Wrong Script, Right Love-Chapter 183: Before the Bells

[Renji’s POV—One Week Before the Wedding]

The invitations were circulated to every important name tied to the Kurosawa family.

Florists ran out of white blooms. Tailors worked through the night. And everywhere I went, people smiled at me like they already knew my future.

A Kurosawa wedding.

Grand. Inevitable. Unavoidable. This wasn’t a wedding that could be hidden—nor was it a love that should be hidden.

And yet, here I was.

Sitting alone in a quiet coffee house, fingers wrapped around a cup that had long gone cold, waiting for someone I never wanted to see—yet was forced to.

"Am I late?" The voice came softly.

I looked up.

There she was.

My birth mother.

. . . 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

. . .

"You’re way too late," I said.

She flinched.

Of course she did. She knew exactly what I meant.

She took the seat across from me, smoothing her coat nervously before offering a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

"I was happy when I received your call," she said. "I left all my work aside just to see you—"

"Like I said," I cut in sharply, my voice calm but cold, "you’re way too late."

She stopped.

"It doesn’t matter whether you left your work or not," I continued evenly. "It doesn’t affect me anymore."

Silence settled between us—thick and uncomfortable. I held her gaze without blinking.

Mika approached quietly, setting two coffees down before patting my shoulder gently. "Calm down," she murmured.

I exhaled slowly.

Then I reached into my bag, pulled out a bankbook, and slid it across the table.

"This is yours," I said. "The hospital bills you paid during my coma. I’ve returned everything—with interest."

She stared at it, then gently pushed it back toward me.

"Renji," she said softly, "you don’t have to do this. I’m your mother. Taking care of you during those days was my responsibility. It was my duty. I only did what any mother would do."

Her words were gentle. Polished. Sweet enough to make most people soften.

But not me.

If anything, they only made something sour rise in my chest.

"So," I asked quietly, "you’re saying this was your duty as a mother?"

She nodded. "Yes, my child—"

"Then what about the day you abandoned me?" I interrupted. "When you married a rich man and walked away?" My voice didn’t rise—but it cut deeper than shouting ever could. "Was I not your responsibility then?"

She went still.

Her head lowered slowly.

"I was blinded by greed," she admitted. "I just... wanted to live a carefree life."

I studied her face.

"You’re living one now too," I said calmly. "So why come back? Why pretend to be my mother now?"

I leaned back, folding my hands together.

"...Or did something happen?"

She didn’t answer; her gaze stayed lowered, fingers twisting together in her lap and in that silence, I knew. She hadn’t come here out of love.

I exhaled slowly. "Tell me, What do you want?"

She opened her mouth—and I stood up.

"You know what?" I said calmly. "Leave it."

She looked up, startled.

"I don’t care," I continued, my voice steady, stripped of emotion. "Why am I even asking? Why would I care for a woman who never once thought about me?"

"Renji..." she called, desperation creeping into her voice.

I turned back—just once.

"I paid my debt," I said. "And from here onward, we have nothing to do with each other. See you never."

I walked out.

I didn’t glance back. Not even once. Outside, the night air hit my face. I stopped, closed my eyes, and took a long breath.

"It feels like..." I murmured to myself, "...a heavy burden finally slipped off."

Like chains breaking, like something I’d been carrying since childhood finally letting me go.

Then—"My love."

Hayato’s voice. He was waiting inside the car, leaning slightly toward the open door, smiling—warm, patient, real.

"Are you done?" he asked gently.

I smiled and walked toward him—toward my love, toward the future I had chosen—and slid into the seat beside him.

"Yes," I said softly. "It’s done."

He smiled and ruffled my hair, affectionate and familiar.

"Good," he said. "Then let’s go. We still have to try on our wedding attire."

I nodded, heart light.

And just like that—I stepped fully into my real future. Not bound by the past. Not pulled by guilt. But walking forward—Hand in hand with the man I loved.

***

[Wedding Atelier—Later]

The boutique was quiet—hushed voices, soft fabric rustling, mirrors stretching from floor to ceiling like they were waiting to witness something important.

I stepped out first.

The suit fit me better than I expected—clean lines, pale fabric, elegant without trying too hard. It felt strange... wearing something meant for a future that was finally real.

I lifted my eyes—And froze.

Hayato had gone completely still.

He was standing a few steps away, already dressed, but the moment he saw me, it was like the world around him faded. His breath caught—not dramatically, not loudly—but I saw it. Felt it.

He stared.

Long. Unblinking.

