"Glad it’s clear again this year," I said as I sat down.
Though, in truth, the fireworks were the least of my concerns tonight. Officially, we were here to watch the show, but my mind was elsewhere.
"Yeah, it looks like we’ll be able to see them clearly," Suzume replied as she sat down next to me.
I remembered that I had once confessed in a similar setting.
Of course, she turned me down that time, too.
If I recall correctly, it was after the fireworks had finished.
Maybe this time I should tell her before the fireworks?
Or maybe, like last time, I should wait until the end... While I was debating this, I heard the distant "Boom" of the first firework going off.
I looked up and saw the sky glowing red.
"It started."
"...Yeah, it did."
There’s nothing I could do now, so I decided to focus on watching the fireworks for the time being.
"Hey," Suzume spoke up during a brief lull between fireworks.
"Has something happened recently?"
"Huh? Why do you ask?"
I tried my best to keep my composure so she wouldn’t notice my nervousness.
"You seem a little tired."
She’s observant.
It’s true I’ve been physically exhausted from taking on more part-time jobs, and I’ve been struggling to stay awake in class, making sure I pay full attention to the lessons.
"Yeah... I’ve been working more shifts lately."
Alright, I thought, now’s my chance. I took a deep breath.
"Suzume, I have something to talk to you about."
"...What is it?"
In the distance, another firework went off with a bang.
The fireworks were starting again.
But it didn’t matter anymore.
"It’s about your birthday present. The truth is, I haven’t prepared one."
"...Is that so?"
She furrowed her brow slightly as I looked at her.
"In place of a gift, here."
I pulled out a small box I had tucked into my jacket.
I could feel my hands trembling, but I couldn’t let my nerves get the better of me. I forced myself to steady them.
Illuminated by the lantern, Suzume realized what the box was, her eyes widening.
She seemed even more shocked than she had been the day before our middle school graduation.
I opened the box in front of her.
Inside was a ring, adorned with a real diamond, meant to fit her ring finger.
If I recall correctly, the name of the ring was "STAR GAZER."
It was the best engagement ring I could afford.
The fireworks continued. I could hear the distant boom of them echoing somewhere far away.
But in this moment, in this space, there was complete silence. I gathered my resolve and spoke the final words.
"You don’t have to date me.
––Will you marry me?"
The moment I finished speaking, it felt like the world’s sound returned.
I didn’t want to become one of those high school couples that date and then break up. If that’s the case––then why not just take things one step further?
By the way, the divorce rate for couples who marry in high school is only 10%, far lower than the 40% rate for couples who marry after adulthood.
"If you don’t want to break up, then let’s make sure we never have to. If you want to be together forever... then let’s stay together until death."
Sure, Fujiwara once suggested that maybe I could date other people and then think about marriage in five years when I’m an adult.
But when I thought about that, it just didn’t sit right. I had a feeling that if I went down that path, I’d regret it for the rest of my life.
I want to make her happy. I wish for her happiness.
On that day, when I saw her sad and suffering as the head of the grade harassed her, I made a decision deep in my heart—I wanted to see her smiling always.
If she doesn’t want me, then that’s something I’ll have to accept.
But if I have the chance to make her happy, if I have the right to do that––
Whether I confess now or five years from now, the feeling is the same.
I just want to keep her smiling forever.
Back in middle school, my confession might’ve been impulsive, the first one I ever made.
But now, my words were filled with determination and will.
Boom boom, the sound of fireworks going off in quick succession filled the air.
The finale was near.
She looked at the ring, then at me, and then back at the ring again.
Was her mind going blank?
I gently took the ring from the box and reached for her left hand.
Then, I slid the ring onto her finger.
The size fit her finger perfectly.
Suzume stared at the ring on her hand.
Suddenly, tears welled up and spilled down her cheeks.
It was as if her emotions had rushed back all at once.
She didn’t wipe away her tears; instead, she kept her gaze fixed on me.
Then, she opened her mouth.
"No."
In the next instant, there was a clattering sound, and my vision was suddenly filled with darkness.
It seemed like she had thrown herself at me.
“I want to be with you forever, even if it means until death.”
She whispered those words, and her scent filled my senses, even reaching inside my mouth.
