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

A few weeks had passed since then.

Since that fake date, Riona’s plan had been moving forward smoothly.

First, we submitted our marriage registration at the city office, officially becoming husband and wife.

Then came meeting my parents, agreeing on the little details, and more fake dates…

Even though it was all pretend, legally we were married. I just vaguely told my coworkers, “I got married.”

Since we hadn’t planned a wedding yet, they just said congratulations for now.

Shizuku was especially excited. “Congratulations! Let’s have a party!” she shouted.

My parents were overjoyed, too. My mom even said, “I want to see grandchildren soon!” and they are already putting pressure on us.

It hurt a little knowing it was all a lie, but I could already feel the financial benefits.

No more single-person tax, and our shared bank account started receiving subsidies.

That alone cut unnecessary spending and made life a little easier. Just as Riona had planned.

And now, our life living together was about to start.

For the first year, government officials might check in, so our fake marriage had to look perfect.

Riona had chosen a 3-bedroom apartment in a quiet neighborhood a bit away from the city center.

It had a spacious living room, one bedroom, two workspaces, and a balcony.

The rent seemed pretty high, and I worried a little.

I’d been living alone in a small apartment, leading a messy life where it were clutter everywhere, piles of instant food, and the laundry stacked up…

It had been years since I’d been close to a woman…

And now, living with the beautiful Riona felt unreal.

Plus, there was only one double bed.

Even if it was just for appearances, the “one bedroom for inspections” rule suddenly felt very real.

Somewhere in my heart, I felt excitement. My heart raced, but Riona stayed strictly professional. She probably had no idea what I was feeling.

On moving day, I rented a car and brought my stuff over.

Riona had already moved in the furniture, and the apartment looked neat.

The modern furniture was simple. White sofa, wooden table, and potted plants; her taste really showed.

My things, like old game consoles, piles of books, and boxes of clothes, looked messy compared to her perfect space. I felt a little bad.

“Um, this place must be pretty expensive…”

I muttered as I put down the boxes.

Riona was unpacking in the kitchen as she replied calmly.

“Yeah. Well, I chose the apartment, so I’ll cover the rent. Everything else we can split.”

“What!? No, that’s not fair…”

I quickly turned around. She paused, narrowed her eyes slightly, and smiled. That was the usual practical and no-waste expression of hers.

“It’s fine. Instead, maybe you can help with shopping or errands. I don’t have a car since I don’t have a license, so we can figure it out.”

“But… is money okay?”

I asked as I was worried. She shrugged and kept arranging dishes on the kitchen shelf.

“Yeah. I work at a decent company.”

That was the first time I realized Riona worked at a well-known company. Hearing the name, my eyes widened. That famous IT company…

Her income was more than double mine, maybe even triple.

She wouldn’t even need money if she were single. So why fake a marriage? But knowing her, she probably calculated that being married would be better for taxes, subsidies, and having a husband who could handle car stuff.

She was all about practical benefits. But that’s also part of her charm.

I moved my boxes and thought to myself, living with a rich and beautiful woman… This feels like a dream.

Once the furniture was in, the apartment finally started to feel like a home.

Following Riona’s instructions, I assembled a bookshelf and hung the curtains.

Sweating as I worked, I kept glancing at her profile.

The way she tucked her long hair behind her ear, her focused eyes… she hadn’t changed since high school.

Since my ex betrayed me, I’ve stayed away from romance. This situation was too exciting. I couldn’t help but notice her.

Her scent filled the room, making my heart beat faster.

But Riona showed no sign of it. She stayed professional and was calmly working. I wasn’t sure if she noticed me staring or not…

During a break, I asked.

“By the way, do I need to meet your parents?”

Riona stopped and answered quietly.

“No need. They don’t really care about me.”

Her words made me pause for a moment.

Didn’t care? Could parents really be like that?

Her expression didn’t change, but her voice seemed a little lower.

It gave off the feeling of not asking any more. I didn’t ask and just kept working.

Maybe it was too soon to touch on her past. I quietly imagined her loneliness.

She looked perfect, but maybe there was a fragile side to her…

By evening, everything was done, and we relaxed on the new sofa.

The apartment had become a comfortable space to live in.

Riona was in the kitchen doing something. I sank into the sofa while letting my tired body rest.

The sunset poured through the window, turning the room orange.

“Do you want something to drink?”

I heard her voice and sat up on the sofa.

“No, no, I can handle that.”

“It’s fine. I was thirsty too. Is tea okay?”

She smiled and started preparing tea bags in the kitchen.

With practiced hands, she boiled water and set out the cups.

I watched her back from the sofa. I couldn’t imagine that the school’s queen from back then was now in this kind of relationship with me, ten years later.

The girl I used to watch from afar in high school was now making tea as my “wife.”

Even if it was fake, my chest warmed. Her hair swayed in the sunset light.

A faint hope grew in my heart. I wanted this life to last…

Just then, the doorbell rang.

“Huh? Who is it?”

I stood up and went to the monitor. I hadn’t told anyone I was living here yet. I’d told my parents, but I hadn’t expected visitors.

Riona peeked out from the kitchen.

“…Wait a moment.”

She lightly touched the monitor and checked the screen. A man appeared on it.

He was in a suit, and his hair was messy.

I could see Riona’s expression freeze. Her eyes narrowed slightly, and her shoulders tensed a little.

“…Who is it?”