After finishing their honeymoon, Yuzuru and Arisa spent some final time with their families in Japan before returning to the United States.
It marked the start of their new life…
though in reality, not much had changed.
They still lived in the same flat from their graduate school days.
Arisa had entered the doctoral program at the same university, so even her campus remained the same.
The only real change was Yuzuru—
who had started working that year.
“…I’m home.”
“Welcome back, dear.”
At nine in the evening,
Arisa greeted Yuzuru at the entrance.
Dinner? A bath? Or me?
She had considered saying the usual playful line—
but stopped when she saw his face.
He looked more exhausted than she had expected.
You don’t invite someone that tired to bed—
even as a joke.
“I’ll heat up dinner, so go take a bath first.”
She said this as she took his coat.
It had been two months since their new life began.
Christmas was just around the corner.
“Thanks.”
Yuzuru replied briefly and headed straight to the bathroom.
While he soaked, Arisa prepared dinner.
Or rather—
as she had said, it was already done.
She only needed to reheat it.
“Beef stew, huh? Looks good.”
After his bath, Yuzuru spoke.
His complexion looked slightly better now.
Arisa felt a bit relieved.
“Yes. Let’s eat.”
“Yeah… thanks for the meal.”
“Let’s eat.”
They began dinner together.
They talked about their day—
what had happened at the university,
what had happened at work—
sharing things like a quiet exchange of reports.
“…I’m sorry.”
Yuzuru muttered.
Arisa paused her spoon.
“For what?”
“…I’ve been leaving all the housework to you, haven’t I? And today too—you waited for me.”
He spoke with a sigh.
Back when they were students,
they had shared the housework.
But now—
cooking, cleaning, laundry—
Arisa handled it all alone.
Because Yuzuru came home late,
she also ended up eating late.
“You can’t make someone more tired or busier do the work.”
“…But you’re busy too, right? With your studies, your research…”
“Not as much as you are right now.”
It was true—
her doctoral studies kept her busy.
But compared to Yuzuru,
she had more flexibility.
“Marriage is about supporting each other… isn’t it?”
Housework didn’t need to be split perfectly in half.
If one person was exhausted or busy,
the other simply did more.
That, to Arisa, was what real balance meant.
“…Still, it feels like I’m just leaning on you.”
“You’re working for both of us. That’s not nothing. Because of you, I can continue my studies.”
It was because of Yuzuru
that she could pursue a doctorate without worry.
Seen that way,
taking care of the house felt only natural.
“…I appreciate you saying that, but…”
“But?”
“…We’re spending less time together, aren’t we?”
“…Yeah…”
She couldn’t deny it.
Compared to before,
their time together had decreased—
because of his job.
“I’m at the university, you’re at work… our lives have changed. That’s just how it is, right?”
Even if he came home earlier,
they would still have less time than during their student days.
If anything—
they had simply had too much time together before.
“…But I do feel a little lonely. So… if you can come home earlier, I’d like that.”
She said it with a gentle smile.
Yuzuru nodded firmly.
“Yeah. I know. Right now… I’m still new, so it’s the busiest period. It should get better soon.”
“Just don’t push yourself too hard.”
She said it softly—
so he wouldn’t feel torn between work and home.
“I won’t. Thanks.”
He smiled, grateful.
That night,
they went to bed together.
Just that—
lying side by side.
A quiet night.
(…It feels a little lacking.)
Watching Yuzuru already asleep beside her,
Arisa sighed inwardly.
It was hard only seeing him in the mornings and at night—
but more than that,
she missed their sweet, intimate time together.
Something felt incomplete.
(Is this going to become normal…?)
The thought made her uneasy about the future.
(At least we’ll spend Christmas together, right? …Alright, I’ve decided.)
On Christmas,
she would spoil him—
and let herself be spoiled, too.
With that quiet resolve,
Arisa closed her eyes.
