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i.
Humming to herself, Tsugumi relishes in the feeling of the sun against her face. The day is warm, with a slight breeze, and the bustling city that had once felt so foreign is now like a second home. They’d decided on a group patrol simply because, and she couldn’t lie, those were definitely her favorites.
The last few weeks of patrol have been fairly uneventful, much to her relief, so they can afford to work together, not needing to split up to cover more ground or anything. It’s nice, and she really enjoys her work, especially since she can be with all of her friends.
“Earth to Tsugumi,” a voice teases in her ear and she jolts, coming back to herself.
“Oh, I’m sorry,” she says hastily. “I must have been zoning out.”
Hayato leans back, a self-satisfied smirk playing on his lips. She has to tear her eyes away; they hadn’t really talked about their engagement since the day she’d learned it was him she was betrothed to, but it was always in her thoughts. Did he think of it often?
“No worries,” Hisui dismisses easily, giving her a bright smile. They’d grown close since she’d learned about his mother (as well as his powers), and she really treasured his friendship. “We were just asking for your input on something but you weren’t responding.”
“Please, repeat yourselves,” she says, looking between the three of them. “That is, of course, if it’s not too much trouble?”
“It’s not,” Akira says simply, and they launch into a retelling of their conversation, with her listening intently.
“So, you want my opinion on best men’s hair and body wash scents?” she repeats, a little befuddled. They nod seriously. “Why?”
“Well, you have pretty good taste, so we thought you’d be able to pick something out that is tasteful and smells good,” Hisui explains. “Plus, you’re a girl and we want girls to like it too.”
“I also wanted to make sure that my future wife likes the way I smell,” Hayato says airily. “It’d suck if you didn’t.”
Lips parted, she stares up at him. Is this his way of announcing their engagement to the rest of their group?
Akira scoffs, elbowing Hayato. “Future wife? Keep dreaming, bro.”
“You can never go wrong with a subtle scent,” she blurts, unable to keep her cheeks from heating. “Something fresh or floral. Even unscented, since most people have a nice natural scent as long as they’re clean.”
Hayato looks surprised, like he hadn’t actually expected her to answer, but it quickly turns to a mischievous look. “Oh?” he says, wrapping his arm around her and reeling her in. “Are you saying you like my natural scent?”
He’s no doubt pulled her in so she has no chance but to smell it, and he does smell good. Like, really good.
“Let her go,” Akira says, long-suffering. He extracts her from Hayato’s grip, putting himself between the two of them. She can’t do more than let him, even as the twinkle in Hayato’s eyes makes her cheeks heat anew, that is, if she’d ever stopped blushing. “You’re being worse than normal.”
Hayato shrugs carelessly, giving Tsugumi a small grin that makes her insides twist. “She doesn’t mind, do you Tsugumi?”
“No,” she manages, a little surprised to find that it’s the truth. If she’s to be married to him, she’ll have to get used to being in his space, and having him in hers.
“Hmph,” Akira snorts, crossing his arms, and they continue patrol like the conversation had never happened.
ii.
Tsugumi listens as Shizuru describes the plot of his new book, excited to read it once it’s finally finished. Across from her, Shougo listens too, occasionally adding his own thoughts and commentary. It’d been a surprise to learn he was a big reader, but it was nice going to him for book recommendations, even if sometimes he was a little prickly when she asked.
So engrossed in her conversation, Tsugumi’s neglecting her plate, something she only notices when Hayato points it out.
“You need to eat,” he admonishes from her side, piling more greens onto her plate. “You skipped lunch again too, didn’t you?”
“Oh,” Tsugumi realizes belatedly, “I did.”
“That’s not healthy,” Shougo says, and she ducks down a little in her seat.
“I know, I’ve just been so busy! But thank you for the reminders!” As she speaks, she picks up her chopsticks, making it a point to take a large bite of rice. Hayato nods in approval, continuing to watch her eat even as she flushes under the continued attention.
“My, my, Hayato,” Shizuru croons, “you’re paying an awful lot of attention to our little Tsugumi, aren’t you?”
