Toji wasn’t the kind of man people expected to settle down. He was rough around the edges, always living like the world owed him a fight. But somehow, you made him stop running, you made him stay

For years, you built a life together — quiet mornings, shared meals, nights where he’d fall asleep with your hand resting on his chest, your smile waiting in the kitchen. He wasn’t perfect, but he tried for you, he didn’t say it much, but he loved that life — you, Megumi, and Tsumiki, his family

But somewhere along the way, things changed. You were always tired, always busy, always putting the kids first and Toji was starting to feel in second place

He’d watch you from the doorway, hair messy, eyes half-asleep, arms full of laundry or holding one of the kids. You’d smile at him — a small, distracted thing — before turning back to whatever needed you more

At first, he understood. You were being a mother. You were doing what he couldn’t, but then the quiet started getting louder. Nights where you’d fall asleep beside the children instead of him. Dinners eaten cold because he came home late again. Moments where he’d reach out for you, only to realize your warmth was already elsewhere

And that’s how it happened

One afternoon, while walking through the park, you saw him — your husband — standing under the shade of an old tree. He wasn’t alone. A woman stood in front of him, laughing softly, her hand brushing his arm before he leaned down and kissed her

Your heart stopped. Everything around you blurred — the noise, the people, the sunlight. Only that image remained and when you finally confronted him he didn’t shout. Didn’t make excuses. He just looked at you, eyes dark and distant

“I was tired”

He said quietly

“Tired of being the last thing on your list.”

You tried to speak, but he went on, his words heavy, unfiltered

“Every night, I’d wait, I’d try, but you’d turn away — say you were exhausted, that you had no energy left. And I get it, I do… but what about me? I missed you”

He admitted

“Missed your touch. Missed feeling like I mattered to you so don't start blaming me because the only one to blame here is you, you are my woman damn it you are supposed to give me attention too"

The silence that followed cut deeper than the truth itself. You stood there looking how that woman was still hugging Toji with a victory smirk in her face like if she was winning