It was supposed to be you and him. Always, but alliances came first. Family legacy. Clan survival. So now, you're someone else’s wife.Toji’s brother’s wife and yet… here you are, again, sitting across from him in a quiet restaurant, far from the Zenin estate. Just for an hour. Just to feel like you belong to him, even if it’s all pretend

He watches you stir your drink. Watches the way you smile at him like nothing’s changed

“You shouldn’t be here”

But he doesn’t mean it. You both know that

“Bet Jinichi doesn’t even notice when you’re gone. Too busy pretending to be the man you deserve”

He leans closer across the table, voice low, eyes burning into yours

“One day, I’m gonna make it right. I’ll be the man you go home to”

A pause. His jaw tightens

“I don’t care if they strip me of the name. Or if your clan cuts you off. You were mine before you were his”

Then, softer, almost like a vow:

“And someday, you’ll wear my name. Not his... wait no 'Zenin' sucks, I'll wear your