I Married the Girl Who Used to Bully Me - Chapter 19

When I opened the door, Misaki had already returned.

“Welcome home. Are you hurt? Are you okay?”

The natural tenderness in her voice wrapped warmly around my chest.

Misaki lightly touched my body, checking my condition.

Her gesture was gentle, though it felt a little overprotective.

“Misaki, there’s something I need to talk to you about.”

“Eh… okay.”

When I said that, Misaki lowered her head as if holding back tears. She probably expected me to bring up a breakup.

Eventually, we sat down on the bed. Then, Misaki quietly leaned against me, resting her body against mine as if to confirm the last remnants of warmth between us.

An awkward silence filled the room. Breaking through that air, I finally spoke.

“Hey Misaki, will you marry me?”

“Eh…?”

Misaki’s eyes widened.

“Why me? After all the horrible things I did, I hurt you so much. I don’t deserve to be happy.”

“…I did such awful things to you. There’s no taking it back, someone like me shouldn’t be happy.”

“Misaki, calm down. I love you.

The bullying doesn’t matter anymore, and I’ve done terrible things too—we’re even. Or do you not want to marry me?”

“No, but me…? Are you really sure…?

Because I hurt you so much. Someone like me, doesn’t deserve to get married. ugh…”

Misaki clung to me, tears spilling as she buried her face in my chest. A soft fragrance drifted from her hair.

As for how our relationship deepened after that… well, that’s a story for another time.

From that day on, everything changed. Misaki apparently dropped out of high school. She told her father everything that had happened, and he cried while saying, “Take care of Misaki.” It was, in a way, an embarrassing yet heartwarming scene.

Misaki’s belly grew day by day, and now she was a full-fledged expectant mother.

I also left high school and started working. Though, as a middle school graduate, my options were limited. But Misaki’s father invited me to his company; I even became vice president. At first, it was just the two of us, and the pay was naturally low, below minimum wage. Still, with the stocks I’d been trading, we managed to scrape by.

Misaki helped out occasionally, and her father would sometimes treat us to cheap izakaya meals. It was a good environment.

Then, our child was born. We named her Kanae.

A girl.

“Waaah!”

“You did great, Misaki!”

“Haah… she’s so adorable.”

“Yeah, she looks just like you.”

The company gradually found its footing, and business started running smoothly. Thanks to that, the company grew rapidly.

My stocks were also doing well, and eventually, we were able to move into a decent house.

“I’m heading to work.”

Business trips became more frequent. Today, too, Misaki saw me off. Her belly was swollen again.

“Have a safe trip but if you even think about cheating, be prepared, okay? I’m not the kind of woman who’ll stay quiet. If you do it, I’ll make sure you regret it.”

“And don’t you dare direct your feelings toward anyone else, got it?”

“So, report to me where you’re going today, who you’re talking to—everything. Trying to hide it is pointless. I’ll be watching.”

“Got it, got it.”

Misaki’s face had fully returned to its former self, and now she was truly a beautiful wife. She was someone I could proudly show off.

Beautiful, adorable, and even that strong-willed personality of hers was slowly coming back. Not that I minded. In fact, it made me happy.

“Wait… where’s my kiss? You forgot, didn’t you?”

“Ah, sorry.”

“…Idiot. Don’t forget you’re my reason for living.”

After sharing a kiss with Misaki, I left for work.

We discussed the company’s future, and the meeting ended without a hitch. I was invited to drinks afterward, but I declined. The negotiations had gone well, and I was in high spirits.

Right then, Misaki’s father made an announcement.

He asked if I would take over the company. He was getting older and wanted to retire. Though the company had grown, I was nervous but I nodded.

After that, years flew by in the blink of an eye. Kanae had grown up and started attending daycare.

During that time, Misaki gave birth to our second child—a boy this time. We named him Hanaki.

“You did great, Misaki.”

“He’s so cute…”

“Of course he is—he’s Misaki’s child.”

“Fufu, he’s yours too, you know?”

I was happy, truly happy.

But behind that joy, unexpected news arrived. Misaki was diagnosed with an illness—cancer. Stage 4, the kind modern medicine struggles to cure. The doctor gave her roughly three years to live. I was speechless.

The doctor said she had about three years left. The unbelievable reality tightened around my chest.

