Morning light filtered softly into Yuzuru bedroom. Yuzuru stirred awake, his eyes immediately drawn to the empty space beside him in the bed. His expression was distant, heavy with unspoken thoughts.
"Another morning"... he thought, letting out a quiet sigh. But nothing ever changes. "This empty space next to me is a constant reminder... that this marriage is nothing like everyone else's."
Yuzuru sat on the edge of the bed, his gaze fixed on the floor, his thoughts swirling.
"Other people marry for love, but me? I married because of an agreement. A contract, not a vow of forever."
A faint smile tugged at his lips, but it was bitter, weighed down by the truth he could not escape.
"It's funny, isn't it? I have a wife, yet I'm still alone most of the time. Maybe this is the price I have to pay for an arranged marriage I never asked for."
Pushing himself to his feet, Yuzuru drew in a deep breath, steeling himself against the ache in his chest. He resolved to carry on with his day, even if the void beside him-and within him-remained unchanged.
The corridor outside the bedroom was quiet as Yuzuru opened the door to his room. Almost immediately, he came face-to-face with Shiori, who had just stepped out of the guest room next door.
"Good morning," Shiori said flatly, her tone devoid of warmth as her eyes briefly met his. "Our parents are coming over for breakfast today."
Yuzuru nodded, his voice calm. "Alright. I'll get ready."
Shiori's expression hardened, her words sharp and deliberate. "Remember, just like always, act like we're the perfect couple. Agree with everything I say, and don't talk too much."
There was a brief pause as Yuzuru clenched his jaw, forcing down a wave of frustration. "I understand, Shiori," he replied quietly.
"Good," she replied curtly, giving him a cold, pointed look before turning on her heel. "Don't make this more complicated than it has to be."
Without waiting for a response, Shiori walked away, leaving Yuzuru standing alone in the corridor. He watched her retreating figure, his chest heavy with conflicting emotions.
"Why does Shiori have to be so cold to me... he thought bitterly. As if I'm the one to blame for this contract. I've never broken the terms, not once. I've kept our secrets safe every single time."
A faint, bitter smile tugged at his lips as a flood of memories rushed back-moments he wished he could forget.
"Shiori was the one who almost exposed everything when she got drunk that night... wanting to call our parents and confess. And I was the one who covered for her." "Always."
He let out a long sigh, his shoulders sagging slightly under the weight of it all. Though he felt hurt and unappreciated, he brushed the feelings aside, resigned to the role he had to play. Straightening his posture, he moved toward his room to prepare for yet another day of pretending.
The family dining room was already buzzing with conversation when Yuzuru stepped inside. His parents and Shiori's parents were seated around the table, their faces lighting up as he entered. Shiori was already seated, her posture poised and graceful, the perfect image of a dutiful wife.
Shiori's mother greeted him warmly, her smile wide. "Yuzuru! There you are at last. Come, sit here, dear."
Yuzuru nodded politely and moved toward the seat beside Shiori. His own mother chimed in, her tone filled with affection. "You two look so wonderful together, always so perfectly matched."
Before he could respond, Shiori reached out and took his hand, her voice soft and saccharine as she played her role flawlessly. "Darling, come sit next to me," she said sweetly.
Yuzuru sat down, returning her smile with one of his own, though it felt strained. The warmth of her hand in his was fleeting, and as soon as he settled in, she released him, her expression unreadable.
Shiori's father beamed with pride, his voice booming. "It's always a joy to see you both. Truly, you're the ideal couple. It's as if you were destined to be together."
Shiori's mother leaned forward, her eyes brimming with hope. "Speaking of that... when can we expect our first grandchild? Surely, it's about time, don't you think?"
Yuzuru's mother clapped her hands together excitedly. "Oh, yes! You've been married long enough now. We're all eagerly waiting for good news!"
For a moment, an awkward silence settled over the table. Shiori, usually quick with her words, faltered. Her eyes darted nervously, and her lips parted as if to speak, but no words came.
Noticing her hesitation, Yuzuru stepped in quickly, his voice calm and measured. "Actually, that's entirely my fault," he said, flashing a small, apologetic smile. "I just feel that, right now, we'd like to enjoy our time together as a couple. There are so many things we want to experience together before thinking about starting a family."
Shiori's mother tilted her head, a flicker of disappointment crossing her face, but she nodded in understanding. "Ah, I see. Of course, that makes sense. As long as you're both happy, that's what truly matters."
Shiori's father chuckled, his tone light. "That's fair enough, but don't forget-time doesn't stop for anyone. Whenever you're ready, we'll be here waiting eagerly."
Relief flickered across Shiori's face as she glanced at Yuzuru, her eyes briefly meeting his with an unspoken message of gratitude. She leaned slightly toward him, her voice returning to its usual composed tone. "Exactly, darling. We still have so much to enjoy in this stage of our lives, don't we?"
Yuzuru nodded, smiling faintly. He had successfully diffused the situation, and the tension that had momentarily hung in the air melted away. Their parents seemed content with his answer, their smiles returning as the conversation shifted to lighter topics.
Sitting beside Shiori, Yuzuru couldn't shake the hollow feeling that lingered. Even as they played their parts perfectly, the gap between them felt wider than ever.
