After getting together officially, Isanari and Kotoha went to say their goodbyes to Rena, who revealed she had been looking at them through the window the entire time. She then proceeded to tease them before eventually hugging the two of them. Despite being extremely embarrassed, they still mustered up the courage to congratulate each other while looking at the memories they made through the year. Rena made sure Maruo was there as well, although he showed signs of disappointment that it wasn't just him and Ms. Nakano, something that Isanari teased him endlessly for. During that party, Kotoha let everyone know her dream, to open a bakery. She had been practicing as much as possible during the year and she had gotten really good at it. Once they finished their little party, they all went their separate ways. Unbeknownst to both Isanari and Kotoha, this would be the last time they would ever see Rena…

…

Isanari and Kotoha both went to a small college together, where they would take many of the same classes. After 3 years of hard work, they got their degrees. Both had studied Bakery Science as Isanari wanted to help her as much as possible. At first, she was thinking of going to Culinary School, but she was afraid their relationship would drift apart seeing as they had just gotten together. So, she decided to go with Isanari's college of choice. Once they graduated, they decided to open up a bakery. They met with the right people, one of which was known as Mr. Arnadue. This man would take them through the progress, which eventually led to them opening in a rather small place, consisting of an area to hold a store and a place to live in right above it. With time, they opened their place together.

…

Isanari:"You want to do the honors?"

Kotoha:"Yeah...As of today, our bakery is open!"

Kotoha cut the ribbon on the front door, which Isanari picked up.

Isanari:"With that ribbon cut, I think it's time to put a bow on something else."

Kotoha's hand is grabbed as Isanari ties the ribbon around her ring finger. Isanari takes a deep breath, and begins to speak as Kotoha begins to cry, knowing what was about to happen.

Isanari:"Will you marry me?"

Kotoha:"Yes! Of course!"

Isanari and Kotoha hugged in front of their new bakery.

...

Isanari:"I'm sorry I can't buy you a fancy ring."

Kotoha:"It doesn't have to be anything fancy. Your love is in it is all that matters."

Isanari blushed.

Isanari:"I really picked the best girl."

Kotoha:"You're making me blush, you know."

Isanari laughed as he put the basic, but thoughtful ring on her finger, ready for purchase.

…

"You may now kiss the bride."

…

Isanari:"I'm surprised my parents showed up to my wedding. They would always ignore me."

Kotoha:"Mine too. I guess they're proud of us for getting our lives together."

Isanari:"Good for them, but I didn't do it to get their approval. This was my choice."

Kotoha smiled.

Kotoha:"I'm so happy to be spending my life with you."

Isanari:"So am I."

"We're so happy for you, boss!"

Kotoha's old gang was also present at the wedding, crying their eyes out.

Isanari:"Looks like some people haven't changed."

Kotoha:"They're the best underlings I could have asked for."

…

...

Isanari:"Business has been doing pretty well. I've decided to buy a car. It's nothing fancy and the brakes could use some work, but it should help us in getting the ingredients in the future."

Kotoha:"That'll be a great help! We just have to make sure we pay everything back."

Isanari:"I've been in contact with Mr. Arnadue, he's been helping me a bunch with the business side of things. Almost makes me think I should have taken a business major."

Kotoha:"Yeah, haha. But we'll just have to figure it out together."

…

…

Isanari woke up to see Kotoha staring at him.

Isanari:"Morning."

Kotoha:"Um, Isanari-kun?"

Isanari:"What's up?"

Kotoha:"I think...I'm pregnant…"

Isanari:"...I'm sorry?"

Isanari's legs buckled under the weight of his emotions.

Isanari:"I'm...gonna be a dad?"

…

...

Doctor:"Due to your condition, it will be hard to go through with the childbirth process. As such, we will give you an exercise program to prepare for the inevitable day."

Kotoha:"I'll do it!"

…

...

Isanari:"Alright, your shift is over, let me take over."

Kotoha:"Thank you, Isanari. I have to make sure this kid is as healthy as possible."

Isanari:"We'll do it together."

Kotoha:"But, you look tired as well. Maybe we can take a break together."

Isanari:"I'm not as weak as I look, y'know."

Kotoha:"Ehh...Fine then, I'll start singing in hopes that you fall asleep."

Isanari:"I'll always be awake to hear your voice. I'm sure the baby will enjoy it, though."

Isanari took over her shift as Kotoha started singing for both Isanari and the baby.

…

...

Isanari:"You can do it, Kotoha! Let's stabilize our breathing! Don't give in!"

Kotoha was having trouble breathing, but Isanari never left her side. After much pain and worry, the baby was finally born. Kotoha could finally take a deep breath.

Isanari:"You sure came out fighting, didn't you, you little bastard?"

Kotoha:"Hehe, it's not your fault. We're just happy you're finally here, Fuutarou."

Isanari:"Look at him, I can't tell if he's smiling or scowling."

…

...

Doctor:"There were some difficulties in the process. While she will survive with no long term problems, it's clear her condition has worsened over the years."

Isanari:"Thank you, doctor. We'll keep it in mind." [That reminds me, Maruo was working to become a doctor, wonder how he's doing these days...Maybe another day.]

Doctor:"In any case, it may not be possible for you to produce another child…"

…

...

Time continued to move. Before long, a few years had passed.

Fuutarou:"Hey, dad. Why is your hair yellow?"

Isanari:"Well...It was because it looked cool."

Fuutarou:"Cool!? I want my hair to be yellow too!"

Kotoha:"You will not!"

Fuutarou:"I want to be cool!"

Kotoha:"You're not getting that with that hair color."

Isanari:"Hey!"

Kotoha:"Oh, Isanari-kun, you know I think you look cool in anything."

Isanari:"A part of me feels flattered and another part feels offended."

Fuutarou:"Then I want red hair!"

Kotoha:"No! You're not changing your hair, not to yellow, red, green, blue, purple, nothing."

…

...

Kotoha was driving home with her windows down in the middle of the night. However, something caught her eye when she started hearing constant crying. On the side of the road was a little baby carrier, inside was a little girl. Kotoha tried looking for her parents, but it was too late, so she decided to go home. As she walked in with the baby, Isanari simply stared at her with death in his eyes.

Isanari:"...I'm scared to ask."

It took a while to explain. The next day, and for the next month, they attempted to look for the little girl's parents, but had no luck. Eventually…

Kotoha:"Say...I've been thinking about this, but...the doctor said having another child would be far more dangerous, right? Then…"

Isanari:"I already know how you're gonna end that sentence..I will say I've grown attached to the little gal. I would say that we should still look for her parents...but if it's already been a month...Either those are some super irresponsible parents or…"

Kotoha:"...Haha, looks like you're staying with us for a little bit longer."

Isanari:"She probably already has a name, but we don't know it, so we'll need to call her by something. We've just been calling her baby this entire time..."

Kotoha:"We'll call her Raiha!"

Isanari:"...You already had it in mind?"

Kotoha:"For a while now. Is that selfish of me?"

Isanari:"Honestly."

Isanari hugs Kotoha.

Isanari:"Don't worry about it. I'm way more selfish."

Kotoha:"I don't know if that counts as an excuse."

With a new addition to the family, Kotoha and Isanari would continue to live their modest lives in peace...for a little under a year.

End of Chapter 45