🌸 “The Truth Behind Ayumi’s Smile”
Scene 1 — Morning Tension
The episode opens with Haruto and Miyuri walking down the shrine steps toward school. The air feels heavier than usual. Miyuri keeps glancing at Haruto, then quickly looking away.
Haruto notices.
Haruto:
“You’re quiet today.”
Miyuri:
“I’m fine.”
She is absolutely not fine.
Before Haruto can press further, Souta and Rika catch up to them.
Souta:
“Morning! So, rumor has it Ayumi’s been asking about Haruto again.”
Miyuri stiffens.
Haruto sighs.
Haruto:
“Please don’t start.”
Rika:
“Oh, I’m starting. This is prime drama.”
Koharu appears behind them, expression calm as always.
Koharu:
“The gods say jealousy is a sign of attachment.”
Miyuri nearly trips on the stairs.
---
Scene 2 — Ayumi’s Request
At school, Ayumi approaches Haruto the moment he enters the classroom.
Ayumi:
“Minase-kun! Can we talk after class?”
Miyuri freezes mid‑step.
Rika grabs her arm to stop her from storming over.
Rika:
“Let’s not commit murder before lunch.”
Haruto looks confused but nods.
Haruto:
“Sure… I guess.”
Ayumi beams.
Ayumi:
“Great! I’ll wait by the courtyard tree.”
Miyuri’s eye twitches.
---
Scene 3 — Lunchtime: Miyuri’s Breaking Point
The group eats on the rooftop again, but the mood is tense. Miyuri pokes her food without eating.
Haruto:
“Miyuri… you’re not eating.”
Miyuri:
“I’m not hungry.”
Souta leans back, watching her.
Souta:
“You’re jealous.”
Miyuri:
“I am NOT jealous!”
Rika pats her head like she’s a grumpy cat.
Rika:
“You’re jealous. It’s adorable.”
Miyuri groans and hides her face.
Miyuri:
“I just… I don’t like how close she gets to him.”
Koharu nods.
Koharu:
“Then you should tell him.”
Miyuri shakes her head.
Miyuri:
“He already has so much to deal with… I don’t want to be a burden.”
Haruto overhears that last part and looks genuinely hurt.
---
Scene 4 — Ayumi’s Confession
After school, Haruto walks to the courtyard tree. Ayumi stands there, hands clasped nervously.
Ayumi:
“Thanks for coming.”
Haruto nods politely.
Haruto:
“What did you want to talk about?”
Ayumi takes a deep breath.
Ayumi:
“I… I like you, Minase-kun.”
Haruto’s eyes widen.
Haruto:
“Ayumi… I—”
She cuts him off, shaking her head.
Ayumi:
“Wait. Let me finish.”
Her voice trembles, but she keeps going.
Ayumi:
“I like you… but I also know you’re not interested in me. You’re always looking at someone else.”
Haruto freezes.
Ayumi:
“And honestly… you remind me of someone.”
Haruto blinks.
Haruto:
“Someone?”
Ayumi smiles sadly.
Ayumi:
“My older brother. He passed away last year.”
Haruto’s expression softens.
Ayumi:
“You look like him. The way you talk, the way you stay calm… even the way you worry about others.”
She laughs weakly.
Ayumi:
“I think… I confused missing him with liking you.”
Haruto lets out a slow breath.
Haruto:
“Ayumi… thank you for telling me.”
She wipes her eyes.
Ayumi:
“I’m not going to chase you. I just wanted to be honest.”
She steps back.
Ayumi:
“And… I hope you treat the girl you like properly. She gets jealous easily.”
Haruto turns red.
Haruto:
“H-How did you—”
Ayumi:
“It’s obvious. You look at her like she’s your whole world.”
Haruto’s heart stops for a moment.
Ayumi smiles — genuinely this time.
Ayumi:
“Go to her.”
---
Scene 5 — The Shrine at Sunset
Haruto returns to the shrine. Miyuri is sweeping the courtyard again, her shoulders tense.
He walks up to her.
Haruto:
“Miyuri.”
She doesn’t look at him.
Miyuri:
“Did you have a nice talk with Ayumi?”
Her voice cracks slightly.
Haruto gently takes the broom from her hands.
Haruto:
“She confessed.”
Miyuri’s breath catches.
Miyuri:
“Oh…”
Haruto:
“And I turned her down.”
She finally looks up, eyes wide.
Haruto:
“She said I only look at one girl.”
Miyuri swallows.
Miyuri:
“Who…?”
Haruto steps closer, cheeks pink.
Haruto:
“You.”
Miyuri’s face turns bright red.
Miyuri:
“H-Haruto…”
He takes her hand — not by accident, not shyly, but deliberately.
Haruto:
“You’re my wife. I don’t want anyone else.”
Her eyes soften, filling with warmth.
Miyuri:
“I’m glad… I’m really glad.”
They stand together under the glowing lanterns, hands intertwined.
---
Scene 6 — Final Shot
From the shadows, Rika, Souta, and Koharu watch.
Rika:
“Finally! Progress!”
Souta:
“Took them four episodes.”
Koharu:
“The gods approve.”
The fox statues glow faintly as cherry blossoms drift around the couple.
Episode 4 End
---
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