Chapter 9

After quite a bit of back and forth to convince both sets of parents, Hanako and I managed to submit our marriage application and started living together from April.

To be honest, at first, I thought it would be fine to just pretend to submit the marriage application.

I didn’t really care about my marital history, but I was worried it might become a blemish on Hanako’s life.

However, when I proposed this idea, Hanako said, “I’m happy you’re thinking about me...” and then sniffled and ran away from me.

For the next three days, she avoided me.

I desperately tried to figure out what went wrong and then it hit me.

If we pretended to be married and didn’t submit the documents, I would be forcing her to lie to her parents.

I realized my idea was too simplistic and told Hanako that I would do whatever she wanted.

“Shinoyama-kun, you don’t want to get married...?”

When she asked me, I denied it, saying, “I don’t mind.”

I couldn’t bring myself to say the truth, which was, “Actually, I want to get married. I’d be more than happy to have a cute wife, no matter the circumstances.”

Hanako said, “If Shinoyama-kun doesn’t mind, I want to get properly married with you...”

No matter how many times I asked if she was sure, her mind didn’t change.

She must really hate lying to her parents.

Following Hanako’s decision, we submitted the marriage application on April 3rd, the day I turned eighteen, and we became a real married couple.

Our married life started, and for the first month, various problems arose one after another.

It was only in the past few days that things finally settled down, and I started to notice the small details.

Embarrassingly, it was only then that I realized how much I had been relying on Hanako.

For example, today.

When I woke up to the sound of the alarm, I caught a faint smell of miso soup.

The thought of the delicious miso soup Hanako makes made my stomach growl.

When I lived alone, I used to skip breakfast because it was too much trouble.

I couldn’t cook, and I didn’t feel like going to the convenience store in the morning.

Hanako completely changed my lazy lifestyle with her delicious breakfasts.

Since we started living together, she has been waking up earlier than me every day to prepare breakfast.

Of course, I told her I didn’t want her to go to so much trouble.

I was very grateful, but in this situation, my feelings didn’t matter.

After all, it was a contract marriage.

In this day and age, the idea that a wife must take care of her husband is outdated.

But Hanako smiled and said,

“I enjoy being Shinoyama-kun’s wife.”

I was knocked out by the sheer power of her words and couldn’t say anything else.

So, feeling guilty, I continued to eat the meals she made for me until today.

...Humans are such weak creatures.

Every day, I think I should tell her, “You don’t have to prepare breakfast today,” but when I see her smiling while cooking,

I end up saying, “Just one more day... I’ll definitely tell her tomorrow.”

Because Hanako cooking is just too cute...

She looks great in an apron, and the way her hair, tied up high, sways softly is just... so good.

But I can’t keep this up forever.

Thinking that, I decided that morning to gather my courage and go to the dining kitchen to say to Hanako,

“Good morning, Hanako. I’m sorry for making you prepare breakfast every morning. It must be tough to wake up early, so today will be the last. I’m sorry for not saying this sooner. Your meals are so delicious that I’ve been spoiling myself. I’m really sorry.”

Looking at the delicious breakfast on the table, I felt my resolve wavering.

So, I kept my eyes on the floor and apologized in a rush. After a moment, Hanako’s soft voice asked,

“You really thought my cooking was that good? How nice...”

“Ah, yeah, it was amazing. But what I’m trying to say is that I can’t keep making you do this...”

“I don’t want you to strain yourself.”

I was afraid that one day, the strain would be too much, and she would want to leave.

I knew our contract marriage would eventually end, probably when we graduate from high school.

Her parents wouldn’t strongly oppose her living alone as a college student, and at that point, I would no longer be necessary in her life.

But until then, I didn’t want to lose the life I had with her.

Even if we weren’t in a relationship, even if she didn’t have feelings for me, being close to the girl I liked was more enjoyable than I had imagined.

“I think it’s better to do what you want and live naturally to reduce stress.”

“Can I do what I want?”

“O-of course!”

“In that case, I want to make bento boxes for you, not just breakfast and dinner!”

“Huh? Bento...?”

“Yeah! I thought you might think it’s too much, so I didn’t bring it up.”

The conversation was taking an unexpected turn.

My shock left me speechless, and Hanako’s face quickly turned worried.

“...Is it okay?”

“It’s not that it’s not okay, but isn’t it too much trouble?”

“No, not at all! I really want to do it.”

“Make bento boxes?”

“Well... to make... heartfelt love... lunches for... someone...”

“Huh?”

Hanako, looking down, fidgeted with the hem of her apron. Most of her words were inaudible.

“Anyway... I really want to make bento boxes for Shinoyama-kun, so please don’t hesitate to eat them... and breakfast and dinner too. It would make me so happy to see Shinoyama-kun become healthy and energetic from the food I make. Please... eat my food from now on...”

...Wow, Hanako.

I didn’t know you loved cooking for others so much.

Maybe you want to be a chef or a nutritionist in the future.

It would be awkward to refuse.

I thought I was already relying on her too much, but I didn’t expect her to want to take even more care of me.

With mixed feelings, I bowed to Hanako.

“If that’s what you want... I’ll accept.”

Hanako’s eyes sparkled, and she said excitedly,

“I’m so happy! I’ll do my best to make delicious bento boxes!”

...Ah, she’s just too cute.

I’m starting to realize that I can’t do anything but accept the situation.

I’m so captivated by how cute Hanako is that I don’t care about anything else.

Besides, if she’s not burdened and is enjoying it, there’s no reason to stop her.

But why has my life become so overwhelmingly happy all of a sudden...

I can genuinely relate to the embarrassing line, “I’m too happy, it’s scary.”

Just thinking about Hanako and finding her cute and admirable has me in this state. I’m a bit worried about what will happen if I really fall in love with her.

If you think, “Riko is cute! Riko, you can do it!” and want to support me,

please scroll down to the ad below and give me a ★5.

I want the comment section to be a place of joy, so please refrain from posting anything that might make me or others sad ( *´꒳`*)੭⁾⁾