Rei’s Promise

Chapter 15

– Secrets Behind the Cold

After the War

The dawn slowly illuminated the city, still shrouded in smoke and rubble. Soldiers and police were busy clearing the streets, while Rei’s troops returned to headquarters.

In the command room, Hana waited, her eyes swollen, clutching her pillow. As soon as she heard the door creak, she jumped up.

"My beloved husband!!!"

Rei entered, his uniform torn, his body smeared with dust and enemy blood. Yet his steps were calm. Hana ran to him, pressing her face against his chest without a care for the grime.

“I was so scared… I was afraid you wouldn’t come back…” she whispered, her voice trembling.

Rei gently stroked her head.

“I told you, as long as I breathe… I’ll always come back to you.”

Hana cried harder, hugging him tighter as if afraid he might disappear again.

The Secret Revealed

Some soldiers guarding outside couldn’t help but whisper.

“Unbelievable… that’s really Rei, the legendary war hero?”

“The one who single-handedly destroyed the enemy’s base… I thought it was just a story.”

“And look… the only person allowed near him is his wife.”

Rei heard them but didn’t respond. Hana lifted her tear-streaked face, staring at him with a mix of shock and awe.

“Husband… so all those stories were true? You… are a national hero?”

Rei exhaled, then leaned down slightly, pressing his forehead against hers.

“Yes. I was an agent, a soldier forged into a weapon of the state. People feared me—even those who called themselves nobles. But… there is only one person who can command me.”

Hana blinked innocently.

“Who?”

Rei smiled faintly.

“You, my wife.”

Hana immediately grinned, letting out a soft laugh as she playfully tapped his chest.

“You flirt… even after that insane war, you still make me blush.”

A Quiet Night

That night, for the first time after the war, the headquarters were silent. Rei sat on the bed, wearing simple clothes. Hana clung to him without letting go—sitting on his lap, face pressed against his chest, arms wrapped tightly around him.

“My beloved husband… never leave me again. I don’t care if you’re a secret agent or a legendary hero. All I want… is you by my side.”

Rei gazed at his spoiled wife. He was used to the battlefield, blood, and death. But facing Hana’s constant clinginess, he could only surrender.

“If you keep doing this, I won’t be able to move at all.”

Hana tilted her head, still pressed against him.

“That’s fine. You only need to be my living pillow.”

Rei exhaled softly, a smile tugging at his lips—a smile only Hana could bring out.

“You are… utterly spoiled.”

– Smiles Amid the Festival

The City Awakens

Days after the war, the city slowly revived. Rubble was cleared, streets filled with the laughter of children, and that night happened to host the city’s annual festival.

Hana sat on the bed, hugging her pillow, eyes sparkling as she watched the lanterns from the window.

“My beloved… I want to see the festival. Can we go?”

Rei, cleaning his weapon, glanced at her. His gaze was icy as always, but he finally sighed.

“You never stay still, do you?”

Hana pressed her face to his arm.

“I won’t go unless you come with me.”

Rei stood and took her hand.

“Alright. But don’t let go of me.”

A Festival Surprise

As they stepped outside, the festival greeted them with lantern lights, the aroma of food, and folk music. Whispers immediately spread once people recognized them.

“That’s… Rei… the legendary hero!”

“He’s really here… he usually never appears in public.”

“And who’s the girl brave enough to hold his hand?! She’s clinging to him the whole time!”

Rei walked with a straight, cold gaze, seemingly indifferent. But Hana clung to his hand, her face radiant, occasionally hopping in delight at fireworks or food stalls.

A small child accidentally bumped into Rei, trembling.

“Sorry!”

Rei only glanced down… then continued walking. The child almost cried—but Hana quickly bent down, smiling warmly, and patted the child’s head.

“It’s okay, be careful, alright?”

The child ran off smiling, leaving the onlookers stunned.

“The cold hero… has a wife who can melt him…”

“Unfair… why is she the only one allowed near Rei?”

A Sweet Moment

At a game stall, Hana tugged Rei’s hand.

“My beloved! Let’s play this, okay? I want that doll!”

Rei glanced at the simple archery game and sighed.

“This is too easy.”

One shot, and the target collapsed. The stall owner gaped, handing over the giant doll. Hana cheered, hugged it, and pressed it against Rei.

