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Scanner: Shmook
Chapter 31
It’s already 2 o’clock, and Chiwa continues to stay up to wait for Hokuto’s return. She begins dozing off until she’s interrupted by the loud clang of the door. Hokuto has finally returned, but he’s so tired he collapses on the floor. It seems that Hokuto has become busier ever since he switched divisions, but it’s too late to do anything about his choice now. She tells him to go bathe first, but he tells her to go sleep instead. Chiwa mutters that if she leaves him alone, he’ll probably fall asleep in the bathtub. As Chiwa picks up after Hokuto, she wonders if what he’s doing now is ok. After all, he’s the only one working hard for both of them. She walks up to the bathroom, only to find him asleep again. After bathing, Hokuto wants to have sex and climbs on top of Chiwa.
Chiwa asks, “Are you sure? We haven’t done it in 2 weeks, but I think it’s better if we go to sleep tonight…” But Hokuto glares at her, and she concedes. Her worries fade away as she gets in the mood, but Hokuto ends up falling asleep on her belly once more. The next morning over breakfast, Hokuto tells Chiwa, “I was just tired last night. It’s not like I’ve been aging or anything…and it’s not your fault either.”
Chiwa tells him, “But I didn’t say anything…”
Hokuto leaves for work, and Chiwa tells him if might be better if he doesn’t drive, seeing as how he’s so tired these days. But he reassures her that he’s fine and leaves anyways. She understands that he doesn’t want her to worry. However, she later receives a call from Souma, asking her to come down to the ground floor. Hokuto once again has collapsed, whether it was from the drinks he had after the business reception or just fatigue. Together, they escort him back to the flat. When he awakes, Souma tells him that she has canceled the appointment for next afternoon because of his condition, but Hokuto only gets angry.
Hokuto: What were you thinking?
Souma: But it’s just that we won’t do as well with you in such a condition…
Hokuto: Even though you’re under my grandpa in name, you’re my subordinate. Since when did you ascend to the position to…
Chiwa: Stop saying things like that Hokuto! I was the one who asked her to do so.
Hokuto: Don’t do…such unnecessary things.
Chiwa is a bit shocked by Hokuto.
Souma: President, since you’re already of age, I thought I would hold back on saying this, but I can’t do so anymore. You still don’t understand, do you? What your wife means? And anyways, you’re actually below me in status now!
Hokuto: Souma!
Souma: You may fire me if you wish, I won’t complain or regret at all! I’ll be leaving now, so please rest up until tomorrow! Goodbye.
Chiwa thinks Hokuto’s being unnecessarily cruel to Souma, since she has always been watching out for him. Hokuto, however, disagrees, saying that they’re ganging up on him and ousting him of his job. Chiwa then argues back, “First of all, why do you have to be the one who works hard? Isn’t it strange? It’s for the both of us.”
Hokuto: (flustered) Then tell me, what can you possibly do?!
Chiwa: But…Isn’t there anything I can help you with?
Hokuto: And why did you cancel my meeting tomorrow? I know you’re worried about my health, but I can’t stand you doing things like this. If you’re so worried about our future, it’ll be better if you do nothing at all. Just be mature and wait patiently. You know nothing about my job anyways. Well, maybe a little now…
Chiwa: (about to break into tears) FINE! That’s right! I can’t do anything. I stepped in and did something unnecessary. Since I don’t want to be a hindrance, I won’t do anything! That means everything surrounding you. I won’t do your laundry, or clean up after you, or cook for you! I will do absolutely nothing for you!
Hokuto: Do…do what you want! I’m used to living alone anyways. It’s no big deal!
Chiwa: Is that so? Then do your best, ALONE! I’m going to sleep back in my original room.
Hokuto: Fine!
After their argument however, Chiwa is very down at work the next day. It has been three years since they married, but she didn’t something like this to happen. She knows that it’s an important time for both of them, but she was just really mad back then. But on a deeper level, she’s sad rather than irritated because Hokuto’s words ring true. He doesn’t need her help.
