Chapter 10
1744 Words
– A New Home for the Little Family
Days after the mission, Hana noticed something strange. Rei often left early, came back late—but this time, not for missions. And he always stayed quiet when asked.
“My dear husband, why so mysterious lately? Are you cheating on me?”
Rei shot her a flat look. “If I were cheating, do you think anyone could make me submit besides you?”
Hana flushed. “…hmph, smooth talker. But I’m still suspicious.”
One evening, Rei blindfolded her with a soft cloth.
“Eh? Hey! My dear husband, what is this?”
“Be quiet. Think of it as a surprise.”
He guided her step by step. When he removed the blindfold… Hana gasped.
Before her stood a warm little house, its white walls gleaming, with a small garden full of flowers. Wide windows caught the sunset, and birds chirped nearby.
“This…” Hana’s voice trembled. “A house?”
Rei’s gaze was steady. “Yes. Our house. Not a room in the headquarters, not a hideout. This… is our own world.”
Hana covered her mouth, eyes brimming with tears. “Really? My dear husband, this is all for me?”
Rei nodded slowly. “For you. For us.”
Hana threw herself into his arms, hugging him so tightly as if afraid it was only a dream. “I’m so happy… my cold husband is actually a hidden romantic.”
Rei gave a rare faint smile. “If you’re happy, that’s enough for me.”
That night, they had their first dinner in their new home. Hana fussed over the table, even if her cooking was simple. Rei sat quietly, watching her with quiet satisfaction.
“From today on,” Hana lifted a small glass, “this house will be filled with love. Are you ready, my dear husband?”
Rei raised his glass. “I’m ready. As long as I’m with you, this will always be home.”
Their glasses clinked, the warm light glowing around them, and Hana and Rei’s world officially changed: no longer just a cold base, but a home filled with real love.
– The Little Madam Learns to Cook
On the first morning in their new home, sunlight streamed through the wide window. Hana woke up first, sitting by the bedside as she gazed at her still-sleeping husband.
“My dear husband… even in sleep, you still look cold,” she whispered with a small smile. “But… now you’re completely mine.”
She gently pulled the blanket over Rei, then hurried off to the kitchen.
“I have to do something special. A good wife makes breakfast!”
---
Chaos in the Kitchen Begins
Hana opened the cupboard: eggs, flour, vegetables, meat. She nodded firmly.
“Okay! I once saw this recipe on TV. Just follow along. Easy!”
Five minutes later—
Ssshhh! The pan hissed. The first egg stuck horribly, half-burned. Hana panicked, trying to flip it with the spatula—only for it to crumble into pieces.
“Eh?! Why does it look like a black monster!?”
Unwilling to give up, Hana tried making soup. But she forgot to measure the water—the broth boiled over, nearly spilling to the floor.
“Kyaaa! Stop boiling, stop! Are you fighting me!?”
The kitchen filled with smoke. Hana crouched down, flour smeared on her cheeks, hair a mess. Yet her eyes sparkled with determination.
“No! I must succeed. For my beloved husband!”
---
Rei Walks In…
Footsteps approached. Rei appeared at the kitchen door, still in his black pajamas. His eyes narrowed immediately.
“What are you doing?”
Hana jumped, startled. “H-husband! You woke up too soon! I was supposed to finish before you saw.”
Rei glanced around: burnt eggs, soup boiling wildly, flour everywhere. He sighed deeply, stepping closer.
“I thought an enemy had attacked. Turns out… my wife attacked the kitchen.”
Hana pouted, slapping the spatula on the table. “I just wanted to make breakfast for you. My dear husband always protects me, so this time it’s my turn.”
Rei was silent for a moment. Then instead of getting angry, he took the spatula from her hand.
“You don’t need to prove anything. But… if you insist, I’ll teach you.”
---
Husband-and-Wife Cooking Class
Hana sat at the table, cheeks covered in flour, watching Rei reset the ingredients. He tied a black apron around his waist, face still cold.
Hana burst out laughing. “Hahaha! My dear husband wearing an apron! So cute~”
Rei shot her a sharp look. “Be quiet, or you won’t get breakfast.”
Hana quickly sealed her lips, though giggles slipped out.
Rei demonstrated how to c***k an egg.
“Hold it like this. Tap lightly. Don’t hit too hard.”
Hana tried… c***k! The egg shattered messily in her hands.
“Husband! It’s dripping on the floor!”
Rei sighed, patiently cleaning up. “I forgot… my wife is special. Even eggs surrender differently to you.”
Hana winced. “Was that an insult or a compliment?”
