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If the proposal was a dream, the wedding planning was a full-contact sport.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatDoJ65NrF
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"Kevin, we cannot have a ramen bar at the wedding reception," Shino said, rubbing her temples as she stared at a spreadsheet that was starting to look like a complex military maneuver. "My mother wants French cuisine. She’s already invited three aunts I haven't seen since the third grade."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjCyn9Lt5W
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Kevin was sitting on the floor, surrounded by fabric swatches for his tuxedo. "But it’s our thing, Shin-chan! It’s the brand! Besides, do you know how much people actually like tiny hors d'oeuvres? They’re still hungry after the party. A late-night ramen station is a service to humanity."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFiLv0eAFmP
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"It's a service to your stomach," Shino countered, but she couldn't hide her smile.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5JWDCGOkz
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For three months, their apartment became a war room. The "leaky ceiling" apartment was now the "venue-hunting, guest-list-fighting, budget-crunching" headquarters. Shino wanted a quiet ceremony near a library or a shrine; Kevin wanted something where his teammates could celebrate without feeling like they were in a museum.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHPX6j3Ml9
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But the real curveball didn't come from the guest list.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPKuxASz3i
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One evening, Kevin came home later than usual. He didn't drop his bag with his usual enthusiastic thud. He sat at the table, his face pale, staring at a thick envelope from the Industrial League’s medical board.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvt18khg1FJ
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"The shoulder?" Shino asked, her voice dropping an octave.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajjIjyLCiv
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Kevin didn't speak. He just handed her the letter.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCG2kNg5nvj
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The "Grade 2" tear from years ago had never truly left him. It had become chronic. The medical board was recommending an immediate transition to a full-time coaching or administrative role. His days as a starting pitcher—the very thing that had defined his career and helped fund their future—were over.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGZUmJtTa8
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"They’re offering me the Assistant Manager position for the regional scout team," Kevin said, his voice hollow. "It’s a good job. Better pay, actually. But Shino... I won’t be on the mound anymore. Not even for the corporate games."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CbBUlhEsc
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The wedding was only four months away. The "Pitcher and the Editor" was their identity. Shino felt a familiar pang of fear—not for their relationship, but for the light in Kevin's eyes.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHOeovwGfK
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She walked over to him, pulled his head against her chest, and held him.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4gOLP2euD
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"The story isn't changing, Kevin," she whispered. "Just the setting. You’re not a pitcher because of the ball in your hand. You’re a pitcher because of the heart you put into every game. If you're managing now, then you'll just be the one leading the whole team to the win."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNOj50BCrEI
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Kevin looked up, his eyes glassy. "I was worried you'd think I was failing. That the wedding... that we should scale back."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJzZTO4TtN
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Shino reached for her spreadsheet and, with a flourish of her red editing pen, crossed out "French Cuisine."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wxBCOnQP7
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"We're not scaling back," she said firmly. "But we are doing it our way. We’re having the ramen bar. And we’re having the ceremony at the old park near Sakuragi High, where you first taught me how to throw a ball."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5s0rhA45YP
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Kevin let out a shaky breath, a small, genuine smile finally breaking through. "The park? With the old oak tree?"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUAgtJDabK
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"The one I used to be too scared to jump down from," Shino said. "Because I know you'll still be there to catch me."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFjrr6fNvN
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The curveball had been thrown, but Shino didn't miss. She hit it right out of the park. They realized that a wedding wasn't about the perfect party—it was about promising to stay in the game, even when the coach pulls you from the mound.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLIOEfvzHF
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