"...Hayato?" I called softly.

He didn’t answer right away.

Instead, he took a slow step forward. Then another. His eyes traced me like he was trying to memorize every detail—every line, every breath, every proof that this wasn’t a dream.

"...Renji," he said quietly.

His voice was different.

Lower. Thicker.

"You look..." He stopped, frowned slightly, then let out a soft huff of disbelief. "You’re unfair."

I blinked. "Unfair?"

He nodded once, eyes dark and steady on mine."How am I supposed to stand beside you like this," he said calmly, "without losing my mind?"

My cheeks warmed.

"You’re exaggerating."

"I’m not," he replied immediately.

He reached out, fingers brushing my sleeve, then my wrist—gentle, grounding, like he needed to make sure I was real.

"I knew you’d look good, But this..." His thumb brushed lightly against my knuckles. "This feels dangerous."

I swallowed. "Dangerous?"

"Yes," he said simply. "Because I don’t think I’ll be able to take my eyes off you at the wedding."

Then his lips curved, voice dropping just enough to make my ears warm. "It almost feels like... we should have the wedding later and the wedding night first."

The tailor coughed politely somewhere behind us and promptly vanished. "I’ll... leave you two alone."

And me?

Yes, I was blushing—hard.

I swatted his chest lightly. "Gosh. At least look around you."

He only smiled and wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me close like it was instinct."What can I do?" he asked softly. "You’re seducing me way too much right now."

"Me?" I asked, incredulous.

"Yes," He nodded with exaggerated innocence. "My poor soul," he sighed dramatically. "Trapped by your love and your dangerous charm."

I laughed, shaking my head. "Then maybe we shouldn’t have a wedding night at all, my dear husband."

He froze.

Completely.

"...No," he said quickly. "I was just—I mean—"

"Huh?" I tilted my head. "What are you saying?"

He gave up, groaning softly, then leaned in and pressed quick kisses to my cheeks.

"Gosh," he muttered, forehead resting against mine. "I really can’t deal with you."

I laughed again, warmth spreading through me. "You’re supposed to be the groom; People will be looking at you. So behave yourself at the wedding."

He shook his head, his gaze never leaving mine."Let them," he said. "I’ll still only see you."

Something tender settled deep in my chest.

He leaned closer, just enough that his words were meant only for me."When you walk toward me that day," he murmured, "I think I’ll forget how to breathe."

My heart skipped.

I reached up and adjusted his collar without thinking, fingers trembling just a little."Then," I whispered, smiling, "I’ll walk slowly."

His lips curved into a smile—soft, undone, and completely unguarded.

"Cruel," he murmured fondly. "Absolutely cruel."

We stood there a moment longer, reflected together in the mirror—two lives finally aligned, laughter lingering between us.

And for the first time, I could see it clearly.

Not just the wedding.

But the life after.

Together.

***

[Wedding Day—Kurosawa Estate]

And just like that...The day arrived.

The Kurosawa estate buzzed with life from early morning. Cars lined the long driveway, engines humming softly as guests stepped out dressed in elegance and anticipation. White flowers framed the entrance, their fragrance carried by the breeze, petals trembling like they were just as nervous as I was.

Hayato’s parents stood near the entrance, greeting everyone with composed smiles. His mother looked radiant—proud, glowing—while his father shook hands with quiet authority, announcing our union without needing words.

And me?

I was seated in a quiet room just off the main hall, hands folded tightly in my lap.

Nervous.

More nervous than I had ever been in my life. My heart wouldn’t slow down no matter how many times I inhaled.

"Renji," Mika whispered loudly beside me, eyes shining as she adjusted her outfit. "Do you realize this?"

I glanced at her.

"I can’t believe I get to be a bridesmaid at a man’s wedding," she continued dramatically. "This is historic."

I laughed despite myself. "Please don’t announce it like that outside."

She grinned. "Too late. I already told three people."

I shook my head, tension easing just a little. She leaned closer, lowering her voice. "You okay?"

I nodded. Then shook my head. Then nodded again.

"...I’m scared," I admitted softly. "But in a good way."

She smiled warmly and squeezed my hand. "That’s how you know it’s real."

Outside, music began to rise—gentle, expectant. Somewhere beyond those doors, Hayato was waiting.

The man who had found me in every life. The man who had chosen me without hesitation. The man I was about to walk toward—openly, proudly, with nothing left to hide.

I closed my eyes for a moment.

This is it.

Not an ending.

But a beginning, where I don’t have to be scared of disappearing.