It's the evening of December 24 and Rei, Ririko and Yamato had dinner with Chitose alongside the Kawamoto's and Ririko's friends.
They had dinner in Angelica's restaurant that's why her place was closed because they will be having a little reunion for the night.
These past days Ririko's had a break from her lingering thoughts about the future, she has been able to relax and enjoy Manoyama even if it's just for a while, even though the night was noisy Ririko didn't mind it and she actually enjoyed the night.
As for the Kawamoto's even though it's their 2nd time to be with Manoyama, they didn't feel out of place, the people of Manoyama made them feel that they belong.
As usual some guys are attracted to Akari but as for her, she sees them as friends, Kousuke and Hina has also talked about their college lives which makes Erika really jealous but Kouske ensured her that he only has eyes for her.
The next morning was Christmas and Yamato unlike his parents when they were kids was lively, he received a present from his parents which was a shogi book for beginners and an apron representing both his parents hobbies.
Yamato gladly accepted it and his parents was happy because normally kids would want a toy but not for Yamato.
He also receives some from his grandmother, the Kawamotos and Ririko's friends.
Even if it's holiday Ririko still practices cooking, it seems that she has completely lost interest in the occult, it's unknown if it's a good thing or a bad thing but the good side there is that Rirko is enjoying her new hobby.
As for Rei, even if he doesn't think much of it, he was quite famous in Manoyama, a lot of people are asking him to teach them shogi, so much so that he was invited in Manoyama's middle school to teach middle schoolers to play shogi.
It was also an open event so it's not just the students but kids and adults can also join.
The Rei was happy that the audience was satisfied on how he teaches shogi, people are understanding how he teaches and even Hina told him that his way of teaching has improved.
After that there was a dinner held in the school and soon everyone left, Rei and Yoshino walked home together.
"Yoshino-san you're really killing it in your job huh?"
"pretty much, I still have anxiety and doubts but we gotta battle those demons yeah?"
And then.
"So Rei, what made you decide to marry Ririko? I mean I know you guys were a couple when she got pregnant, but you guys barely known each other, if that happened to others, they could have talked their ways out of it.
But of course I do say you made a good decision I mean every kid deserved a complete family"
Rei looks up for a few seconds.
"Yeah, at first it was just out of responsibility, my parents and my friends always told me never to run away from someone, but I got know Ririko more, it's that I can relate to her, but I've been observing her and I kinda see her strengths and weaknesses.
I know it's Ironic it came from me because I don't even know my strengths and weakness but I do see Ririko's and I think that's a reason why I stayed with her" REi anwered.
"You sure it's love and not empathy alright?" Yoshino clarified.
"You know what? I think you're right, I saw Ririko I see myself as well, she has a hard time finding her place so I wanted to help her, but I guess it's because I stayed with her that I fell in love at her" Rei responded.
"How about you Yoshino-san do have an eye for someone right now?" Rei asked.
"None as of the moment" Yoshino answered.
Meanwhile in the Oribe household Ririko spends her time trying to create a new dish, however it seems that Ririko is in a slump as her dishes was so-so, although it was alright for her family.
During the night, Rei wasn't around so it was Ririko, Yamato and Chitose who had dinner.
Chitose was really impressed at Ririko at how far she had gotten in cooking
"Ririko you really improved in cooking, back you can only cook simple meals like Fish and eggs but now you're not even satisfied in what you're cooking" Chitose said.
"At first I just want to be a good wife, but the more Rei and Yamato praises me, the more I want to improve more in cooking, I started to learn more about how to cook, not just to cook good food, but to cook what foods are right for Rei and Yamato" Ririko replied.
"So Ririko, how is your marriage life with Rei, is everything doing okay?" Chitose asked.
"Yeah we're doing okay, Rei is really nice, I was never really interested in getting married nor think that someone will like me, but Rei made me eat my words.
However it seems that Rei is too nice that I don't know what to do anymore" Ririko answered.
"What do you mean?" Chitose asked again.
"Rei treats me like a queen, and I like it, however he is so nice that I feel like whatever I'll say he'll say yes to it. Sometimes I wonder is that really Rei's thoughts, I know he has a pure heart but I guess we could have some more husband and wife talks.
When I said I wanna go to college he said yes with no if's, since then it his efforts has doubled, sometimes he now does he house works because I'm too busy in college and It makes me feel guilty especially if I didn't perform well in class" Ririko answered.
Whenever class is not good he would welcome me with a smile, would offer me dinner, sometimes I wonder if someone like me is the right person for him" she added.
