My Young Husband, The Assasin

The rain had been falling since dawn, drenching the city of Tokyo with its heavy intensity. People were reluctant to leave their beds and instead chose to stay under their blankets, shielding themselves from the cold air that enveloped the city due to the rain and the onset of autumn, which made the air even chillier.

A beautiful woman in long-sleeved sleepwear woke up because cold air pierced her skin, even though a thick blanket covered almost her entire body. The air conditioner, which had been on since last night, made the room even colder, causing her to shiver slightly.

However, the young man beside her seemed comfortable and sleeping soundly without feeling the cold.

She released the arm tightly wrapped around her all night and slowly exited. Dragging her slippers towards the window, she slightly opened the curtains, and her moon-like eyes caught sight of the city drenched in rain. No wonder the air felt so cold. Just yesterday, the weather was clear, with no signs of rain today, but as humans, we can only guess, and the rest is in God's hands.

Glancing at the large wall clock in the middle of the room, she let out a soft sigh as the clock showed precisely six o'clock. Today, she woke up an hour earlier than usual. Still, since she was already awake and couldn't go back to sleep, she decided to go to the kitchen to cook breakfast for her beloved husband.

The morning sickness she often experienced since her pregnancy had started to decrease, unlike before when she would vomit and feel nauseous every morning during the early stages of her pregnancy.

Her hands skillfully chopped and sliced the ingredients, and the delicious aroma of the cooking filled the kitchen. Fortunately, the refrigerator was stocked with various kitchen necessities, allowing her to cook anything she wanted.

After finishing cooking, she went to shower, even though it's uncommon for Japanese people to shower in the morning. However, since becoming pregnant, she has habitually showered every morning.

"Good morning, Aira," greeted the raven-haired young man, quickly kissing her right cheek.

"You're awake, Renji-kun."

"Why didn't you wake me up?" he asked, hugging her from behind.

"You sleep so well, I can't help waking up," she replied softly.

"Don't you know I can't sleep well without you by my side?"

She turned to face her husband, whose handsomeness hadn't faded and was still as captivating as ever. She could imagine how many girls were infatuated with her truly handsome husband. She felt fortunate to have married such an extraordinary man like Renji.

Renji's handsome face showed a slight grin as he noticed her intense gaze. "It's still early, and you're already having naughty thoughts," he teased, redressing Aira's chubby cheeks.

"No!" she exclaimed, embarrassed because Renji had misunderstood her gaze. She had been admiring his handsome face, not thinking of anything indecent.

"Then, why were you looking at me like that?"

"I-I..."

"What about you, Aira?" Renji pressed, continuing to tease her.

Aira's face turned down in embarrassment, her cheeks flushed red. "I was just thinking how handsome and charming you look even after waking up," Aira stammered nervously, playing with her fingers.

For a moment, Renji was surprised, but a wide smile spread across his handsome face because Aira had been admiring him, too. "Really?" Renji asked teasingly as if he didn't believe her words.

Aira's cheeks puffed up like a pufferfish, indicating she was annoyed. "Yes, fine, if you don't believe me," she said, turning her back to Renji, who laughed heartily at successfully teasing her.

Aira's body was pulled into an embrace. "Your face looks ugly when you're angry."

A punch landed firmly on Renji's right chest, but instead of screaming in pain, Renji let out a small laugh because Aira's punch didn't hurt much. "Where do you want to go today, Aira?"

"Is this a date?"

"Could say so."

"Then I want to go watch a movie and eat jumbo caramel popcorn," Aira said enthusiastically, sharing all her wishes.

"As you wish, honey."

"Thank you, Anata."

"I don't want just a thank you. There has to be something in return for me too."

Aira pouted her lips. "You're so calculative."

Renji leaned forward and offered his lips to Aira, and as a married woman, Aira knew precisely what he meant. "No, you haven't brushed your teeth yet." She pushed his face away.

"Alright, but after I brush my teeth and wash my face, I'll claim it."

