Wrong Script, Right Love-Chapter 181: A Happy Ending? Not Yet.

[Renji’s POV—Kurosawa Residence—Night]

Dinner ended louder than it began.

Hayato’s mother insisted on dessert—two kinds, because apparently choosing was a weakness—and by the time tea was served, the sharp edge in the room had softened into something almost comfortable.

Almost.

I excused myself to the veranda, needing air. The night was cool, lanterns glowing softly along the wooden floor. I rested my hands on the railing, breathing in, counting my heartbeats.

"You did well," a voice said behind me.

I turned.

Hayato’s father stood a few steps away, hands in his pockets, posture still straight but less severe than before. The scanning look was gone—replaced by something quieter. Assessing, yes. But not unkind.

"Thank you, sir," I said automatically, bowing.

He waved it off. "You don’t need to bow every time. Your spine will break at this rate." A pause. "You make him...calmer."

I blinked.

"You know Renji, he’s always been sharp," his father continued, gaze drifting toward the house where Hayato’s laughter carried faintly through an open window. "But after he lost his memories, he tried to be way too focused. Ruthless and sometimes...lonely. It made me scared at one point. I thought...I lost my son completely after the accident."

He looked back at me. "But now, he seems livelier. Maybe with you, there’s balance."

My throat tightened. "I don’t—I’m not sure I’m doing anything special."

He considered that. Then nodded once. "That humility," he said. "That’s probably why he loves you."

I smiled faintly.

Footsteps approached. Hayato appeared beside me, sliding an arm around my waist like it was second nature. His eyes flicked between us.

"Everything okay?" he asked.

His father met his gaze evenly. "Yes."

Hayato raised a brow, clearly suspicious.

"I was just telling Renji," his father added, "that the company isn’t the only thing you’re responsible for."

Hayato’s grip tightened slightly. "I know."

Silence stretched—heavy, meaningful.

Then his father sighed, the sound carrying years with it. "Bring him home more often," he said. "Your mother has already planned three different wedding halls."

Hayato groaned. "I knew it."

I froze. "S-Should I—?"

His father smiled—small and genuine. "You should eat more dessert before she brings out a fourth option, my dear child."

He turned back toward the house. When he was gone, Hayato looked down at me, his expression unreadable for a second too long.

"What?" I asked softly.

He leaned in, forehead touching mine. "I’m glad," he murmured. "That you’re here."

My chest warmed. "Me too."

Inside, his mother called our names—cheerful, commanding, and impossible to ignore.

Hayato squeezed my hand. "Ready?"

I nodded. The nerves were still there, fluttering like trapped birds—but they felt steadier now. Anchored.

Together, we stepped back into the light.

Dessert had already been laid out. Hayato’s mother bustled around the table, placing bowls and plates with unnecessary enthusiasm before stopping in front of me. She tilted her head, eyes narrowing slightly—not critically, but thoughtfully.

"You have to eat more, Renji," she said firmly. "You’re far too slim."

I smiled, a little embarrassed. "I’ll try."

She nodded, clearly satisfied, and turned away—only for Hayato’s father to speak.

"We should meet your family as well, Renji," he said calmly. "To proceed with the marriage plans—"

He stopped.

Mid-sentence.

Because he saw my face.

The smile had faded without me noticing. My eyes—too quiet, too empty—gave me away. The room seemed to hold its breath.

"...Did I say something wrong?" he asked, more gently now.

I swallowed.

"No," I said softly, the word tasting bitter. "You didn’t."

A pause.

"It’s just... I don’t want her to be there. On my happiest day."

Silence fell. Not awkward. Not judging. Just... heavy. I looked down at my hands, still held tightly in Hayato’s. Before I could stop myself, the truth slipped out—quiet, fragile, and long-buried.

"My mother abandoned me when I was a child," I said. "She married another man."

I forced a small smile that didn’t reach my eyes.

"After that... I survived alone."

The silence deepened.

Hayato’s grip tightened instantly—steady, protective. His thumb brushed my knuckles like he was grounding me, reminding me I wasn’t falling.

Then his father spoke.

"Then," he said evenly, "we don’t need a second opinion."

I looked up, startled.

"We can handle everything ourselves," he continued, voice firm, decisive.

Hayato’s mother nodded immediately. "Yes," she said, already sounding determined. "I’ll do everything freely. No restrictions."

She reached out and placed another dessert plate in front of me—gentler this time.

"You won’t be alone here," she added.

Something in my chest cracked open.

No pity.No awkward reassurance.Just... acceptance.

