Before he knew it, the year-end had arrived.
As Ai’s birthday drew near, Kaoru wanted to do something small for her.
They still weren’t a proper married couple legally or socially, but Kaoru and Ai already had twin children together and were practically living as a half-cohabiting pair.
If they weren’t minors, anyone would have taken them for husband and wife... but Kaoru still hadn’t been able to give her so much as a little ring or necklace.
In particular, a ring was far too dangerous for Ai, who had to stand in front of cameras and bear the gaze of all her fans, so he couldn’t even dare to try.
So... Kaoru decided to give Ai a necklace.
In his past life, Kaoru had once given his lover a bracelet. Just once. Thinking back to how overjoyed that precious lover had been when she received it, his heart had raced so hard.
Now that memory belonged to a life that no longer existed. Kaoru gave a wry smile and immediately went online, visiting the official websites of every famous brand he could find.
If he’d had his way, he would have bought the prettiest piece right away from one of the jewelry shops scattered all over Tokyo, but if even one employee recognized him, it would become a hassle.
...
Considering that she always dressed modestly and lived with the kind of frugality most girls her age didn’t, he deliberately chose something that wasn’t too expensive.
About 50,000 to 100,000 yen.
He would have liked to give her a necklace with one more zero at the end, but after living side by side with Ai, Kaoru had a feeling she might confiscate his wallet from that very day.
He’d once found that, despite how fiercely committed Ai was to saving money, she had put the twins’ crib in her cart instead of buying it, and he had immediately purchased it for her.
Even though he had given her his check card and told her not to worry and buy anything she wanted, and even revealed his bank account number and password, Ai had never done that.
Instead, when she puffed out her cheeks and angrily shouted that she’d been looking at other options because it was too expensive—
he had only barely managed to calm her down after promising, over and over, that he would always ask permission first from now on.
But when the twins’ crib was actually delivered, Ai had been so delighted, her starry eyes sparkling as she said it was adorable!!?
Remembering that, Kaoru scratched his head for a moment and tilted it slightly.
...Then why did I get scolded?
They had been friends for nearly a year before they ever started dating, and during that year they’d had twins and been half-living together, but Kaoru still hadn’t fully figured out her strange personality. He let out a snort of a smile.
Even better.
That was one of Ai’s unique, adorable charms—and one of the many reasons he loved her.
"All right."
After searching for about two hours, Kaoru finally found a star-shaped diamond necklace worth around 100,000 yen that suited Ai perfectly, and immediately entered his home address and placed the order.
There was about a week to spare before the necklace would be delivered.
"Then it’s about time..."
To repay the loving red bean rice Ai had made for him in Miyazaki Prefecture on his last birthday—
Kaoru decided he would personally cook a feast of delicious food and set out a lavish birthday table for her.
Of course, nothing was happier than making food with his own hands for the wife he loved!
Browsing YouTube, blogs, and all kinds of websites, Kaoru’s happy 고민 over what to prepare for Ai never ended.
-
A week later.
Ai could hardly hide how thrilled she was to hear that the man she loved had prepared a surprise birthday feast just for her.
While nursing Ruby, Ai blinked her sparkling starry eyes and smiled brightly as she looked at her daughter.
"Ruby! Daddy prepared a birthday party for Mommy! Aren’t you excited?"
"...Taa!?"
Ruby, who had been burying her face in her mother’s chest, trembled as if echoing Ai’s words.
"Yes! Ruby feels the same way? Eeee, so cute! You’re drinking your milk so well, and you’re just too adorable~♥"
"Taa, taaa-"
Ai, her face flushed red, thought back to Kaoru’s suspicious behavior over the past few days.
"So it really was a misunderstanding. I thought Daddy had suddenly started avoiding Mommy~ Yes~ So Mommy was a little surprised and worried too! But it was all for a surprise party! You’re so mean!"
"Taa~!?"
"Hee? Ruby wants a surprise too?!"
"Taaang-!@#"
Was she already a genius newborn who understood what she was saying!? Ai hugged her lovable daughter tightly, her starry eyes shining as Ruby let out a cute little cry and she rubbed her cheek against the baby’s face.
After holding Ruby for a while and patting her back so she could digest, Ai heard a cute burp, kissed her daughter’s plump cheek, and gently laid her down on the bed.
Ruby looked at her mother with sleep-heavy eyes, full from her meal, and soon drifted off like an angel.
Ai stared at the sight with overwhelming emotion and happiness—
- And now~! Here’s the next story! Ta-da!!!
At the loud voice that shattered the peace, Ai hurriedly grabbed the TV remote and said, "TV-kun! Read the room!"
Just as she was about to press the power button, the obnoxious host on the screen pushed his glasses up and said,
- Ladies watching at home~!! Have you ever had a boyfriend or husband who suddenly turned cold one day, and then--------- out of nowhere started being nice again?!!?!
Jolt
Ai, who had been about to press the remote, froze in place.
What?