As I lay there, knocked over, all I could see was her figure filling my vision and the final, grand firework exploding in the distance with a delayed boom before fading away.
◇
A month into our marriage, I learned a few things.
First, the quick acceptance from the Kushigeta family.
The day after our engagement, I went to visit them to report the engagement and discuss the conditions for marriage.
The conditions my parents and I had decided on were:
We wouldn’t live together until Suzume graduates and I secure a job. Until then, we’d continue living at our respective parents' homes.
No excessive part-time jobs, as that could affect our dependent status.
Until we move in together, trying for a baby is off-limits. (My dad chimed in here, saying, “The key part is ‘trying for a baby,’ keep that in mind!” Don’t suggest loopholes, Dad!)
We wouldn’t have the wedding ceremony until we’re both adults. (“That way, it’ll feel like a reunion,” my mom had said.)
When I explained all of this and asked for their daughter’s hand in marriage, I received a lighthearted reply:
“Got it—congratulations! Well, looks like Yuki-kun’s part of the family now! Wahaha!”
I hesitantly asked, “Aren’t you going to say something like, ‘You can’t have my daughter!’?”
Her father replied, “By the time Suzume was in her second year of middle school, we figured it was only a matter of time.”
“Having someone reliable to take care of our daughter, and knowing she won’t leave right away, is a relief. I’m counting on you, Yuki-kun!” He gave me a hearty pat on the back.
So, with their blessing secured, I thought I’d go get the marriage registration forms.
“Oh, Yuki-kun, we’ve already filled them out. You just need to sign,” they said, handing me a form, complete with their seals.
Wait a minute... didn’t I just propose yesterday? Why were they already prepared?
Another thing I learned was about the relationship between my mom and Suzume.
One weekend, Suzume suddenly visited our house.
When I asked, “What’s up?” she responded, “I came to see your mom.”
Apparently, she had come to learn how to cook my mom’s signature dishes—"home-style" cooking.
When I had first told my mom about our marriage, she’d said, “Isn’t it a bit too soon?” But lately, she’s been happy to cook with Suzume in the kitchen, often saying it feels like she’s gained a daughter.
I, of course, get to enjoy the food they make, which doubles as both dinner and a cooking experiment.
Sometimes, Suzume even stays over, saying she’s learning how to make “late-night snacks.” She’ll occasionally whisper with a mischievous smile, “Remember, we’re not supposed to be trying for a baby.” She really needs to stop with that.
Late-night snacks have taken on a whole new meaning, and I’m not sure how to handle it.
So, I decided to head to the convenience store for some supplies.
And lastly, there’s my relationship with Suzume.
“Will you go out with me?”
“No.”
“I see…”
At 8 AM, as usual, I was rejected once again.
I had invited Suzume out to lunch, joking that our classmates, who were always curious about our relationship, wanted to know the story of how we got together. She turned me down without hesitation.
I wasn’t that eager to tell the story anyway, so I simply told everyone that my wife had declined the invitation.
Still, news of our marriage, especially since we got married during our first year of high school, had become quite the topic of interest at school. People were constantly asking me for details.
I hope it’ll settle down soon, but apparently Suzume really shook things up when, after being called on in class as “Kushigeta,” she calmly responded, “Teacher, I’m married now. It’s Akitsu Suzume.” This, I heard, left quite an impression on the freshman boys and the still-single teachers.
Their minds were supposedly "shattered," or so the rumors go.
And then, of course, there’s our current situation.
Holding hands while walking was apparently Suzume’s way of showing restraint.
When I glance to my right, my beloved wife is no longer just holding my hand—she’s clinging to my arm.
“Hey, Suzume.”
Her cheek was pressed against my shoulder, and her chest was squished against my arm. My self-control was rapidly vanishing.
“What is it?” she replied, as usual, her expression calm and unaffected.
“Why are we walking to school with our arms linked?”
She answered simply:
“Because I love you.”
I looked off into the distance.
“Well, yeah, I guess if you love someone, it makes sense to link arms…”
I had a feeling this little exchange would continue for as long as I was in high school, my words drifting off into the clear, blue sky, heard by no one but myself.
[The End]
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