I Married the Girl Who Used to Bully Me - Chapter 0

I had a childhood friend whom I cherished more than anyone else.

Her name was Misaki Takatsuki.

She was as gentle as a spring breeze, treating everyone with equal kindness and showering them with affection.

But the smile she reserved only for me carried a special light she showed to no one else; she was truly an angel.

It wasn’t just kindness. It felt like a small miracle meant only for me.

At least, that’s how it was until elementary school.

To be honest, I’d been in love with Misaki since back then.

Misaki was shy, a crybaby, and a little spoiled.

But that’s exactly why she spent more time by my side than anyone else.

We both wore glasses, making us look like a matching set.

Back in elementary school, Misaki never left my side, always trotting along behind me like a little shadow. I found that unbearably adorable.

Even when boys tried talking to her, she’d usually stay silent. She was incredibly shy around strangers. That’s why she always stuck close to me. It was so cute.

But then one day, I saw her laughing happily with another boy.

My chest tightened sharply, and it became hard to breathe.

Why? Even though Misaki was smiling just like always, my heart alone was restless, unsettled.

And then I realized.

Ah. I liked Misaki.

On the way home, I walked beside her as usual.

Noticing my unease, Misaki said in her usual tone, “That guy earlier? He’s just a friend. You’re the one who’s important to me.”

But “important” was a word you could use for friends too.

I couldn’t stand it anymore. Before I knew it, my lips moved on their own.

“Hey, Misaki!! I—I think I like you… no, not think. I do like you!!”

One day in fourth grade, I finally made up my mind.

Swallowed by nerves so intense it felt like my chest would burst, I mustered every ounce of courage for the confession of a lifetime.

Misaki and I had a lot in common. We both loved reading, struggled with socializing, and even looked somewhat alike.

We were sometimes teased as the “introvert couple,” but Misaki would just laugh it off, and I didn’t mind either. If anything, those words felt like proof that we belonged together. I’d even puff out my chest proudly.

Probably no, I was almost certain.

Misaki liked me too. It wasn’t logic, just a feeling my heart knew.

“Eh… You like me?”

“Y-yeah…!”

At my confession, Misaki’s eyes widened, and she fell silent, deep in thought.

The tension in my chest tightened unbearably.

Finally, when she spoke, her voice trembled.

“I’m so happy. I love you too!!”

The next moment, Misaki threw herself at me, hugging me tightly as tears streamed down her face.

“Wh-what?! Really?!”

My heart pounded wildly. Joy and surprise raced through my entire body.

Misaki had accepted my feelings.

My chest burned with warmth, and I doubted my ears over and over. Really? Are you sure it’s okay to be with me?

It’s fine. This isn’t a dream.

I kept asking, “Really?” and each time, Misaki laughed and said, “Really.”

I chuckled awkwardly, calling myself clingy, but there was no mistake. This was undeniably real.

“Ikkun, no cheating, okay? Because you’re actually really handsome.”

My name is Itsuki, so Misaki calls me “Ikkun” as a nickname.

“Me? Handsome? No way.”

“You might not realize it, but you’re surprisingly popular with girls! Got it? If you cheat, I’ll kill you!”

Just that short exchange.

But to me, it felt like the world had flipped upside down.

That day, the day Misaki and I officially became a couple. It was the start of the sweetest, brightest memory of my life.

After school, we left the classroom hand in hand and walked to a nearby park.

Our palms were a little sweaty, but I was too embarrassed to say anything though that just made me happier.

“Hey, remember today’s secret?”

Misaki whispered softly in my ear.

“Yeah! It’s our secret.”

We made a promise. One we could never tell our other friends.

At the park, we sat side by side on the swings, laughing as we pushed each other.

“Higher, Ikkun!”

“Got it, but you’re not scared?”

“I’m fine! As long as I’m with you!”

The afternoon sun wrapped around us as our laughter rode the wind. In that empty space, it felt like our own little world had unfolded and nothing could have made me happier.

On the way back, we held hands again.

“Hey, remember today’s secret code?”

“…Yeah. Our secret.”

The special words only Misaki and I shared.

A magic phrase we’d whisper only when things got tough.

“One chocolate, one happiness.”

That was our magical spell.

No matter how down I felt, no matter how much I wanted to cry just imagining those words in my heart made my chest warm, as if Misaki were right beside me.

There was a reason behind this magic phrase, of course.

Chocolate was Misaki’s favorite thing.

Happiness was the word I treasured most.

This spell we came up with together was packed with our feelings. That’s why it held power beyond mere words.

A year passed.

Before I knew it, Misaki had started changing little by little.

The quiet Misaki who always wore thick glasses.

Now, she took them off and wore brightly colored clothes.

Her face had always been cute, but now, with her flashier style, her charm stood out even more.

When she walked down the hall, boys would glance at her.

The charm I’d once been the only one to see. Now, everyone was starting to notice.

My chest stirred.

I felt proud, but at the same time, an indescribable loneliness mixed in.

“Hey, Ikkun. How’s this outfit?”

Misaki turned to me with a slightly mature smile.

Back in elementary school, she’d been a shy crybaby who’d always trot behind me.

Now, she was dazzlingly flashy, the kind of girl everyone turned to look at.

And yet, she still never left my side.

That fact alone made me happier than anything.

“Wow! You look beautiful. It suits you.”

When I said what I really thought, Misaki giggled, shaking her twin tails happily.