“Well, of course,” Hayato says, as if it’s obvious. He leans a little closer to her in his seat, an action that doesn’t escape the notice of those at the table. “I have to take care of my fiancée, don’t I?”
Shizuri’s eyebrows climb up his face as he looks between him and Tsugumi. “Fianceé?”
Akira groans. “Not this again. Hayato called her his future wife the other day too. It’s completely inappropriate!”
“No, it’s not,” Hayato denies, making Akira roll his eyes.
“It is! Tsugumi’s already engaged to someone, or did you forget? Even if it’s been set aside for the moment you can’t be making those types of jokes.”
“Um-” Tsugumi tries, but is cut off when Hayato gives her a look. It’s not mean, or rude, or anything like that, but she still understands he wants her to be quiet.
“They don’t know I’m a Yashiro,” he explains, leaning close to hear ear to whisper, and she nods in understanding. “I’m hoping they’ll realize we’re not joking soon, but until then I don’t want to give it away.”
“I’m sorry,” she apologizes, and he brushes it off.
“It’s alright,” he promises, “you couldn’t have known. And no harm done anyway.” He gives her a sunny smile, one she can’t help but return, and then piles more food onto her plate. She doesn’t know how she's supposed to finish it all!
iii.
“Hey, Hayato,” Tsugumi begins, then pauses when she sees he’s not alone. “Oh, excuse me,” she says, giving a slight bow to his guest, then pauses. “Rui? What are you doing here?”
“Goof afternoon, Tsugumi,” Rui says. “And no worries. Hayato and I were just finishing up some stuff relating to my new clinic.” So inspired by Rui’s story, Hayato had offered to sponsor his clinic once he graduated school, so it wasn’t that unexpected that they’d be seen together, bent over finances and other business things. To be honest, Tsugumi didn’t pay that much attention to it. She supported Rui, of course, but had no head for business and didn’t want to get in the way.
“What was it that you needed?” Hayato asks, and Tsuigimi snaps back to attention.
“Oh, I just had some wedding stuff I wanted to go over really quickly,” she said, with only minimal stuttering. It was getting easier to speak about the wedding as time went on, and they were just beginning to plan it, something that seemed it was going to take a long time considering both of their families wanted nothing but the best. “But since you’re busy I can just leave my list here and we can talk later, if that would work better?” Good thing she’d written it all down.
“That would probably be best,” Hayato agreed, taking the bundle of papers from here. “And before I forget, do you think your little brother would want to be the ring-bearer?”
“I’ll have to ask,” Tsugumi says, but the very idea delights her. “Though I’m sure he’ll agree.”
Hitaki had lightened up on his views about her marriage, mostly, she supposed, because of who it was with. He and Hayato have gotten along well and she’s glad that her brother can continue to be a part of her life even when she’s no longer living at home. Although, she supposes she’s not living at home right now either.
“Marriage?” Rui asks, and Tsugumi laughs.
“I’d forgotten you didn't know. Hayato and I are to be wed.”
“You’re joking!” Rui stands suddenly.
“Why does everyone think that?” Hayato moans disparagingly. “No, we’re serious. The wedding’s going to be next autumn.”
“Does anyone else know about this?” Rui asks, looking wildly between them. “They haven’t mentioned it! And the two of you, you don’t wear engagement rings!”
“I knew I was forgetting something,” Hayato says, as Tsugumi practically explodes thinking about rings. “We’ll have to get those soon. And we’ve told the others but I don’t think they believe us.”
“I can’t imagine why,” Rui says faintly.
“Oh, it looks like Gramps is here to pick me up,” Tsugumi suddenly yelps, making her way to the door. “Can’t keep him waiting. I’ll ask Hitaki about ring-bearing and all of that, okay? See you soon!”
“Bye,” Hayato calls as she rushes down the stairs. “Look into rings, too!”
By the time she climbs into the car, she’s flushed and breathless, only partly from her trip down to it.
iv.
“I’m so excited to see this movie,” Koruri enthuses, standing on her tippy-toes to see above the line. “I’ve heard such good things about it!”
“Me too,” Hayato says, smiling down at Tsugumi.
