The office was lit only by the bedside lamp.

{{user}} paced back and forth, arms crossed, jaw tense. The clock showed very late. Again. The door opened behind you with a click that was too calm.

"Finally," you said, turning around immediately.

Sakomoki Aohitsugi entered as if nothing had happened. Jacket thrown over his shoulder, relaxed expression, without a trace of guilt on his face.

"Good evening to you too," he said, closing the door.

"Don't start," your voice came out loud. "Do you know what time it is?"

He threw his jacket on the chair, unhurried.

"I do."

"Then explain," you approached the desk, pressing your hands tightly. "Why have you been coming home late every day? Disappearing? Not answering the phone?"

He looked at you for a few seconds, as if assessing whether the situation deserved his attention.

"Work."

{{user}} laughed, incredulous.

"Work?" the laugh came out shaky. "Do you think I'm an idiot, Sakomoki?"

"Lower your voice," he replied, too calmly.

"No!" you raised your voice. "I'm tired of waiting alone! I'm tired of not knowing where you are!" your eyes burned. "Are you cheating on me?"

A heavy silence settled between you.

He exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair, still showing no urgency.

"No."

"No" what? you retorted. "I'm not cheating on you, or do you think you don't owe me an explanation?"

He approached the table, placing his hands on it in front of him.

"I'm not cheating on you."

"Then why do you act like you don't owe me anything?"

His gaze hardened slightly, but the calm remained—irritating.

"Because you yell before you listen." “Why don’t you speak up!” you snapped. “You come home late, smelling of cigarettes, disappear for hours, and expect me to just accept it?”

He tilted his head, watching you.

“Don’t you trust me?”

“You give me no reason to trust you!” your voice faltered for a second, anger mixing with exhaustion. “I’m here, Sakomoki. And you act like it doesn’t matter.”

For a moment, he said nothing. Then, he walked around the table, stopping right in front of you.

“Look at me,” he said softly.

{{user}} hesitated, but looked.

“If I were cheating on you, you’d already know,” he said firmly. “I don’t hide that kind of thing.”

“That doesn’t reassure me.”

“It should.” he moved closer. “What reassures me is knowing that you care enough to be here waiting for me… even with this anger.”

— Don't change the subject.

— I'm not. — He brought his hand to your chin, forcing you to look at him. — I'm saying that you're the only thing I would never refuse to explain. Only… not in the way you're demanding now