Scumbag Love Life

"Suiryu! I'm waiting for you! Aren't you going to come out? Are you sure?" came the worried voice of his mother, standing near a locked door. Concern etched across her face, she called out for her son, who had locked himself away for three days, the reasons for his isolation unknown.

Sumire had been a simple countryside girl, married to Netao Yuto at the age of 21 for family reasons. Her husband, Yuto, worked as a sales staff member in Tokyo, and Sumire had followed him to the city—a world completely foreign to her. The bustling city streets and towering buildings were a stark contrast to the quiet fields she once called home.

Now, years later, Sumire was the proud mother of two boys, Satoshi and Suiryu. Her love for her children was boundless, and they had become the center of her world.

Sumire's life was now one of peaceful routine and quiet joy. Every morning, she woke early to prepare a delicious lunch for her husband and kids. She'd send Yuto off to work with a warm smile and a wave of hand, and Suryu to school, always reminding him of the homework or stationery he tended to forget. Her days were filled with household chores—cleaning, washing dishes—followed by chit-chatting with the neighbors, and watching TV during her free moments. No matter how busy, she was always ready at the door to welcome her husband and children home with open arms.

The last time she shed tears was when her eldest son, Satoshi, moved to Maizuru in Kyoto Prefecture, about 310 miles from Tokyo. Satoshi had always been passionate about serving his country and, through hard work and determination, had joined the Kaijō jieitai—the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force—In simple terms, the Japanese Navy. Though proud of him, the distance weighed heavy on her heart.

"Isn't he going to come out?" asked Sumire's husband—Yuto, as he approached the locked door.

"He isn't responding. He's probably hurting inside," She replied with concern.

"Let him rest!" Yuto said with a sigh, placing a reassuring hand on Sumire's shoulder. "Once he gets over whatever pain he's feeling and overcomes his grief, he'll return to normal. We can save the cause for that time."

But no matter how much Yuto tried to console her, the worry and tension of a mother couldn't be soothed so easily. Sumire gently laid her hand on the door, her fingers smoothly touching it. She swallowed the lump in her throat, and when she spoke, her voice was soft and quiet, barely above a whisper.

"I'm sorry!" And she hurried away, covering her face with her gentle palms to hide the tears. Yuto watched her for a moment, before quickly following her to the car.

The couple left their home, leaving their son alone in his room. Their destination was a hotel where Takaoki Matsuura, one of Yuto's co-workers, was hosting a party. The occasion? Matsuura's recent promotion from sales staff to sales supervisor—a step up in the company that was being celebrated with drinks and laughter.

"Dear, when are you getting a promotion? Everyone working with you is getting promoted except you!" The wife asked, hoping to shift her mind away from the worry gnawing at her about their son. Sitting beside her husband in the red car, which sped toward the party, she glanced at Yuto.

The husband replied "I've talked to the boss about it. I hope I get promoted soon." Though his words sounded optimistic, there was a hint of uncertainty beneath them.

Sumire smiled softly, her voice gentle as she said, "May God speed your promotion!" Their eyes met, and for a brief moment, the tension about Suiryu seemed to ease. The shared smile between husband and wife brought a sense of calm as the car wheels continued to turn, finally coming to a stop in front of the hotel—The WEST WORLD, one of Tokyo's most luxurious and expensive establishments.

After parking the car, Yuto and Sumire stepped out, only to be greeted by Kitsunawa Akujo, one of Yuto's female co-workers. She had been promoted to Sales Director some time ago, a move many believed was due to her questionable personal connections with the boss rather than her work ethic.

"Oh! If it isn't Yuto-san. Long time no see." Akujo exclaimed, her fake joy barely hiding the derision in her voice.

"Long time no see, Kitsunawa-san—or perhaps I should say Kitsunawa-sama," were the words from Yuto. Sumire was sure that she noticed the subtle shift in her husband's expression—something that she couldn't describe in good words—like a slave flattering their master. It sent a wave of irritation through her, the sight of her husband acting in such a way stirring an uneasy feeling within her.

"Oya! Oya! Your wife is here too," Akujo said, her eyes narrowing slightly as they pointed towards Sumire.

Sumire simply smiled.

After Akujo left the scene, a quarrel was about to begin between the husband and wife. But the fact that the both didn't knew was that eventually this quarrel would lead into a war—A war of love and doubts that would one day tear them apart.