At home, Hokuto stares disappointedly at his own pile of laundry. He thinks, “It’s alright. If I don’t have enough underwear or shirts, I can just buy more.” When he sees Chiwa gathering her own laundry, Chiwa runs away and scurries back into her room. He opens his bedroom door, only to see it a mess. He shoves away the dirty clothing and plunks down onto the bed. Meanwhile, Chiwa leans against her door and keeps worrying about Hokuto. She wants to leave him alone, but is unable to. She wonders if he did his laundry, and if he’s eating properly. She knows that it’ll be easier to return to normal if she apologizes, but she can’t help but think back to his words, that she knows nothing about his job.
The next evening, Chiwa joins her coworkers for a drink after work, leaving Hokuto to fend for himself at home. When the clock strikes 11, he begins to wonder why she hasn’t come home yet, since tomorrow’s a workday. Meanwhile, Chiwa is singing karaoke with her colleagues, wondering how many days it has been. He hasn’t touched her, much less ask after her. But it’s not like either of them have left the house. They’re still living together.
A while later, Souma talks to Chiwa on the phone. It seems that Souma is doing most of the taking-care of Hokuto now. Chiwa apologizes, since he’s making Souma buying him extra clothes. But Souma tells her not to worry, since it’s apparent that Hokuto doesn’t appreciate the value of Chiwa. Chiwa thinks that it’s not because of that that started their argument. However, Souma continues on. “He needs to start behaving and realize that he’s not living by himself anymore.” That word strikes Chiwa though, that he’s alone. She realizes that no matter how much she feels slighted, she shouldn’t leave him alone. She thanks Souma (which of course leaves Souma confused since she doesn’t know what she did) and hangs up. Chiwa declines her coworker’s invitation to another night out and returns home. She thinks, “I need to hurry and go home to clean and do the laundry. And if he’s willing to eat, I need to make his favorite food. Even though the things I can do are not much, that’s fine. I need to do whatever I can for him. I cannot be the one to let go of his hand.”
Hokuto returns home, prepared for another night of being alone. However, he finds Chiwa’s note on the table for his dinner. He spins around and finds her hiding behind her door.
Chiwa: You’re early. Welcome home. Umm…it’s just as I wrote on the note…so goodnight. (shuts the door)
Hokuto: (pushes open the door) Hey!
Chiwa: I cleaned your room too. (shuts the door again)
Hokuto: (pushes the door open again) HEY!
Chiwa: I also did your laundry……(silence)… Ah, so you weren’t hungry then.
Hokuto: No…(pulls Chiwa in for a hug) I’m at the limit. I know you’re frustrated. Whether there’s a deadline or not, or changes of winning or not, I’ve been pushed to the limit for both time and energy. But I couldn’t admit it, that I don’t have enough strength on my own, or that there’s only so much one person can do. So please lend me your strength. Without you, I won’t be able to overcome this.
Chiwa: Alright! I get it Hokuto! I’ll do anything! I’m sorry that I canceled your meeting…that has been on my mind ever since.
Hokuto: Ah, that? Never mind about that…
Chiwa: I’m so glad. What should I do for you? You can tell me anything!
Hokuto looks down at the hopeful Chiwa, and he finally understands Souma’s words. The ones about Chiwa’s value and worth. He asks her to start taking care of him again, just like it used to be. Chiwa is a bit disappointed though, since it was the same as before. Hokuto then interrupts, “Then…why don’t you take me to work tomorrow?”
Chiwa: Huh? You mean, the car?
Hokuto: Yea, then I can sleep during that time.
Chiwa: Is it alright for me to drive?
Hokuto: Yup.
Chiwa: I don’t really get it, but ok. Anything else?
Hokuto: (leans in for a slight kiss) I want to…get revenge for last time.
Chiwa: (looks up) Alright…but really, I didn’t mind last time. (Mostly referring to him falling asleep during sex)
Hokuto: (lifts Chiwa up into his arms) Be a bit more considerate, I minded a lot.
Chiwa: Ah…(as he carries her to the bedroom) Hokuto?
Hokuto: Yes?
Chiwa: I have a wish. Please think of me when you’re troubled. I may not be able to help you anything, and it may be quicker for you to solve your own problems, but I’ll always be here to help you.
Hokuto: Understood, wifey.