“A compliment,” Rei answered curtly, though the corner of his lips lifted slightly.
---
Their First Breakfast in the New Home
After several tries (and countless fallen eggs), at last, a simple omelet sat on the table. The shape was lopsided, but edible.
Hana gazed at it with sparkling eyes. “I did it! My dear husband, taste it quickly!”
Rei took a spoon, tasting it slowly.
Hana waited nervously. “Well…?”
Rei looked at the omelet, then at Hana. “It’s nothing like the chef’s cooking back at headquarters. But… because you made it, it’s the most delicious food I’ve ever eaten.”
Hana’s smile burst wide, her eyes shimmering with tears. “Really? You’re not lying?”
Rei gently stroked her cheek. “I never lie to you.”
Hana ran to hug him from the side. “My dear husband… I’ll keep learning. Until I can cook delicious food for you every day!”
Rei lowered his head, kissing her forehead. “Then… I’ll always be your first taste tester.”
---
A Warm Ending
Morning sunlight streamed through the window, shining on their small table with two oddly-shaped omelets. In that new home, Hana’s laughter a
nd Rei’s faint smile blended together, creating their first memory of many mornings to come.
– The Little Madam Meets the Neighbors
On the second day in their new home, Hana woke up full of energy. She ran to the small front yard, eyes sparkling at the neatly planted flowers.
“Waaah! So pretty! I have my own garden now!”
She crouched down, stroking the leaves. “Starting today I’ll be a diligent wife, watering the flowers every morning~”
While she was busy talking to herself, a gentle voice came from the gate.
“Good morning~ You must be the new neighbor, right?”
Hana turned. A woman stood there with a basket of vegetables. Her face was kind, her smile warm.
“Y-yes! I’m Hana!” Hana stood hurriedly, a bit nervous. “Uh, more precisely… I’m Rei’s wife.”
The moment the name “Rei” left her lips, the woman’s eyes widened. “Rei? You mean… that tall, cold-looking man who sometimes passes by?!”
Hana nodded innocently. “Yes, he’s my dear husband~”
The woman nearly dropped her basket. “Oh my goodness! So it’s true he got married!? And his wife… this pretty, and so sweet!”
---
Gossip Spreads
That afternoon, Hana went out to the small shop to buy groceries. Just a few steps outside, she realized all the neighbors’ eyes were on her.
“Eh, isn’t that Mr. Rei’s wife?”
“What?! That cold boss actually has a wife? No way!”
“Look at her—so sweet. How on earth did the ice block melt?”
Hana walked with an awkward smile, not realizing she had become the hot topic of the entire neighborhood.
A young girl ran up to her, eyes sparkling. “Miss Hana, is it true? Is Mr. Rei really your husband?”
Hana nodded innocently. “Yes. My dear husband is the best in the world~”
The girl screamed to her friends. “Aaaa! She said ‘my dear husband’! Oh my god, this is too sweet to hear in person!”
---
Rei Realizes the Gossip
In the evening, Rei came home carrying work documents. As soon as he entered the yard, several neighbors pretended to sweep while sneaking glances at him. Their whispers were loud enough:
“There he is… the Cold Boss.”
“I can’t believe a scary man like him has such a tiny, clingy wife.”
“I heard her call him ‘my dear husband’! I swear I heard it at the market!”
Rei frowned, glancing at Hana who was watering flowers while humming.
“…Hana.”
She looked up with a bright smile. “My dear husband, you’re home! The neighbors welcomed me so warmly. They even said I’m sweet.”
Rei stared at her for a long moment, unreadable. Then he pulled Hana gently to his side.
“From now on… don’t say ‘my dear husband’ too often outside.”
“Eh? Why? Isn’t it true?”
“Because everyone will be jealous. And I don’t like the way they look at you.”
Hana blushed, then laughed softly. “Hehe, so my dear husband is jealous?”
Rei didn’t answer. He simply wrapped his arm around her shoulders—in full view of the stunned neighbors.
---
A Warm Ending
That night, Hana sprawled on the sofa, laughing.
“So funny. I’ve become the center of gossip again. This time not at headquarters, but in the neighborhood.”
Rei sat beside her, serious. “I don’t care about gossip. But I do care when they stare at you too much.”
Hana leaned against his chest. “Then let me stay by your side always. So everyone knows—I’m only yours.”
Rei kissed the top of her head. “And I’m only yours.”
In their little living room, laughter and warmth filled the air. Their new h
ome wasn’t just walls—it became a fortress of love no gossip could break.
- Writer
