Mischievous Marriage

Honeymoon in Panic

Chapter 2

Honeymoon in Panic

The reception had been elegant... and utterly boring.

Crystal chandeliers glimmered above, the soft classical music barely audible over the polite chatter of the high-society guests. Everyone was impeccably dressed, laughing, nodding, and discussing business deals as if they were performing some sacred ritual of wealth and prestige. I, on the other hand, sat quietly in a corner, clutching my purse and trying not to breathe too loudly.

I didn't know a single person here, not really. The few I did know were distant acquaintances of my parents or Yuki's family, all of them caught up in the whirlwind of status and etiquette. And me? I was their temporary bride, sitting like a ghost while my new husband smiled politely and shook hands, entertaining the guests with ease.

Yuki Furukawa. My sister's fiancé. My husband.

I swallowed. My throat was dry, my hands sweaty. I didn't know him. I didn't love him. And yet, here I was, pretending to be the woman my sister had once intended to marry.

This is insane, I thought, staring at my reflection in a polished marble pillar. Completely insane.

I spent the reception quietly observing, trying not to draw attention. Three endless hours later, the event finally ended.

Finally.

We were to fly to Okinawa for our "honeymoon," though I couldn't think of anything more terrifying. Sharing a room with Yuki? Sleeping in the same bed with him? My chest tightened at the thought.

The flight was short, but I spent every second staring out the window, pretending to be calm. Yuki sat beside me, reading some business documents, his face calm, unreadable. He didn't glance at me once, and honestly, that was probably for the best.

When we arrived at the Time Rich Hotel, I nearly tripped over myself in awe.

The lobby was flooded with sunlight streaming through floor-to-ceiling windows. Marble floors gleamed so brightly they almost hurt my eyes. Everywhere I looked, there was luxury, gold trim, crystal chandeliers, exquisite paintings.

We checked in without incident. Then came the shock: one room. One bed.

I froze in the doorway.

The room itself was breathtaking. A king-sized bed dominated the center, flanked by velvet armchairs and a chaise lounge. Crystal chandeliers sparkled above, reflecting off glossy marble floors. The bathroom was like something out of a magazine. Marble everywhere, a huge soaking tub, frosted glass doors, even its own chandelier above the sink.

I let out a small, nervous laugh.

"Get out," an authoritative voice snapped.

I spun around. Yuki stood in the doorway, his eyes like ice. I took a deep, shaky sigh and brushed past him. What a grumpy old man!

I flopped onto the bed, the silk linens cool against my skin. I buried my face in a pillow, whispering, "Hana-neechan, where are you? Why did you have to leave?"

My heart ached. I knew this marriage was temporary, but the thought of living with a man who looked at me with such disdain made me feel utterly alone.

"Are you going to shower or just mope?"

I looked up. Yuki was sitting on the couch, already changed into a white T-shirt and boxers. His hair was dripping wet, a few droplets sliding down his neck. My heart did a traitorous little flip. He looked... incredibly handsome.

"I-I'm going," I stammered, grabbing my pajamas and darting into the bathroom. I leaned against the door, clutching my chest. Stop thinking like that, Honoka

When I finally emerged, the lights were dimmed. Yuki was already on the left side of the bed. My stomach dropped. Am I really supposed to sleep next to him?

I crept toward the bed and tentatively shook his arm. "Furukawa-kun? Where am I supposed to sleep?"

"Beside me," he muttered irritably, not even opening his eyes.

I felt my face heat up. "I don't want to sleep beside you."

He sat up abruptly, looking thoroughly annoyed. "What is your problem, kiddo? You're so loud. Can't you see I'm trying to sleep?"

"I... I can't!"

He pointed lazily toward the chaise lounge.

"If you don't like it, sleep there," he said.

I stared at him.

"You're the man! You should sleep on the couch, Furukawa-kun," I snapped back. "A gentleman wouldn't make a lady sleep on the floor or share a bed she's uncomfortable with."