Akira, on the other hand, doesn’t seem as pleased. “I don’t know why you all had to come,” he grumbles, crossing his arms. “It was only supposed to be Tsugumi and I.”
“Don’t be such a spoilsport,” Koruri chides gently. “What is it they say? Oh, yes, the more the merrier! I think we’ll have much more fun as a group.”
Akira catches Tsugumi’s eye, making a face as if to say can you believe it? making her giggle. That, at least, seems to brighten his mood somewhat.
“How’s Yoshikiri doing?” Hayato asks Koruri, who is always eager to talk about her now-boyfriend.
“Oh, just swell! He’s almost fully recovered, if you can believe it! I think he’ll be back out on the streets full-time soon, although I do wish he’d wait a little longer.”
“That’s good to hear!” Tsugumi says sincerely. “I’m glad he’s doing well. I look forward to reading his articles again.”
“Me too,” Hayato says, and then they’re at the ticket counter, stopping all further conversation.
“I want to sit together, so let’s do two couples!” Koruri suggests, and Hayato nods his agreement.
“I’ll buy ours, Tsugumi,” he says, handing the cashier some bills.
“I can pay you back,” Tsugumi offers, but Hayato only waves her off.
“Don’t worry about it. After all, a husband should treat his wife, should he not?”
Tsugumi was starting to think he took pleasure in making her blush. “I suppose,” she agrees reluctantly, and Hayato gives her that familiar, heart-stopping grin, pulling her into the theater.
“I’m so excited for the wedding,” Koruri says as she and Akira join them, clapping her hands.
“You’re on that too?” Akira questions, and Koruri sighs. She’d been made aware of the boys’ refusal to believe that they were actually engaged and it almost seems to bother her more than it does Tsugumi.
“In on it? I’m the Maid of Honor!”
“Right,” Akira says sarcastically. “And I’m the best man.”
“You can be, if you want,” Hayato offers, and Akira shrugs.
“You know what, if it gets us to stop talking about this, then I will be the best man in your totally happening wedding because you guys are totally engaged.”
“Great!” Hayato beams, then grabs Tsugumi’s hand. “Now that that’s settled, let’s watch the movie!”
Tsugumi lets herself be dragged to the seats, making sympathetic eye contact with Koruri, who is shaking her head.
“You know,” she whispers, once they’ve sat, “you told me they didn’t believe you but I had no idea that they were this dense!”
“Tell me about it,” Hayato murmurs back, leaning over Tsugumi, because of course he was eavesdropping , she thought fondly.
v.
“You two wanted to see me?” Tokinomiya asks, setting a stack of papers aside. Her glasses are slightly crooked on her nose, and the bow tied at her neck is a little uneven, and a pang of sympathy runs through Tsugumi. She’s been very busy settling the situation, and must still be finishing paperwork.
“Yes,” Hayato says, stepping forward. “As you know our wedding is coming up and we wanted to talk about our roles here at Fukurou.”
“Ah, the wedding,” Tokinomiya says. “That’s been all that Kuina can talk about the last couple of times I’ve met with him. But please, lay out your concerns.”
“We want to still work here, of course,” Tsugumi reassures her, thankful they’ve gotten permission from their families to do so, “but since we’re married we should be living together, and we wanted to know if there was a larger set of rooms within this building that we could occupy.”
“I’m sure that there is,” Tokinomiya says. “I’ll have to pull up the building schematics but I have no doubts we can find something suitable. And you’d want to move in together when?”
“Oh, after the wedding,” Hayato says, “but we wanted to get everything settled before that.”
“That’s definitely a good idea,” Tokinomiya says, straightening her glasses. “I had my doubts when I learned that the two of you were to be married, but it seems as if everything’s really ended up well.”
“It really has,” Tsugumi breathes, looking at Hayato from the corner of her eye. He seems pleased to hear her say that so she resolves to be more forthcoming with her praise in the future. “I couldn’t have asked for a better match.”
“I’m glad.” Tokinomiya looks at them warmly. “I’ll look into getting the two of you a different apartment, perhaps more separate from the rest of the boys.”
