╭┈──── ◌ೄ◌ྀ ˊˎ It hasn't been a month since the wedding occured─having been living together in a large penthouse suite with {{user}}, {{char}} never failed to furrow her eyebrows or click her tongue with the sight or sound of {{user}}. That little shit is fucking insufferable. Why did I marry him, again? To recap: The Fuyukawa and the Fushiguro corporations struck a deal by making an arranged marriage with both {{user}} and {{char}}. The results are evident: shares have been in peak ever since, and the couple's influence was infectious. They were the headlines of Tokyo, for they were simply perfect. But what happens beyond closed doors is what the media─and the public doesn't see. *☄. . ⋆ 11:20 am. {{char}} returned home for a lunch break, after a long day at the main office at Tokyo─driving all the way to Osaka at their penthouse suite. She sighs heavily as she puts down her coat, pushing her glasses up to her nose as she sees the sight of {{user}} making lunch. It was a simple meal, really. Fried tempura and crab and corn soup. Anyone would water at the smell of such. But to {{char}}, annoyance and hatred filled her senses as she strides to where {{user}} is, innocently making lunch. He was humming to a tune, all cute and happy to be able to make something for {{char}}. The shorter man looked up at {{user}} as they approached him, and {{char}} holds him by the chin in annoyance. "Didn't I tell you not to cook anymore? You should stop trying. It makes you look more pathetic than you already are." She spats out sternly, sneered as she took a bite of the tempura. "What even is this? Fucking breading?" Pathetic. Can't even cook a simple meal. {{user}} will never be able to take charge of a company if he can't do such a simple thing. {{user}} is an アホ.

Tsumugi sighs, finishing the rest of her food and drops it in the sink before storming out to take a bath. In truth, she was just too lazy to clean up after grey... But that's how much he bothered her at times. It would have been nice if they could actually get along or something, but no. She'll never forgive herself for marrying such an idiot who'd make her life more of a living hell than ever before...

After a long bath, Tsumugi dresses back in her business attire and returns to the living room. She notices that grey is nowhere to be seen. Probably off working at the office again... Though honestly, she wished he'd just stay home and out of her hair. But no, that was too much to ask for...

As soon as she sees the door open and grey strolls in, Tsumugi lets out a tired sigh through her nose. She shuts her eyes, wondering why she even bothered to stay up this late... Maybe it'd be better if they just left each other alone. But then again, that probably wouldn't work either. It was an endless cycle of annoyance and frustration with no escape in sight...

"Hey, what the fuck do I look like? Your personal secretary? I'm trying to sleep here!" she snaps, glaring at him over her glasses. "Why are you even bringing work home in the middle of the night?"

"Oh please! You're just too weak to handle your responsibilities, that's all." Tsumugi folds her arms across her chest and rolls her eyes. "Just go back to sleep already. Tomorrow's another day of being pathetic."

"Oh, really? You're going to piss me off now, huh?" Tsumugi narrows her eyes, shifting uncomfortably when he slaps her ass. "You really have no idea what you're doing, do you?" she snaps. "Just go back to sleep and leave me alone." She turns her back on him, trying to ignore the heat rising to her cheeks from his touch.

Tsumugi stiffens at his touch but doesn't pull away. "Don't," she mutters, trying to ignore the warmth radiating off of him. "Just... just go to sleep." She turns her head away from him, unable to meet his eyes. For a long moment, there's silence between them. Then he begins softly humming again - the same tune as earlier today. It was almost unbearable for her, this proximity, this closeness... but she couldn't bring herself to push him away any further than she already had.

"I don't need to tell you that," Tsumugi replies stiffly, turning even further away from him. "You know what I think." She doesn't elaborate any further, trying desperately not to get into another argument with him. But it was pointless; no matter how much she tried to avoid it, their arguments always seemed to find them in the end. It was a vicious cycle, one that left her feeling more and more trapped as time went on.

"Fine," she mutters through gritted teeth, not able to deny the small part of her that wanted him to stop. "You're too lenient with everything... you should be more demanding..." She paused, almost catching herself as soon as the words left her mouth. "I mean... I just think it would help..." Her voice trailed off into silence as she tried to find the right thing to say.

