Chapter 4 - The explosive declaration from his wife
“I’m not going anywhere, okay?”
Kasumi said this to Ryuji, who seemed concerned about their destination.
She had brought Ryuji out because she wanted to talk slowly. She chose his car so he could relax, and offered to drive so he could focus on the conversation they were about to have. But so far, everything seemed to be backfiring.
She held back a sigh. It wasn’t that she was exasperated with Ryuji.
Kasumi was beautiful. It might sound arrogant, but living her whole life with this face, even the most absent-minded person would realize their looks were above average.
Because of that, Kasumi had never truly had to be considerate of others—especially men. No matter the situation, even if there were ulterior motives, she was always on the receiving end of attention and care. So now, she had no idea how to ease someone else’s tension.
It’s because she’s always relied on Ryuji.
Kasumi bit her lip hard and flicked on the turn signal.
She had planned to bring up the topic a bit earlier, let things settle into a good mood, and maybe grab dinner. But she hadn’t even managed to start the conversation.
It was a simple thing, really.
She was always being helped. She was truly grateful, and above all, she respected him. Whether it was the house, Akari, or work—if someone asked whether Kasumi could achieve the same results as Ryuji at the same company, she’d honestly say she wasn’t confident.
She thought he was amazing. She was grateful. She loved him. She liked him.
Back in college, she’d been interested in him, talked to him, and went on dates. Ryuji was the first person she’d ever approached herself.
Serious and sincere, but surprisingly down-to-earth. He liked her face and body, but also genuinely respected her inner self. Kasumi adored that about him.
He was the only one who had ever appeared before her, someone tired of being judged solely by looks or by people who “valued personality instead.”
Kasumi wasn’t stupid or oblivious. She knew what was troubling Ryuji.
Inferiority complex.
He was probably feeling it about his income, appearance, scent—things like that. He was tormented by the idea that he was inferior to Kasumi in those aspects.
The road grew rough, and the car began to shake. Kasumi gripped the steering wheel tightly.
Compared to the optimistic Kasumi, Ryuji was deeply pessimistic.
But she didn’t think that was a bad thing. A husband who always prepared for the worst was truly dependable.
When Akari was still very little and got sick a few times, he handled everything calmly and efficiently. She remembered how reassured both mother and daughter had felt.
He’d been like that since college.
Even though he attended lectures diligently, he was terrified of failing a year. Kasumi had found that a bit silly, but more often than not, his caution had helped her.
He taught her about scholarships and tuition waivers, and he started job hunting earlier than anyone else.
While other students wasted their earnings from part-time jobs on drinking parties, Ryuji lived a disciplined college life. Kasumi was proud to call him her boyfriend.
But every trait has its good and bad sides.
He really does overthink things sometimes.
He was self-critical. He always blamed himself when things didn’t go well. That noble mindset often ate away at his mental and physical health. Sometimes, he’d fall into a pit he couldn’t climb out of.
Kasumi believed it was a wife’s job to help him out of that. But she wasn’t good at it. It frustrated her that she couldn’t give anything back to a husband who had given her so much.
“Hey,” Kasumi said.
What do I do? I haven’t sorted anything out yet.
“Yeah,” Ryuji replied, his voice as gentle as ever.
That kindness almost made Kasumi cry.
She might end up hurting this kind man. Maybe it was safer to just stay quiet.
Her hesitation didn’t go away.
Silence ruled the space.
As Kasumi struggled to find words, Ryuji spoke in a hoarse voice.
“Sorry. I’m always causing trouble.”
That broke the dam inside Kasumi.
This man. Even now, he’s apologizing. To the woman who dragged him out without explanation, to the wife who always leans on him, to the one who created this awkward atmosphere—he’s apologizing.
Maybe Ryuji thinks of her as a princess. That’s sweet, but if that’s the case, she has something to say too.
“You’ve been down lately,” Kasumi said clearly.
She could tell Ryuji gasped at her words and tone.
He probably didn’t want to hear it. Kasumi herself preferred to be left alone when she was feeling low, with someone gently supporting her from the sidelines. Ryuji always did that for her.
Maybe this was her ego talking, Kasumi thought.
But she didn’t care anymore.
Because she loved Ryuji.
“I know what’s bothering you. You think your salary, your looks, your body don’t match up with mine, right?”
Without letting him respond, Kasumi continued.
“That’s okay. Because those things matter to you, and you’ve never run away from them. You’ve kept pushing through the pain, and that’s why the Ryuji I admire exists.”
She pictured Ryuji’s constant perseverance. Always enduring, always pushing forward until he made something real. Whether it was parenting, cooking, or work—he faced everything head-on and overcame it.
To Kasumi, that was the most reliable, comforting, exciting version of him.
She was tearing up.
“But, but, there’s something I need you to know. Something I want you to keep at the center of your mind.”
Kasumi inhaled and slowly exhaled.
“I love you. Truly. You’re the best person in the world to me. I respect you.”
“I’m always grateful, and I want you to keep helping me. But I also want you to lean on me when you need to. I’m not saying this from a high place. It’s not about being above or below—it’s because I love you.”
Kasumi couldn’t stop now.
“Because I love you and you’re important to me, it hurts to see you suffering. So please, rely on me more. I won’t think you’re uncool. Actually, you’re ridiculously cool all the time.”
She wiped her tears with one hand off the wheel and sniffled.
“You don’t think of me as a princess. And yourself as the knight supporting me? Or maybe, knowing you, the otaku and the princess of the anime club?”
“That’s all wrong!!!”
Kasumi shouted.
“You’re my prince! I never said it because it’s embarrassing, but I love you more than you love me. Think about it—you’re big and strong, sincere, smart, always serious about everything, and unbelievably sweet to me.”
She kept going.
“When Akari was born, you researched everything—childcare, my body, my career. You work hard, you’ve been promoted, you do housework, and Akari adores you.”
“And my mom and dad. You feel inferior around them, but they both love you. You picked up golf and shogi to match my dad’s hobbies and got good at both. When you go shopping with my mom at the department store, you have no idea how giddy her texts to me get. She’s mine, you know!!”
Kasumi’s nostrils flared.
“Someone around me must’ve said something stupid, right? Ryuji, you’re so kind, you actually listen to that crap. I’ve heard it once too. I’ll say it now—someone called you a freeloader.”
Kasumi took a deep breath.
“That’s absolutely wrong!!”
“Because I’m the one leaning on you. It’s not something to brag about, but our whole life runs on your income. You manage everything. You buy me what I want without me saying it, but never buy anything for yourself.”
“I’ve leaned on you, but you’ve never leaned on me. That’s what hurts.”
“I’ve been spoiled all this time. That’s why I haven’t done anything for you, Ryuji. Even now, I didn’t notice until you were this down, just smiling to myself. Who’s the failure as a wife, as a partner?”
“And also—I love your face and your scent the most!!!!”
Kasumi wiped the tears spread across her face with the wrist of her right hand.
“I love you. I’m in love with you. Because you’re the most important person to me.”
Kasumi turned to Ryuji.
“I need you. I can’t be without you. …Did you get that?”
She glanced at Ryuji, who nodded while laughing, crying, happy and embarrassed all at once. Kasumi smiled softly.
The car had, at some point, turned toward the home they shared with Akari.
Kasumi drove with one hand, relaxed as usual.
“What should we do for dinner?”
“Oh, I already made something. And there’s beer too.”
The compact car was small. The closeness between them made both Kasumi and Ryuji happy.
~ Fin ~