My Young Husband, The Assasin

Lately, the purple-haired woman has been constantly causing trouble, disrupting Renji's peace at the office by showing up uninvited as if she owned the company. She even acted in front of others as though she were Renji's lover.

If Renji hadn't needed Keiko's business connections, he would have thrown her out of the office long ago or had someone make her disappear.

While Renji was busy on his phone, searching for Tetsuya's contact, he didn't notice the blonde-haired man accompanied by a pink-haired woman entering the ramen shop where he had left his wife alone. He had no idea or suspicion that the couple would arrive at Nami Ramen.

It had been over five minutes since Renji left to take the call, but Aira wasn't bored or annoyed; she was busy enjoying her ramen. The peaceful and calm atmosphere she was enjoying was about to change abruptly as a storm was about to hit without warning.

Eyes as beautiful as the sky stared intensely at Aira's back, and a happy smile was etched on the handsome face of the man approaching her. His steps were confident as he walked toward the woman he had missed so much, someone who had once been a special part of his life and still held a place in his heart.

"Aira-chan," the blue-eyed man called out with longing.

Aira's heart raced, and her eyes widened as she heard the baritone voice calling her name. Her world seemed to stop momentarily as she realized that Kairo Kenzaki, the man who had once been a part of her life, was standing close to her.

Aira's shock didn't end there as she saw the beautiful pink-haired woman standing beside Kairo, holding his hand intimately.

Aira clenched the chopsticks tightly, acting normally as Kairo casually sat beside her. She could smell the scent of his cologne, a fragrance she had always loved.

Aira tried to turn to Kairo with a fearful expression as if she were seeing a ghost rather than the handsome man others around her noticed. "H-hello, Kenzaki-san," Aira greeted as calmly as possible, though she failed due to nervousness.

"I didn't expect to see you here."

"Y-yeah," Aira replied nervously. The pink-haired woman who had come with Kairo also sat beside him, adding to the tension.

Aira's appetite vanished instantly as the couple's sudden arrival ruined her mood, which was already fragile due to her pregnancy.

Even though Aira had forgiven them and let go of her feelings for Kairo, her heart still ached when she saw his face. The past should be left behind because dwelling on it won't help us progress. Aira was doing that now—pouring out all her feelings for Kairo and treating him like a stranger.

"Anata, I want to eat the ramen you make," the pink-haired woman said sweetly, smiling at Aira.

"Alright. I'll make it for you. Wait here."

"Thank you, my husband," she said, emphasizing the word "husband" to clarify her status to Aira. Aira lowered her head, enjoying her ramen, which was starting to cool.

"It's been a long time since we last met, Aira. How have you been?"

"I'm fine. How about you?" Aira awkwardly asked in return.

"Pretty good, though lately I've been feeling nauseous and have no appetite because of the condition I'm going through," Kairo said somberly.

"Are you pregnant?" Aira guessed.

Mika's face lit up with joy. "You're amazing, Aira! You guessed it even though I didn't tell you," Mika said, pretending to be surprised.

Aira responded with a sarcastic smile, as anyone would have understood Mika's hints about pregnancy. Her eyes stared into the bowl of noodles she had been stirring aimlessly. Her appetite had vanished entirely, even though she hadn't eaten anything since the afternoon.

Mika observed Aira's behavior beside her. "Oh, by the way, I heard you got married. Is that true, Aira?" Mika asked curiously, wanting to confirm the information she had received.

"Y-yes," Aira confirmed without turning her head.

"Then, congratulations on your marriage. But when did you get married, and why didn't you invite us? Are you still angry and holding a grudge against us?" Mika asked, unaware of her past mistakes.

"I got married simply in the village where I was born. There was no grand celebration," Aira explained, avoiding Mika's other questions.

"Simple things suit you, Aira," Mika remarked, indirectly insulting Aira. 

"But it's good that you're married now and have moved on from my husband," she added, relieved.

Aira smiled bitterly, choosing not to comment further. She tried to enjoy her ramen again, as wasting food wasn't good. Only a few Aira bribes did Mika open her voice again in the middle of Aira's food activities after her appetite had disappeared. 

"This place isn't far from your apartment."

"I've moved from there for a long time," Aira said she was too lazy to explain. 

"Then what did you come here for?" Mika asked curiously because the elite apartment area around here is also classy.

"By walking," Aira answered without hesitation, chewing her noodles.

"By walking?!" Mika exclaimed, laughing.

Aira frowned, confused by Mika's strange reaction. "Yes, what's wrong with that? And why are you laughing, Mika-san?" Aira asked, feeling offended by Mika's rude behavior.

"It's just strange to hear. Are you so poor that you can't even afford to take a bus?" Mika said, seemingly mocking Aira's perceived financial struggles.

Aira stayed silent, not bothering to explain her family's financial situation to Mika. There was no point in clarifying, and she didn't care enough to do so.

If Aira wanted, she could have asked her husband to buy this ramen shop for her. There was nothing wrong with living simply, even if you were wealthy.

"Did you come here with your husband?" Mika asked again, interrogating Aira like a gossip reporter.

"Yes," Aira replied quickly.

"Then introduce him to us."

"He's outside taking a call."

Mika suddenly burst into laughter, amused by what she had seen outside. The young man she had noticed was undeniably handsome. Still, judging by his appearance, he seemed to be in his teens, much younger than Aira.

"Don't joke, Aira. There's no way you married a teenager. You're not a pedophile, are you?"

"That's..."

"Or maybe you're just a mistress," Mika interrupted, making baseless assumptions.

"I'm not that low, Mika-san," Aira defended herself.

