Chiaki took a deep breath as she stood in front of the modest home where she used to visit and stay when she was young, the familiar sight of the wooden gate and the neatly trimmed garden filling her with a mix of nostalgia and nervous anticipation.
She hesitated for a moment, her fingers tightening around the small bouquet of flowers she had brought for her mother, before she felt Hayato's presence beside her, his calm and steady energy grounding her. "Are you nervous?" Hayato's voice was gentle, his fingers brushing lightly against hers in a gesture that was both comforting and reassuring.
Chiaki glanced at him, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush as she nodded. "A little," she admitted, her voice soft. "I just… I don't know how my mom will react." Hayato smiled, his expression warm and reassuring. "I'll be on my best behavior," he promised, his tone light but sincere.
With that, Chiaki pushed open the door, the familiar creak of the hinges making her heart swell with emotion. "Mum, I'm home," she called out, her voice carrying through the quiet house. Chiaki's Mum appeared from the kitchen, wiping her hands on a dish towel, her expression one of mild surprise. Her eyes widened when she saw Hayato standing beside her daughter, his tall frame and composed demeanor impossible to miss. "Hayato?" she murmured, clearly startled. Hayato stepped forward, his movements graceful and respectful, and bowed politely. "It's been a long time, Mrs. Matsumoto," he said, his voice calm and steady. Chiaki's mother recovered quickly, her sharp eyes shifting between the two of them before she let out a soft sigh, her expression softening. "I didn't expect to see you here," she admitted, her tone carrying a hint of curiosity.
"I wanted to visit with Chiaki," Hayato explained earnestly, his gaze steady as he met Mrs. Matsumoto's eyes. "If that's alright with you." Chiaki's mother studied him for a moment, her expression unreadable, before she finally nodded. "Come in," she said, stepping aside to let them enter.
They sat in the cozy living room, Hayato's eyes wandered to the walls, where old framed pictures of Chiaki's childhood were displayed. He noticed a few photos of her before the age of three, her chubby cheeks and bright smile capturing his attention.
A small cough from the corner of the room drew their attention, and Chiaki's face lit up as she walked over to a frail elderly woman sitting in a rocking chair, her hands resting gently on her lap. "Grandma, look who's here," Chiaki said softly, her voice filled with affection.
Grandma's faded eyes squinted slightly as she peered at Hayato, her expression thoughtful before a slow smile spread across her face. "Ah, it's the boy from years ago," she said, her voice raspy but filled with warmth. Hayato chuckled, his cheeks tinged with a faint blush as he bowed respectfully. "It's nice to see you again, Grandma," he said, his tone gentle and respectful. The old woman gave him an approving nod before mumbling something about young love and returning to her nap, her rocking chair creaking softly as she drifted off. Chiaki giggled, her eyes sparkling with amusement, while Hayato scratched his cheek, slightly embarrassed but clearly touched by the interaction.
Chiaki took Hayato's hand, her fingers intertwining with his as she led him outside. "Let's go out for a bit," she said, her voice light and filled with excitement. They wandered through the old city, the cobblestone streets lined with nostalgic shops and lantern-lit alleys that seemed to tell stories of a bygone era.
Hayato watched in fascination as Chiaki excitedly pointed out her childhood haunts, her eyes lighting up with joy as she shared memories of her past. "Over there," she said, pointing to a small bakery with a faded sign and a warm, inviting glow emanating from its windows. "My mum used to bring me here whenever I visited my grandma. They have the best taiyaki in town." Hayato smiled, his heart swelling with affection as he looked at her. "Then let's go," he said, his tone filled with enthusiasm.
Inside the bakery, the air was filled with the comforting aroma of freshly baked pastries, and the owner greeted Chiaki with a warm smile, clearly recognizing her. They ordered a warm, freshly baked taiyaki, the golden-brown exterior crisp and the sweet red bean filling oozing out slightly as Chiaki took a bite. A bit of the filling smudged at the corner of her lips, and Hayato reached out instinctively, brushing his thumb over her skin to wipe it away. Chiaki froze, her face heating up instantly as she looked at him, her eyes wide with surprise.
"H-Hayato…" she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. He smirked slightly, his eyes filled with amusement and affection. "You're too cute," he said, his tone teasing but sincere. Chiaki pouted, turning away in an attempt to hide her flustered expression, but Hayato caught her chin gently, his touch soft but firm as he tilted her face toward his. Without a word, he leaned in and placed a soft kiss on her forehead, his lips lingering for a moment before he pulled back slightly. "I like seeing you blush," he murmured, his voice low and filled with warmth. Chiaki's heart raced, her cheeks burning as she looked at him, the world around them fading away until it was just the two of them, lost in a moment that felt like it had been years in the making.
