Return With The Bride

Shinji's Big Reveal

[The atmosphere in the corridor is tense as Shinji's friends and a growing crowd of students process what just happened.]

Kazama, Chojie, Hasio: (simultaneously) "Shinji, WHO is she?! And what did she just call you?!"

Surrounding Students:

"What's happening here?" "Wait… are they really married?" "No way, this has to be a joke!"

[Shinji stands frozen in place, sweat forming on his forehead as he feels the weight of everyone's eyes on him.]

Shinji: (awkwardly, nervous chuckle) "Well, guys… as you can see, um… she's my wife."

[Dead silence. And then—]

Chojie: (dramatic gasp) "You… BROKE my heart and ran away!" (pretends to faint)

Kazama: (clutching his chest) "You betrayed us! What happened to the promise we made to stay single together?!"

[Shinji blinks as an old memory resurfaces—a flashback of a past moment where the four of them dramatically vowed to stay single forever, swearing their 'brotherhood' would never be broken.]

Shinji: (thinking, exasperated) "Are they seriously still holding on to that dumb promise?!"

[Chojie starts dramatically fake-crying, clinging onto Hasio.]

Hasio & Kazama: (suspiciously) "So this is what you meant when you said you were 'safe' earlier?!"

Shinji: (grinning) "Yeah. Now let's see how you two manage to stay 'safe' from being single forever."

[Hasio and Kazama freeze, suddenly looking genuinely nervous.]

Kazama/Hasio: (panicked) "W-Wait! What do you mean?! Safe from what?!"

Chojie: (confused) "Wait, what are you guys even talking about?"

Shinji, Hasio, Kazama: (in sync) "NOTHING!"

[Elie, still holding the lunchbox, watches the chaos unfold, blinking in curiosity. Shinji catches her looking and quickly clears his throat.]

Shinji: "Alright, enough of this. Let's move to the cafeteria."

Cafeteria Lunch & Shinji's 'Story'

[The group settles at a table in the cafeteria. Elie places the lunchbox down while Shinji sits beside her. Hasio leans in, his curiosity still burning.]

Hasio: "Alright, Shinji. When did you get married? And how did you meet?"

[Shinji takes a deep breath, knowing he has to answer carefully.]

Shinji: (thinking) "I should keep it simple... and use the same fake story I told Yuxi."

Shinji: (casually) "We got married three days ago. We've actually known each other for a long time… blah blah blah…"

[He smoothly repeats the made-up story he told Yuxi, making it sound natural. As he speaks, he glances at Elie, who looks slightly confused.]

Elie: (thinking) "This again…?"

[Hasio, Kazama, and Chojie listen attentively, nodding at parts, and then—]

Kazama/Hasio: (serious, looking at Elie) "Sister-in-law, we're really sorry for what you went through. Shinji's an idiot, but he's a good guy. He'll take care of you."

Elie: (thinking) "I should play my role properly…" (smiling sweetly) "Thank you. Shinji really is a great person."

[Shinji, mid-sip of water, suddenly chokes. He coughs, feeling his face heat up as Elie praises him so naturally.]

Shinji: (blushing, coughing) "A-Ahem! Alright, enough talking. Let's eat!"

Hasio: "Yeah, we should!"

A Small Discovery

[Shinji hands the menu card to Elie.]

Shinji: "See if there's anything you like."

[Elie nods, scanning the menu. Shinji watches, then suddenly realizes—]

Shinji: (thinking, panicked) "Shi#… She doesn't know how to read!"

[Just as he's about to react, Elie calmly points at an item.]

Elie: "I think I'll have the simple meal in the right corner of the menu."

Shinji: (leaning in, whispering) "Wait… can you read?"

Elie: (whispering back) "Yes."

Shinji: (shocked) "How?!"

Elie: (genuinely confused) "I… don't know. But I can."

Shinji: (thinking) "That's… interesting. But if she can read, that makes things easier." (smiling slightly) "Well, that's good."

[Kazama and Hasio, still eating, suddenly groan.]

Kazama: "Can you two not be all lovey-dovey in front of us?"

Hasio: "Yeah, we can barely handle it. But what about Chojie?"

[Shinji and Elie blink in confusion before glancing at Chojie, who is still dramatically fake-crying into his food.]

Elie: (staring at him) "…?"

Shinji: (sighing) "Don't look at him. He's just a fool who's going to be single forever."

Chojie: (suddenly defensive) "I AM NOT SINGLE!"

Hasio: (laughing) "Oh, we know who's single and who isn't."

Chojie: (confused) "Wait… what does that mean?"

Post-Lunch Farewell

[After finishing lunch, the group heads toward the college entrance.]

Shinji: "Alright, guys. I'm heading home. See you tomorrow."

Kazama/Hasio: "Alright, see ya!"

Chojie: (dramatic, hand on heart) "You've already left my heart… so what's the point of leaving early?!"

Elie: (confused, blinking) "…?"

Shinji: (sighing) "Just ignore him. He's an idiot."

Hasio: "Can you stop being dramatic?"

Chojie: (suddenly serious, smiling) "Nah… I just wanted to say, I'm really happy to see my best friend smiling again."

[Shinji stops for a moment, looking at Chojie as a memory surfaces—a past moment of them laughing together during college days. For ten years in another world, Shinji never felt this warmth. But now… it was back.]

Hasio/Kazama: (grinning) "Awww, are you sure you're not gay?"

Chojie: (annoyed) "I'M NOT!"

Kazama: (mock serious) "I think he is! We should stay away!"

Chojie: (suddenly clinging to Hasio) "Fine! Then you stay with me!"

Kazama: (panicking) "NOPE!" (runs away)

[Shinji chuckles, watching his chaotic friends. As he glances at Elie walking beside him, a quiet thought crosses his mind.]

Shinji: (thinking) "Maybe this really is a fresh start…"