"Okay. Now wash your face and go to the dining room for breakfast."

"Yes, Princess," Renji replied obediently, kissing the top of Aira's head quickly before heading to the bathroom.

Aira returned to the kitchen to prepare breakfast in the dining room. Still, her activities were interrupted by the persistent ringing of the doorbell. Aira opened the door without any suspicion, thinking it might be Tetsuya, as the young man with black hair and pale skin often visited their home.

However, when the door opened, Aira was shocked to find it wasn't Tetsuya. "Sorry, who are you looking for?" Aira asked politely, confused as she saw a beautiful woman with long purple hair, wearing revealing and tight clothes, standing arrogantly at the door.

"Is Renji here?" the woman asked, her face slightly arrogant. She seemed displeased by Aira's presence, possibly seeing her as a servant due to her simple attire.

Aira nodded slowly. "I'm sorry. Who are you, and what do you need?" Aira asked again.

"None of your business." She said as she walked into the house without permission or being invited by Aira, the lady of the house.

Her attitude was incredibly rude and impolite, as she entered someone else's house without asking. However, Aira didn't want to act harshly by kicking her out or yelling, so she chose to let her sit and wait in the living room. She thought she might be one of Renji's business associates, as her husband held a high position in a company.

But instead of sitting in the living room, the purple-haired woman walked to the dining room and sat in Aira's chair.

"You're so thoughtful, and you know that I haven't had breakfast. It must have been Renji who asked you to cook this," she said confidently, assuming that the food was prepared specifically for her, though it wasn't.

The purple-haired woman's behavior was so odd that Aira began to get irritated, though she managed to hold it in.

Renji came out of his room after washing his face and changing clothes. Still, when he entered the dining room, he was surprised to see the woman with purple hair, whom he recognized as Keiko, one of his business colleagues.

"You?!" He exclaimed in shock.

"Good morning, handsome. Are you surprised and happy to see me this morning?" She said, smiling as she walked toward him.

Aira frowned behind the woman's back, glaring at her husband angrily, but she tried to hide her frustration. "Breakfast is ready. Eat while it's still warm," she said calmly.

"Let's have breakfast together," Keiko said, pulling Renji's hand. "You can leave now," she dismissed Aira coldly.

"Who are you talking to?" Renji glared coldly at Keiko for being disrespectful and rude to Aira.

"Her," Keiko answered casually, pointing to Aira with her chin. "Isn't she the maid here?"

"Watch your words and actions! She is the lady of this house and my wife!" Renji shouted, making it clear Aira's status in this house.

"What?!" Keiko exclaimed, shocked.

Aira stood frozen between them until Renji reached for her waist and pulled her closer. "Aira, this is Keiko Uzuki, one of my business associates," Renji introduced.

Aira curled her lips into a small smile, pleased that Renji stood up for her and unabashedly revealed her status as his wife. "Hello, I'm Aira Ishikawa," Aira introduced herself confidently.

Keiko, the woman named Keiko went silent after realizing her mistake. She had been acting as if she were the lady of the house, thinking the black-haired woman was just a maid, only to find out she was completely wrong.

"There's something important we need to discuss. Please go back to your room."

"Alright. If you need anything, call me in my room."

Renji nodded, and Aira reluctantly returned to the room. However, she was curious about Keiko and what they would discuss, whether it was business or something else.

Once Aira entered the room, only Keiko and Renji remained in the dining room. The atmosphere immediately turned tense, and a cold aura filled the room. Renji's once gentle expression from earlier with Aira turned cold, looking very intimidating.

"It's impossible, you're married?" Keiko still couldn't believe Renji's earlier confession.

"Whatever, I don't care," Renji replied, crossing his arms over his chest and staring coldly with his dark irises. "Then why did you come here so early? If there's nothing important, leave, don't provoke my anger." Renji warned Keiko coldly.

"I came on purpose because I wanted to have breakfast with you. After all, it's so hard to meet you, even though you were the one who came begging for my help before," Keiko said, trying to act coy and sweet, hoping to tempt Renji.

