Finally Starting to Approach

Naturally, my eyes opened. The familiar ceiling I always stared at came into view as I sat up. Turning my head, I found myself gazing at Suzuki's sleeping face for a long moment. Ever since receiving Shin's confession, the revulsion I used to feel just looking at him had faded considerably.

Today was a special day. It was my birthday, and the day I became someone's wife. There had been no grand wedding ceremony. I couldn't expect rings or common accessories from an unpopular band member. Suzuki's face as he confessed floated hazily in my mind, and a smile formed on my lips. Two weeks had already passed. It was about time I got used to it. Now, even thinking of Shin no longer made my heart sway like a ship caught in a storm. I placed a hand on my chest. It felt like it might scratch an itch I didn't need, so I stopped and headed for the shower.

After showering, I widened my eyes at the sight of Suzuki drinking water from the fridge. Lately he'd been seeing me off, but the husband who usually slept in until I was ready to leave was already up. He paused, startled, then turned as if sensing my gaze. Without thinking, I covered myself with the towel.

"Why are you staring like that?"

"Ah. No, it's nothing. You got up early today. Is it because it's a special day~?"

I answered brightly on purpose. Our eyes met for a moment, then his gaze swept over my body. I stiffened briefly before narrowing my eyes at that appraising look. A surge of irritation rose unbidden. Startled by my own reaction, I calmed myself, forced a smile, and relaxed my body. One corner of his mouth curled up in a mocking smirk. I raised my eyebrows sharply in response.

That smile he'd shown occasionally. During our relationship, it had made Suzuki seem confident and cool. But why today, of all days…

I pressed down the urge to snap back, forcing the feeling away, then turned to the closet and began preparing for work.

"Suzuki. You know today's important, right~?"

I spoke cheerfully while getting dressed and applying light makeup. When no answer came, I checked the vanity mirror. Suzuki stood with arms crossed, leaning against the wall, watching me.

"Well. It is an important day. Yeah."

"..."

Again, that half-hearted tone. Irritation welled up once more, but I reminded myself it was an unusual hour for him to be awake and calmed down. It was a good day. I should endure it today. On a day like this, Suzuki's behavior felt especially off. Before, I wouldn't have even noticed. No, I'd thought he was trying. If this continued, we'd fight. I finished getting ready quickly.

"Then I'm off."

"Yeah. Take care."

Click— Thud.

Suzuki stared at the door Sumire had closed behind her, his expression twisting slightly as he ran a hand through his hair.

"Tsk. She really holds a grudge."

He muttered to himself. Two weeks ago he'd found the emergency fund in the house. He'd taken some, thinking he'd pay it back later, and used it at the pachinko parlor. But getting the cold shoulder for two whole weeks over just 50,000 yen? If Sumire heard his thoughts, she'd be horrified. Grumbling, Suzuki's irritation flared again. He turned to the closet where Sumire had taken out her clothes.

"Tsk. At least her body and face are top-tier."

Thinking about the looks Sumire had given him for two weeks, Suzuki replayed yesterday's events. On April 20th, he'd make a spectacular success at the big agency's live show. Like a five-year-old, he chewed on the thought. Just four days ago, the members had excitedly said a major agency would be coming to this live. How had they known about an opportunity he'd never mentioned? The moment he realized it, Sumire's attitude had flipped like a switch. Suzuki narrowed his eyes in amusement.

"Women, honestly."

He muttered with a sense of superiority.

"I don't know how she found out about the live I never told her about, but the way she changed her attitude after two weeks of giving me the cold shoulder the moment she heard…"

Yesterday, Sumire had spoken carefully, and Suzuki had twisted her meaning to suit himself, inflating his own ego. Only now did he recall how he'd walked on eggshells around his "heavenly" husband for two weeks. He considered how to handle Sumire's ridiculous behavior, then spoke as if being generous.

"Well, her body's good, so I'll keep her around a bit longer and see."

Naturally, he headed to the closet and searched for the envelope he'd found before. When he opened it, cash bundles appeared—10,000-yen and 1,000-yen notes mixed together. His brow furrowed.

