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## **Chapter 1 – I Married My Worst Rival**
I never believed fate had a sense of humor.
But if it did, then it must have been laughing at me that morning.
"Move. You're blocking the hallway."
That cold, sharp voice cut through the noise of students like a blade.
I stopped walking.
Of course.
Only one person in this entire school spoke to me like that.
I slowly turned around and met her eyes—dark, piercing, and filled with the same irritation I felt.
**Aoi Kanzaki.**
My rival.
My problem.
And, as I would soon learn, my future wife.
But at that moment, all I knew was that I hated her.
---
My name is **Saito Minagawa**.
Second-year student at Hoshinomiya High School.
Average height, average grades, average life—or at least, that's what I tried to tell myself.
Brown hair that never stayed in place no matter how much I combed it. Dark eyes that people often described as "too calm for my age." I wasn't weak, but I wasn't flashy either. I preferred staying quiet, observing, and keeping my emotions under control.
Except when she was involved.
Aoi Kanzaki stood a few centimeters shorter than me, but her presence felt larger than life. Her long black hair was tied into a neat ponytail, swaying slightly as she crossed her arms. Her posture was straight, confident—almost arrogant. Sharp eyebrows, pale skin, and a face so beautiful it pissed me off more than it should.
Perfect.
Too perfect.
And she knew it.
"Are you deaf, Minagawa?" she added. "Or are you just pretending not to hear me?"
I clicked my tongue. "The hallway doesn't belong to you, Kanzaki."
Students nearby slowed down, sensing trouble. Whispers started immediately.
"They're at it again…"
"Kendo rivals."
"This is better than drama club."
Aoi took one step closer. "If you trained as hard as you talked, maybe you wouldn't always lose."
That did it.
I leaned forward slightly, lowering my voice. "Funny. I don't remember losing last time."
Her eyes narrowed. "That match didn't count."
"Funny how it never counts when you lose."
The bell rang loudly, saving us from turning words into fists.
"Tch." She turned away. "We'll settle this properly. After school. Kendo hall."
I smirked. "Gladly."
---
The rivalry between Aoi Kanzaki and me wasn't a secret.
We were both members of the **kendo club**.
Both aiming for the position of **club captain**.
Both undefeated—except when facing each other.
She fought with speed and precision.
I fought with patience and timing.
Every match between us ended with arguments, accusations, and grudges that carried over into classrooms, hallways, and even lunch breaks.
My friends often said we looked like a married couple already.
If only they knew how cursed that statement truly was.
---
During lunch, I sat with my usual group.
**Ryo**, loud and carefree, slapped me on the back. "So? Kanzaki pissed you off again?"
"Again?" **Takeshi** laughed. "More like she breathes and Minagawa gets mad."
I sighed. "She started it."
Ryo grinned. "Sure, sure. You know, if you two stopped fighting, you'd actually look good together."
I nearly choked on my drink. "Don't say disgusting things."
Across the cafeteria, I could see Aoi sitting with her friends. Elegant posture. Calm expression. Laughing softly.
She felt my gaze and looked over.
Our eyes met.
Instantly, her smile vanished.
She looked away with a scoff.
Good.
Let her stay mad.
---
Classes dragged on painfully slow.
All I could think about was the match after school. Beating her again would shut her up—for at least a day.
When the final bell rang, students rushed out, but I headed straight for the kendo hall.
Aoi was already there, fully dressed in her armor.
"Took you long enough," she said.
"Could say the same."
The match was intense.
Wooden swords clashed loudly. Sweat dripped down my neck. Our movements were sharp, calculated—neither of us willing to give in.
In the end—
"Point! Minagawa!"
Silence filled the hall.
Aoi froze, breathing heavily.
Again.
I lowered my shinai, heart pounding. "Looks like I win."
She clenched her fists. "…This isn't over."
"It never is," I replied.
She grabbed her bag and walked out without another word.
---
As I left the school, my phone buzzed.
**Dad:** *Come home immediately.*
That was unusual.
Another message followed.
**Mom:** *We need to talk.*
My stomach tightened.
---
When I arrived home, the atmosphere felt… strange.
Shoes I didn't recognize at the entrance.
Voices in the living room.
And then—
I stepped inside and froze.
Sitting on the sofa were **Aoi Kanzaki** and her parents.
"What… are you doing here?" we both said at the same time.
Her eyes widened in shock. "Why are *you* here?!"
"This is my house!" I snapped.
Her father stood up, clearly startled. "You two know each other?"
"Unfortunately," we said again—perfectly synchronized.
Aoi crossed her arms. "Figures. No wonder today felt cursed."
I shot back, "You're the curse."
"Enough," my mother said firmly.
Aoi's mother sighed. "So the rivalry is real…"
Our parents exchanged looks.
Then my father cleared his throat.
"Saito. Aoi. Sit down."
We both protested.
"No way!"
"I refuse!"
"Now," they said together.
Reluctantly, we sat—far apart.
My father spoke slowly. "There's something we need to tell you."
Aoi's father nodded. "This meeting… was planned."
Planned?
My heart started racing.
My mother smiled—way too calmly. "Your families have been connected for a long time."
"And years ago," Aoi's mother continued, "we made a promise."
Aoi stiffened. "What kind of promise?"
Silence.
Then—
"You two are engaged."
The world stopped.
"…What?"
"You will get married," my father said.
Aoi stood up, shouting, "ARE YOU INSANE?!"
I slammed my hands on the table. "ABSOLUTELY NOT!"
Our parents remained calm.
"This decision is final."
Aoi turned to me, eyes burning. "I'd rather die than marry *him*."
I glared back. "Same."
My mother smiled gently.
"Starting today," she said, "you are fiancé and fiancée."
I felt my future collapse.
And this—
This was only the beginning.