At the charity gala, Shiori stood alone in a quiet corner, observing the vibrant scene around her. The room was alive with laughter and conversation, but her attention was drawn to a particular sight. Across the crowd, Yuzuru and Akarin were engaged in an animated conversation, laughing together as if they shared a bond that was deeper than mere friendship. Yuzuru's gaze softened as he looked at Akarin, his smile warm and genuine, and for a moment, Shiori couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more between them.
Shiori's eyes lingered on them, her heart inexplicably tightening. A strange, unfamiliar sensation stirred within her-something she couldn't quite put into words. It was a mixture of discomfort and jealousy, and she felt her pulse quicken.
Why do I feel like this...? she thought to herself. It doesn't make sense. Yuzuru and I... don't we have nothing between us?
She tried to dismiss the feeling, to tell herself it was nothing, but her gaze remained fixed on them. The way Yuzuru smiled at Akarin, the tenderness in his expression-it stirred something inside her, something she didn't want to acknowledge. A subtle unease began to settle in her chest, and she couldn't tear her eyes away.
Maybe it's just a fleeting feeling... or maybe... I'm just overthinking things.
Even as she tried to convince herself that it was nothing important, the sensation wouldn't fade. She found herself silently wishing, almost desperately, that Yuzuru would notice her, come over, and offer her some kind of attention-though she couldn't fully understand why it mattered to her so much at that moment.
Shiori stood there, feeling torn between her growing curiosity and the uncomfortable pull of her emotions. She couldn't explain why seeing Yuzuru and Akarin together stirred this reaction within her, but it was impossible to ignore.
---
HOUSE
Late that night, in the quiet of the bedroom, Yuzuru carefully lifted Shiori, who had fallen asleep in the car, and gently carried her inside the house. He eased her onto the bed, taking extra care to avoid waking her.
After tucking Shiori in, Yuzuru moved to grab her bag, which she had left behind in the car. He placed it on the bedside table, and as he was about to leave, his eyes caught sight of a medical report sticking out of her bag, which had not been fully closed.
Compelled by curiosity, Yuzuru slowly pulled the report out, wondering what it could be. At first, he assumed it was just a routine medical document. But as he read further, his expression shifted drastically. His eyes widened as he realized the report contained fertility test results for Shiori.
Fertility test...? Shiori... had a fertility test?
His heart sank as he continued reading. The report revealed troubling news-Shiori had fertility issues. A wave of worry and sadness washed over him, but what he didn't realize was that the report had been switched out by someone else, unbeknownst to him.
Yuzuru sat down next to Shiori, who remained peacefully asleep, his gaze fixed on her. A whirlwind of emotions swept through him. He was troubled and confused, questioning why Shiori had undergone this test without telling him. Why had she kept it a secret? Why had she faced it alone?
He sighed deeply, trying to process the weight of the information he had just discovered, unsure of what it meant for them both.
That night, Yuzuru sat alone in his room, perched on the edge of his bed, his face filled with contemplation. He stared blankly ahead, still affected by the medical report he had just read-the one about Shiori.
Lost in thought, Yuzuru felt an emotional weight settle in his chest, a weight that had likely burdened Shiori for so long without him ever noticing. For the first time, he began to understand the reasons behind the troubled expressions he had often seen on her face-the ones he had never fully grasped before.
All this time... Shiori has been going through it alone. She must have felt overwhelmed, and I... I've been hurting her without even knowing what she's been carrying.
A heavy sigh escaped Yuzuru's lips as guilt began to creep in. He replayed moments in his mind-the times he had been cold or indifferent toward Shiori, the times he had raised his voice at her. Now, those memories stung with a painful clarity, knowing that he had ignored her suffering.
I'm sorry, Shiori... I should have cared more for you, not added to your burden.
In the silence of the night, Yuzuru's guilt transformed into something deeper-a realization that he needed to change, to make amends. He couldn't undo the past, but he could try to support her now, to stand by her as he should have all along. Despite the ticking clock on their contract, Yuzuru made a quiet vow to himself: he would understand her, he would be there for her, even if their time together was running out.
The next morning, Yuzuru and Shiori sat across from each other at the breakfast table. The atmosphere was calm, yet there was a subtle tension between them, especially after the events of the previous night.
Yuzuru's voice was soft as he broke the silence. "Shiori, do you have any plans today?"
Shiori looked up, momentarily surprised. She met Yuzuru's gaze, her expression questioning. "No specific plans... Why?"
Yuzuru smiled faintly, his demeanor noticeably calmer and warmer than usual. "How about we go out for a walk? I've taken the day off. It feels like it's been ages since we spent time together... like a normal couple."
Shiori froze for a moment. This was the first time in their three years of marriage that Yuzuru had asked her out on a date. A look of disbelief flashed across her face, but her eyes Shiorin brightened with a glimmer of hope.
"Really? You... took the day off just for this?" Shiori asked, her voice tinged with surprise.
Yuzuru nodded, a gentle smile curving his lips. "Yeah, I think I need a break... and some time for us. Do you want to join me?"
Shiori hesitated for a moment, her gaze lingering on him. She tried to suppress a small smile, but it slowly spread across her face, a touch of emotion stirring within her. With a quiet nod, she agreed.
"Alright... I'll go with you."
Yuzuru's smile widened, relief and happiness washing over him. He was determined to give Shiori a beautiful memory, one they had never shared before in their time together.