Adi stood in his room, dressed in a shining white pant-coat, adjusting his hair in front of the mirror.
A knock at the door.
Dakeshi and Shin stepped in.
Dakeshi: Adi, you ready? It's almost time. The guests are waiting—and the priest's already here.
Shin: Hurry up.
Adi: Yeah… I'm ready.
With that, they walked out.
Sophia's room.
She stood in front of the mirror in a long, elegant white dress.
Sophia glanced at the clock, a thought whispering through her mind—It's time… time has come.
A knock.
The door opened. Anya and Karin walked in.
Anya: Sis, you ready? Because your broom already came.
Karin: Let's go. Everyone's waiting.
Sophia: Yeah… it's time.
Her heart pounded. Her face looked pale.
Ahh, my heart's pounding like hell… it's all right, Sophia. Go for it. Be normal.
She blinked slowly. A long exhale.
And then she walked out with them.
Outside, Adi stood beside the priest, waiting at the altar. Rows of guests sat on either side, facing the aisle.
Sophia walked in, steps light but firm on the red carpet, flanked by Karin and Anya.
Every pair of eyes turned to her.
She reached the front.
Stopped.
Stood face to face with Adi.
In the center, between them—stood the priest.
The marriage ceremony began. In front of the priest and guests, Adi and Sophia exchanged their vows.
And finally—it was done.
Sophia's thoughts: Ohh… it's finally over. I thought it would go on forever…
Adi: What happened, Sophia?
Sophia: N-No,
nothing.
Adi extended his hand. Sophia placed hers in it.
They walked together down the red carpet and out into the open air.
At the main entrance stood Mother, Tsukiyo, and Anya.
Sophia and Adi approached them.
Mother looked straight at Sophia.
Mother: Now you're Adi's wife… Tsukiyo and Anya's sister… my daughter.
You're a part of our family now.
She pulled Sophia into a warm hug.
Sophia's eyes turned glassy with tears.
Sophia: If you say I'm your daughter… then—can I call you… m-mom?
I-I never got the chance to call my own mother that… so, can I?
Mother: Of course, dear. Why not? You're my daughter now.
Anya: And my elder sister!
Sophia looked at Adi.
It's so warm… this family… this feeling… it's so warm.
Adi smiled at her.
From outside came a familiar shout—Dakeshi.
Dakeshi: What are you standing there for? Come on, both of you! The car is ready!
Adi: Yeah, we're coming.
He looked at Sophia.
Adi: Shall we go?
Sophia: Yeah—wait…
She looked left, right.
Adi: What happened? Looking for something?
Sophia: Y-Yeah… I didn't see Rocky the whole time. Where is he? Do you know?
Adi: No, I don't—
He paused, glancing toward the car.
Adi: Oh. He's outside—right there, beside the car.
They both walked outside.
Sophia hurried toward Rocky and hugged him tightly.
Sophia: Where were you? I thought you didn't come…
Rocky: Yeah… I thought the same. But…
He gently placed a hand on her shoulder.
Rocky: …I'm sorry, sis. I did a lot of things… and through it all, you were like a mother to me.
Sophia: Rocky, no… it's okay. I forgive you.
But promise me you'll take care of yourself. And visit me, time to time.
Rocky: I'll do that even if you don't ask me to, sis.
Adi: Shall we go now?
Sophia turned to him and nodded.
Sophia: Yeah. We shall.
As they both sat in the car, Rocky called out.
Rocky: Hey, Adi.
Adi turned.
Adi: What? Now what?
Rocky: One last thing I want to ask.
Adi: What?
Rocky: Take care of my sister…
Even if it kills you.
Because that's what I've been doing all this time.
Adi looked at him, then turned toward the car, opened the door, and before sitting down, said:
Adi: Yeah… I will.
He got in.
The car drove away.
Rocky stood behind… watching it go.
Night – Adi's House
Outside, three cars are parked quietly.
Inside the living room, Adi, his mother, Dakeshi, and Shin are seated on the sofa. A soft warmth lingers in the air from the ceremony earlier.
Dakeshi: Adi, take this gift from me. Not as a friend, but as your brother.
He places a small gift-wrapped box on the table.
Adi: A gift? I don't want anything like that... but since you said brother, I'll take it.
Dakeshi: Open it. Right now.
Adi: Why? ...Alright, if you insist.
Adi unwraps the box and reveals a check inside. His expression changes instantly.
Adi: Wait... this is the gift?
Dakeshi: I couldn't think of anything, so I thought—why not a check?
Adi glares at him and glances at his mother. She signals him to calm down with a hand gesture.
Adi: Sorry... I can't accept this, Dakeshi.
Dakeshi: Why? You didn't like it?
Adi (shouting): Please...!
Dakeshi: Okay, okay! No need to shout!
Shin (chuckling): Anyway, Adi, I and Karin also got something for you and Sophia.
Adi: Oh no, not you too... I really don't need—
Mother (interrupting): Where is it?
Shin: Karin has it...
Adi's Room
Anya, Karin, and Sophia are sitting together.
Anya: So, sis—I go to college at the same time Adi leaves for office. That's why he drops me every day.
Sophia (smiling): That's nice... Oh! You know my little brother Rocky also goes to the same college as you.
Anya: Really? I didn't know you had a brother!