Without meaning to, she listened to what the host would say next.
As if he could see straight through her heart, the man on screen flashed a sly, infuriating smile and said,
- Men are... simpler creatures than you’d think~ If they feel even a little 「guilty」 about something, it always shows up in their face or behavior!
"...Guilty?"
Ai tilted her head from the sofa.
For the past few days, she couldn’t shake the feeling that her beloved husband had been subtly contacting her less, or that after coming home to see her and the twins, something about Kaoru’s attitude toward her—his behavior, the faint shifts in his voice or gaze—had changed a little.
So Ai had wondered about Kaoru’s slightly altered behavior, but thinking it would probably pass, she had deliberately ignored it and treated him as usual.
But Kaoru kept prodding at her heart—whether intentionally or not. Even though he must have noticed she’d sensed something was off!
That tiny crack was enough to shake the heart of the Ai who had just been reassured, believing he had only acted that way because he was preparing her surprise birthday party.
Ai gripped the remote tightly and listened to the host.
- I’m warning the women who get arrogant and careless, thinking they know every last thing about the man they love and have him wrapped around their finger! You! That! Is! A! Mi-sta-ke!
...
- Now, let me introduce a story. Just a short one, yes. We don’t have much time. Ahem! Hello! I’m a woman in my twenties who enjoys this program. One day, my boyfriend...
As she listened to the story being introduced, Ai could only bite her lip as a chill crept over her.
In summary, the woman who sent in the story had a boyfriend who had grown distant for no reason she could understand. Then, all of a sudden, he started being kind and planning events for her, which made her suspicious enough to investigate—only to discover he was cheating with a friend of a friend.
Thankfully, Ai had no friends(?).
And Kaoru’s Kaisei High School wasn’t coed either; it was packed with nothing but boys.
Besides—
【 I love you. Ai. 】
【 Ai! 】
【 I miss you. Ai. 】
Since they’d started dating and had the twins, Kaoru had shown her his sincerity by watching over her every move—sacrificing his own life for hers if necessary.
Day and night, he was always the first to call, had become adept at noticing her feelings, and was the kind of person who would do anything for Ai.
And he was the only 『woman』 in the world who knew Kaoru’s secret!
So Ai trusted Kaoru.
There was no way Kaoru would betray the deep love between them or tell lies like some horrible person!
Ai trusted Kaoru.
She knew without a doubt that her husband would never do such a terrible thing. And so, with her starry eyes sparkling, Ai pressed the remote with all her strength and turned off the TV.
- Just because there’s a goalkeeper doesn’t mean the ball won’t go in!!!? Everyone! Everyone! Sometimes you have to be ruthless to protect the person you love------?!
At the host’s infuriating voice to the very end, Ai sprang up from the sofa like an angry hamster and went into the room.
As the host said, sometimes you have to be ruthless for the person you love!
For Kaoru’s sake, Ai herself needed to be ruthless too.
Kaoru was a wonderful, sexy, handsome man who looked only at her and accepted Ai exactly as she was—her most precious person in the world!
Even women she met for the first time, let alone people around her once she started forming relationships, might set their sights on Kaoru.
Kaoru would never do that, but Ai had absolutely no intention of sitting back and watching the shameless behavior of those thieving cats circling around him and flirting with him.
"...Mm!"
Ai sat at the vanity and looked into the mirror, taking out a lipstick from among the cosmetics Miyako had given her.
Her starry eyes shone with determination.
-
"Kaoru."
"Yeah?"
"...Nothing! Hee~ You made all this food because it’s my birthday?! I’m so happy-★ Thank you!"
"..."
It was Ai’s birthday. Kaoru felt a faint chill run down his spine at her sharp instincts, but he welcomed her embrace.
He had kept his words to Ai to a minimum so he could give her a surprise, but maybe she had sensed something was off about him?
His wife’s instincts were no joke. Kaoru knew that better than anyone, and to distract her, he looked at Ai’s made-up face and said in surprise, "Huh? You put on makeup?"
"Hehe—how is it? Since Kaoru prepared a surprise birthday party, I tried it out a little! Chu-♥"
"..."
Ai’s beautiful face, properly made up with cosmetics, including the soft red lipstick that matched her lively complexion, was enough to leave Kaoru speechless.
Normally, her modest charm without makeup was adorable enough to make his heart race, but this mature, beautiful, dressed-up Ai was more than enough to set his chest on fire too.
And on top of that, she’d even put on perfume, sending a sweet fragrance drifting into his nose.
For a moment, overwhelmed by a sudden surge of instinctive desire, Kaoru stared intently into her starry eyes.
Ai, as if enjoying her husband’s wild look, let a faint smile touch her lips.
But then she reached out for Kaoru’s bag and said innocently, "Give me the bag. I’ll take care of the rest!"
"Ah, o-okay. Thanks, Ai."
Kaoru gathered himself and handed it over, then kissed Ai on the lips and cheek.