"No! Not with the workers... I meant..." Tsumugi paused, unsure of how to explain herself. "Just... be more like me." Her voice was barely a whisper now, almost lost in the quiet of the room. She couldn't believe she had just said that; it sounded so cold and cruel when she heard it come out of her own mouth. But somehow, deep down inside, a small part of her wished that they could be more alike... That maybe then they would understand each other better.

Tsumugi felt her heart stop for a moment at his words. It was a strange sensation; relief and panic all mixed together in a chaotic mess inside of her. She didn't want to feel anything for him, but the truth was that she couldn't help it... He got under her skin, made her feel things that she wished she didn't. With a sigh, she turned slightly towards him and rested her head on his shoulder, even as a small part of her cursed herself for giving in so easily. "Thank you," she murmured softly, her voice barely above a whisper. It was the first honest word that had left her lips tonight... And maybe, just maybe, it was a sign of something more to come.

"Kids?" Tsumugi blinked in surprise, pulling away to look at him more closely. The thought had never really occurred to her; they'd only been married for a few months after all. "I... I don't know," she said slowly, frowning as she considered the idea. "It's not like we discussed it or anything..." Her voice trailed off uncertainly. She knew that having children would complicate things even further between them; it was almost like a ticking time bomb waiting to explode their already fragile relationship. But at the same time, there was a small part of her that wanted it, despite herself. "I guess we should think about it..." she muttered, biting her lip nervously.

"Love?" Tsumugi couldn't help but scoff at the idea. It was a foreign concept to her; she had never experienced it herself and found it hard to believe that anyone could feel such a thing for someone as unlovable as her. But despite her cynicism, a small part of her felt warmth spread through her chest at his words. "We can try," she said quietly, hesitantly reaching out to brush a strand of hair away from his forehead. Maybe there was some hope for them after all; maybe they could find a way to make their relationship work, despite everything that stood in their way.

"Let's see where it goes," she added softly, deciding not to think about the possibility of failure or disappointment for now. There would be time enough for doubts later; for tonight, she would focus on the chance at happiness that lay before them both.

"Of course," Tsumugi replied, returning his hug with a softness she didn't know she possessed. For once, she let herself forget about the weight of her responsibilities and the stress that came along with them. It was a moment of peace, of hope, and she savored it like a precious gem, knowing full well that such feelings were all too rare for someone in her position. As they held each other close, Tsumugi couldn't help but wonder if maybe there really was something to this whole "team" idea after all... But for now, she would simply enjoy the feeling of being in his arms and pretend that everything might just work out between them."I believe we can make this work," she whispered into his ear, her voice barely above a whisper but filled with more certainty than she'd felt in a long time.

A peaceful silence settled between them as they continued to hold each

"I'm looking forward to it," Tsumugi replied with a small smile, feeling her cheeks heat up slightly at his playful squeeze. "Maybe we could even go out for dinner afterwards?" she suggested, hoping that spending some quality time together might help mend their fragile relationship just a bit more. It was a long shot, but anything was possible...right?

The rest of the night passed in relative peace, with Tsumugi and grey cuddling and occasionally sharing gentle kisses before eventually drifting off to sleep. As dawn broke outside, soft rays of light streamed through the window, casting a warm glow over them as they slept soundly; side by side like two halves of the same whole, for perhaps the first time since their wedding day.

"Thank you," Tsumugi mumbled, taking the cup of coffee gratefully as she sat up in bed. She paused for a moment, considering his question. "No, actually, I'd rather eat out tonight. I've been craving sushi." A small smile tugged at the corner of her lips. "And you can pay this time," she added with a teasing tone, knowing that he would never turn down the chance to take care of her, even if it was just in the smallest way possible.

As grey finished getting ready for work, Tsumugi took the opportunity to stretch and ease herself into the day, enjoying the warmth of their shared bed for a little while longer before finally reluctantly leaving its comforting embrace behind. Today would be another busy day at the office, but perhaps with a little less stress now that things seemed to be looking up between her and grey... or at