“…Twins this time, huh.”
“Arisa-san, you’re really popping them out.”
“Well, having lots of kids is a good thing, right? The Takasegawa family is secure now.”
Chiharu, Tenka, and Ayaka all congratulated Arisa—who had just “given birth.”
Meanwhile, Arisa blushed bright red, fidgeting.
“P-please stop! It’s just The Game of Life! They’re not Yuzuru-san’s children…!”
After finishing the film, the seven of them had started playing a board game Hijiri had brought.
He was in charge of entertainment—games everyone could enjoy together.
And just now, Arisa had “given birth” to her fourth child.
“Did you hear that, Ayaka-san!? Apparently they’re not Yuzuru-san’s children!”
“Oh no, Yuzurun’s brain is going to shatter…”
“Wait, so… cheating?”
At their teasing, Arisa raised her brows in protest.
“T-that’s rude! If I were to have children, of course they’d be with Yuzuru-san!!”
“But Yuzurun’s already married to someone else and has kids, you know?”
Ayaka pointed at Yuzuru’s game piece.
It was paired with a “wife” piece and two “child” pieces.
“T-that’s— I mean, this is just a game! Don’t mix it up with reality!”
“So, in real life, how many would you want?”
“Huh? Well… I think having more would be lively, but—wait, what are you making me say!?”
Arisa’s face turned completely red as she raised her voice.
Meanwhile, Soichiro and Hijiri grinned and slapped Yuzuru on the shoulder.
“You heard her—do your best, Yuzuru.”
“Hurry up and make two more to balance things out.”
“You lot…”
Smiling wryly, Yuzuru spun the roulette and moved his piece.
It landed on:
Divorce! Miss one turn. Pay five million in alimony and child support.
“Wait, why did Arisa-chan get divorced? Did you stop liking Yuzurun?”
“I’m not the one who got divorced. The other woman did. I feel refreshed.”
“Arisa, what are you even saying…”
Despite all that, the game itself was a huge success.
The next morning—
“…Mm.”
Yuzuru opened his eyes to the morning sunlight.
Looking around, he saw empty bottles, snack wrappers, and his friends asleep under blankets.
They had stayed up late, playing and laughing—
And all fallen asleep before even making it to proper beds.
“Should I go back to sleep…? No…”
Even if he did, he could at least watch the sunrise first.
After washing his face, he stepped outside.
On the beach—
“Ah, Yuzuru-san.”
Arisa was already there, dressed in her sleepwear.
It seemed she had woken up earlier.
“You’re up early.”
“You’re even earlier.”
“I only just woke up.”
She smiled.
They sat side by side on the sand, gazing out at the sea.
The sun was just beginning to rise.
“…It’s already ending.”
Arisa said it with a soft smile, tinged with regret.
Once everyone woke up, they’d eat breakfast, clean up, and head home by noon.
“It’s not over until we get home, Arisa. We’ve still got half a day.”
“Won’t everyone just fall asleep on the way back?”
“…Yeah, probably.”
Yuzuru chuckled.
After all the swimming and staying up late, everyone had to be exhausted.
The car ride home would likely be silent.
“It was really fun. …Thank you.”
“You should thank Ayaka for inviting us.”
He smiled wryly.
They had both been invited—it wasn’t really his place to accept thanks.
“Of course. But… I only met Ayaka-san because of you.”
If she hadn’t met him—
If they weren’t in this relationship—
She wouldn’t be here.
She wouldn’t have friends inviting her to the beach.
“So… it’s thanks to you.”
“You’re giving me too much credit. You’re the one who changed, aren’t you?”
He knew.
She had become brighter.
She no longer hid her true feelings or constantly worried about others’ opinions.
She had even told her adoptive parents clearly that she wanted to marry him.
She had gained courage.
“And that change started because of you.”
“Even so… the one who chose to change, who actually did it—that was you.”
“…Do you really think so?”
“Of course. That’s why I fell in love with you.”
He gently took her hand.
“…Thank you.”
Blushing slightly, Arisa nodded.
“But… I wonder. Even if I needed you… did you really need me?”
“What brought this on?”
“You’ve always been wonderful, before and after meeting me.”
Yuzuru tilted his head.
She meant that he hadn’t changed much.
Though he would argue he had—he paid more attention to his appearance, kept his room tidier…
But that wasn’t what she meant.
“I just wonder… if I’ve been able to give you anything in return.”
She had changed, become happier because of him—
But had she made him just as happy?
Yuzuru was happy.
Anyone with a fiancée like her would be.
But it wasn’t as if he had been unhappy before meeting her.
In that sense, the “difference” might seem smaller compared to hers.
“Then I’ll look forward to what’s ahead.”
He replied simply.
“…Ahead?”
“If you weren’t here—if you weren’t my fiancée—that thought scares me. …Make me so happy that I feel that way.”
He scratched his cheek, slightly embarrassed.
“You’re right. We’ve still got a long way to go.”
Arisa smiled brightly.
Then she moved closer—
And they shared a long, lingering kiss.