"She keeps saying she has no money, yet she's been hiding this behind my back?"

That was unacceptable. He turned his gaze to the most expensive guitar he'd owned during his band days. It performed decently at live bars, but at an important live with proper sound equipment, it would look shabby. It was too old. Time to replace it. After counting the money in the envelope, Suzuki smiled thinly again.

"Hiding money from her husband is annoying, but since it's for the live she found out about…"

A faint twinge of conscience stirred in his chest, but he shook his head and dismissed it.

"As long as I succeed today, that's all that matters. She's been acting weird lately anyway. Once I succeed, what else can she do but crawl back to me?"

Justifying his actions and discarding Sumire's feelings and efforts, Suzuki took the money and left the house.

* * *

I drove from the officetel back to my old place. After parking in a lot about five minutes away, I headed toward the rundown apartment building.

"Haven't been here in a while."

Two weeks. After deciding on Sumire's gift, I'd worked hard at manual labor to match the goal. It was a bit shady, but as they say, old habits die hard. When you need quick cash, nothing beats this. At first, the workers had looked at me with suspicion because of my gentle appearance. But as time passed and they saw I could do everything—rebar tying, plastering, concrete work, even operating a one-ton roller—they'd tried to grab my pants leg at the site. I chuckled at the memory.

The desperate look in their eyes as they begged for my contact information while I childishly refused still made me smile as I walked. I casually checked my skills to see Sumire's status.

"On a day like today, she could take it easy, but she's still so diligent."

A natural smile formed on my lips. While calming my heart that was screaming to see her soon, I spotted the apartment entrance. Suzuki's husband? He wasn't wearing his usual shabby clothes. Instead, he was dressed like he was saying "I'm in a rock band." Why was he dressed like that in the morning? An odd feeling brushed my chest and I stopped, watching him. It was clearly different from simple dislike—a strange emotion. I stared at his retreating back. The uncomfortable feeling I'd felt countless times in my life sent a warning. I frowned.

"Why am I getting that feeling from that guy?"

Honestly, he wasn't even worth one punch. It was strange. The intuition that had always helped me in crises was now warning me that he was dangerous. I narrowed my eyes. Was my sense broken? I watched his back grow distant, but no matter how much I thought about it, something felt wrong. Shaking my head to dispel the unease, I headed to my room in the apartment.

"This place ends today too."

Various emotions rose as I looked around. The memories of Kim Shin in this world when he first came to Japan resurfaced vividly. Among them, the pure love memories of always watching Sumire rather than daily life flashed through my mind, and I chuckled. A slight sense of regret and loneliness filled me. Because the synchronization was at 90% now, it felt like the bittersweet feeling after being discharged from the military. I put all the items in the house into my inventory. Nodding at the now-empty room, I fixed my gaze on the front door and headed outside.

Standing at the apartment entrance, I looked around briefly before walking in the opposite direction from Suzuki.

"First, purple violets and… accessories. No, maybe buy the flowers in the evening so they're fresh?"

I smiled, remembering Sumire's cute complaints in my memories about never receiving accessories or even a common couple's ring from her husband. What kind of expression would she make when she received the gift? Carrying that happy thought, I headed into the city. When I entered the jewelry shop in the department store, the wide-eyed staff quickly composed themselves and approached.

I smiled calmly and looked at the necklace, earrings, and ring set I'd ordered before. While imagining Sumire wearing them and feeling embarrassed, a voice interrupted my thoughts.

"The design came out really pretty~ Your girlfriend will love it."

I almost frowned, but the next words made a foolish smile naturally spread across my face.

"You think so?"

"Of course! With such a wonderful boyfriend who even designed it himself!"

I scratched my cheek at the enthusiastic staff member's words. When I looked at the staff, I could sense a faint jealousy in their eyes toward the owner of this necklace. Smiling, I paid and left.

"Ah. I've got some time to kill."

It was 11:30 now. Lunchtime was approaching. After a moment's hesitation, I headed out to eat. Just as I was about to sit down in a random restaurant, I spotted a familiar face and greeted him.

"(Bob. Long time no see.)"

Bob, who had been eating with a blank expression as if merely replenishing energy rather than enjoying a meal, brightened at my greeting.

