Chapter 143: Aya,declare (2)

The events at the ball spread like wildfire throughout the school. Or rather, everyone witnessed it. Yukikawa Aya kissing Kurosawa Rina under the spotlight was undeniable.

Takamari Academy was in an uproar. The ball continued, but its function as a social gathering was forgotten. The bold kiss between two beautiful girls overshadowed everything.

Some called it a performance.
Some called it a prank. They couldn’t comprehend it otherwise.

The next morning, the atmosphere in the principal’s office was suffocating. The principal looked at Aya with a grave expression.

“Yukikawa-san, you understand the gravity of your actions yesterday, don’t you?”
“Yes, I do. But I don’t understand what was so ‘dangerous’ about it. We didn’t threaten anyone.”
“Some people were so shocked that they fainted. You could have been suspended, or even expelled.”
“I apologize to those who were affected. I’ll personally apologize to each of them. But there was no better time to make our relationship public.”

Aya’s unwavering resolve made the principal sigh deeply.

“Yukikawa-san, Takamari Academy is a school in the public eye. Such a public display can affect not only you but the entire school.”
“I understand, but I love Rina. I won’t hide my feelings.”

The principal was speechless. Yukikawa Aya was an exceptional student, always at the top of her class, a shining star of the school and the nation.

Her family was a prominent force in the medical world, both in Japan and internationally, and her mother’s family was Danish nobility. Moreover, they were close to the Asakura family, who owned Takamari Academy. Expelling Aya wasn’t an option.

The principal pressed his fingers against his forehead.

“The chairman has already been informed. I’ve also heard that the Asakura family isn’t pleased. I’ll inform you of their decision in a few days. For now, please go home.”
“Understood.”

Aya stood up gracefully and left the principal’s office.
Mizuki, her face etched with worry, was waiting for her in the hallway. Seeing Aya, her expression turned to a mixture of concern and anger.

“Aya-ring! What were you thinking?! You know how dangerous that was!!”

Mizuki was a far cry from her usual cheerful self. For her to show such strong emotions meant the situation was dire. She wasn’t just angry at Aya; she was worried about Rina.

But Aya, her gaze calm, simply said,

“I did what I wanted. No one forced me. And… I don’t regret it.”

Mizuki was speechless. There was no hesitation or regret in Aya’s eyes, only unwavering conviction and a deep love for Rina.

“…Aya-ring, you… idiot!”

Mizuki burst into tears and lowered her head, then added softly,

“But… I’m on your side.”

Aya smiled faintly and gently squeezed Mizuki’s hand in gratitude. She turned and walked away.

Aya knew she was untouchable, a top student from the Yukikawa family. Even the Asakuras wouldn’t dare to expel her.

But she also knew, with cold certainty, that this era wasn’t ready for them. Japanese high society, with its conservative values, wouldn’t accept her and Rina easily. Even if she was exceptional, the boundaries of what was acceptable were still narrow.

Aya had already made up her mind. If the world wouldn’t accept them, she would fight for Rina.

****

Reality, unfortunately, was harsh.

At the closing ceremony, Rina and Aya’s names were conspicuously absent. They were supposed to be on stage, the top two students in the grade, giving the closing address, but only Mizuki, the third-ranked student, was there.

All eyes were on Mizuki, but no one was listening. The whispers about the absent two filled the auditorium.

The top two students of Takamari Academy, practically the top two in the nation, were both girls, and in love. The shocking revelation had sent ripples through not only Takamari but also Japanese high society.

Such a relationship was unacceptable in traditional Japanese culture.

But no one dared to openly criticize or condemn them, not with Yukikawa Aya’s formidable presence. Whispers and stares followed Rina and Aya wherever they went, but no one approached them directly. Rina, feeling the weight of the school’s disapproval, tried to remain strong.

She had Aya.

Aya, back home, had to face her family. She’d expected strong opposition from her father, a prominent figure in Japan’s conservative elite.

But contrary to her expectations, her father listened patiently.

“What can I do to help you, Aya?”

His calm question surprised Aya. She took a deep breath and replied, her voice firm with resolve,

“I need a way for two women to have a child.”
“Aya, you’re still a minor.”
“I know. I’ve promised Rina we’ll wait until after she graduates.”

Her father looked at her intently, then nodded, his expression neither happy nor sad, but filled with a quiet acceptance.

“I see… Very well. Is there anything else you need?”

“Do you… disapprove? Do you think I’ve dishonored the family…?”

Her father smiled gently and placed his hand on her shoulder.

“Aya, my dear daughter, I’m on your side. I only want you to be happy. There’s nothing more honorable than being happy with the person you love.”

Her father’s unwavering support made Aya’s heart swell with emotion. His unconditional love and acceptance were unexpected. Her mother, sitting at the same table, smiled and said in Danish,

“Det er helt i orden, Aya.”
(It’s alright, Aya.)

Her mother’s words resonated deeply within Aya. She finally relaxed and smiled brightly. With her family’s support, she could face the world’s disapproval.

****

“Hmm…”

I lay on my bed, staring at the ceiling, sighing softly. Winter break had started, but I was seeing Aya less often, and she was always busy, barely responding to my messages.

‘Did her family… reject us?’

A wave of anxiety washed over me. I was just… a blemish on the Yukikawa family name, a mistake to be forgotten and erased. It had been fun while it lasted. I hadn’t expected to be ostracized and erased like this.

I’m sorry, Kurosawa Rina, the original owner of this body.

“Haa…”

But no matter what I did, I couldn’t return to my past life. This was my reality now.

As I wallowed in self-pity, I heard the front door open. Dad’s voice.

“I’m home.”
“Welcome back, Dad.”

I went to the living room, and Dad, his face etched with fatigue, greeted me. He used to work late every night, but lately, he’d been coming home early, yet he always looked tired. I knew it was my fault. He’d been dragged into this mess because of me.

“Dad…?”
“Yes, Rina?”

“Is… something wrong…?”

As if sensing my concern, Dad forced a smile.

“No, everything’s fine at work. Don’t worry.”
“But…”

Even I could sense something was wrong. Mom seemed unaffected, but Dad… He hesitated, then spoke.

“Actually… I’ve taken a long leave of absence from work.”

“A long leave…?”

As expected. It was almost comical how transparent it was. A sudden long leave for someone in his position… He was a team leader in the legal department of a major corporation. In a rigid, paperwork-heavy society like Japan, his role was crucial… He seemed to hesitate, then spoke cautiously,

“Rina.”
“Yes, Dad.”
“About… you and Aya-san… I support you.”

My heart sank.

“…I’m sorry, Dad.”
“No, my dear. It’s not your fault. I just… wanted to take some time off and spend more time with my family.”

He patted my shoulder gently. But I couldn’t relax. My actions had affected my family. Seeing my downcast expression, Dad added softly,

“I just want you to make choices that make you happy. Your mom and I just want you to be happy.”

“Dad…”

Tears welled up in my eyes. I felt a lump forming in my throat. My love for Aya hadn’t changed.

But… every time I faced the harsh realities of our relationship, I ended up blaming myself, not Aya.

‘Aya… where are you… My heart aches…’

My thoughts were a tangled mess. I just wanted to be with the person I loved… Was love truly this fragile, this easily crushed by reality?

Darkness had fallen outside, a darkness that mirrored the shadows in my heart.