And suddenly, the idea of belonging didn’t feel frightening anymore.

It felt like warmth. Like sitting at a table where no one asked you to prove you deserved the seat.

Hayato leaned closer and murmured so only I could hear, "You’re not alone when you’re with me, my love."

For the first time—I believed it.

***

[Renji’s House—The Same Day—Night]

"This is where you live?"

Hayato’s voice was calm, but his eyes moved slowly around the room—taking in the narrow space, the quiet corners, and the life of someone who had learned how to exist alone.

I nodded. "Yes. It’s... enough for a single person."

He looked at me then. Really looked at me and sighed.

"Pack your bags."

I blinked. Then nodded.

There was no argument. No hesitation. Just acceptance—like this was always meant to happen.

He moved with purpose, folding my clothes, gathering my books, and touching my belongings with care, as if each thing mattered simply because it was mine. I watched him quietly until—

THUMP.

Something fell onto the bed.

He paused.

"Oh?" He picked it up. "What’s this?"

My heart skipped.

In his hands was a small velvet box. The moment he opened it—Shine.

Light caught the stones, refracting softly, unmistakably rare.

"Wow," he muttered, squinting. "Wow... what is this thing? It’s blinding my eyes."

He turned the rings carefully, brows knitting together as if his mind was reaching for something just out of grasp.

"I’ve never seen rings like these," he said slowly. "And yet..." He hesitated. "It feels like I have."

I swallowed.

"That’s because..." I said quietly, "Those are our marriage rings."

He froze.

"...Marriage?"

Then understanding dawned—slow, heavy, "You mean as Alvar and—"

"...And Leif," I finished softly.

Silence.

Hayato stared at the rings for a long moment, then rubbed his temples with a groan. "Man... I’m suddenly getting a headache."

I stood up immediately. "You must be thinking too much. Please don’t force yourself."

He nodded, exhaling slowly. I gently took the rings from his hand, closing the box.

"I’ll keep them with me," I said.

He stepped forward and pulled me into his arms, holding me tightly—like he was afraid I might slip away.

"I’m sorry," he murmured against my hair. "I hate that I can’t remember. I really do. I hate that you are the only one who suffered the loneliness. I hate that part, my love."

I smiled, patting his back gently.

"It’s okay," I said. "Everything was worth it. Even if your mind doesn’t remember the past..." I leaned back just enough to look at him. "Your heart does; this is why you held me closer to you"

His eyes softened.

"That’s right, you are my precious person in my life," he said, kissing my forehead, lingering there.

"Shall we go now?"

I nodded.

He carried my bags easily, like they weighed nothing at all. I took one last look at the room—the walls that had watched me grow lonely, the silence that had once been my only companion.

Then I stepped out.

Not running away.

But moving forward.

Toward a new life.Toward him.Toward a happiness I chose.

As we walked, Hayato spoke casually, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

"We should adopt a baby girl once we get married."

I looked up at him, surprised—then smiled.

"Yes," I said softly. "I’d like that."

He smiled back.

And with that, I left my old life behind—and stepped into a future where I was no longer alone.

Where I was loved.

Where I was home.

Until—We stopped at a red signal.

The city hummed around us, headlights glowing, people crossing, and life moving on as usual.

Then Hayato frowned slightly, gaze fixed ahead.

"Huh?" he muttered. "Who’s that crazy grandma standing in the middle of the crossroad and not walking?"

My heart dropped.

I followed his line of sight. And the world... cracked. She stood there calmly, untouched by the chaos around her—small, still, wrapped in familiarity that made my blood run cold.

"...Grandma God," I whispered.

Hayato turned to me sharply. "Who?"

I couldn’t answer.

I couldn’t breathe.

Our eyes met across the road.

She smiled.

Slow. Knowing.

Her lips moved—no sound carried, yet the words carved themselves into my chest like a prophecy.

I will see you sooner, my child.

Then the light changed. People moved. And just like that—she was gone. Vanished into the crowd as if she had never been there at all.

My hands clenched into fists, nails biting into my palms.

Why now?

This was supposed to be it.My happiness.My ending.

With Alvar.With Hayato.

So why had fate reached out again—just when I’d finally chosen to stay?

Hayato glanced at me, concern creasing his brow.

"Renji?" he said quietly. "You’re shaking."

I forced a breath. Forced a smile that felt too thin to survive.

"I’m fine," I lied.

But deep inside, a terrible certainty settled.

This wasn’t over.

Not yet.

And whatever awaited me next...was coming far sooner than I was ready for.