Takoaki Matsuura had recently been promoted to Sales Supervisor, a hard-won achievement that called for a grand celebration. He invited all his co-workers and their families to join him at The West World, a renowned hotel known for its elegance and prestige, nestled in the heart of Japan. Laughter and cheerful chatter filled the hotel's hallways, but in the parking lot outside, a simmering quarrel was about to unfold—a clash that would eventually spiral into a war that would carve it's path to break their relationship.
"Dear! What was that?" Sumire asked with a frowned face.
"What?" He questioned to her question.
Without saying a word, Sumire took a few steps forward, gesturing subtly toward a woman with long, raven-black hair, dressed sharply in a fitted black blazer. The woman moved with a purposeful stride toward the grand entrance of the hotel, her silhouette stark against the glowing lights. There was something about her—something that only Sumire noticed.
Sumire's eyes narrowed, her voice sharpening as she pressed further. "That woman! Who is she to you?"
Yuto's face remained a mask of confusion, his brows knitting together as if he truly didn't understand the question. But deep down, he felt the unease churning inside him. He knew exactly what Sumire was getting at, and he could sense the whirlwind of insecurities and suspicions brewing in her mind. After all, he was familiar with that sharp edge of jealousy that sometimes flared when another woman lingered too close to their husband.
He forced a small, casual smile and offered an explanation. "She's our sales manager—Kitsunawa Akujo! She's been with the company for seven years now. A real asset, really. She's always cheerful, always willing to lend a hand to anyone who needs it. I mean, if the company's made it to where it is today, a lot of the credit goes to her."
He simply narrated.
But Sumire was clearly dissatisfied with his answer. Her words shot out like arrows the moment he finished speaking. "I asked who is she to you?"
Yuto's stomach tightened at the repetition of her question. It was a clear signal that his previous response had failed to resonate with her.
"She's my coworker, you know—more like a senior!" he answered.
"A senior?! But she started working for this company after you! How did she get promoted to that position so quickly?" Sumire pressed, concern etched across her face.
Yuto could feel his patience beginning to fray. He prided himself on being a good husband, one who didn't want to upset his wife, but the relentless questioning was wearing him down. He was fed up with her questions and doubts.
He answered her question with an edge of annoyance. "Probably some illegal connections with the owner! Why are you getting so frustrated over that woman? I don't know what you're thinking, but just stop this already!"
"Ah! Dear! You're getting angry at me over that woman. How unfair!" She shielded her face with her hand, withdrawing into a facade of sadness. But the distress in her voice didn't wane; it only intensified. "What did I even say? I just spoke the truth, and you're getting angry for no good reason! I...."
Such is a woman. The essence of a woman is something both powerful and beautiful, especially when it comes to a wife. Women have an uncanny ability to seize control of any situation, whether it's their fault or not, as if they've been trained to navigate the complexities of life with ease. Their very existence can uplift a husband in times of need, pushing boundaries to offer support. Yet, when they perceive their husband as being in the wrong or doing something that displeases them—even if it's the right course of action—they can unleash a force of opposition that is formidable. There's a famous saying that a woman's spirit doesn't give up easily, and in society, we witness it every day: once a woman has made up her mind about something, she will fight to the bitter end.
Yuto understood this all too well. He listened calmly as Sumire's words erupted like bullets from a Gatling gun.
"Is there a problem? Is there a way I can solve it?" interrupted Aisuke Yoshishi—one of Yuto's co-workers who, like Yuto, had seen no promotions since joining the company. He had been observing the couple from a distance for quite some time, his gaze keen as he took in the heated exchange between them.
Yuto and Sumire flinched at the sudden presence of another person, thrown off balance by Aisuke's unexpected arrival. But at that time they couldn't have known that this uninvited intrusion was just the beginning—his presence would soon unravel their lives, one day tearing them apart.