kamisato ayato was someone you grew up alongside, your families having a shared close friendship for generations. even after the death of his parents, you remained by his side through every hardship and challenge that followed.
and ever since you were children, people often spoke of the two of you as future spouses. eventually, one day, ayato stepped in and asked them to stop placing that expectation on you, insisting that you deserved the freedom to make your own choice.
but these words were spoken mainly for your comfort rather than in an effort to keep you free.
deep down, ayato had always believed that, in the end, you would choose him of your own accord. after all, he had spent his life caring for you, supporting you, and remaining by your side as well. why, then, would you ever feel the need to look elsewhere?
so when he finally catches a genuine blush spreading across your face, your voice trembling after he said something for no bigger reason other than him being so close, he realizes just how right he had been all along.
