Mischievous Marriage

Missing You

Chapter 6

​I woke up at nine in the morning, feeling a heavy weight draped across my waist. For a second, I was disoriented, but then I felt the warmth.

I opened my eyes and my heart nearly stopped. Yuki's face was inches from mine. He was still sleeping, his breathing deep and steady. I realized with a start that half of my body was sprawled on top of his, our legs tangled beneath the duvet. Up close, his skin looked so smooth, and even his morning breath smelled surprisingly good like mint and clean linen.

Suddenly, his eyes flickered open.

My face turned a nuclear shade of red. I scrambled back, nearly falling off the bed as I tried to recompose myself. "I- I'm sorry! I didn't mean to move around so much! It won't happen again!"

Yuki sat up slowly, yawning and running a hand through his messy dark hair. He looked lazily at me and shrugged. "It's okay."

"G-good morning," I stammered, my heart still racing.

"Morning," he replied.

Just as the silence became awkward, my stomach let out a thunderous growl. I wanted the floor to swallow me whole. Yuki actually smirked, a real, genuine look of amusement.

"Well then," he said, standing up. "I suppose I should make breakfast before you waste away."

"I'll help!" I offered.

"As long as you don't destroy my kitchen," he teased.

We went to the kitchen together. It felt... nice. He gave me simple tasks, like washing the vegetables, while he handled the knife work with professional precision. He explained each step as he went, and for a moment, we weren't a forced couple, we were just two people making a meal.

As we sat down to eat, Yuki paused. "Something is missing."

"What?" I asked, looking around the table.

"Your coffee," he said, looking me in the eye. "I like your coffee, Honoka. It has a better aroma than anything I can buy. I was... impressed yesterday."

My heart skipped a beat. A compliment? From him? "I used to make it for my father every day. I can make some for you right now!"

"Please."

I practically floated to the coffee maker. I put my whole heart into that brew. When I served it to him, he took a slow sip, a look of pure pleasure crossing his face.

"Perfect," he murmured. "It's better than Hana's, actually."

My face flushed with pride. "If you like it that much, I can make it for you every morning."

"We'll see," he said, but he didn't say no.

I was so happy I thought I might burst until his phone rang. His expression shifted instantly, turning hard and professional.

"Hello? ... Do whatever you have to do to find her. No more excuses. Just find her." He snapped the phone shut, his eyes cold again.

The bubble burst. My heart felt like it was being squeezed by an icy hand. He's still looking for her. Of course he is.

"You're looking for Hana-neechan," I whispered.

"Yes," he said.

"And... what happens when you find her?"

Yuki looked at me with a brutal honesty that hurt more than a lie. "You know the answer, Honoka. I love her. We'll do the right thing file for divorce, end this mistake, and I'll be with her. That's the plan. Right?"

I nodded slowly, pushing my food around my plate. The breakfast that had tasted like heaven moments ago now tasted like ash. This is not right. I shouldn't be feeling this heavy.

"Anyway," Yuki said, breaking the tension. "How was your exam?"

"It was... easy," I stuttered.

"Good. If you actually got the highest grade, I'll take you on a date this weekend. A reward for your hard work."

I gave a bitter, pessimistic laugh. "That's impossible. Haruma-kun is the genius of our class. He always tops the list."

"There's a first time for everything," Yuki said firmly. "I'll schedule it for Saturday. Don't disappoint me."

I sighed. "...Fine."

For some reason, I didn't feel excited. Instead, I just felt confused.

The next day, the results were posted. A crowd had gathered at the bulletin board, and as I walked down the hall, people were actually congratulating me.

"Honoka-chan! You did it!" Ayame screamed, jumping up and down. "You got the highest grade! You beat Haruma!"

I stared at the list in a daze. My name was at the very top. I should have been thrilled. I had won a date with Yuki! But my stomach just felt full of lead.

"Congratulations," a voice said behind me. It was Haruma, wearing his signature kind smile. He draped an arm over my shoulder. "You actually beat me. I'm impressed."

"I was just lucky," I muttered, gently sliding out from under his arm. "I have to go, Ayame. See you later."

I went home early, my heart thumping at the thought of telling Yuki the news. But when I walked into the penthouse, I didn't find him in the kitchen or the office. He was in the bedroom, packing a suitcase.

"Where are you going?" I asked, my voice trembling.

"New York," he said, snapping his luggage shut. "Business emergency. The company is seeing some losses, and as President, I have to handle it personally. I'll be gone for three weeks."

"Three weeks?" I felt like I'd been punched. "But... what about our date? I got the top grade, Yuki. You promised."

He paused, looking at me. He walked over and tapped my head, then softly stroked my hair. "We'll do it when I get back. You can handle being alone for a bit, right?"

"I guess," I whispered.

"Good. See you." He leaned down and pressed a light kiss to my forehead before walking out the door.

I stood in the silent apartment, the spot on my forehead burning. He had kissed me. But he had still left.

Three weeks passed.

No calls. No texts. Not even a "how are you." I lived like a ghost in that big, masculine apartment. Every day, I made coffee for one, and every day, it tasted bitter. I convinced myself he was with Hana. That New York was just a cover-up for a secret rendezvous.

By the third week, I was a mess. Ayame finally dragged me to the rooftop of the school during lunch.

"Honoka-chan, talk to me," she demanded. "You look like you're wasting away."

I burst into tears, sobbing into her shoulder. "He's been gone for twenty-one days, Ayame! No messages! Nothing! I'm so worried, and I'm so lonely, and I think... I think he's with my sister."

