I Married My Childhood School Crush for a Day to Avoid the Single Tax, but My Wife Has Been Acting Strange Lately - Chapter 15

I kicked open the warehouse door with force and jumped inside.

The dusty air filled my lungs, and the darkness made it hard to see.

Dim lights hung from the ceiling, casting shadows on the concrete floor.

Riona was tied to an old pipe with rope, blood seeping from her wrists.

Her suit was messy, her hair fell across her face, and her eyes were wide with fear.

She was breathing shallowly, sweat running down her cheeks.

Kamikaze froze when he reached out his hand in front of her.

Through his mask, I could see the shock in his eyes.

My own breath came fast, my chest heaving.

Anger surged through my whole body, and my fists clenched naturally.

That man’s madness… trying to hurt Riona. I couldn’t forgive it.

I could hear the police sirens faintly in the distance, and pushed me forward.

“Riona!”

My shout echoed through the warehouse.

Kamikaze’s eyes were bloodshot as it was filled with a wild light.

He slowly stood up and removed his mask.

Messy hair covered his face, stuck with sweat.

The corners of his mouth twisted into a smile.

“Ah, Shouta-kun… Not good, taking what belongs to someone else. Didn’t anyone teach you that? But Riona-chan is mine.”

His voice was low and sticky, like it could grab someone.

I stepped forward, my fist ready.

Dust scattered across the floor, the lights flickering as it rose.

Riona looked at me, her eyes shining with hope.

“Shouta-kun…!”

Her voice trembled as tears streaked her cheeks.

My gaze locked on Kamikaze.

He pulled a knife from his pocket, the blade glinting.

Blood boiled in my veins.

“Stay away from Riona!”

I shouted and charged.

I grabbed his arm and knocked the knife away.

The metal clanged as it hit the floor.

He was surprisingly strong, pushing me back.

His breath was foul, his eyes wild.

“You’re in my way! Riona-chan is my ideal! No one ever loved me since I was a child…!”

I swung my fist and hit him in the stomach.

Kamikaze staggered while gasping for air.

Then, he kicked me hard in the stomach, and I doubled over for a moment.

Still, I forced myself to push through. I ran to Riona and untied her ropes.

“Riona! Are you okay…?”

She nodded and clung to me.

“Shouta-kun… thank you.”

Her warmth spread to me, and my chest felt hot.

Kamikaze got up and grabbed his knife.

“…I won’t forgive you!”

His voice echoed as he charged at me.

The blade cut through the air, grazing my arm.

Pain shot through me, and blood dripped.

I shielded Riona and twisted his arm.

His scream of pain rang out through the warehouse.

“Ugh!”

His body collapsed, and I pinned him to the ground.

I pressed his back with my knee and kicked the knife away.

Then, I heard police sirens getting closer, and the doors burst open.

Officers stormed in and shouted, “Don’t move!”

Kamikaze was forced to the ground and handcuffed.

He glared at us, full of hatred.

“Riona-chan… she’s mine…”

The police helped Riona to her feet and treated the wound on my arm.

Her eyes looked at me, shining with tears.

“Shouta-kun…”

I held her close and kissed her.

The warmth of her lips filled my chest.

It had been years since my last kiss, but this one felt more powerful and unforgettable than any before.

And with that, the whole incident finally came to an end.

◇

Right after the incident, we were taken to the hospital by ambulance.

The hospital waiting room was white and cold.

I had never liked it much.

While the doctor stitched up the cut on my arm, Riona sat beside me, holding my hand.

Her wrist was bandaged and was still looking sore, but she acted as if it didn’t bother her at all.

Later, the doctor said, “It’s just a minor injury. You’ll be fine if you rest.” We were a little embarrassed when he saw us holding hands, so we went home and rested in bed.

Even after we got home, her body shook sometimes, and I held her close each time.

“It’s okay now.”

She cried softly and murmured, “Thank you… Shouta-kun. I was really scared.”

◇

The next morning, the news reported the incident.

On the TV screen, a caption read, “IT Company Employee Stalker and Kidnapping Case.”

Riona’s name was not shown, but the details kept coming out.

“Suspect is a relative of the company president, long-term stalking reported.”

Newspaper articles dug into Kamikaze’s past.

