Chapter 19

Chapter 19

T he day of the book sale dawns the kind of perfect autumn morning that makes you want to throw open the windows and let the fresh air pour in. I take a deep breath as I step outside, filling my lungs with the sweet, earthy scent of fallen leaves and wood smoke. It’s going to be a good day. I can feel it in my bones.

By the time Daichi, Gia, Yuriko and I arrive at the community hall about twenty minutes before the scheduled start, there’s already a sizable crowd gathered out front. Dozens of people are milling about, clutching tote bags and pulling little wagons, all awaiting the chance to browse the Book Club’s remaining wares.

My heart swells at the sight. I knew there would be a decent turnout for this final farewell event, but this… this is incredible. All these people coming to show their appreciation and support one last time.

“Well, would you look at that?” Gia remarks, shading her eyes against the morning sun as she surveys the assembled crowd. “Looks like half of Yamato is here already.”

She’s not wrong. I pick familiar faces out of the crowd — the Watanabe family from three blocks over, little Kenta and his mom who I helped pair with their corgi last spring, even old Mrs. Aoki from the bakery down the street. They wave when they spot me, smiles stretching wide in warm welcome.

“Better get this show on the road before they storm the gates,” Daichi says, holding open the doors for us. “You ready to handle this horde, boss lady?”

I laugh as I pass him at the door.

“With you here backing me up? Absolutely. I’m ready to take on pretty much anything at this point.”

Daichi’s smile is soft and full of promise as his gaze lingers on me. Gia rolls her eyes.

“Ugh, you guys are gross,” she says, winking.

Yuriko laughs as she shoulders past.

I step in close to Daichi and thread my arm around his waist. “I should probably go help them get everything set up.” I tilt my head up to meet his eyes. “You know, before the real madness kicks off.”

“You do what you need to,” Daichi replies, giving me one last lingering look. “I’ll be right here whenever you need an extra set of hands, or… you know, whatever else you might need from me today.”

The innuendo in his tone sends a thrill through me. I bite my lip against the giddy smile threatening to split my face.

“Down, boy,” I tease, stepping away from him. “Save that energy for when we’re off the clock later, hmm?”

Daichi throws his head back with a rich burst of laughter. I love the way his whole face lights up when he gets that deep, unrestrained belly laugh going.

In fact… I’m pretty sure I just love him, full stop.

Leaving Daichi to greet and direct the incoming crowd, I glance over my shoulder to watch him for a moment. He exudes easy charisma and warmth, flashing wide smiles and showing crinkling laugh lines to the steady stream of arrivals.

Yeah. Yeah, I’m in love with this incredible man and everything he represents. How could I not be, after everything we’ve been through together over these past few weeks?

Still, Winta in love? That’s extraordinary.

My smile turns wistful as I head inside to the controlled chaos awaiting me. Gia and Yuriko are already fielding a swarm of eager book-hunters, guiding traffic flow and pointing out the various sections we’ve arranged across the hall. Raj and Haru are setting up the makeshift checkout station, waving at me as I pass by to do a quick sweep of the floor.

Everywhere I look, I find reminders of the Book Club’s lasting legacy and its profound impact on many lives in Yamato. Little Mikey is here with his moms and the puppy he rescued during the storm. They’re all browsing the kids’ section with bright smiles. In the romance aisle, I spot Akio and Kiko. They’re playfully bickering while stacking up armfuls of books.

And there, right in the center, is my family — my parents and all my siblings with their respective partners and kids in tow. Ean spots me first, raising a hand to wave me over with his usual warm grin. Ume sits on his shoulder, her dark eyes watching the crowd.

“Hey! This is great, Winta! Almost the whole town is here,” he calls out as I approach, pulling me into one of his trademark bear hugs. “I was wondering when we’d see you.”

I huff out a breathless laugh as he finally releases me, only for my mother to sweep me up next in her embrace.

“Oh, Winta,” Mom murmurs, cupping my face in her soft palms. “Look at you. You are glowing over this incredible turnout. You should be so proud of yourself.”

Suri, Myra, Tilli, Demi, and Rosa chime in with words of congratulations and encouragement. My father watches me with that inscrutable yet unmistakably proud look he always gets whenever I’ve accomplished something meaningful.

“Thank you, all of you,” I finally manage once I’ve gotten around to hugging them all. “Just… Thank you for being here. Thanks for always supporting me, no matter what crazy path I choose to follow.”