"Stop calling me Furukawa. That's your name now, too," he growled. "I'm exhausted. Sleep on the floor, the couch, or the balcony for all I care. Just be quiet."

"You... you aren't going to do anything to me, right?" I asked, my voice small.

He paused, a dark brow arching. "Anything like what?"

"You know... pervert things?"

He smirked, a dangerous glint in his eyes. Before I could react, he grabbed my wrist and pulled. I yelped as I landed on the mattress, and in a flash, he was hovering over me, pinning me down.

"What 'pervert things' are you imagining, kiddo?" he whispered, leaning closer. His gaze dropped to my lips.

"Stay away from me, you pervert!" I squealed, squeezing my eyes shut. I braced myself, my heart thundering against my ribs, anticipating a kiss or worse.

Instead, he burst into a boisterous laugh. "You look like a moron," he said, rolling off me.

He stayed on his side of the bed, still chuckling. "Don't worry. I wouldn't touch you even if you begged. If I had married Hana, things would be different. But you? I have zero interest in a child I don't even like."

The sting of his words was sharper than I expected. I glared at his back, my face flushed with a mix of embarrassment and anger. "That wasn't funny, old man!" I hissed, throwing a pillow at his head.

"I'm twenty-eight," he retorted.

"Exactly. Ten years older than me. You're ancient."

"Go to sleep, Honoka. And turn off the light."

And just like that, I fell asleep beside him, my heart still pounding.

The next morning, I woke to the sound of him talking on the phone.

"Call me when you find her. Thank you, Smith."

He hung up and noticed me standing there.

"Good morning," I said cautiously.

"Good morning," he replied curtly.

"I was... calling a detective to find your sister," he added.

I nodded silently.

"Once she's found, we'll file for divorce," he continued.

"I'm planning the same," I said quietly, staring at my hands.

The tension between us was suffocating.

I decided I needed to escape. Alone.

I wandered through Okinawa, letting the warm sunlight hit my face, the sea breeze soothe my nerves. I visited Shuri Castle, marveling at its red walls and intricate roofs. At Sefa Utaki, I walked silently among the sacred stones, feeling small and insignificant. At local markets, I tasted sweet Okinawan candies, watched artisans craft delicate pottery, and felt a fleeting sense of freedom I hadn't known since I married Yuki.

But every joy was tinged with loneliness.

Why did Hana leave me here? Why did this have to happen?

Returning to the hotel later, I found Yuki passed out on the couch, a half-empty wine bottle at his side.

"Oh no..." I whispered.

"Furukawa-kun? Are you okay?," I rushed to him. His breathing was uneven, his face pale.

"Hana... why did you leave?" he muttered, tears streaking his face.

My chest tightened painfully.

"You're not her!" he cried suddenly, pushing me away.

I swallowed my tears.

"Shh... it's okay," I whispered. "I'm not Hana. But I... I'll help you."

He collapsed, and I helped him to the bed, carefully wiping his face with a damp cloth.

He clutched my hands tightly.

"Please... don't leave me."

Tears filled my eyes.

"I'm sorry," I whispered. "I'm not the one you want. I'm so sorry."

The next morning, I left to buy him soup.

On my way, I spotted a lost little girl crying, wearing a simple yellow sundress.

"Are you lost?" I asked gently.

"Yes! Please help me find my brother," she sniffled.

Her name was Meiko, and she was no older than six. We searched for nearly an hour before a panicked young man ran toward us.

"Meiko!"

The girl gasped.

"Jun!"

She ran straight into his arms.

The boy caught her tightly, dropping to his knees and hugging her as if he never wanted to let go.

"Where did you go?!" he asked breathlessly.

"I looked everywhere!"

Meiko buried her face into his shoulder.

"I'm sorry..."

Jun let out a shaky sigh.

"You scared me."

He held her for a moment longer before gently pulling back and examining her. "Are you hurt?"

She shook her head. "No."

Only then did he notice Honoka standing nearby.

Jun stood up and bowed slightly.

