite stretch of beach.

And now, the time had come. He had found that person, someone he wanted to spend the rest of his days with. Someone who stood in front of him at that very moment.

“This necklace belonged to my mother.” He met Shii's gaze before adding, “She told me to give it to someone precious to me… and I believe that person is you, Shiina.”

“Will you accept it and marry me?”

And if a daughter is what our future holds; I hope she has your eyes, finds love like you and I did. Yeah, and if she falls in love, we'll let her go. I'll walk her down the aisle. She'll look so beautiful in white.

“Yes.”

A single word, yet it was enough to make Kaoru exhale in relief. Their eyes glistened with unshed tears, emotions swelling between them.

Kaoru stepped behind Shii, carefully fastening the pendant around her neck.

And then, he leaned in, his breath warm against her ear as he whispered, “I'm grateful to have you.”

Whether it was just his imagination or something more, Kaoru couldn’t tell, but when Shii wore the necklace, she looked just like his mother. With that gentle smile on her lips, Shii gazed down at the necklace Kaoru had given her. The way her eyes softened reminded him of how his mother used to look at him—with warmth, with love—and it made his chest tighten.

He missed his mother. But now, he had someone who could be there when the waves of longing crashed over him. He had found someone to walk along the beach with, just like he once did, collecting seashells with his mother, adoring the sky, and whispering their hope to the ocean.

He would protect Shii more than he ever had the chance to protect his mother because this time, he couldn’t bear to lose someone again.

So as long as I live I love you will have and hold you. You look so beautiful in white. And from now 'til my very last breath this day I'll cherish. You look so beautiful in white tonight.

Kaoru can barely contain the overwhelming emotions surging within him as he watches Shii walk down the aisle with grace. The flowing white gown drapes around her, its long tail sweeping elegantly across the path she walks.

'Mother, I’m getting married. I hope this brings me the perfect happiness I’ve been searching for.'

His eyes soften as he notices the pendant—the very same one he gave her when he proposed—adorning her neck. It rests beautifully against her skin.

'Mother, she’s absolutely beautiful.'

So beautiful in white, tonight.

“You may now kiss your bride.”

With determination, Kaoru steps forward, closing the distance between them. Their eyes meet, holding an unspoken love, deep and beautiful.

“I love you,” they whisper in unison, just moments before their lips finally meet, sealing their promise.