Still, Misaki stayed strong. In front of Kanae and Hanaki, she never showed weakness, always keeping a smile on her face. All I could do was support her by her side.

The days passed faster than before, and as I keenly felt the weight of time, we treasured every moment as a family, weaving them together one by one.

Misaki was crying. Seeing that, tears spilled from my eyes too.

“Maybe this is my punishment.”

I gently held her.

“It’s okay. You’ll get better. I forgive you.”

The company continued to grow steadily. But Misaki’s condition progressed mercilessly.

A year later, she could no longer walk on her own and was forced to use a wheelchair.

Today was our wedding anniversary. The kids were staying with our close friends, the Shintsuka family.

My connection with him had also endured. We’d drifted apart after middle school, but we coincidentally reunited at the company and grew close again.

And so, we visited our usual café. Ever since that day, we’d decided to spend our wedding anniversaries there.

“Master, we’re here.”

“Oh, welcome.”

The master was as calm as ever.

“The usual, please.”

“Understood.”

I took my seat and helped Misaki into hers.

“Hey… no cheating, okay? Even if I die, take care of the kids.”

“I know. Leave it to me. And who knows? You might recover. Don’t give up.”

“Y-Yeah, you’re right.”

Misaki was crying again. Stop that, you’ll make me cry too.

After that, we spent our usual time at the café. The soft melody of jazz playing in the background, the fragrant steam rising from our cups, the deep richness of the coffee as it touched our tongues. Once again, I wholeheartedly believed this café’s coffee was the best in the world.

“Master, thank you. The bill—”

“It’s fine. This one’s on me. So, come again.”

Shigeru saw them off—they always came here on their anniversary, and now they were regulars. Watching their retreating backs, he smiled.

“Shige-chan!! Put the laundry away properly!!”

“Ahh—sorry, sorry!!”

Hearing that voice, Shigeru replied energetically.

Misaki was hospitalized, and I visited her every day after work.

“I don’t want to be apart.”

For the first time, Misaki showed weakness. Seeing her like that, my chest tightened, and tears spilled over. What could I even do?

“Misaki…”

“I don’t want to be away from the kids, I want to stay with Ikkun forever. Maybe I’m still not forgiven.”

The shadow of her past self, the one who bullied me must have lingered in her heart.

“That’s not true. I’ve forgiven you. And whether you go to hell or heaven, I’ll come for you. In our next life, let’s love each other even more. Let’s do all the things we couldn’t.”

Misaki sobbed into my chest. Gently stroking her head, I wished I could ease even a little of her sorrow.

By the time Hanaki graduated from daycare, Misaki was living in a wheelchair. Her illness had gradually worsened.

“Mom! Dad!”

Carrying Kanae, I went to pick them up from kindergarten, bringing Hanaki home with us. Seeing Hanaki’s growth filled me with joy from the depths of my heart.

Misaki had also come to greet them in her wheelchair. She said it was rare for all four of us to go out together.

But then, Misaki’s condition deteriorated further, until she could no longer walk at all.

“How are you feeling?”

Entering the hospital room, I found Misaki lying in bed, her hair thinning and her face gaunt. My heart ached at the sight, but I forced a smile as I spoke.

“A little better, maybe.”

Gazing weakly at the cherry tree outside the window, Misaki answered. I sat beside her and looked at the same tree.

“I see. Don’t push yourself.”

My voice trembled more than I expected.

“Yeah…”

Misaki’s voice quivered faintly too. As we watched the cherry blossoms sway and scatter in the wind, we shared a quiet moment.

“Are the kids doing okay?”

“Yeah, they’re fine. Hanaki seems to be managing well at kindergarten.”

When I mentioned he’d been making mud dumplings the other day, a faint smile crossed Misaki’s face.

“And Kanae, she’s started saying ‘Daddy’!”

Misaki listened to my stories with an angelic smile. That smile was my greatest comfort.

A few more days passed.

“Mom, we’re here!”

Hanaki and Kanae burst through the door with all their might. There, they found Misaki.

“Hanaki, Kanae… you’ve grown so much.”

Misaki’s voice was hoarse, strained with effort. She was too weak to even move her hands, but a mother’s love still overflowed from her. Seeing the faint light return to her eyes as she looked at Hanaki, my chest tightened, and tears threatened to spill.

“I have to protect my little brother!”

