Chapter 157: Real honeymoon

In Japan, it’s legally mandated for one spouse to take the other’s last name upon marriage. According to Article 750 of the Japanese Civil Code, a married couple shares the surname of either the husband or the wife, as decided at the time of marriage.

But for Aya and me… it was complicated. Since we were both women, we couldn’t legally marry in Japan, and therefore, couldn’t share a surname.

But Aya had a simple solution.

“I can just adopt you, Rina.”
“Eh…?”

I’d been thinking too much from a Korean perspective. In Japan, where family businesses and traditions were often passed down through generations, it was common to adopt a son-in-law to maintain the family name. Adult adoption was legal, which meant Aya could adopt me. We would become legally recognized as family.

“That’s… possible?”
“Yes. I’ve already prepared the paperwork.”

“Eeeeeh?!”

“Congratulations, you’re now Yukikawa Rina. Officially part of my family.”

Ah…
My lips curved into a wide smile, and my heart fluttered.
I was overjoyed, so happy I wanted to run and shout. I couldn’t contain my excitement and showered Aya’s cheeks with kisses.

Chu, chu, chu—

“Rina, Rinaaa~ That tickles…!”

Aya giggled, squirming slightly, then hugged me tightly.

We were in the Netherlands.
Our wedding in Japan was for our family and friends, but since same-s*x marriage wasn’t legal there, we’d come to the Netherlands to make it official.

But I’d heard the Netherlands didn’t recognize marriages between foreigners… I’d even looked it up! Just out of curiosity! I’d always associated the Netherlands with same-s*x marriage, but I wasn’t sure about the legalities.

“But can we get married here if we’re both foreigners?”
“I’m a Dutch citizen.”

“Eh…?”

“I lived in The Hague with my mother for a while. I got citizenship then.”
“Eeeeeh?!”

“It’s still valid, so I’m a Dutch citizen.”

So… we were… really, truly, legally married? Not just common-law partners, but officially, legally married, with a marriage certificate?
Overwhelmed with joy, I hugged Aya tightly, almost knocking her over.

“Ayaaaa…!”

The familiar, sweet scent of her perfume made my heart race.

This happiness… it was real.
I’d been so worried for nothing…

“Now we can finally say we’re married.”

“Aya… I love you so much.”

“I love you too, Rina. So much.”

After the ceremony, we came to France. Wait… the timing and the location… this was exactly like that dream I’d had! My face flushed, and I looked at Aya cautiously.

“Aya… was it…?”
“Yes.”

“During our school trip, when we shared a room…?”
“Yes!”
“Eek… It really happened?”

“Of course. We made a promise, didn’t we?”

‘Eeeeeeek!’

My face burned.
Aya was grinning mischievously, a far cry from her usual subtle smiles. She looked like she was about to devour me. Where was the innocent, pure, elegant high school Aya I’d fallen in love with?!

“Aya… I’m so embarrassed…”
“Rina, we’re married now. There’s nothing to be embarrassed about.”
“B-But still…!”

Aya stepped closer and gently lifted my chin. “Don’t worry, Rina. Tonight will be a long night.”

“Eeeeeeek…?!”

Aya was much more… adult than I’d imagined. And I was still the flustered high school student, blushing in her presence.
But… I loved her even more for it.

****

I knew. I’d been a man in my past life, so why was I so shy? It was probably Kurosawa Rina’s influence… Wait.

My name was Yukikawa Rina now. It felt strange, thinking of the Yukikawa name and only associating it with Aya and Reina… unni!

I was walking through the streets of Paris with Yukikawa Aya, my wife. A moderate amount of walking was good for the pregnancy. And since we’d flown first class, a leisurely stroll was just what I needed.

Aya was dressed impeccably today, not in her usual business attire, but in an elegant and stylish outfit. With her natural beauty, her silver hair and blue eyes, she looked like she belonged in Paris. I, with my ordinary Japanese features, felt plain and out of place beside her.

Aya, sensing my insecurity, took my hand gently.

“Rina, do you remember this place?”

“Yes… It’s the restaurant where we had our first dinner during the school trip.”

It was the same restaurant where I’d had my first authentic French meal. Lately, I’d been craving spicy Korean food because of morning sickness, making me wonder if our children would have a Korean palate… But it seemed they liked anything delicious.

“Mizuki was with us then.”
“I miss Mizuki.”
“More than me?”

“Aya… Aya… Seriously, why are you like this…!”

I playfully punched Aya’s shoulder at her teasing question. She chuckled, pulled me closer, and gently caressed my belly.

“They’re twins, right?”

“Yes… because of the IVF.” We both knew the basics, being future medical students. IVF involved implanting multiple fertilized eggs to increase the chances of success, which also increased the likelihood of twins. Fraternal twins, of course.

“One will look like you, and one will look like me?”
“Then the one that looks like Rina will be cuter.”

“The one that looks like Aya will be cuter!” We bickered playfully, and I leaned against Aya’s shoulder.

“But what if they inherit traits from both of us? Will they have blonde hair like your sister?”

“Maybe… Genetically speaking, they can’t be perfect copies of either of us, right?”
“Right.”

We chatted about our future children as we ate. Aya said she’d love them no matter what, and… of course I would too. I still loved Aya so much; I would love any child that resembled her.

After the two-hour-long meal, we strolled back to our hotel. The sky was a mix of purple and deep blue, and the Seine River shimmered under the golden glow of streetlights.

It was beautiful. I felt a slight unease, knowing our bodyguards were discreetly following us. Aya and I had been… approached by men before.

“It’s so beautiful…”
“Yes, it is.”

Aya, after admiring the scenery, looked at me and took my hand. The night air was cool as we reached our hotel. Autumn was definitely in the air.

Aya pulled me closer and whispered, “Are you cold?”

“No, I’m warm thanks to you.”

We entered the hotel and headed to our room. I still felt like I was in a dream, a beautiful dreamlike day with Aya, not quite processing the fact that this was our… wedding night.

We reached our room and stepped inside. The tension of being in public eased, and I suddenly felt tired. “Aya, I’m going to shower first.”
“Okay.”

I grabbed a bathrobe and a towel and went into the bathroom. The warm water soothed my tired muscles.

Then,

Creak.

The bathroom door opened.

“Rina, I’m joining you.”

“Eek? Aya?!” I turned around, and there she was, stepping inside casually, already undressed. I quickly covered my face with my hands.

“W-Wait, Aya! I’m not ready! I mean, not mentally prepared…! I-I’m just… not ready!”
“Rina, we’re married. What’s there to be embarrassed about?”

“I know, but still…!” I mumbled, my face burning, and Aya chuckled and stepped closer. She was completely naked. I could see everything…

“Rina, you’re so cute.”

“W-Why aren’t you embarrassed?”
“I’ve been mentally prepared for this for a long time.”

Aya stepped into the shower and pulled me close, her soft, warm skin against mine. My face burned, and I almost had a nosebleed.

My heart raced. I felt like a virgin again, despite being married… Why was I so shy?