Soft footsteps approached behind her.

“Enjoying the stars?” came a warm, graceful voice.

Yui turned. “Oh—Umi-san . Yes, a little. The garden’s lovely.”

Yuki’s mother smiled gently, stepping beside her. “I always find it calming after a long meal full of strategic small talk.”

Yui let out a soft laugh. “It must be hard for you.”

His mother glanced at her sideways, her tone casual but knowing. “You and Yuki… seem to be managing. Better than I expected, to be honest.”

Yui blinked. “That’s…..”

“I know my son,” Mrs. Sanada continued.

 “He can be… guarded. And frustrating. But he’s not indifferent. I saw the way he looked at you tonight.”

Yui’s cheeks warmed slightly. 

“It always is, in marriages like this.” She paused, then added with a glint of mischief, “Still, you handled the dinner well. You looked beautiful, by the way.”

“Thank you,” Yui said softly.

Yuki's mother leaned in slightly. “One more thing, dear.”

“Yes?”

“Whatever this marriage started as… don’t be afraid if it starts becoming something else.”

Yui opened her mouth to respond, but the words caught in her throat.

Yuki’s mother gave her a knowing smile and turned to walk back toward the house, her voice trailing behind like a breeze.

“Stars are prettier when you’re not looking at them alone.”

--------

The room was elegant, spacious, and tastefully decorated in warm tones.

It had everything a pair of well-adjusted, mature newlyweds could ask for.

Except a second bed.

Yui stood at the doorway like she’d just witnessed a crime scene. Her eyes narrowed at the enormous king-sized bed in the center, her arms crossed with the kind of disapproval only someone stuck in a fake marriage could radiate.

Yuki already inside, laying on the bed reading a book.

She walked in closed the door behind her and looked at him in disbelief. “Are you… for real?” 

“You think I’m giving up a bed this soft just because we hate each other on weekdays?”

“We hate each other on weekends, too.”

“Right. A full-time job.”

She groaned and rubbed her temples. "But that's not the problem right now! How are you acting like this is nothing!?" 

With a straight face he said, "Why? Were you expecting something? Perhaps?" He pulled her on the bed by the wrist and leaned in closer gazing into her eyes.

Yui's heart jumped out of her chest. She picked up a pillow, and threw it at his face.

Ten minutes later, Yui had constructed a fluffy Berlin Wall straight down the middle of the bed.

“This,” she said, patting the pillow fortress, “is neutral ground. No trespassing.”

Yuki raised a brow. “Seriously?”

“Very.”

They both lay down, backs turned. Lights off.

For once, the silence wasn’t cold. Just… tentative.

After a while , Yui broke the silence.

"Thanks for today....." Said Yui whispering.

Yuki surprised, said in a low voice. "You? Thanking me? Are my ears malfunctioning or did you hit your head?" 

"Seriously? You sure are very eager to turn into a steak by my hands! A BURNT one at that!" She said.

Yui felt the chills and gulped at her statement. He diverted the conversation.

“I can’t believe we survived that dinner,” He said. He further added, “ Also I can’t believe your dad bought that story about me folding laundry.”

“You should try folding laundry sometime. It’s humbling.”

“I’d rather fight a bear.”

They laughed softly—quiet, tired, but real.

Yuki yawned sleep taking over. They both still laying their back facing each other. Yuki dozed off to sleep. Yui smiled softly thinking about what had happened since last night till that night. She felt a strange warmth in her heart that she couldn't describe.

The pillow wall sagged a little in the middle—but neither of them fixed it.

Yui stirred awake, the morning sun slipping through silk curtains. She blinked groggily, momentarily disoriented until she spotted the pillow wall—slightly crumpled—and a peacefully sleeping Yuki beside it.

She sat up, brushing her hair back, and reached for her phone. Notifications blinked.

Her blood ran cold.

Louis: I’ll be visiting your house today. Can’t wait to see you~

She screamed from inside and texted back typing furiously. 

Yui: I'm absolutely busy you can't come today.

Louis: But I'm already on my way! Tehe~

She smacked her forehead.

Yui: How about this! Meet me at that artesian coffee place downtown."

Louis: If you really want to meet outside I don't mind~ but isn't it a bit far from your house though? I'm almost there."

Yui: I just heard the coffee is good there so I will see you later. Bye." 

“Yuki, wake up!” she hissed, tossing a spare pillow at him.

He groaned again, flipping over. “What now—has the war started?”

"We have to leave right now!" She panicked.

Yuki in haze replied. "What's the matter...." 

"Just wake up! I can't tell you right now! I have to go somewhere urgent!"

"Fine..."

"You-" She kicked him out of the bed.

-------

Before they could sneak out and flee, a maid politely informed them breakfast was being served. Yui nearly cried.

Downstairs in the estate’s serene garden, a perfectly arranged breakfast table awaited. Yuki’s parents were already seated.

Yui took her seat, forcing calm. Yuki noticed her hand shaking as she poured tea.

“You look like you just saw a ghost,” he whispered.

Midway through breakfast, Yuki’s father placed an envelope on the table with a pleased expression.

“A little gift. Since your school schedule’s so packed, consider this your newlywed trip.”

Yuki opened it and blinked. “Whoa.”

Inside were tickets to a luxury five-star hot spring resort—private suites, personal chef, a view of Mount Fuji, the works.

Yui choked on her juice.

“Think of it as a pre-honeymoon,” Yuki’s mother added. 

Yui wanted to scream again, but she just smiled like a wind-up doll.

-------

-outside the estate-

"What's wrong with you?" 

"Since we are already done now, we can go separate ways. You can go back home. I have to go somewhere." Said Yui in a hurry and sprinted before he could say something in return.

"Wai- and she left....what's with her?" He muttered.