"It's okay if you don't want to admit it. It would be embarrassing if people found out," Mika said, looking at Aira with pity as if she were sympathizing with her unfortunate situation.

"I'm not a mistress. My husband is just younger than me," Aira said, her eyes glistening as she glared at Mika. "Stop talking and stop cornering me."

Mika crossed her arms before her chest, giving Aira a disdainful look. "Then prove it to me. Call your husband over. Stop talking so much," Mika challenged, refusing to back down.

Kairo, who had just brought a bowl of ramen he made for Mika, was confused when he saw Aira crying and sobbing beside Mika.

"What's going on here, Mika-chan?" Kairo asked curiously, placing the bowl of ramen on the table.

"Nothing. I just challenged her to call her husband over. She's overreacting," Mika replied curtly, explaining their situation.

The tears welled up Aira's cheeks, and she felt hurt and heartbroken at Mika's humiliation, which did not show a young lady's attitude from a wealthy, well-known family. Even though Aira was convinced that the pink-haired woman had learned a lesson in manners since childhood, unfortunately, it was not used.

"Come on, Mika-chan, don't act like that."

"Why are you defending her, Anata?" Mika looked annoyed, even stomping her foot on the floor.

"I'm not defending her. Besides, weren't you two good friends in the past?"

"Don't bring up the past. I never considered her a friend back then."

Aira's heart was truly broken, and she couldn't stand being here any longer. Staying with the two of them only added to the pain in her heart.

Aira decided to leave the shop, running away from the couple with tears streaming down her face. But after just a few steps, she bumped into someone.

"S-sorry," she stammered through her sobs, keeping her head down.

"Aira." Renji's face was filled with concern and surprise as he saw Aira crying. She had been fine when he left her earlier.

Aira looked up, revealing her tear-streaked face.

"Renji-kun," she cried even harder upon seeing the raven-haired young man before her.

Aira's hands gripped Renji's black jacket tightly, seeking support and protection. Renji immediately embraced Aira's body. "I'm here, baby." He whispered, lovely.

Kairo and Mika, who also ran after Aira, were shocked to see the scenery presented in front of their eyes. Even Mika's body was tense when they saw the raven-haired young man who was so recognized. 

"Isn't he, young master Renji Ishikawa?" she said, making sure her eyes didn't see wrong.

Meanwhile, Kairo reacted differently from his wife. He was furious as he watched the young man casually embrace Aira. "Who are you, kid?" Kairo asked with a sneer.

Renji's dark eyes narrowed sharply, intimidating both of them. Now he understood why his wife was crying like this. It must have been their doing—they had hurt Aira.

"Why aren't you answering my question, kid? And what's your relationship with Aira?" Kairo demanded, his voice filled with barely concealed anger.

Renji smiled faintly, his eyes locking deeply with Kairo's. "She's my wife!" Renji answered firmly, without a hint of doubt. Kairo's blue eyes widened in shock, and his tongue felt tied, unable to say anything.

"You must be joking, Young Master Renji. There's no way Aira is your wife. Aren't you supposed to be engaged to Karin, my husband's cousin?"

"The engagement has been canceled. And I have no interest in other women because I'm already married and will soon become a father."

"What?!" Mika exclaimed in disbelief. Renji held Aira tightly, shielding her from Mika's hurtful words, which he would repay a thousandfold.

"So, you're the man Tetsuya mentioned," Kairo said, looking sadly at Aira.

"Yes, and what's it to you? Aren't you already married? You should mind your business and stop meddling in Aira's life."

Fortunately, there weren't many people in the shop—just a few customers who unintentionally witnessed the drama unfolding among the four. Even the shop owner and her daughter watched silently without commenting.

Mika's face turned fierce, her chest filled with boiling anger. "Aira!" she shouted, her voice sharp. Aira turned around, tears streaming down her face as she looked at Mika.

Mika pointed accusingly at Aira. "I never thought you'd stoop so low! How dare you trap Young Master Renji into marrying you!" she yelled, emotionally accusing Aira of things she hadn't done.

"Watch your mouth, Aunty! Unless you want me to tear that sharp tongue of yours!" Renji threatened, his tone deadly serious.

"Sob..." Aira cried again, her emotions wholly shattered.

"So that you know, Aira didn't trap me. I was the one who pursued her and insisted on marrying her. So, in this case, Aira is not at fault—I am."

Mika fell silent, as did Kairo, who couldn't muster the courage to retort. Renji's influence and power were immense. Kairo's father had always warned him to treat the raven-haired young man respectfully. Renji held the largest share in Kairo's family company.

Aira's head suddenly throbbed with dizziness and nausea, and her body became slightly dilapidated and almost staggered. Thankfully, Renji held her tightly. "You're all right, Aira." Renji stared anxiously at his wife.

"My head is very dizzy, Renji-kun." Aira's moaning in a slow voice, almost like whispering.

"Let's go home." Take Renji.

Aira nodded obediently at her husband's words.

Before leaving, Renji handed Ayame a 10,000 yen bill to pay for their meal, telling her to keep the change. In a hurry, Renji carried Aira bridal-style out of the ramen shop, ignoring Kairo's hurt and sorrowful gaze and the stares of the other customers.

Meanwhile, Mika was seething with frustration and defeat, realizing that Aira's husband was no ordinary man.

She had once thought Aira's life would fall apart after Kairo left her. But instead, Aira's fate had taken a fortunate turn. She married into the Ishikawa family and now lived in luxury—something Mika had always dreamed of. That was why she had stolen Kairo from Aira, hoping to secure a comfortable life.

…