He had been protected as a relative of the president, and despite repeatedly reporting the company’s cover-ups, neither the company nor the police had acted.

Online, people discussed stalking cases, and the company eventually issued an official apology. The president resigned.

“We will conduct a full internal investigation and work to prevent this from happening again.”

While watching the news, I got a message from Kawashima.

“Hey, are you okay? I saw the news. You’re a hero.”

Shizuku also sent messages.

“Senpai! Is your wife okay? I’m worried!”

A few days later, after taking a short break, I returned to work. My boss said, “That must have been tough,” giving me a small nod.

During that time, we also had police questioning.

The interrogation room at the station was colder and more sterile than the hospital.

Gray walls, white fluorescent lights, and a recorder on the table.

Riona and I were called into separate rooms to answer questions.

I explained everything that happened in the warehouse in detail.

“I kicked open the door to save Riona, and Kamikaze swung a knife… it grazed my arm.”

The sound of the officer taking notes filled the room, and my voice shook slightly.

It wasn’t something I wanted to remember.

Riona’s questioning lasted even longer. She was asked to tell everything about her past experiences, and her face looked completely exhausted.

The questioning went on for several days, checking evidence, comparing it with Kamikaze’s statements.

A lawyer was present, and the company’s possible cover-up was also investigated.

◇

A month had passed since the incident, and life was finally returning to normal.

In the morning, I made coffee in the kitchen and placed Riona’s tea beside it.

Her hair shone in the morning sunlight, and she smiled and said, “Good morning.” The flutter in my chest turned into pure happiness.

It was a morning when the shadow of the stalker had almost completely disappeared. “Good morning,” I replied. She closed her eyes and lifted her lips to mine.

“…Mmm.”

After our morning kiss, our usual day began.

And then, a few years later…

◇

Soft sunlight spilled across the living room, gently touching the toys scattered on the floor.

I watched my daughter stack blocks, her tiny hands clutching my knee. Time felt calm and gentle as it passed.

Her innocent smile warmed my heart. A scene like this was something I could never have imagined back then. The warmth of a family and the quiet happiness of everyday life. It all felt like a distant dream.

“Ah, Mommy’s home!”

The sound of the front door opening made my daughter jump up and run toward it.

I got up from the sofa, smiling as I watched her. My wife had returned from work.

Even in her work clothes, tired as she looked, she picked up our daughter and gently stroked her.

Just seeing her like that made my chest tighten. In that moment, I felt how much her presence had changed my life.

“I’m home. Were you a good girl?”

“Yes! I was a good girl!”

My wife nodded with satisfaction at our daughter’s reply, then turned her gaze to me.

Her eyes held that usual soft glow. She slowly approached, resting her hand on my head and stroking it gently.

Her touch was ticklish, but comforting, so I didn’t want her to stop.

“…Don’t stroke my head.”

My heart swelled with happiness inside.

This little gesture of hers was our private and intimate sign. For me, who knew the girl she used to be, this change felt like a miracle.

The rational and emotionless girl I once knew was now so naturally affectionate.

“Oh? Is this a rebellious phase?”

She laughed playfully with her eyes crinkling. Her smile melted me even more.

After putting down her bag, she came around behind me and suddenly hugged me from the back.

Her warmth pressed against my back, and her sweet scent teased my nose.

Ah, I wished this moment could last forever. My chest tightened with the thought.

“Ah… this is so relaxing.”

Her voice was soft, almost melting. I sighed while lightly holding her arms in return.

Her presence had filled the emptiness in my life.

“Then go ahead, hug me as much as you want.”

“Yeah. I will.”

She said that, burying her face into my neck and taking a deep breath, as if savoring my scent.

Like someone doting on a beloved pet, she pressed her cheek against me.

Her hair fell over my shoulder, soft and calming. I closed my eyes, savoring this happiness.

I never imagined that the girl I knew would become like this…

I never imagined that the rational, serious, and strict girl I knew would become so affectionate.

What started as a relationship based on calculation and convenience had now turned into an irreplaceable family.

As my daughter’s laughter echoed through the room, I quietly thought back to the past.

Since that first meeting, everything had changed.

I remembered a time when the scars deep in my heart had finally begun to fade.