---
The living room was filled with warmth and the faint hum of conversation as Yuzuru stood stiffly, letting Shiori adjust his tie. Her smile was faint, almost charming, but her eyes burned with barely concealed anger. Nearby, their parents watched with fond expressions, clearly misinterpreting the tension between the two.
Shiori leaned closer, her voice low and sharp as she hissed, "Why couldn't you just listen to me earlier? You know it's better if we don't say too much."
Yuzuru's jaw tightened as he replied, his tone calm but edged with frustration. "I was just trying to save the situation, Shiori. You were the one who looked completely lost when they started asking about children."
Shiori's lips curled into a small, mocking smile, her voice dropping to an icy whisper. "I could've handled it myself, Yuzuru. I don't need you playing hero."
Yuzuru's patience snapped. Without a second thought, he reached out and pulled her closer by the waist, their faces mere inches apart. His grip was firm, and the sudden proximity caught Shiori off guard.
His voice was low, almost a growl, as he murmured into her ear, "Don't forget, you're the one who almost exposed our secret. I'm just doing what's necessary."
The two stood frozen in the moment, their proximity uncomfortably intimate. From a distance, their parents exchanged delighted smiles, mistaking the tension for a romantic display.
Shiori's mother giggled softly and nudged her husband. "Look at them. So sweet, aren't they? Even in the smallest moments, they're perfectly in sync."
Yuzuru's father nodded with pride, his chest puffed slightly. "They really are an ideal couple. I hope they stay like this forever."
Yuzuru flashed a faint, practiced smile, maintaining the act for their audience. Meanwhile, Shiori struggled to mask her surprise and irritation, keeping her expression pleasant despite the storm raging inside.
Her voice was clipped, barely audible as she whispered through clenched teeth, "You're insufferable, Yuzuru."
Still holding her close, Yuzuru smirked, his tone laced with quiet satisfaction. "I'm just playing your game, Shiori."
Their parents continued to watch with pride and adoration, completely unaware of the battle of wills taking place right before their eyes.
---
A cozy restaurant buzzed softly with lunchtime chatter. Yuzuru and Kenta sat across from each other, their meals steaming on the table. Kenta stirred his coffee leisurely, a warm smile lighting up his face as he spoke about his son.
"Kids grow up so fast, don't they?" Kenta said, chuckling. "Feels like just yesterday I was dropping him off at kindergarten, and now he's already making friends at school."
Yuzuru offered a faint smile and nodded. "Yeah, they grow up quickly. I'm happy to hear that, Brother in law."
For a moment, Yuzuru's gaze drifted, his expression turning distant. His eyes lost focus as though he were staring at something far beyond the restaurant walls. Kenta noticed his lapse and gently interrupted.
"Yuzuru, you seem distracted. What's on your mind?" Kenta asked, tilting his head slightly.
Snapping out of his thoughts, Yuzuru gave a sheepish smile. "Oh, nothing... I was just... thinking about this morning's conversation."
Kenta laughed softly, nodding in understanding. "Ah, they talk about children, huh? Don't let it get to you. Our parents have always been like that-especially with young couples. They just love to prod about grandkids."
Yuzuru smiled again, this time a little more strained. "Yeah... they seemed really hopeful."
Reaching across the table, Kenta patted Yuzuru's shoulder reassuringly. "Take it easy. When the time is right, things will fall into place. Don't rush into it just because of family pressure. What matters most is that both of you are happy with your choices."
Yuzuru nodded, his gratitude genuine despite the turmoil he was hiding. "Thank you, Brother in law. That's... comforting to hear."
They returned to their meal, Kenta happily digging into his dish, but Yuzuru's mind lingered on the morning's conversation. His thoughts circled back to Shiori's uncharacteristic hesitation when their parents brought up the topic of children. It was a rare moment of uncertainty from her-one that left Yuzuru feeling unsettled, even now.
---
The house was eerily quiet that evening, the silence heavy and unbroken after their parents had left earlier that morning. Yuzuru stepped into the living room, his footsteps soft against the polished floor. The emptiness of the house seemed to seep into his chest, filling him with a strange, lonely ache.
As he stood there, lost in his thoughts, Shiori suddenly walked past him, her face set in a stormy scowl. Yuzuru hesitated, then called out softly, trying to diffuse the tension.
"Shiori... I want to apologize," he said, offering a small, tentative smile. "I didn't mean to upset you. I just... don't want our last memories together to be filled with arguments."
Shiori stopped abruptly. She turned to face him, her sharp gaze cutting through the dim light of the room as she took deliberate steps toward him.
"Memories?" she hissed, her voice low and brimming with anger. "What memories are you talking about, Yuzuru? Do you think this is some kind of game?"
Yuzuru blinked, startled by the venom in her tone. He took a small step back, forcing himself to remain calm. "I just... I don't want things to end on bad terms between us."
Shiori scoffed, closing the distance between them as her finger jabbed at his chest. "And earlier, in front of our parents," she snapped, her voice rising slightly. "What made you think you could pull me like that? Do you think you have the right to touch me like that?"