Karin: Okay, enough talk. Sophia, here—take this gift. I brought it for you and Adi.
Sophia: You really didn't have to—
Karin (calmly but firmly): A gift for Adi is never a bother.
Sophia (softly): O-Okay... I'm sorry.
Karin: Don't be.
Anya (grinning): Sooo... are you ready for your first night after marriage?
Sophia looks at her wide-eyed.
Sophia: W-What do you mean!?
Anya smirks and glances at Karin.
Karin: Okay, I should leave. It's getting late. Sophia... be ready.
Karin walks out of the room.
Sophia: W-Wait! What are you both saying!?
Anya (teasing): Just be ready. Brother's coming soon.
She touches Sophia's shoulder playfully.
Anya (smirking): And yes—I'll be waiting to hear about your night journey!
She leaves, giggling.
Sophia: What!? What are you even talking about—
Her thoughts kick in.
"Wait... I forgot. It's the first night after marriage... No! Not happening. I mean, there's no way! But... sleeping on the same bed with Adi... how do I even fall asleep like this!? My heart's pounding so much!"
She begins nodding her head side to side, eyes shut, overwhelmed.
The door opens. Adi enters and sees her nodding weirdly on the bed.
Adi: Sophia...? What's going on?
Sophia (jumps): N-Not a chance!!
Adi (confused): Why are you shouting? And what do you mean by "not a chance"?
Sophia: N-Nothing! Nothing at all!
Adi: Are you... alright?
Sophia (forcing a smile): Y-Yeah! Why wouldn't I be? Totally fine.
Adi: Alright. I'm going to change too, so... you should as well.
Sophia: O-Okay...
As Adi turns to change, Sophia thinks:
"What should I do? I can't take this... How do I even handle this? I thought the whole 'first night' thing had a zero percent chance—but sleeping on the same bed with Adi...? How am I supposed to sleep with this pounding heart!?"
After changing, both Adi and Sophia were sitting on the bed. An awkward silence filled the room.
Sophia (thoughts): This silence... it's awkward. I should break it...
Both spoke at the same time.
Adi & Sophia: Can't sleep?
They looked at each other and smiled.
Adi: It's not that I can't sleep, but... I wanted to talk to you about something.
Sophia (thoughts): What could it be?
Sophia: W-What is it?
She turned her face slightly to the side, trying to hide the sudden nervousness.
Adi: It's... do you want to work?
Sophia: W-What a-are you saying!?
She moved slightly away from him in shock.
Adi: I meant your job. Do you want to continue working or not?
Sophia: Oh... so it's about that. I did think about it... but I wanted to ask what you want me to do?
Adi: Me? That's not how it works. It's your choice. If you want to continue your job, that's great. But if you'd rather help around the house, that's also fine.
Sophia: Adi... I don't know what to do. I mean, I can work, but if I'm needed at home...
Adi (smiling): You should take your time. Decide when you're ready.
Sophia: Yeah... I think so.
She shifted back toward him from where she had distanced herself.
Sophia: Can I ask you something else?
Adi: Ask me anything.
Sophia: I saw someone earlier... a guy, about our age, upstairs. Who is he?
Adi: Oh, him? You remember back in college... there was that one student who never talked to anyone and would beat up anyone who messed with him?
Sophia: Hmm... yeah, there was someone like that... but I can't recall the face...
Adi: He once even beat up a professor. Ring any bells?
Sophia: Wait... now I remember... his name started with R...
Adi: Yeah. Rian.
Sophia: Right! Rian... that was him?
Adi: He's my cousin. Lives upstairs.
Sophia: Seriously? But you never told anyone in college... and I didn't see him at the wedding either.
Adi: Yeah. He didn't come. For him, we're just... nobody.
Sophia: Don't say that...
Adi: Why not? If you ever meet him, you'll understand. Just... don't talk to him, please.
Sophia: Did something happen between you two?
Adi: It's a long story. Let's not go there right now. Anything else you want to know?
Sophia: Tsukiyo sis...
Adi: What can I tell you about her? She's a mystery even to us.
Sophia: You know, before the wedding, she came to my room and tested me...
Adi: I figured she would. She's like that. But you should know—she'd do anything for this family.
Sophia: Can I ask something... not to be rude, but—how come her hair is silver when everyone else has black?
Adi burst into a laugh.
Adi: I used to ask the same thing! I'd tell Mom, "Why isn't my hair silver? I want it too!" Turns out, our dad had silver hair. Probably where she got it from.
Sophia: Dad...?
Adi: Yeah. He passed away thirteen years ago. We never even got his body back...
Sophia: I... I'm sorry...
Adi: Don't be. It's alright. But you know, he was just like Tsukiyo sis—rarely home, quiet, distant... but he'd do anything for us. We never knew what he did, where he went... just like her.
Sophia: She got more than just hair from him, huh...
Adi glanced at her with a serious look.
Sophia: I-I'm sorry...
Adi: (laughs) You got serious all of a sudden.
Sophia: I thought you'd be upset...
Adi: No, it's fine. But now that you've asked everything... we should probably sleep, right?
Sophia: Y-Yeah...
Both lay down, turning to opposite sides. Sophia lay at the very edge of the bed.
Sophia (thoughts): There's no way I'm falling asleep like this... not with my heart pounding like this... I'll have to survive the whole night like this...