They chuckle, and Ean loops an arm around my shoulders, giving me an affectionate squeeze.

“Are you kidding? And miss the chance to be here for the book sale?” He scoffs. “We wouldn’t be anywhere else. The Great Menagerie Book Club meant the world to all of us, you know that.”

I know it. I’ve always known how much the club and its teachings resonated with each one of them over the years, just as it did for me. Which is why seeing them here, surrounding me with their love and support? Well, it makes this goodbye easier to handle.

Nodding, I turn to survey the swelling crowd with a determined gleam in my eye. I may be bidding farewell to this cherished chapter of my life, but I’m not letting the Book Club’s spirit fade away into obscurity without a fight.

“Your mom tells me you took a job with PairTech,” Dad says, as everyone files away to pick up more books. He stands next to me, shoulder to shoulder, surveying the crowd. “That can’t have been an easy decision.”

I smile at him. “Probably as hard a decision as you retiring from being mayor.” I raise my eyebrows at him and he laughs.

“So, not too hard at all? Except for the heart attack.”

I shake my head. “No heart attacks here. Just a storm dropping a tree on the club.”

He leans in and bumps his shoulder against mine. “For what it’s worth, I think you made the right decision.” He jerks his chin at Daichi, speaking with Suri a few rows over. “With him, too. Bring him by the house soon for dinner.”

In the past, that invitation would have caused most of us to flee the city and never look back. But Dad’s mellowed in the last few years and learned the way to keep his family close is to give us space.

“Will do.”

The book sale’s a massive hit, way better than we expected. By the last hour, we’ve almost sold out, even the weird academic texts and old history books.

I do one last walk around, feeling grateful seeing everyone leave with stacks of stories and knowledge. The community really came together for the Book Club, keeping its legacy alive.

Eventually, the crowd thins out, leaving my family, Gia, Yuriko, and a few others among the almost empty tables. Gia flops onto one of the few remaining boxes with a tired groan.

“Well, I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m pretty sure I’ve worked up enough of an appetite to eat an entire horse after today,” she declares. “Please tell me there are plans for some sort of celebratory feasting happening soon?”

I laugh as I join her on the box. “Well, I don’t know about feasting, but Daichi did mention maybe cooking up something special for us back at his place…”

My gaze finds him across the room where he’s chatting with Ean, looking at home amidst the chaos of my family, as always. Our eyes meet, and the heated look he flashes me has my pulse kicking up a few notches. Mmmm.

Gia doesn’t miss the silent exchange, letting out a low whistle as she elbows me in the side.

“Is that so?” She waggles her eyebrows. “Well, in that case, maybe the rest of us should make ourselves scarce and give you two some alone time. You know, to properly celebrate this new chapter and all…”

Heat rushes to my cheeks, and a tiny smile tugs at my lips. Gia’s teasing always flusters me, but she’s right about Daichi and me reaching a new level of intimacy recently.

A level I’m ready to take further tonight.

Goosebumps rise on my arms as I glance at Daichi crossing the room. He’s unfairly gorgeous with tousled hair, sharp angles, and that warm, roguish smile that weakens my knees.

And he’s all mine. This incredible, insightful, compassionate soul has chosen me. I’m done second-guessing our connection.

Tonight, I’ll show Daichi how ready I am to embrace our bond in every way.

No more holding back, no more hesitation.

“You about ready to head out?” Daichi’s voice cuts through my thoughts as he approaches, slinging one arm around my shoulders. “I was thinking maybe we could pick up some ingredients for sukiyaki on the way back to my place and some saké to celebrate the huge turnout.”

I love the fact that he has never once overstepped, never once assumed I was ready for something I wasn’t. This man, I swear…

Looping my arms around his waist, I rise to my tiptoes to brush my lips against the sharp line of his jaw, letting them linger for a heated beat.

“How about we skip the grocery run and head straight back?” I murmur, low and heated against his skin. “I’m kind of in the mood for something… else this evening.”

Daichi’s sharp inhale is all the response I need. I can’t resist pressing another lingering kiss to the throbbing pulse point beneath his ear, delighting in the way it makes his entire body go taut with sudden tension.

“You’re sure about this?” His voice has gone low in a way that has arousal sparking bright and hot in my core. “Because once we start down that road, Winta, I don’t know if I’ll be able to hold back.”