Yuzuru froze, her accusation hitting him harder than her words ever could. He swallowed hard, meeting her furious gaze with quiet resolve. "I... I was only trying to save the situation. I didn't mean to hurt you, Shiori."
But his response only seemed to fuel her anger. With a sharp push to his chest, she leaned in closer. "Don't you dare do that again," she seethed, her tone dangerously cold. "Don't touch me, Yuzuru. Especially not in front of others. Remember this-this is just a contract. There's no reason to pretend it's anything more than that."
Her words lingered in the air, colder than the night outside. Yuzuru lowered his head, his hands curling into fists at his sides as he wrestled with the tangle of emotions building inside him.
Without another word, Shiori turned on her heel and strode out of the room, her retreating footsteps echoing in the silence. Yuzuru remained where he was, standing in the middle of the now painfully empty living room, the weight of her words pressing heavily on his chest.
"I know..." he whispered to no one but himself, his voice barely audible. "It's just a contract. But why does it have to feel this hard?"
---
Late at night, Yuzuru lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling. The room was cloaked in darkness, save for the faint glow of moonlight seeping through the window. He tried to sleep, but his mind refused to quiet down. Shiori's anger from earlier replayed in his thoughts, her sharp words cutting through the silence of the night. With a heavy sigh, he turned onto his side, shutting his eyes in frustration.
But even in the dark, his memories betrayed him, pulling him back to a moment he thought he had buried.
---
(Flashback: Rain poured down relentlessly, soaking Yuzuru as he stood in the middle of an empty street. Across from him was a woman, her figure trembling, her face streaked with tears and rain. She clung to his arm, desperation written all over her expression.)
"Yuzuru, please..." she begged, her voice shaking beneath the storm. "Don't do this. Don't marry her. You don't know... you don't know what you're walking into."
Yuzuru frowned, his heart heavy with confusion as he tried to understand her words. "What do you mean? Why are you so against this marriage?"
The woman shook her head, raindrops dripping from her wet hair. Her tears mingled with the rain as she clutched his arm tighter. "I just want you to be happy. And I know... I know Shiori won't make you happy. Trust me... there will be so much you'll have to sacrifice."
Her words struck him, leaving him momentarily silent. He could feel the weight of her despair, but his sense of duty loomed larger.
"It's not just about me," he replied quietly, his voice strained. "This marriage... it's important for my family. I... I can't walk away now."
The woman's grip faltered as her shoulders sagged, the strength leaving her body. She stepped back, releasing him reluctantly, her eyes red and swollen with grief.
"I just hope you know what you're doing, Yuzuru," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the sound of the rain. "Because once this begins... there may be no way back."
Her words hung in the air, even as she disappeared into the downpour. Yuzuru stood frozen, his mind conflicted, until the memory dissolved into the present.
---
Back in his room, Yuzuru's eyes snapped open, his heart pounding as though he'd been standing in that rain again. He let out a shaky breath and turned onto his back, staring blankly at the ceiling.
The darkness around him felt heavier now, mirroring the growing confusion in his heart. He tried once more to close his eyes, but sleep seemed farther away than ever.
---
The cemetery was quiet under the midday sun, the bright blue sky contrasting with the heavy sorrow weighing on Yuzuru's heart. He stood before a gravestone etched with the name Akane. In his hand, he held a single flower, which he gently placed on the grave.
Yuzuru bowed his head, exhaling deeply as his eyes began to glisten with unshed tears. "Akane... I've finally come," he murmured, his voice low and trembling. "I know you'll never hear my words again, but... I need to talk to you."
For a moment, he fell silent, letting the stillness of the cemetery envelop him as he wrestled with the thoughts racing through his mind.
"I never imagined..." he began again, his voice cracking slightly, "that the marriage I chose... was this a mistake, Akane? I thought-maybe-I could let you go this way. That I could live without guilt. But the further I walk down this path, the farther I feel from the peace I was hoping for."
Yuzuru reached out, his hand brushing gently against the gravestone as though he could feel her presence through the cold stone.
With a bitter smile, he closed his eyes, memories of their time together flooding his mind. "Shiori... she's nothing like you. I've never felt the same. When we were together, you always knew how to make me feel valued, to give me a sense of calm amidst all the chaos. But now..." His voice faltered as he lowered his head. "Now, all I feel is emptiness. It's like a part of me is missing."
The weight of his emotions bore down on him, and he struggled to hold back the tears that threatened to fall.
"I don't even know anymore if this was the right decision," he confessed, his voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know if I can keep living with this hollow feeling inside... in a marriage that feels so lifeless. I miss everything you gave me, Akane. Your love, your warmth... even the smallest, simplest moments we shared."
Unable to stand any longer, Yuzuru sank onto a nearby stone, his gaze fixed on the gravestone before him. A deep loneliness settled over him, enveloping his heart in a suffocating embrace.
"I don't think I'm ready to let you go," he said softly, as though speaking more to himself than to her memory. "And this marriage... it's so much harder than I ever imagined."
For a while, he sat there in silence, the memories of Akane and the life they could have shared lingering in his mind. The sun shone brightly overhead, but within Yuzuru, the shadows of grief and regret remained unrelenting.