Confidently

Abirit took a deep breath, then said, "Yes, I do."

"You do?" Asked Misa, "Then... why did you marry his dad?"

Abirit turned away to look at the sunset in the distance.

"Truth be told... I didn't have plans to marry Shusaku at first," Said Abirit, "If anything, Takeru's my first crush."

"Seriously?" Asked Misa.

"Yes," Said Abirit.

"...Then what happened? Or rather, when did you start dating him?" Asked Misa.

Abirit's eyes flashed between reminiscent and distant.

"It was several months ago during my second semester, but I first met Shusaku at the restaurant I was working at part-time. Nekoya Cafe. He seemed... lonely. That time, he came with his family after Takeru recommended the place to them."

"Right before Takeru's mom passed away," Misa said.

"Yes," Said Abirit, "Yuhako-san... she's a lovely wife and mom, and it's no surprise Shusaku loved her so much. But a month ago when he came... he looked so lonely."

"He didn't come with Takeru?" Asked Misa.

"No, he was by himself," Said Abirit, "No one was coming that day, and I decided to keep him company. At first, it was just friendly chatting. And then... somewhere along the way, I ended up falling for him as well?"

"Wait, you're saying..." Said Misa.

"Yes, I'm in love with both of them," Said Abirit, "And I ended up being horrendously divided on who to confess my love to first."

"But you ended up confessing to Shusaku-san first," Said Misa, "Why?"

Abirit's lips curled into a deep frown, her eyes slightly downcast.

"He confessed to me one night... crying and sobbing over Yuhako-san's **** from cancer.

"Shusaku-san? What's the matter?"

It was a cold and rainy night, just as Abirit finished her shift and Nekoya Cafe was closing its shutters. Shusaku was there outside, dripping wet without an umbrella to keep him dry.

Abirit immediately rushed over with her own umbrella and draped her jacket over him, saying, "You'll catch a cold like this."

"Please... take me home."

Such were his pained, subdued words, and Abirit could only comply as they made their way towards his home.

It was during your co-ed program with another school at Makahiro Academy, and you were away for a week, staying in the school dorm and leaving your dad alone at home - alone without his wife to keep him company.

Having dried and changed him into new clothes, Abirit was there sitting beside him on the sofa, handing him a cup of steaming hot water.

"What happened? Talk to me," Said Abirit.

And then, right there, Shusaku broke down and wept loudly, leaning onto Abirit's shoulder as his loud sobs reverberated throughout the house.

And by instinct, Abirit found herself crying as well, her eyes burning with tears as they flowed freely in rivers.

"Abirit... I love you, I love you so much," Said Shusaku.

And he kissed her on the lips to her surprise. As he furthered the kiss, Abirit eased herself into the motion, their tongues mixing and intertwining and their hearts beating madly in unison.

"I... you make me feel so whole, after Yuhako passed away," Said Shusaku, "I just want you to know... I'm in love with you."

"Shusaku..."

And Abirit kissed him back.

"I love you too."

Misa looked at Abirit with eyes of astonishment.

"So... you ended up marrying him first, eh?"

"Aye, and I don't regret it," Said Abirit, "But... is it strange to say I still love Takeru as a man, even now?"

"Seriously...?" Said Misa.

And Misa's eyes looked more downcast than Abirit's.

"I'm jealous of you, you know?" Said Misa, "You're... you're like the perfect fit for him."

Abirit said nothing, letting Misa say her next words.

"Just... take good care of him, okay?"

And Misa walked away.