After quietly washing his hands in the bathroom, Kaoru went over to the twins.
Seeing the twins lying side by side in their crib, so precious it hurt to even look at them, Kaoru couldn’t help but smile.
Ai had insisted on breastfeeding them instead of giving them formula, and thanks to that, the twins carried a sweet milky scent.
Now that their eyes were open, their hair had grown much fuller, and their little gazes were clearer, Kaoru looked at them with a broad, fatherly smile.
Covering his face with both palms, he spread them wide and showed the twins his best dad-like cutesy expression.
"...Peekaboo!"
"...Byaa-"
"...Taa!"
Somehow, their reaction was underwhelming!?
And slow!?
Kaoru stood there frozen with both hands still spread wide, staring at the twins like a stone statue.
To think they were this unfamiliar with their father. This was a full-scale emergency. Kaoru resolved that once winter break started, he would spend the entire vacation playing with the twins and strengthening their bond.
Whether they knew it or not, the twins waved their tiny arms and legs toward Kaoru’s face, then, as if it were a lie, promptly fell fast asleep.
They really do take after Ai in this way.
Smiling, Kaoru poked their chubby cheeks before straightening up and walking behind Ai, who was preparing the birthday table by plating the food he had brought.
"Ai."
"Mm-hm?"
He softly called to her as she busily arranged the food—bulgogi, karaage, and sashimi he had prepared in advance.
Beyond her ponytail of long purple hair, Kaoru caught sight of the pure white nape of her neck.
As he drew closer, the sweet, comforting scent that had clung to the twins drifted toward him.
Mixed with the fragrance of perfume, the powerful scent full of his wife’s maternal warmth made Kaoru bite his lip and stand behind her.
He had felt it when he held her earlier, but seeing his busy wife in this private space for just the two of them made Kaoru’s heart stir restlessly.
"Ngh—Kaoru-!?"
"Wait a second."
Kaoru slipped his arms around her from behind and pulled her close while she held a plate. Once he had her in his arms, her warmth and scent grew even stronger. Kaoru brought his lips to the back of her white neck and gave her a lingering touch, as if leaving a mark.
Jolt
Maybe he’d touched a sensitive spot, because Ai shuddered, and her white nape and ears turned bright red in an instant.
So she really is embarrassed. Kaoru smiled wickedly, took her hand, and slowly made her set the plate down before pulling her into a tight embrace.
"Dummy-ru... You’re always thinking about this, aren’t you?"
"You don’t like it?"
Ai pressed her lips together at Kaoru’s question, then shook her head slightly and whispered,
"...I like it. Actually, I wish you’d do more... but the food will get cold..."
"Liar."
"..."
"President Ichigo will be a little late because he’s bringing the cake."
"Probably... Hee? Kaoru, wait. Mm-hm? What is this? Eeh—liar!"
Startled by the sensation through her clothes, Ai blushed and laughed playfully, pressing her hips back against Kaoru’s.
Pretending not to notice, Kaoru lowered his head and kissed her cheek.
"You’re the one who cheated first. Acting like you didn’t?"
"...Did I? Ai doesn’t know anything about that."
Letting out a soft breath, Ai turned around to face him as Kaoru’s touch grew more intense.
There was a hot desire burning in her blue eyes, but Ai didn’t show it. Instead, she wrapped both arms around the back of his neck and said,
"Kaoru."
"Yeah...."
"I love you."
"...?"
At that moment, Kaoru’s eyes wavered at the unfamiliar chill crawling up his spine.
Ai’s starry eyes sank darkly, and strength slowly gathered in the hands wrapped around his neck.
She slowly pulled her husband’s neck toward her face. Pulling him closer despite the difference in their height, Ai brought the tip of her nose to his and fixed Kaoru with a cold, glittering stare from those starry eyes.
"You know that I’m the only person in this world who loves Kaoru more than anyone else, right?"
"..."
"If it’s for Kaoru, I’d do anything too. Because I love you. The place next to Ai is a seat reserved only for Kaoru."
"..."
"So—"
Ai’s sweet breath settled against Kaoru’s nose, and he swallowed at the dizzying sensation of his heart dropping straight down.
"The place next to Kaoru is also reserved only for Ai. Got it?"
"..."
What was this? What on earth was this?
Her endless obsession and possessiveness, even she herself didn’t seem aware of it, had swallowed those starry eyes and made them blaze fiercely.
Kaoru could only break out in a cold sweat at Ai’s bottomless demand for affection, so unlike her usual self.
He nodded first to calm his wife down, and just as he parted his lips to explain and clear up the misunderstanding—
Ding-dong
The intercom chimed in a flustered ring.
Ai turned her head, saw a familiar face on the intercom screen, and smiled.
"It’s President Ichigo!"
"..."
Kaoru, who had been robbed of his chance to explain at the worst possible timing, broke out in a cold sweat and swallowed dryly as he watched Ai hurry off toward the intercom, leaving him behind.
The party was just beginning.
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