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The morning light filtering through the thin curtains cast a soft golden glow across the bed.
For a brief moment, Shinobu wondered if she was still dreaming. But the weight and warmth of the arm draped around her waist told her this was real.
She turned her face.
There was Giyuu Tomioka.
Lying on his stomach, his cheek pressed into the pillow, one arm thrown over her abdomen as he slept. His hair was tousled, falling over his eyes. His lips were slightly parted, steady breaths slipping out. He looked defenseless and quiet, almost like a child.
Shinobu couldn’t help but smile.
It still felt unreal that the man who had been called the “Water Hashira” until yesterday was now her husband.
In her line of sight, a ring caught the light and shimmered.
That’s right. The two of them were married now.
The truth of it spread quietly through her chest. She lifted her hand, tilting the ring, and let out a soft laugh.
Yesterday’s scenes returned vividly to her mind.
The little girls holding up the hem of her white dress.
Aoi and Kanae silently shedding tears during the ceremony.
The reception that felt as though it would never end.
And the moment Kanao, cheeks flushed, received the bouquet.
But what remained clearest of all was Giyuu standing before the altar.
His hair neatly arranged, his eyes directed straight ahead.
His voice as he vowed, “Until death do us part.”
And the short but certain kiss they exchanged the moment they became husband and wife.
To think that he would smile at a time other than meals. Yet yesterday, Giyuu had definitely smiled.
Looking around the room, the afterglow of the wedding still lay scattered everywhere.
Shoes tossed aside, a jacket draped over a chair, the bouquet resting on the desk. It was pure chaos, yet she didn’t mind.
Honestly, the fact that they had made it this far was already a miracle.
There was a word for it, “the first night”; but in reality, they hadn’t even had the energy for that. The moment the ceremony ended, exhaustion overwhelmed them.
As for Giyuu, he had fallen asleep while she was still removing her hair ornaments, even going so far as to occupy half the futon. She had lightly kicked him twice, but eventually gave up and slipped in beside him.
Really, just like always.
The instant she tried to sit up and start cleaning, a hand reached from behind and caught her wrist.
Pulled back, Shinobu fell onto the bed.
“Where are you going?” His low voice murmured faintly, face still pressed into the pillow.
Shinobu turned and smiled. “Good morning.”
Giyuu blinked slowly, narrowing his eyes. “You’re already up?”
“I don’t want to hear that from someone who fell asleep halfway through removing his makeup.”
Her words were light, but affection lingered beneath her voice.
Without replying, he extended his arm and drew her into his embrace. The warmth of his hand against her back overlapped with the rhythm of her heartbeat.
“Shinobu.” Her name slid softly across her skin.
“What?”
After a small pause, he spoke quietly. “My wife.”
At those words, her heart leapt. A laugh escaped her as she pressed her forehead against his shoulder, as if to hide her face.
“Please don’t say that so suddenly.”
“You don’t like it?”
“I like it too much – it’s a problem.”
He lifted himself slightly and brushed away the strands of hair falling over her cheek with his fingers. His fingertips traced her skin, warm enough to steal her breath.
“Giyuu…” Her whisper trembled.
He slowly leaned closer. There was no longer any reason to pull away.
The moment their lips touched, it felt as though the world had stopped. It was neither hurried nor hungry – nothing but a calm, deep kiss, as if confirming each other’s presence. His lips were soft, and each mingled breath made her chest burn warmly.
His hand slid from the nape of her neck to cradle her hair. Shinobu’s fingers grasped at his chest, feeling the quickened beat of his heart. Each small movement of his lips drew out her breath and stirred her heart.
Once more, and then again. With every overlapping kiss, the pounding of her heart grew louder.
When their lips finally parted, their foreheads gently rested together. Their breaths intertwined, leaving only peace between them.
“My beautiful wife,” Giyuu’s voice was husky.
“Please don’t say such embarrassing things,” she replied, cheeks flushed red, though a smile lingered on her lips.
“You looked like you wanted me to.” He gave a small laugh and placed a kiss at the corner of her mouth.
Shinobu caught her breath, then let out a soft laugh. “If every morning were like this, I’d never want to wake up.”
Giyuu’s blue eyes glowed gently. “Then let’s stay like this a little longer.”
Without a word, she nodded and rested her head against his chest. Sunlight streamed through the gap in the curtains, and their two rings gleamed in the morning light.