The Force of Gravity ✅

Prologue

April 16th, 2022

Miori Chibana. Miori Chibana. My name is Miori Chibana. I am happy to be Miori Chibana.

It was surreal to her, and she almost couldn't believe it was reality. But every time she looked down at her lap and saw her hands folded neatly, she saw the wedding band on her finger that confirmed it to be true. She was Miori Sone no more. She was now Miori Chibana.

She felt a twinge of discomfort in her stomach but she squashed the feeling and focused on the mantra in her mind that she had recited to herself over and over again since that morning. My name is Miori Chibana. I am happy to be Miori Chibana.

"Miori?" A hand covered hers and she saw the matching wedding band. She snapped a smile on her face and looked up at the young man sitting beside her. She was dressed in a red spring dress—the best dress she had—and he was in a black suit. His hair was still stiffly slicked back from the excessive hair gel he had put into it. She saw an adoration in his eyes that made her smile falter, but only a little bit. "Are you tired, Miori?"

"Of course not, Ohta," she responded smoothly. "I'm happy and excited. Aren't you?"

Ohta laughed shortly and he managed a small smile. "Happy? I-I don't know how to describe how I'm feeling, Miori. I never thought that we..." his voice trailed off.

"But we did," Miori responded, squeezing his hand. "As of 10:30 this morning we are now husband and wife."

"Husband and wife," Ohta echoed breathlessly. He let out a chuckle of delight and impulsively hugged her. "Husband and wife! Husband and wife!"

People on the train were turning to look at them. Miori slammed her eyes shut and hugged him back, using all of her energy to hang on to her smile. I am happy to be Miori Chibana. I am happy to be Miori Chibana.

"I'm really sorry though," Ohta said, sobering suddenly as they let each other go.

"Why?" Miori asked him.

"B-Because I'm not smart enough to go to college!" Ohta responded, pain surfacing on his face. "I wish I was but I'm not! I wasn't even smart enough to graduate in the top 10 at Yashin! I'm not good enough for you, Miori!"

Holding onto her smile was easier now and she leaned in close to him, their foreheads almost touching. "Don't forget, Ohta," she said softly. "I'm a graduate of Yashin High School as well. I'm also not going to college. That makes us perfect for each other, doesn't it?"

Ohta relaxed then, and she saw tears in his eyes as his smile returned. "I'll work so hard for you," he promised, clasping her hands in his. "I'll take any job to make sure you never go hungry. M-Mom said we can stay with her as long as we like, but don't you worry Miori! I'll get us a nice big place for us to live comfortably! I'll take good care of you, I promise!"

"I'll hold you to that promise," she teased. I am happy to be Miori Chibana. I am happy to be Miori Chibana.

The train arrived at Shibuya Station and the newlyweds departed, walking side-by-side holding hands. It was a little chilly and it was overcast above, but they were both confident that no rain would fall. "Our hotel is just a ten-minute walk from here," Ohta said, pointing towards the main doors.

"I know," Miori said through her smile. I am happy to be Miori Chibana. I am happy to be Miori Chibana.

Her eyes drifted towards a nearby clock. 20:25 pm. He will be getting married tomorrow, she reflected. She felt a pang of familiar pain in her heart before it was consumed with smug satisfaction. But I got married first.