“Thank you! You’re the best!”

Nearby young couples looked on enviously.

“Why can his wife be so spoiled… and Rei doesn’t even get angry?”

“If it were me, he’d glare me to death…”

Rei didn’t care. He simply patted Hana’s head gently.

“You… really are spoiled.”

Hana tilted her head, cheeks flushed.

“Yes, but only with my beloved husband.”

Rei paused, then finally gave a faint smile—a rare one, reserved only for Hana.

Smiles Amid the Festival

Night deepened, fireworks exploded across the sky. Hana leaned against Rei’s shoulder, eyes sparkling.

“My beloved… I’m so happy. I don’t care about my dark past or how terrifying our enemies were. All I know… as long as I’m with you, I’m not afraid.”

Rei glanced at her, then bent down to kiss her forehead.

“Then don’t let go of my hand. The world may hate me, but I only need one person to trust me.”

Hana closed her eyes, smiling widely.

“I will always trust you.”

In the midst of the festival, before astonished and envious onlookers, they stood as if the world belonged to only the two of them.

– A Holiday for Two Hearts

After the Festival

The next day, the city buzzed with recovery. Rei, who rarely allowed himself to rest, had made a decision. Seeing Hana’s radiant face the night before, he knew… his wife deserved more than just remnants of his time.

Rei entered the room, seeing Hana curled up on the bed with her giant festival doll, her face peaceful against it. She looked like a child who had just won a treasure.

Rei approached and gently tapped her head.

“Wake up. We’re going out.”

Hana opened her eyes, still half-asleep.

“Going out? Don’t tell me… another battle?”

Rei sighed and lifted her tiny frame from the bed.

“Fool. Not a battle. We’re going on vacation.”

Hana instantly woke, eyes sparkling.

“Really?! My beloved husband is taking me on vacation?!”

Rei snorted, a subtle smile playing at his lips.

“Don’t make me regret it.”

A Short Trip

They headed to the city outskirts, to a calm lake surrounded by small forests. Once a resting post for soldiers, now quiet and peaceful.

Hana ran along the water, holding her skirt to keep it clean.

“My beloved… look at the clear water! Fish! Birds too!”

Rei sat under a tree, watching his wife spin happily. To him, her joy was more beautiful than the lake or sky.

Hana returned, sitting on his lap without hesitation.

“Tired. Let me sit here.”

Rei glanced at her.

“You were the one running.”

“No matter. You’re the strongest chair in the world.” Hana grinned.

Rei stroked her head.

“You’re really troublesome.”

“But you like it, right? Having a spoiled wife like me?” Hana tilted her head, eyes sparkling mischievously.

Rei was silent for a moment, then leaned down for a brief kiss.

“I never liked… I love her.”

Hana covered her face with both hands, cheeks burning.

“My beloved! Don’t do this suddenly… my heart might explode!”

Whispers of the Past

Looking at the lake, Hana’s eyes welled up. Memories of her childhood flickered—uncle and aunt’s fake smiles, dark whispers of “selling children for money.”

Rei, sensing it, held her chin gently, forcing her to meet his gaze.

“Why are you crying?”

Hana shook her head quickly, hugging him tightly.

“No… I’m just afraid of losing you. I don’t want to go back to that past.”

Rei didn’t push. He knew some wounds weren’t ready to be opened. He only enveloped her in a warm hug, silently saying that her past had no power anymore.

“As long as I’m by your side, no one can touch you.”

Hana nodded, shedding tiny tears, but smiled in Rei’s embrace.

A New Promise

Sunset bathed the lake in orange. Hana sat on Rei’s lap, her head resting on his shoulder, fingers intertwined.

“My beloved…” she whispered.

“Hmm?”

“If someday… I can give you something truly precious… I want it to be our little family.”

Rei turned to meet her gaze, sincerity behind her playful smile.

“What do you mean…?”

Hana blushed, quickly hiding her face on his chest.

“Anyway… you’ll understand! I won’t tell you now!”

Rei chuckled—a rare sound. He gently rubbed her back.

“Alright. If that’s what you want… I’ll wait. No matter when.”

Beneath the sunset glow, they were lost in warmth. War, blood, and past secrets felt distant. There was only the two of them… with promises of sweeter days ahead.