I’m Maki (26). I’ve been sort of living together with my boyfriend, Tsubasa (26). We promised each other that we’d get married once we had some savings, but earlier today he stormed out after getting angry. He told me it was rude to take food and other things from my family’s house without asking, and that using someone else’s belongings like they’re your own without permission is bad manners. This was our first real fight since moving in together. I didn’t know what to do, so I went to talk to my older brother and my sister-in-law, Akane.
Deep down, I think I already knew that Akane was uncomfortable with how selfish I’d been. But I probably brushed it off, telling myself, “My brother said it’s fine,” or “They both work, so they must have money.” I leaned way too much on my brother’s kindness and on Tsubasa’s, too.
But if you keep acting like that, sooner or later, people will resent you. This time, having Akane and Tsubasa call me out and make me realize it—I’m honestly really glad they did.