"(Huh? Oh. Kim Shin, it's been a while. Haven't seen you around. What've you been up to?)"

"(Ah, I've been working for a bit.)"

"(Oh! You got a job? Then I can't let you pay! Lunch is on me today!)"

At Bob's cheerful laugh, something pricked my conscience. He was both a comrade and rival who had feelings for a woman who already had someone. I spoke up.

"(It's not exactly a job. Today is Sumire-nee's birthday, so I worked a bit.)"

"(....)"

His face stiffened slightly at my words. I shrugged exaggeratedly.

"(I've already confessed cleanly.)"

"(That's...!)"

Before Bob could shout in protest, I cut him off.

"(And today is both Sumire-nee's birthday and her wedding anniversary. I'm just here to say hello.)"

He stared at me intently, trying to determine if I was telling the truth. I chuckled and continued.

"(Loving a married woman is a problem, but not even confessing would be rude to me, Bob.)"

Bob looked like he'd been hit with a hammer. I watched his troubled expression, placed my order naturally, and waited. Even after my food arrived and the meal ended, he remained stiff-faced. After the uncomfortable meal, I said goodbye, noting he had much to say but couldn't. As Bob walked away, the original story of this world suddenly flashed through my mind. In the original manga, it was a netorare story about being rescued from a pathetic husband. But in reality, Bob was somewhat similar. At Sumire's complaints, he'd chosen compensated dating and fallen for physical superiority. Only now did his confession-like actions, calculated from the start, become clear.

"In the manga, it was easy to overlook, but at least he should have confessed or looked at her with distaste."

The frustration from the awkward meal and the bittersweet feeling of seeing a once-likable character in reality made me shake my head before walking on.

* * *

On the way home after my part-time job, my steps felt lighter than yesterday. Carrying a heavy bag of groceries in one hand, I smiled. The bag felt substantial. I'd bought not only the ingredients Suzuki liked, but also ones I liked. Today was an anniversary, and my birthday. Thinking that, I suddenly remembered Suzuki and called him.

After a long ringtone, the call connected with a click. I spoke with a bright smile.

"Honey, are you home~? Then~"

My words were cut off by loud noise. I frowned. Playing music at home would get complaints from the neighbors. While wondering about that, Suzuki's irritated voice came through.

"Yeah. Hello. I'm busy. Who is this? Sumire? Why'd you call?"

"Uh. Huh?"

At his words, my mind couldn't keep up. My dumbfounded reaction only made ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠him more annoyed.

"Why are you flustered? I asked about something important yesterday, didn't I? A big agency is coming to my show today. Don't call for no reason. I'll probably need to give it my all, so just stay home and pray for your husband's success."

"No, that's—!"

Beep beep—

The call ended unilaterally before I could even protest. A sense of emptiness rose. Something felt like it was breaking. The call that had started energetically ended in the worst way possible. It felt like the few threads I'd desperately tried to hold onto in my heart were snapping.

I squeezed my eyes shut and tried with all my might to hold on. Even in my confusion, I moved my feet and reached home. Enduring the stabbing pain in my heart, I opened the door, threw my things down carelessly, and let out a deep sigh as if the ground would swallow me up. I stared at the entrance floor, trying to comfort myself while organizing my heavy head full of thoughts. It was my fault for not asking properly, and his fault for not telling me.

"The one who expected… No. No, phew."

I let out several sighs to calm my uncomfortable stomach filled with too many thoughts, then raised my head. My mouth fell open at the sight before me.

"Wh-what is this?"

The house looked like it had been ransacked by a thief. My heart sank and my body stiffened. "Emergency fund" and overdue rent flashed through my mind. I kicked off my shoes and rushed inside. Ignoring the scattered clothes on the floor, I went straight to the closet where I'd hidden the rent money and searched for the envelope.

"It's gone…! What about everything else? Please…!"

With trembling arms, I searched frantically. When I found the emergency fund still there, strength drained from my fingertips to my toes and I felt relieved. As my mind cleared, a question arose.

"He searched this thoroughly but only took the rent money? Don't tell me…?"