"Thank you for helping my sister." His voice was calm now, though his eyes still showed signs of worry.

Honoka smiled politely. "It was nothing."

Jun placed a hand on Meiko's head.

"She tends to wander off," he said with a tired sigh. "I was only gone for a few minutes."

Meiko looked guilty. "I saw a puppy..."

Jun rubbed his forehead. "Of course you did."

Honoka couldn't help but laugh softly.

The siblings looked so familiar.

So normal.

It made her chest ache a little.

"I'm Jun Matsumoto," the boy said, extending his hand.

"Honoka Furukawa."

She shook it.

Jun studied her for a moment.

"You're not from Okinawa, are you?"

"No," she admitted.

"I'm just visiting."

Jun nodded.

"Well... I still want to thank you properly."

"That's not necessary."

But Jun reached into his backpack and pulled out two tickets.

"They're cruise tickets," he explained.

"My father works with the company that organizes them."

Honoka waved her hands quickly.

"Oh no, I can't accept that!"

"You helped my sister," Jun insisted.

"And those expire tomorrow anyway."

Meiko tugged Honoka's sleeve.

"Please take them!"

Her big hopeful eyes made Honoka hesitate.

Jun smirked slightly.

"Looks like you don't have much of a choice."

Honoka laughed nervously.

"Alright... thank you."

Jun handed her the tickets.

"Enjoy the cruise."

Meiko suddenly hugged Honoka's waist.

"Thank you for saving me!"

Honoka froze in surprise before gently hugging her back.

"You're welcome."

Jun smiled slightly.

"You're a good person."

Honoka felt her cheeks warm.

"Well... take care of your sister."

"I will."

The siblings waved goodbye as they walked away together.

Meiko happily held Jun's hand, chatting excitedly.

Honoka watched them until they disappeared into the crowd.

A strange warmth filled her chest.

Family...

She wondered if Hana would ever hold her hand like that again.

Honoka looked down at the cruise tickets in her hand.

Two tickets.

She sighed.

"Well..."

"I guess I should ask that grumpy husband of mine."

And with that thought, she began walking back to the hotel.

Back at the hotel, Yuki was already awake, sitting on the couch with his arms crossed. His expression looked as cold and grumpy as usual.

I stood near the door for a moment, holding the bag with the soup I had bought for him.

For someone who drank himself unconscious last night... he looked surprisingly normal.

Still, I walked closer.

"Are you feeling better now?" I asked carefully.

"I am fine," he replied coldly without even looking at me.

I placed the bag on the table and opened it.

"I bought soup for you," I said, taking out the container. "Do you want to eat?"

He glanced at it briefly before looking away again.

"I'm not hungry."

I sighed quietly.

"Okay..."

I closed the container again and sat down on the chair across from him.

For a moment, neither of us spoke. The room felt awkwardly quiet.

Then I suddenly remembered the tickets in my pocket.

"Oh, right!"

I quickly pulled them out and held them up.

"Do you want to go on a cruise?" I asked, trying to sound casual.

Yuki raised an eyebrow.

"A cruise?"

"Yeah," I said with a small smile. "Earlier, I helped a little girl who got lost while looking for her brother. When we finally found him, he gave me these as a thank-you gift."

I waved the tickets slightly.

"Maybe we could go together."

"No."

The answer came instantly.

My shoulders dropped.

Of course he would say that.

I forced a small shrug.

"Then I'll just go alone," I murmured.

I started putting the tickets back into my pocket.

For a few seconds, the room was silent again.

Then...

Yuki let out a long sigh.

"Fine."

I looked up.

"I'll go."

My eyes widened.

"Really?!"

He rubbed the back of his neck, looking slightly irritated.

"Don't make a big deal out of it."

But something about his face had changed.

For the first time since this entire mess started...

He didn't look completely annoyed.

A small spark of hope flickered inside my chest.

Maybe...

Just maybe...

This honeymoon wouldn't be as unbearable as I thought.