“What?” someone asks, and Tsugumi realizes that they’ve left the door open. In the doorway stands Shougo, eyes wide.
“We’ll eventually be moving in together,” Hayato explains, catching her hand. Tsugumi wonders how this became her life. Everything would have been much easier had he just let her explain.
Shougo sputters. “But- what- why?”
“They’ll be married,” Tokinomiya says simply, and almost immediately, Shougo relaxes.
“Oh, you’re just doing that again,” he says, relieved. “Man, wait until I tell everyone else about the fright you just gave me!”
“Tell us what?” Hisui asks, coming into view along with Shizuru.
“They were just joking about moving in together,” Shougo explains, gesturing to her and Hayato. “But it’s more of that wedding crap.”
“That’s not funny to even joke about,” Hisui says, shaking his head. “People could get the wrong idea, you know.”
“Wrong idea, indeed,” Tsugumi mutters and Hayato chuckles.
+i.
Practically skipping, Tsugumi bounces in front of Hayato, who laughs.
“You’re really excited to give them their invitations, aren’t you?”
“Well, yeah!” Tsugumi turns to face him, stopping in place. “They’ll have to believe us now, right? Right?” She knows she’s got a slightly desperate look in her eyes but she can’t really control it. It’s been so long, and her nerves are completely worn down.
“Right,” Hayato agrees, brushing her hair back. “So let’s go give them to them now.”
He holds the door open for Tsugumi politely, something that makes her heart flutter. She can’t believe she’s gotten so lucky as to be marrying him! It seems so unreal, especially when compared to her fear before all of the events with the cursed tomes had happened.
“Hey, everyone,” she calls, walking inside, and she’s met with chaos.
“Tsugumi,” Akira says, appearing in front of her. “Tell me it’s not true.”
“What?” She looks past him and sees the rest of the boys staring at her with ill-disguised horror. On the table lies a copy of the morning paper, which has her and Hayato’s face splashed across it. Oh, her father must have finally released news of their engagement.
“It’s true,” Hayato says smugly, pulling her away from Akira and into his side. “Me and Tsugumi are getting married.” He seems to be taking perverse pleasure in this, but she finds that she can’t really blame him. He’d been at the end of his rope too.
“Oh my god,” Shougo faintly says, “all of those times you were joking about the wedding…”
“Yep,” Hayato replies, popping the ‘p’. “We were being serious.”
“Wait,” Akira sits down heavily. “You’ve been engaged all this time? And Hayato, you’re a Yashiro?”
“Yes to both,” Tsugumi answers. “I only learned it was him a few days after the mess with the tomes, but I can’t say that I’m unhappy. In fact,” she says, leaning further into Hayato’s side, “I’m very happy. Especially because you all believe me and I can give you the invitations.”
They’re snatched out of her hands father than she had thought possible. Akira’s the first to speak, hands trembling slightly.
“So when I agreed to be your best man…”
“You were agreeing for real,” Hayato says, before hesitating. “That is, if you still want it.”
“Of course I still want it, you asshole,” Akira says, leaning over so he can shove at Hayato, making Tsugumi jostle too. “I can’t believe it. You’re getting married.”
“Congratulations,” Shizuru says, but it looks like he still can’t believe it. “I guess that’s why Tokinomiya agreed to let the two of you have your own apartment.”
Hisui shakes his head rapidly. “Don’t! I don’t want to even think about it!”
Tsugumi laughs, finally able to let go of her concern and worries, her frustration and impatience. Finally, they believed them! “I’m so glad,” she says, feeling tears in her eyes, whether they be from laughing, from relief, from happiness, or even a mix of all three, she’s not sure. “I’m so glad we’re all on the same page now. I would be honored if you all came to the wedding. You’re all very important people and good friends of mine to please mark of the date on your calendar.”
“Well, of course we’ll do that,” Akira scoffs, and one by one, everyone agrees. As they eat dinner that night, conversation still centered on their engagement (and the disbelief of), Tsugumi can’t help but think how lucky she is to have gotten to know all of these wonderful people.
Especially her fianceé, even if he still is putting too much food on her plate.