No way. Even so, on today of all days… Why?

First came denial, then sadness, gradually setting my chest ablaze. My heart had already identified the thief. Since I had both circumstantial and physical evidence, I called immediately.

"Pick up. Pick up, you stupid bastard!"

As the ringtone dragged on, the fire in my heart grew uncontrollably. The moment the call connected, I unleashed the flames through my mouth.

"Hey, you son of a bitch! Do you even know what that money was—!"

"...."

The mechanical voice of the voicemail extinguished the flames I'd been spewing, leaving only emptiness. I dropped the phone, my arm going limp. The sound of it hitting the floor ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠echoed pitifully through the room.

At the same time, the threads I'd desperately tried to hold onto in my heart slipped from my grasp. Snap! They broke with a loud sound. I could vividly feel my heart tearing apart.

Strength left me and I collapsed to the floor. I bit my lips, holding back the scream that threatened to escape. I wanted to just let it out, but I convinced myself it would disturb the neighbors. With nowhere to vent my pent-up feelings, I clenched my fists. Feeling something foreign in my hand, I looked down. It was the emergency fund I'd worked so hard to save. I ground my teeth.

What was I doing this for… The lament became fuel, reigniting the extinguished flames in my heart. They burst out in a different direction. I stood up, changed clothes, and headed outside. Staying here, I felt like I'd destroy everything.

Quickly walking past the second floor toward the apartment entrance, I barely noticed a man and tried to pass by when—

"Sumire-nee?"

"!!!"

My body froze at the voice in my ears. Why. Of all times. Now. Slowly turning my head, I saw Shin's worried expression. Moisture gathered in my eyes as I bit my lips.

I closed my eyes, suppressed my emotions, then opened them to look at Shin. Seeing his dressed-up appearance and the bouquet in his hand, my already negative thoughts took over completely. After everything I'd endured for two weeks, after all the effort I'd made to hold myself together, he'd already found another woman? Negative thoughts spiraled. The sense of loss I'd accumulated toward Shin over two weeks, and the feeling that even my efforts to forget had been betrayed, surged up violently. Just as I was about to glare and snap at him—

"Nee-san. Are you okay? Did something happen?"

His expression was filled with genuine concern. Even in this situation, my heart, consumed by betrayal, glanced at him and tried to defend him instead. Despair and confusion mixed, and I felt like a scream would burst out. I bit my lips. The heavy air was gradually consuming us when a voice cut through.

"Kim Shin-ssi? And Sumire-ssi? What are you doing here?"

Bob looked at both of us with a puzzled face, then stiffened slightly at the bouquet in Kim Shin's hand.

"Ah, Bob. Well, it's—"

Just as Kim Shin was about to explain, Sumire quickly turned to Bob and spoke without looking at Kim Shin.

"Shin, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠from the way you're dressed, it looks like you're going to meet your girlfriend. You should go."

"Huh? That's not—"

Before he could answer, Sumire cut him off and spoke to Bob.

"Sorry, Bob. If you have time, could you hang out with me? Something really bad happened today~"

The expression she'd shown Kim Shin had already changed like a mask, and she wore her usual bright smile. Bob looked between Kim Shin's face and Sumire, flustered. Then—

"Alright! Let's go!"

Sumire grabbed Bob's wrist and pulled him along. Bob glanced at Kim Shin as he was dragged away. Kim Shin nodded. Bob, misunderstanding, nodded seriously and walked beside Sumire instead of being pulled.

* * *

Watching the two walk away from a distance, Kim Shin looked at the "purple violets" he'd prepared, then put them into his inventory. He frowned. He'd parked near the apartment, waited for Sumire, confirmed with [Tracking] and [Search] that she was heading home, and left. His face twisted darkly. Before leaving the car, Sumire's emotions had been anticipation, joy, and expectation. But why now—

"No way. What could have happened in just ten minutes?"

Pressing his temples at the drastically changed emotions and current situation, he pondered briefly. He considered checking Sumire's house, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠then looked in the direction where Bob and Sumire were becoming distant dots. After standing there for a long time, Kim Shin eventually turned and headed to his car.