The Chosen Wife || Jibaku Shounen Hanako-Kun

Tsukasa's Final Part (3/5)

"Me?" (Y/N) echoed, utterly bewildered, glancing at her mother for any hint of explanation.

Her mother simply smiled knowingly. "I'll handle things here. You go on now."

"O-Okay..." (Y/N) stammered, offering a hesitant smile, though her mind was buzzing with curiosity. Who would come all this way just to see me?

She stepped out to the front of the shop, her heart pounding with a mix of excitement and anticipation. And there, waiting just beyond the threshold, was the last person she'd expected to see.

"(Y/N)..." he greeted, his voice a mix of warmth and surprise.

"Tsukasa—!" she gasped, her eyes wide, her mouth hanging open like a fish caught on land. 

'Lord Tsukasa?!'

"What are you doing here? I thought you'd left..." she managed, a slight hint of sadness creeping into her voice.

His expression grew serious as he met her gaze. "After I got home, I spoke to my brother Amane about... everything," he said, his voice steady.

"About what, exactly?" she asked, now thoroughly intrigued.

"About the woman I was supposed to be matched with... about you," he replied, his eyes locking onto hers with a captivating intensity.

'Me...?!'

"A-At any rate," she stammered, fighting to hide the grin tugging at her lips, "we shouldn't stand around like this. Come inside, Lord Tsukasa," she urged, gesturing for him to follow her.

***

She guided him to a familiar spot, the same seat he'd occupied the first time he'd visited the restaurant.

"This is where you sat the first time you stumbled in here," (Y/N) said, a playful glint in her eyes.

"It feels like it was only yesterday," he replied with a chuckle. "I probably made quite the scene, didn't I?"

(Y/N) laughed, recalling the chaotic memory. "Oh, it was a bit of work carrying you out after you'd had one too many."

Tsukasa's cheeks turned pink as he chuckled. "Not my most dignified moment, I'll admit," he said, scratching his head. "But I came here today because there's something important I wanted to tell you, (Y/N)." His voice took on a seriousness that made her heart skip a beat.

"The truth is..."

< Flashback >

After that eventful day spent wandering around town with (Y/N), Tsukasa had returned to the inn, his mind swirling with thoughts. The moment he saw Amane, he couldn't hold it in any longer.

"Amane~ So... it seems (Y/N) wasn't the woman we came here to meet after all. I... I don't know what to think."

Amane glanced up from his book, unimpressed. "That's right."

Tsukasa's jaw dropped. "WHAT?!"

"The woman we were meant to meet? She eloped the day we arrived," Amane said with a shrug, as if he were discussing the weather.

"ELOPED?!" Tsukasa shrieked, nearly falling over in shock.

< End of Flashback >

"Eloped?!" (Y/N) repeated, her face a mixture of disbelief and amusement.

"Mm-hmm," Tsukasa confirmed, his expression unwavering. "Apparently, she had no intention of marrying either of us."

"That's... well, that's crazy," she said, laughter bubbling up. The whole scenario was too absurd not to laugh at.

"Isn't it, though?" Tsukasa grinned, the serious moment lightened by their shared amusement. "But," he continued, leaning a little closer, "if that hadn't happened... I wouldn't have met you."

Her cheeks warmed under his gaze, and she found herself unable to look away.