Ayame sighed, stroking my hair. "And if he is?"

"Then he'll leave me. He'll file for divorce and I'll be alone again. I don't want to lose him, Ayame! I love him!"

Ayame grabbed my shoulders and shook me. "Honoka! Wake up! This is a nightmare! You're falling for a guy who treats you like a ghost. You need to be saved from this."

"I can't help it," I wailed.

"Yes, you can. I'm taking you to Haruma. He's the one who actually cares about you. You're going on a date with him this weekend, and you're going to forget that jerk Furukawa."

The weekend arrived like a heavy fog. I stood in front of the mirror in Yuki's apartment, dressed in a "coquette" style outfit, soft ribbons and lace, that I usually loved. But today, I felt like a fraud. I was going out with Haruma Miura, the boy who had been the star of my daydreams for years. I should have been thrilled, yet all I could think about was the empty side of the bed where a grumpy "Old Man" used to sleep.

He's probably in New York with Hana right now, I told my reflection. Who the hell cares? Stop being so pathetic, Honoka.

I arrived at the meeting point exactly at 10:00 AM. Haruma was already there, leaning against a pillar. He looked effortlessly cool in a tailored denim jacket and black slacks, his hair perfectly tousled. Any other girl in Tokyo would have fainted.

"I'm sorry," I said, catching my breath. "I'm late."

Haruma straightened up, his eyes softening as they landed on me. He flashed that famous, heart-melting smile. "It's okay, Honoka. I just got here early because I couldn't wait."

I gave him a shy smile, but inside, everything felt awkward. It was as if I was playing a role in a movie I hadn't auditioned for.

"Let's start our date," he said softly.

He reached out and took my hand. His skin was warm and smooth. I looked down at our joined fingers, waiting for the familiar spark, the "butterflies" I used to feel whenever he passed me in the hallway. But there was nothing. No electricity. Just a polite, quiet warmth.

We went inside the Tokyo Sky Tree. As the elevator shot upward, the city began to shrink beneath us. On the observation deck, the view was breathtaking; it felt like we were standing on top of the world, suspended in a glass bubble above a sea of buildings.

"It's amazing, right?" Haruma whispered, standing close.

"Yeah," I murmured. But my mind traitorously drifted back to the cruise ship in Okinawa. I imagined Yuki standing here instead, making some sarcastic comment about the height or complaining about the crowds. I wish he was here. I shook my head violently to clear the thought. Stop it! You're with a guy who actually wants to be with you!

"Let's go somewhere else," Haruma suggested, sensing my distraction.

We descended back to the bustling streets of Tokyo. We walked through the crowds, our hands entwined. I looked at our reflection in the shop windows. We looked like the perfect couple. But my heart felt like a lead weight. Every time his thumb brushed against my knuckles, I felt a pang of guilt. Why didn't I feel anything?

We eventually found ourselves at Café Toutour, a cozy spot with the smell of roasted beans and vanilla. We ordered, but when the food arrived, I just stared at my plate, picking at the edges of my pastry.

"I feel so happy today, Honoka," Haruma said, breaking the silence. "Thank you for asking me out."

"Thank you for coming," I replied, forcing a cheerful tone that didn't reach my eyes.

Haruma set his fork down and leaned in, his expression turning serious. "Honoka... why do you look so sad? You're here, but it feels like your heart is miles away. Is something bothering you?"

"I'm fine," I lied, the word catching in my throat.

"It's not good to lie to me," he said gently. "I'm always here for you. Maybe I can help."

That was the breaking point. The kindness in his voice was the final needle that popped the balloon of my composure. A hot tear escaped and rolled down my cheek, followed by another. I couldn't stop them. Haruma immediately reached across the table, his thumb wiping the salt from my skin.

"I fell for someone who doesn't love me back," I sobbed, my voice cracking. "I know he loves someone else. I know this feeling is a mistake. Sometimes, I wish the person he loves would just vanish so he would finally see me. I'm so afraid to lose him, Haruma. I'm terrified of getting hurt again."

Haruma's grip on my hand tightened. "Honoka, he isn't the only man in the world. If he makes you cry like this, he isn't worthy of your heart. You deserve someone who makes you feel safe, not someone who makes you feel like a second choice. I could be that man. I could fill that emptiness."

I looked at him, my eyes wide and blurry with tears. "What?"

"I've always admired you," he confessed, his voice steady despite the blush on his cheeks. "I've loved you since the day we met, but I was a coward. I was afraid you'd reject me. When you asked me out, I thought... maybe this is my chance. My feelings for you are real, Honoka."

My heart hammered against my ribs. He's confessing. The most popular guy in school is confessing to me.

"Haruma-kun... I..."

"I know you love him," he interrupted, his gaze incredibly sincere. "I'm not asking you to forget him today. I'll wait. I'll wait until you're ready to let him go. I'll wait until you can love me back."

"Haruma-kun, thank you," I whispered, feeling overwhelmed. "You're an amazing guy. Any girl would be lucky to have you, and I'm honored... but let's not rush things. I need time."

"I agree," he said, giving my hand a reassuring squeeze. "I'm not going anywhere."

I looked at him and nodded, feeling a strange sense of relief. Haruma was perfect. He was the "dream boyfriend." I had loved him for so long, but his confession had come too late. If he had said these words months ago, I would have been the happiest girl in the world.

But as we sat in the café, all I could think about was the man in New York who had told me marrying me was his "worst decision" and how much I desperately wished it was him sitting in Haruma's chair.