Because of that Chitose suddenly gets up and huge Ririko much to the latter's surprise her grandmother is not the clingy type though she is nice.
"You really did grow as a good woman" Chitose said.
The next morning Ririko roamed Manoyama, she really misses her town and she ended up in Angelica's restaurant and Angelica offered her with some food.
"Angelica-san why did you start your own restaurant, what's the motivation?" Ririko asked.
Angelica smiled.
"I really have a lot of reasons why I started a restaurant here, I wanted to bring something new to Manoyama and at the same time wanted a stable income for my family. I'm not really good in anything other than fortune telling and being a housewife, so when I had enough money I decided to start a resutaurant." Angelica Answered.
With those words Ririko suddenly felt like she knows what she will do, she was still a child when Angelica opened up her restaurant and she knows what she has been through.
Angelica restaurant had her ups and downs and at some point was on the verge of closing down but still she's running the restaurant.
After that Ririko continues roaming around as she met with a former classmate in high school, at was all normal at first but when she got home she felt somewhat uneasy.
Later that night
"Dad how was your day?" Yamato asked.
"Yamato, it was really fun, I had a great time teaching shogi to mama's friends" Rei answered.
With that Ririko's eyes widen a little, she then noticed that Rei has been spending time with others particularly with Yoshino and she noticed that Rei and Yoshino are both laughing while walking.
"Rei was it fun?" Ririko asked in a sad tone.
Quickly Rei realized what she wants to say.
"Ahhh..Ririko It's just shogi I swear and we just had a talk about life, but seriously you're my number one!" Rei said.
Rei then quickly hugs Ririko to comfort her in which Ririko accepted.
Ririko knows that Rei is not that type of person, even if their marriage is because of an unplanned pregnancy and their relationship was not really that romantic back then, Rei still treats her like a proper wife and lady.
"I'm not upset just because I'm jealous, but I'm more upset at myself, why do I feel like this when I know Rei will never cheat on me and when I know that Yoshino supported me throughout my pregnancy and married life, I'm so selfish" Ririko thought.
They had dinner and went to bed together, Yamato sleeps with his grandmother, while Rei and Ririko of course sleeps together.
While trying to fall asleep Rei suddenly felt Ririko's hug, thus this means there's something that Ririko wants to say.
"Rei, if by chance you feel like you're giving me too much just say so okay?" Ririko said.
"Ririko, what made you say that?"
"You've been very supportive at me in everything I do, when I said I wanted to go back to school you didn't hesitate and just said yes. When I needed something in my class you immediately buy it.
I know you make a lot of money from Shogi but I feel guilty that every time I ask you something you give it to me without any hesitations while I can't give you anything." Ririko confessed.
Rei then quickly realized what Ririko is trying to say, however he doesn't know what to say.
There was a silence for a few seconds until Rei hugs Ririko tight.
"Ririko, I guess I'm just really lucky you're my wife" Rei said.
Ririko doesn't get his actions.
"Why would say that?" she asked.
"I don't know I just feel like saying so" Rei answered
"Wait, don't tell me you're in a mood for doing it?" Ririko again asked.
Rei Blushed heavily.
"WHA…WHAT ARE YOU SAYING I…" Rei said but he can't follow up.
Ririko then laughs.
"Yep you really are Rei, even if when we did it a couple of times since our marriage you still feel shy and embarrassed about it, well I am too, so I guess we're too of a kind" she said.
"Hey Rei, when did we last did it?" Ririko asks.
Rei looks up.
"I guess a few months before you enrolled, to be honest it's so long that I can't remember it" he said.
"It's been so long huh? People said sex is an important part in a married life that if there's not much sex in a married couple they'll get bored with each other" Ririko said.
"But in our case things are different I guess. We just wanted comfort and someone that will pat our backs and will say to us "you did good""
After that Rei and Ririko shared a kiss and it wasn't that long before they got intimate, it's been a while since they did it and even if they're both shy when it comes to talking about sex, when they are doing it their shyness goes away like magic.
"I know I can't say anything, I know I've been spoiling Ririko, I don't how to be a perfect husband, I'm bad at talking to people I don't know any household chores, I'm not manly enough to protect them from bad people.
So I thought giving them what they need is at least I can do, so I worked like crazy but of course I still spend time with them, but I thought I was doing a fine job.
I guess there's a lot to learn, one thing is for sure though. I'll make sure Ririko won't regret choosing me.