Even that hairstyle, she’d remembered me saying it looked good on her once.

“Hehe, thanks! This was actually pretty expensive, you know?”

Grasping the hem of her skirt, she spun in a quick circle.

The light from the window reflected off her, making her look even cuter.

The old Misaki would’ve never done something like this.

But now, even if she was a little embarrassed, she’d still smile naturally in front of me.

“If Ikkun says it looks good, then it must be perfect.”

The way she laughed as she said that, it was still the same Misaki only I knew.

The Misaki who was changing, and the Misaki who stayed the same.

I loved both sides of her more than anything.

“Hey, hey, Ikkun. Can I go hang out with them?”

On the way home after school, Misaki suddenly asked me that.

Backlit by the sunset, she looked up at me with a hint of unease.

“Eh?”

A dumbfounded sound slipped out.

Misaki tilted her head and smiled faintly.

“Want to come too?”

Those words sounded like a lifeline thrown my way.

But apparently, the group she was talking about included the most popular boys in our grade; rumored to be the best-looking and a bunch of cute, sociable girls.

A world too dazzling for someone like me.

If I went with them, I’d stick out like a sore thumb.

“…I’ll pass.”

Before I knew it, I’d answered in a voice smaller than I expected.

I don’t want you to go.

Some part of me was screaming that inside my chest.

But I didn’t want to be controlling. I didn’t want her to hate me.

I didn’t want to lose her.

So, the only thing I could do was force the brightest smile I could.

“Have fun!!”

When I awkwardly raised the corners of my mouth, Misaki blinked in surprise then smiled softly.

“…Okay. Thanks, Ikkun.”

That smile was still meant only for me, just like always. But if it felt just a little distant. That was probably just my own weakness.

“Let’s go home! Let’s play some games!”

Misaki started walking ahead of me.

When she turned back to wave at me, she looked so adorable.

Her profile, lit by the sunset, had nothing to do with her flashy new self. It was just the Misaki I knew.

The tangled anxiety in my chest loosened slightly.

After all, Misaki was still by my side.

No matter how dazzling the world she stepped into, in the end, she’d always come back to me.

“Wait up, Misaki!”

Without thinking, I broke into a jog to catch up.

A few days later.

“That was so fun.”

Misaki flopped onto her bed as soon as she got back, her hair splaying out softly.

Apparently, they’d gone to an amusement park today.

“Aren’t you tired?”

When I asked, she nodded slightly, swinging her legs with a laugh.

“Exhausted. Hey, hey, did you know? Akiyama-kun has a soccer tournament tomorrow.”

“Eh, really?”

“Crazy, right~? After all that playing today, he’s still got a game tomorrow. And get this, he invited me to come watch.”

Misaki peeked at me, looking a little embarrassed but happy.

“…Want to come with me?”

For a moment, my chest prickled with pain.

Just hearing Akiyama-kun sent ripples through my heart.

But I didn’t want to lose.

I wanted Misaki’s happy smile to be mine alone.

So, I mustered a little courage and answered.

“Sure, let’s go.”

Misaki’s eyes sparkled.

“Yay! I’m so happy~! Then let’s go together tomorrow!”

Listening to her voice, my chest swirled with a mix of pride and just a hint of unease.

—But more than anything, the desire to protect the smiling Misaki by my side won out.

The next day, when we arrived at the stadium, Misaki and a few of her classmates were already waiting.

“Who’s that guy?”

The one who called out was Chinatsu, a bright and friendly girl.

“Ah, Chinatsu, hey~! This is Ikkun! My boyfriend.”

Casually but unmistakably, Misaki wrapped her arm around mine.

“Ooh~, you two look good together.”

Chinatsu laughed as she said it.

Misaki’s face flushed slightly, but she squeezed my arm with satisfaction.

That small gesture alone made my heart race.

The other girls glanced our way.

Their stares made me a little self-conscious, but to me just having Misaki beside me was enough.

“C’mon, let’s go! The game’s about to start!”

Misaki tugged my hand.

Akiyama-kun was rumored to be the most handsome guy in our grade.

He’d even modeled for magazines as a grade-schooler.

The stadium echoed with cheers.

Misaki’s eyes sparkled as she watched intently.

“He’s amazing, Akiyama-kun. So cool.”

Her voice, was it just an honest impression, or—?

Something pricked sharply in my chest.

Unconsciously, I clenched my fist.

The game ended in a crushing victory for Akiyama-kun’s team—6-0.

Four of those goals were his.

Cheers erupted through the stadium.

Misaki’s eyes gleamed as she followed his every move.

“Wow! Akiyama-kun is seriously cool.”

Her voice stabbed into my heart.

Even though I knew it was just admiration, my chest still twisted.

But at the same time, I understood.

No matter how much she was drawn to others, Misaki’s place was still beside me.

…At least, that’s what I wanted to believe.

“Hey, Misaki, Chinatsu!”

Akiyama-kun, drenched in sweat, ran over to them.

“That was awesome!! So cool!!”

“You’re amazing!”

Misaki and Chinatsu cheered excitedly, their voices bright.

Akiyama-kun laughed, looking pleased with himself.

Misaki’s face was glowing with happiness too.

My chest tightened sharply.

I closed my eyes slightly and repeated in my heart.

“One chocolate, one happiness. One chocolate, one happiness. One chocolate, one happiness… It’s fine, it’s fine, it’s definitely fine…”