Chapter 25- I love you, Kei!

Inside the colossal hall could be seen several figures, with one of them being entangled in a strange kind of chains of amber shade.

The person standing on the aisle was the one responsible for the forced teleportation of the chained boy and the woman who was approaching him with heavy steps.

Kaori had forgotten how long it had been since she had let tears flow down her eyes, but currently, she couldn't mind about such trivial things as her image or whatsoever.

Seeing Kei in pain, which naturally would have arisen from the curse-oriented binding spell, Kaori felt it was better if they hadn't reunited.

More than her family and brother for whom she could have taken risks until now, Kaori loves and cares about Kei the most, which becomes the reason for her narrowed resorts.

She could do anything but risk the person she loves. What was left was to do what the bastard son of Kamazaki was asking her to.

The said person was grinning ear to ear as he saw the woman who once rejected him and the woman who had kept him awake for several nights finally walking to his side.

He had everything. With money, fame, power, and perfect beauty like Kaori by his side, he would become the most accomplished man ever to exist.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity for Minoru Kamazaki, Kaori stepped up on the stage before he walked forward and raised his hand while bowing his head.

Kaori gritted her teeth in agitation before putting her hand in his as she felt utterly disgusted by the way he kissed the back of her hand.

"I have waited for your arrival, my queen."

Without waiting, Minoru pulled Kaori toward him, and after circling his hand on her waist, he hugged her in a tight hold as he spoke in a muffled voice.

"Ah, this fragrance. I can't forget this fragrance of yours."

Kaori felt so repulsive to everything happening this minute that shredding Minoru into thin sheets while enjoying his horrified expressions would be the least thing she could do to quell her anger.

Clenching her fist, she bit her lips to the point they started bleeding as she endured her disgust and left everything now on fate.

She, who had always believed in her hard work and strength, was actually now depending on things like luck or fate, made her feel like a sore loser. But what choices she was left with...

"Let's go and get married before your naughty mind finds a way to kill me~."

Minoru wanted to kiss his bride right on the spot, but knowing her current mood, he knew their first kiss would result in bitter memories. Convincing himself that he would find hundreds of opportunities to savor the woman in the future, he held her wrist and proposed.

But he didn't think Kaori would resist after coming so far.

"Hmm? Changed mind?"

Minoru tilted his lead in perplexion, but he knew Kaori wasn't having second thoughts and her following words gave him assurance.

"What will happen to Kei now?"

"As I said, I would send him back to the upper world with all the memory of this incident erased. You can meet him afterward, too, just like the big sister you are to him. Is it fine now?"

Minoru didn't rush his explanation, as he knew the boy's importance in his wife's heart. Despite carrying hatred for the lowly boy who has dared to make Kaori fall in love with him, Minoru has vowed not to harm him if things go well today.

"Now, let's go."

"Umm..."

Kaori again didn't move from her spot, and with Minoru's physicality, it was impossible for him to drag her with him, although she was weakened currently.

Frowning, he looked at her but soon, his heart melted at the sight of Kaori pleading.

"Can I talk to him for the last time...since, after today, I won't be ever coming in contact with him?"

Minoru couldn't welcome anything more than the fact of knowing that his wife wouldn't seek her first love after today.

With a bright smile, he nodded while responding.

"Of course, you can. Consider this five minutes my dowry for the marriage."

Kaori didn't halt for even a moment before separating herself and darting toward the person she was ashamed to match her gaze with after how she got intimate with another man.

She felt her body and soul had gotten soiled but to keep Kei safe; she had to take this step.

Her eyes swelled instantly before heavy pearl-like tears shed down her eyes as she saw Kei's current condition. Being completely restrained without a minuscule space to move undoubtedly would be utterly uncomfortable for him.

There were a lot of things to say. A whole lot of apologies she has to beg and request she wants him to know, but the first thing that came out her lips was...

"I love you, Kei."

In between the bindings, Kei's eyes were the most vivid thing visible, seemingly widened as he heard Kaori.

"I k-know I shouldn't be saying this when I have caused you so much trouble, but it is the only thing I can say at our final moments. You won't remember this, Kei, but still, I-I want to let you know that I loved you for a long, long time. It's a s-shame that I so many years to confess. "

Tears were uncontrollably rolling down her face as she held his hand, which was placed near his waist, as she spoke truthfully about all her secrets today.

"I-*sniff* I always to-told people that I have grown s-strong than I already was because I *sniff* want to protect innocent people...but in reality, I just wanted to protect the one I love. Yet... I f-failed in doing so... *sniff*...please don't hate me for this, Kei...I wo-would... I...."

It seemed Kaori wanted to speak more, but the way she was crying pitifully, her breathing was getting choked several times. She really was pained to the core like this for the first time.

But what was left to do?

She has to accept this.

She won't be able to love anyone other than Kei, but she doesn't have the privilege of being with him in this life.

Collecting her breath, Kaori leaned her forehead on his. Matching his gaze, she whispered her parting words.

"...I am sorry, Kei. Even if it was a short journey... I felt happy being your one-sided lover. Goodbye..."

Saying so, Kaori closed her eyes before turning abort. She could have done anything but look at Kei again.

But before she could take a single step forward, a heavy voice resonated in the hall, grabbing every attention toward it.

"I've come to bargain..."

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A/N: - Did you guys get the ref?

Answer in the comments~