Marie and Shuu got engaged several months later. Shuu had explained to Marie that he wanted to marry quickly before his mother's health got worse, and she had easily agreed for the same reason.
Shuu was happy.
Marie was the reason he was happy. She was funny, sweet, and nice. He didn't feel so neglected anymore like he had half a year ago. Those feelings were gone, replaced by a wonder for new experiences.
In fact, they'd gotten along so well that he had proposed after just three months in front of Marie, her mother, and his mother. Marie's father was dead, and her mother was eager to have her married off to have a man watching over her. Shuu assured her that he would take good care of Marie, and her mother gave him her hand.
They were lying side-by-side one night when Marie stopped, scrolling through his phone. "Who is ThinKenAboutYou?"
Shuu laughed awkwardly. "An ex of mine."
"You kept her number?" Marie asked. "Don't worry, I'm not possessive, but I think it's strange."
Shuu smiled weakly. "I've just felt guilty about our relationship for a long time, how it ended and everything."
Marie shrugged. "That was six months ago. I'm sure she's fine. She's probably moved on by now."
Shuu nodded, uncertain, but the thought of Ken made his head hurt.
"There you go," Marie said, handing the phone back.
"Oh?"
"I deleted her number. Now you don't have to feel guilty anymore."
Shuu forced himself to smile. "Thanks, Marie."
He was just glad that Marie hadn't actually opened their messages. He still remembered their last texts.

***

Shuunshine:
I love you ❤️

ThinKenAboutYou:
I love you too.

***

But that was long over for Shuu. He hadn't thought about Ken in weeks. He was moving on with his life with a new, healthy relationship with a woman who didn't cage him with rules and commands. Marie was happy to be loved by Shuu. She didn't try to stop him.
He was happy.
Shuu was happy.
And if he told himself that enough, it would come true.