“I’ll protect my big sister too!”

Kanae and Hanaki replied cheerfully, smiling at Misaki. In return, Misaki smiled back.

Hanaki eagerly began recounting his days at kindergarten—what he’d done, what he’d learned. Misaki listened intently, nodding and smiling occasionally. It was as if we’d returned to an ordinary, unchanged daily life.

Kanae chattered away too.

Watching this heartwarming scene, I couldn’t help but think despite knowing Misaki’s condition was worsening by the day, these moments with our family were priceless. Irreplaceable.

“I have to live until Hanaki starts elementary school.”

Misaki murmured. Determination burned in her eyes. Her voice was faint, but the strong will behind it was unmistakable.

“Yeah.”

And true to her word, Misaki lived long enough to see Hanaki enter elementary school. The doctors were astonished. She had long outlived her prognosis.

“I never thought this day would come. I wish I could’ve stayed forever.”

“It’s okay. You’ll live. I’m sure of it.”

I said it encouragingly, but contrary to my words, Misaki’s condition worsened further.

At the hospital, Misaki could no longer move her body. The doctors said leaving was impossible.

“Misaki…”

I gripped her hand tightly. It was cold and frail.

“Misaki, thank you. Because of you, I’ve come this far. In the next life, and the one after—marry me again.”

Holding back tears, I spoke to her.

“No…”

Misaki’s voice was weak, but her eyes held fierce resolve.

“Eh?”

I blinked in surprise.

“Stay by my side… forever and ever.”

At those words, I smiled and nodded.

“Got it.”

We gazed at each other quietly. After a long silence, Misaki spoke again.

“Take care of them.”

“Yeah.”

I nodded firmly.

“If you ever feel lonely…

One chocolate, one happiness. Say that, okay? I love you, Ikkun.”

Those were Misaki’s last words. Then, she breathed her last.

Many people attended Misaki’s funeral. Her father was among them. “Why did you go before me?” he sobbed the entire time.

But I cried the most. Unconcerned with appearances, I simply let the tears flow endlessly. Memories of Misaki flooded my chest, and I couldn’t stop.

Kanae and Hanaki cried with me.

The reality of Misaki’s absence was harsh. It felt like a gaping hole had been torn in my heart. Balancing housework and parenting were harder than I’d imagined. With work on top of that, I often felt like breaking down. But thanks to the support of our parents, I managed to get through each day.

Time passed. Hanaki entered middle school, and Kanae started high school. Both had grown into stunningly beautiful young women and men, their looks turning heads at school. Every time I saw them, my chest swelled with pride. Misaki had been beautiful too, so they’d inherited those genes strongly.

Deep down, I sometimes wondered if it was a good thing my own genes weren’t as dominant.

But then came their rebellious phases especially Hanaki.

Kanae was still sweet, but Hanaki was going through a full-blown teenage rebellion.

“I made lunch.”

When I said that, Hanaki just muttered, “Don’t need it,” and left for school.

Occasionally, we’d argue fiercely, clashing over things. Each time, I’d remember Misaki and wonder how she would’ve handled it. The memory of her warm smile and kindness crossed my mind, becoming my anchor.

But we always made up quickly. One day, as the three of us sat around the table.

“Dad, what was Mom like?”

It was Hanaki who asked. The last time he’d seen her was in first grade. Even then, Misaki had rarely been home; most of her time spent in the hospital.

“Well… she had a strong core, resilient way stronger than me.”

“Hey, tell us! The stories you used to tell us!!”

Kanae leaned in eagerly.

“You wanna hear them again?”

“Yeah!”

“Okay, then. Let me tell you about how Misaki and I met.

The Story of How I Married the Girl Who Bullied Me.

~Hundreds of Years Later~

“Hey, hey, long time no see!? Ah, no—I guess it’s nice to meet you? But somehow, it feels like we’ve met before. Funny, huh? Fufu.”

“Hey, what’s your name? Ah, Itsuki…? Then I’ll call you Ikkun! Yeah, that’s a nice name! So, Ikkun, what do you like? Me? I love chocolate, it’s sweet and makes me feel so happy. What about you? Eh, happiness…? What’s that, pfft—you’re funny~.”

“Ah, sorry, I didn’t introduce myself! I’m Misaki—Misaki! Nice to meet you, Ikkun♪”

The End