The "pay wall" hadn't crumbled entirely, but for the first time, Sataru could see the horizon over the top of it.
The air in the hospital lobby was different today. It didn't smell like anxiety; it smelled like fresh beginnings. Sataru stood by the discharge desk, dressed in a clean button-down shirt—no tie, sleeves rolled up. Beside him stood Shino, holding a large bouquet of sunflowers and a small gift bag.
"You're nervous," Shino whispered, bumping her shoulder against his. "I can see your 'Serious Mode' twitching."
"It's different," Sataru admitted, adjusting his glasses. "At the office, I'm the Ace. At the hospital, I'm the son. But having you here... it feels like I'm bringing a legendary ally to the final boss room."
Shino giggled, adjusting her own glasses. "I've got my support buffs ready. Don't worry."
The doors to the recovery wing opened, and Hiroshi emerged, pushing a wheelchair. Sitting in it was a woman with a pale face but bright, intelligent eyes—Sataru’s mother, Mieko.
"Sataru!" she called out, her voice thin but warm. Her eyes immediately drifted to the beautiful woman standing next to her son. "And... who is this lovely person?"
Sataru stepped forward, kneeling beside the wheelchair. "Mom, this is Shino Madsudori. She’s... my colleague. And my friend."
Shino stepped forward with a graceful bow, the kind she usually reserved for high-stakes clients, but her smile was pure Otaku-sweetness. "It’s an honor to finally meet you, Mieko-san. Sataru talks about you constantly. Usually while he’s working through his lunch break."
Mieko’s eyes twinkled as she took the sunflowers. "Oh, does he? My son was always so serious, even as a little boy. I used to worry he’d forget how to smile because he was too busy looking at the floor." She looked up at Sataru, then back at Shino. "But he looks different today. He looks like he’s found something worth looking up for."
An hour later, they were back at the Asada household—a small, modest apartment kept spotless by Hiroshi’s disciplined hands. The smell of home-cooked miso soup and grilled mackerel filled the air.
"I'll help with the tea!" Shino volunteered, following Hiroshi into the kitchen before Sataru could protest.
Sataru sat on the tatami mat next to his mother’s futon. "Are you really okay, Mom? The doctors said—"
"The doctors said I need to rest, and I will," Mieko interrupted, patting his hand. "But Sataru... that girl. She’s the one from the stories, isn't she? The one with the blue ribbon?"
Sataru froze. "How did you—"
"You think I didn't notice you staring at that old ribbon for ten years?" she laughed softly. "You kept it in your wallet like a treasure. I always wondered if you’d ever find the girl it belonged to."
From the kitchen, the sound of Shino’s laughter rang out, followed by Hiroshi’s deep chuckle.
"She has a good heart, Sataru," Mieko whispered. "She doesn't look at you like you're a machine or a paycheck. She looks at you like you’re her hero."
When Shino returned with the tea tray, she sat down cross-legged, completely at ease. She spent the next hour showing Mieko pictures of her dog and—to Sataru’s slight embarrassment—explaining the plot of The Rising of the Shield Hero and why Sataru reminded her of the main character.
"And then," Shino said, her eyes shining behind her glasses, "he stood up to the most annoying guy in the office just to protect my honor. It was exactly like volume four!"
Hiroshi leaned against the doorframe, watching them. "You picked a good one, son. She’s got spirit."
As the sun began to set, casting long, golden shadows across the room, Sataru walked Shino to the train station. The quiet of the evening felt comfortable, the tension of the office replaced by a deep, settled peace.
"Thank you for coming," Sataru said, stopping at the station entrance. "My parents... they really liked you. My mom hasn't smiled like that in months."
Shino turned to face him, the station lights reflecting in her glasses. "I liked them too. They’re the reason you’re so kind, aren't they? They taught you that being 'serious' is just another way of saying you care."
She reached out and took his hand, her fingers interlacing with his. "We broke the pay wall today, Sataru. Your mom is home. You’re not alone anymore."
Sataru looked at their joined hands, then up at the woman he had saved ten years ago—the woman who was now saving him.
"Shino," he said, his voice dropping the last remnants of his "Serious Mode." "I don't just want you to be my party member. I want to stay by your side. At work, at home... everywhere."
Shino leaned in, resting her forehead against his. "Good. Because I'm not letting my hero go that easily. Besides," she teased, "I still have three more anime series you need to watch before you can officially 'level up' to boyfriend status."
Sataru laughed—a real, loud, unburdened sound that turned the heads of several commuters.
"Challenge accepted," he whispered, before leaning down to close the distance between them.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrQqic14cC
and then Add to home screen.