Later that evening, back at the house, the atmosphere was quiet and serene, the soft hum of the night settling over the modest home. Chiaki's mum, her expression thoughtful but unreadable, asked Hayato to stay behind in the living room while Chiaki helped her grandmother get ready for bed. The faint sound of Chiaki's voice and her grandmother's soft laughter drifted down the hallway, a comforting backdrop to the heavy silence that hung between Hayato and Chiaki's mum. She sat across from him, her posture straight and her hands folded neatly in her lap, her gaze steady as she studied him. "Hayato," she began, her voice calm but carrying a weight that made Hayato's chest tighten, "I won't sugarcoat things. Chiaki suffered a lot after you left."
Her words hit him like a punch to the gut, and he felt a wave of guilt crash over him. He had known, of course, that Chiaki had struggled, but hearing it from her mother made it all the more real, all the more painful. Mrs. Matsumoto's eyes softened slightly as she continued, her voice quiet but filled with a mother's concern. "You know… Chiaki had it hard," she said, her hands tightening slightly in her lap. "She worked herself to the bone to survive university, refusing to rely on anyone. I worried every night if she was eating enough, if she was sleeping well… if she was lonely." Hayato's chest ached as he listened, his hands gripping his knees tightly, his knuckles turning white. "I know," he said softly, his voice barely above a whisper. "And I regret it every day."
Mrs. Matsumoto's gaze didn't waver, her words steady and deliberate as she painted a picture of Chiaki's struggles. "She worked multiple part-time jobs to support herself through university," she continued, her tone tinged with both pride and sorrow. "She barely had time to rest. But even when she came home exhausted, she never complained. She was always independent, always strong. But I knew she was lonely." Hayato's heart clenched at the image of Chiaki, tired and overworked, pushing herself to the limit without ever asking for help. He had always admired her strength, but now, hearing the depth of her struggles, he felt a profound sense of guilt and regret. "I should have been there," he said, his voice thick with emotion.
Chiaki's mum sighed, her expression softening as she looked at him. "You come from a world of privilege," she said, her tone carrying a hint of resignation. "I worried she wasn't enough for you, that you deserved someone who could match your status." Hayato's eyes widened at her words, and without hesitation, he reached for her hand, his grip firm but gentle. "Mrs. Matsumoto," he said, his voice earnest and filled with conviction, "there's no one else in this world I would ever want. I love Chiaki, not because of where she comes from, but because she's Chiaki. The strongest, kindest, most stubborn woman I know." His words were filled with a quiet intensity, his gaze unwavering as he met her eyes.
Chiaki's mum studied his face for a long moment, her expression thoughtful as she weighed his words. Finally, a small smile spread across her lips, and she nodded, her eyes filled with a quiet acceptance. "Then, I leave her in your hands," she said, her voice soft but carrying a weight of trust that made Hayato's heart swell. He met her gaze, his expression filled with determination as he nodded. "I promise I will take good care of Chiaki from now on," he said.
Later that night, with the house calm and quiet, Hayato found Chiaki sitting by the window in her room. Moonlight lit up her face as she gazed at the stars, her expression calm and thoughtful. The breeze carried the soft scent of gardenias, filling the room with a gentle, familiar warmth.
Without a word, Hayato walked over and wrapped his arms around her from behind, pulling her close. "Chiaki," he whispered softly, his voice full of affection. She leaned into him, eyes closed, her body relaxing in his embrace as a peaceful smile touched her lips.
"I'm sorry for all the years I wasn't there," Hayato whispered, his breath warm against Chiaki's ear as he kissed her temple. Regret filled his voice, but so did quiet resolve—an unspoken vow. "I'll spend the rest of my life making it up to you."
Chiaki's breath caught. She turned in his arms, her hands resting gently on his chest, eyes shining with emotion as she looked up at him. "You already are," she said softly, her voice shaking but sure.
Hayato cupped her face, his thumb brushing her cheek as he leaned in and kissed her—slowly, tenderly, with all the love and promises he couldn't put into words. Chiaki returned the kiss, her hands sliding to his shoulders as her heart filled with warmth and peace.
As they pulled apart, their foreheads still touching, Chiaki finally let herself believe—this time, he wasn't going anywhere. All the years of missing him, the heartbreak, and the quiet hope she had held onto faded in the safety of his arms. Hayato held her closer, his embrace steady and warm, like he never wanted to let her go.