Keiko didn't want to give up and kept trying to flirt with Renji, believing that all men were the same. She was easily tempted by flirtation, and she was good at it.

A cynical smile appeared on Renji's handsome face. "Know your place, Keiko. Besides, I pay you and all your subordinates a high price. If you want to help me, it should be free," Renji said sharply, glaring at Keiko.

"But—"

"Finish your breakfast quickly and leave. I'll have someone pick you up to take you home."

"I don't want to!" Keiko stubbornly refused, not wanting to leave.

"Don't be stubborn," Renji warned, still trying to hold back his anger that could explode at any moment.

Keiko stood in front of Renji, blocking his path. "Can't you just be nice to me once? What's so hard about accompanying me for breakfast?" she pouted, her face showing fake sadness.

Renji smiled for a moment, then coldly looked at Keiko. "Every woman who approaches me has used tricks like this, and if I fulfill your request, there will be more requests that I'll have to fulfill. I'm not that stupid."

Keiko clenched her fists by her side, her expression challenging to read. "Then what's the difference between that woman and me?!"

"Don't ever compare yourself to Aira because she is thousands of times better than you."

"Where is it that that woman is far better than me??! Tell me!"

"It's very easy, for example, like right now. Aira has never once acted forcefully or used any tricks to seduce me, like you women who intentionally flaunt your bodies and dignity to trap handsome and wealthy men to live an easy life."

Keiko smiled cynically and laughed, looking at Renji as if he were foolish. "Don't be so naive, Renji. I'm sure she's just as low as the other women..."

Suddenly, Renji's hand gripped Keiko's neck tightly, making it hard for her to breathe. Her face showed clear fear as she looked at Renji, whose expression was terrifying.

"Don't you ever dare insult my wife if you still value your life," he hissed with anger and hatred. "I can't stand people as annoying and loud as you. Don't think I can't be cruel because I've been holding back until now."

Renji's hand remained tightly gripping her neck, making it hard for her to breathe, and her body couldn't move at all due to the strength of his grip. Is this the real Renji Ishikawa, known as a cold-blooded killer who can kill without a second thought, watching his enemies die with a cold stare and a flat expression as if showing no fear or pity? Thanks to Kaito Ishikawa's cold hand, Renji was trained to become who he is now— a leader in the underworld known for his cruelty in taking down his opponents.

So, Renji's cold demeanor and strength were no mere words. Now, Keiko felt like death was at her doorstep, just waiting for the Shinigami or death God to come and take her. But it seemed that God was still looking after her, as he decided not to take her life at that moment.

The sound of a door opening saved Keiko. Renji immediately released his grip, not wanting Aira to see what had happened.

"Cough~Cough..." Keiko coughed hard when Renji let go of her. She almost felt like she was going to die, but thanks to Aira coming out of the room, if she hadn't, there would have been a funeral for her the next morning.

"Why did you come out, Aira?"

"I'm sorry if my presence disturbed you, but my stomach is upset, and I want some lemon juice and honey."

"Did you throw up earlier?"

"Yes, but not as much as usual."

"Rest in your room; I'll make it and bring breakfast to you."

"Alright, but if you're still busy and there's something important with Miss Keiko, I'll make it myself."

"It's over. We have nothing else to discuss, and she'll leave soon."

"So soon?"

"Keiko is a busy person with a lot of work to handle. You should go back to your room now."

"Alright," Aira replied obediently without asking further.

Keiko, who had almost become a murder victim at the hands of Renji, sat still, in shock, watching the affectionate scene in front of her. The cold, terrifying Renji disappeared and was replaced with a Renji she had never seen before—one gentle and full of love for Aira. This was a stark contrast to the Renji she had witnessed earlier.

"You know, if people see you like this, they'll know where your weakness lies after being known as a cold-blooded killer all this time," Keiko said with a cynical smile.

"That's none of your business," Renji replied coldly, not reacting to Keiko's words, which held some truth.

…