“I’m sure.” I pull back enough to meet the blazing heat of his gaze. “I’m ready. More than ready.”

The words seem to flip a switch inside him.

“Let’s go,” he insists. “Now. Before I do something to you in public that I shouldn’t.”

We wave goodbye and walk, almost run, the six blocks to his apartment. I laugh as we skip the elevator and go straight for the stairs, skipping them two at a time, practically flying up them.

Inside his apartment, Itsuko is gone for the night. Daichi closes the door and lets out a low, rumbling groan, hauling me flush against him as he captures my lips, his mouth crashing down on mine in a searing, hungry kiss that leaves me reeling.

This is it. Tonight, I’m going to let go. No more holding back, no more second-guessing the intensity of our connection. I’m ready to see where this passionate, all-consuming fire between us leads.

Our lips move as though they were made to fit together, tongues tangling, leaving me breathless. Daichi’s hands roam my body, sending shivers of pleasure coursing through me as he maps out every curve and hollow. His touch is sure, confident, yet somehow still reverent — as if he’s just as in awe of this connection between us as I am.

Daichi’s hands are everywhere at once, skimming up my back to bury themselves in the thick mass of my hair, gripping my hips to draw me closer still. His lips are relentless, sucking and nipping at my bottom lip before delving deep into my mouth to tangle his tongue with mine.

The heat between us is a fiery inferno threatening to consume us whole. I’m gasping for air, my heart hammering in my chest as Daichi lifts me up and presses me back against the nearest wall.

I’m the first to moan. The sound rips from my throat as he cups my breast through my blouse, his calloused fingertips finding the hardened peak of my nipple. My legs weaken at the contact, and I cling to him for support, grinding my hips against the hard bulge tenting his jeans.

Daichi’s answering groan vibrates through my entire body, spurring me on. I’ve never felt this brazen, this uninhibited, but tonight… tonight, I’m ready to embrace this side of myself.

His mouth leaves a hot, damp trail against my jawline, trailing down to my neck, and then sucking at my collarbone. It sends a storm of pleasure through my veins, and I sigh. I can taste the salt of his skin as my hand finds its way to the nape of his neck, urging him closer.

He breaks the kiss, staring into my eyes. “Are you sure?” His fingers slip into the elastic of my underwear, ghosting across the top of my ass.

When I say yes, he’s going to show me what I’ve been missing out on for weeks.

Go for it, Winta.

“Yes,” I breathe, and he captures the last bit with his mouth.

He lifts me with ease, and I wrap my legs around his waist. Being carried by him, the feeling is electric, and I hum into his neck as he walks us towards the bedroom.

As we enter, he lays me down on his bed, stepping back just long enough to strip off his shirt. He watches me with heated eyes, then reaches down to unbuckle his belt. The slow reveal of his muscular torso makes my heart pound with anticipation.

When he stands before me, fully undressed, I’m struck by how beautiful he is. A trail of dark hair leads from his navel down into his briefs, teasing my eyes as he steps out of them. Seeing him like this, bare before me, is both arousing and exhilarating.

He climbs onto the bed and hovers over me. “It was worth it,” he whispers, leaning down to kiss my neck to my chest.

“What?” There’s hardly a puff of air left in my lungs. It’s gone. All gone.

“Everything.”

My clothes are soon off, and the press of his warm body to mine is like a drug. Intoxicating. Addictive. I want more, more, more. More touch. More kissing. More of his body on mine.

As we reach our peak, the world falls away, and it’s just Daichi and me. Just us. All the ghosts of my past banished into the night. I refuse to think of them anymore. I’m ready to move on.

Waves of pleasure wash over me, relentless, unending, mind-numbing. I’m acutely aware of the connection we’ve created, and I never want it to end. It’s a bond that goes beyond the physical, rooted deep within our very essence as individuals, as lovers, and more.

I love it. I love this. I have wanted this for a long, long time, and I finally have it.

As the night ticks over into early morning, our eyes close and limbs tremble. Daichi looks at me, his eyes filled with love and an unshakable resolve. “Stay with me,” he mumbles, as he falls asleep.

“Mmhmm,” I say, snuggling into his side.

With a bone-deep sigh, I know, without a doubt, this is what we were made for. I don’t need anything more than this.

He is my perfect pair.