Life has a way of teaching lessons, whether we choose to learn them or not. Himari, however, had a knack for ignoring them. From a young age, she repeated the same mistakes over and over. To some, her actions seemed baffling, even foolish. But for Himari, it wasn't as simple as learning and moving on. Her mind was a labyrinth of chaos, flooded with problems that she couldn't seem to escape.
It wasn't just how life had shaped her—it was how it was supposed to be, or so she believed. She was the odd one out, the misfit in a family that didn't quite know how to handle her. Her father often claimed she didn't love him, while her mother complained that Himari never listened. Maybe her mother was right. Or maybe Himari did listen, but her efforts went unnoticed. No one could say for sure, because Himari had locked herself away from the world.
She had her reasons. She'd always had a habit of oversharing, and that habit had cost her too much. Now, at 23 years old, Himari was grappling with a mountain of problems, each one piling on top of the last. But the greatest problem of all was herself. She didn't understand who she was or what she wanted. And when she sought help, the answer was always the same: Figure it out on your own.
So, she did figure it out—eventually. When her family found themselves drowning in immense debt, and her paternal uncles had already seized everything her father owned, Himari knew she had to act. Desperation led her to join a bridal matchmaking scheme in Tokyo. Surely, she thought, she could find a decent guy that way.
Proposals flooded in, but there was a catch—most of them were far from ideal. Some suitors were drunkards, others were much too old, and a few were downright bizarre. The whole ordeal was overwhelming, and just when Himari felt like giving up, her younger sister, Aiko, came up with an idea.
"Nee-san, I have an idea!" Aiko exclaimed with excitement. "We should make the suitors wait a hundred nights outside your room. If they last, they qualify!"
"Sure, sounds good," Himari replied with a nod, a faint smile spreading across her face. Somehow, the idea didn't seem so bad after all.
And so began the ordeal of the hundred nights. Suitors came and went, but not a single one lasted the full duration. With each failed attempt, Himari felt her hope slipping away.
One evening, as Himari sulked in the living room, her mother, Nagisa, sat across from her, her expression a mix of concern and frustration. "Honestly, Himari," she began, "I don't know what you were thinking with this ridiculous hundred-nights idea. No wonder no one's passed."
"It wasn't just my idea," Himari mumbled, fiddling with the hem of her sleeve. "Aiko suggested it."
Nagisa sighed deeply and shook her head. Later that night, she brought up Himari's predicament with her old friend Mikasa over tea.
"She's driving herself into a corner," Nagisa said, exasperated. "We're drowning in debt, and no suitor can pass this absurd trial she's set up."
Mikasa, a woman of the prestigious Matsumoto family, listened intently. After a moment of silence, she placed her cup down with a decisive clink. "Nagisa," she said firmly, "I'll handle this. My son, Kaito, is more than capable of meeting such a challenge."
Nagisa blinked, surprised. "Kaito? Are you sure? He's from the Matsumoto family. Himari's… well—"
"I know exactly who Himari is," Mikasa interrupted with a sly smile. "Trust me. If anyone can manage this 'hundred-nights' ordeal, it's my son. I'll make sure of it."
The next day, Mikasa called her son into the family's traditional tatami room. Kaito Matsumoto, a man of sharp features and an air of unshakable confidence, entered with a questioning look.
"Mother, what is it now? Another matchmaking scheme?" he asked, folding his arms as he leaned against the doorframe.
"Not just any scheme," Mikasa said, her tone carrying an edge of challenge. "I've found a bride for you."
Kaito raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And what makes this one different from the others?"
"She's… unconventional," Mikasa admitted with a slight smirk. "Her name is Himari, and she has a test for her suitors. A hundred nights outside her room. No one's passed yet."
Kaito blinked, then let out a low chuckle. "You're serious? A hundred nights? What is she trying to do, weed out the fainthearted?"
"Precisely," Mikasa replied, her gaze steady. "And I think you're the perfect man for the challenge. It's time you settled down, Kaito. This might even be fun for you."
Kaito straightened, a glint of curiosity in his eyes. "Alright," he said with a shrug. "I'll do it. But don't blame me if she falls for me too quickly. A hundred nights might not even be necessary."
Mikasa rolled her eyes but couldn't hide the smile tugging at her lips. "Just focus on passing the test first, Kaito. Then you can charm her all you like."
With that, Kaito's challenge was set. Little did he know, this ordeal would test not just his patience but also his understanding of the enigmatic woman waiting behind that door.
With that, Kaito Matsumoto's challenge was set. Little did he know, this ordeal would test not just his patience but his understanding of the enigmatic woman waiting behind that door.
With that, Kaito Matsumoto's challenge was set. Little did he know, this ordeal would test not just his patience but his understanding of the enigmatic woman waiting behind that door.
On the first night, Kaito arrived at the estate just as the sun dipped below the horizon. Dressed in a casual yukata, he exuded an air of calm confidence, as though the hundred nights ahead were a mere inconvenience. The corridor outside Himari's room was dimly lit by paper lanterns, their warm glow flickering against the polished wooden floor. He stood there, arms crossed, his expression unreadable, his sharp eyes scanning the quiet surroundings.
Inside, Himari sat by the door, her knees drawn to her chest. She hadn't expected the first suitor to show up so soon, let alone someone like him. Curiosity tugged at her, and despite herself, she leaned forward to peek through the small gap in the sliding door.
The sight of him made her breath hitch. It couldn't be. Her hands tightened around the edge of the frame as her heart began to pound. She stared at the man standing so casually outside her room, as though he had all the time in the world.
"It's him," she whispered, her voice barely audible even to herself. "Of all people…"
Memories she had buried long ago began to resurface, unbidden and unwelcome. She had thought she'd never have to see him again. Yet here he was, as if fate had played some cruel joke on her.
Outside, Kaito shifted his weight slightly, sensing movement from inside the room. His lips curved into a faint smirk, as if he knew she was watching. "You might as well come out and say hello," he called out, his voice smooth but laced with a hint of amusement. "It's going to be a long hundred nights, Himari."
Her stomach churned. How did he know her name? Had Mikasa told him? Or had he known all along? The questions swirled in her mind, but she didn't move. Instead, she pressed her back against the wall, willing her pulse to slow down.
As the night stretched on, Kaito remained outside, steadfast and unwavering. Himari, however, couldn't shake the growing sense of unease. This wasn't just about a trial of patience anymore—this was about the past she had desperately tried to escape.
And now, it was standing right outside her door.Like always Himari really was an idiot.