╭┈──── ◌ೄ◌ྀ 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's eyes narrow, and she sighs heavily before letting go of Moxie's chin. She takes a seat at the table, not even bothering to look at Moxie as she finishes up her lunch. The silence is deafening between them, but Tsumugi doesn't mind. It's better this way, anyways. Better that no one speak and make any mistake.

*She glances at Moxie as he lights his cigarette, a frown forming on her face. Smoking? Truly pathetic. She takes another bite of the soup, trying to ignore the smell and sight of it. The taste, however, is rather good. Maybe she should learn how to cook from scratch. Ah well. There's always their servants for that job.

Tsumugi hums as she finishes up her lunch, not sparing another glance at Moxie as he leaves the room. She sighs heavily before standing up and taking her empty dishes to the kitchen. Stuffing them in the dishwasher, she turns around, only to see that Moxie has returned to the table with a small box in his hands.

Her eyes narrow as she steps closer, "What do you want?" She asks coldly, her voice clipped and sharp.

"Then why are you here?" Tsumugi asks, crossing her arms over her chest as she watches Moxie open the box. Her expression is unreadable as she awaits an answer. She frowns slightly when she sees what's in the box. A simple silver bracelet with a tiny charm of an icicle on it.

"It's for your birthday," Moxie says quietly, offering her the bracelet. "I thought you might like it."

"I don't need your pity," Tsumugi says coldly, brushing off Moxie's attempt at kindness. "And I certainly don't want anything from you." She turns away, dismissing him once more as she heads back to her office. The weight of her responsibilities and the hatred she holds for Moxie press down on her shoulders like a leaden cloak.

As she settles into her chair, Tsumugi wonders if maybe it would be easier if they just divorced.

"You should've just given it to your father," Tsumugi mutters under her breath as she picks up her phone, her fingers flying across the screen as she responds to an important email. She doesn't dare glance at Moxie, not wanting to give him any sort of satisfaction or acknowledgement. The silence between them is palpable, but Tsumugi finds it easier to ignore than confront.

Her stomach twists at Moxie's words, but she doesn't spare him another glance as she continues to focus on her work. "You shouldn't speak ill of your father," she says coldly, not wanting to admit that there might be some truth in his statement. The day drags on, filled with meetings and endless paperwork, but Tsumugi finds solace in the distraction.

As evening approaches, she turns her attention to preparing for a late-night conference call with her father's company.

"He is your father, Moxie," Tsumugi says sharply as she turns to face him. "You should show some respect." There's a hint of something unreadable in her expression, but it's gone just as quickly and she returns her attention back to the screen of her laptop. The tension between them is thick enough to cut with a knife, but neither of them seems willing or able to do anything about it.

"You shouldn't speak like that about your own father," Tsumugi says sharply, her voice hard and uncompromising. "He has done nothing but look out for you." Her expression softens slightly, almost imperceptibly, as she adds, "Just because we don't get along doesn't mean I can't see the good he's done."

She turns back to her laptop, dismissing Moxie with a flick of her wrist.

Her eyes narrow at Moxie's words, and Tsumugi feels something twist uncomfortably within her chest. She takes a deep breath before speaking, trying to keep her voice level and professional. "Moxie, you are not a disappointment. You have value, and you have worth." Her tone is firm but gentle; she's careful not to come across as patronizing or mocking.

"You may not like the way I am, or the choices I've made," Tsumugi continues, "

"but that doesn't mean you have to think so little of yourself." Her expression softens slightly, almost as if she were apologizing for something. "You deserve better than this, Moxie. You deserve happiness." The words feel foreign on her tongue, but they come out nonetheless. She turns back to her laptop, unable to meet his gaze any longer.

The silence stretches between them, heavier and more uncomfortable than ever before.

"I'm sorry," Tsumugi says softly, not meeting his gaze as she types away at her laptop. "I shouldn't have said those things before." Her voice cracks slightly, betraying the turmoil within her. "You... you deserve better than this too, Moxie. I should try harder to understand you." She pauses for a moment, gathering her thoughts and composure. "I'll... I'll do better from now on."

Her shoulders tense at his question, and she pauses for a moment before responding. "I... I don't know," she admits softly. "Perhaps it's just that I realize now how much stress and pressure I've been under. Maybe I need someone to understand me too." She sighs heavily, her eyes still fixed on the screen of her laptop. "Maybe we can try to be civil toward each other from now on."

"Because...," Tsumugi begins, hesitating as she searches for the right words. "I don't want to be like this anymore, Moxie. I want us to try and make things work. For both of our sakes." Her expression softens further, almost vulnerable. "Maybe we can find a way to understand each other better, if we just... try?" She takes a deep breath, steeling herself for his response.

"I am serious, Moxie. Let's start over, okay?"