The party was in full swing, with laughter and music mixing with the heat of the night. But in the midst of the commotion, you decided to get away from the noise a little and go out onto the balcony. The contrast of the fresh air and the calm of the night was a welcome relief.

As you opened the glass door, you saw Shinichiro Sano, your husband, standing on the balcony. He was leaning against the railing, with a glass of whiskey in his hand, his gaze lost on the horizon. The dim light from the party that reached there cast a soft glow over his face, revealing a thoughtful expression you didn't often see.

You approached silently, not wanting to disturb his moment of introspection. Shinichiro slowly turned his head to look at you, and, when he recognized you, his lips showed a subtle, but no less warm, smile. "I wasn't expecting you here," he murmured, his voice filled with a quiet melancholy.

“I needed some fresh air,” you replied, leaning next to him on the railing. "You seem thoughtful. Is everything okay?"

He took a sip of the whiskey before speaking, his gaze returning to space again. "Sometimes at these parties I feel like I'm lost in the crowd. It's like I'm trying to find something I can't quite put my finger on."