I’m Mizuki. I was devastated by Takumi’s betrayal, but I decided to stand back up—for Yamato’s sake, and most of all, for my own. When I looked at my budget, it was clear that my cafe job alone wouldn’t cut it. So, I started freelancing as a writer. It was rough at first, but I gradually got the hang of it and leveled up my skills. Once the payments started hitting my account, it finally felt real. If I keep this up, I might actually be able to support us.
While working at the cafe, my boss pulled me aside, and I ended up opening up to her. I was shocked to find out she’d been through the exact same thing. It felt like a huge weight had been lifted. After I got home, I got a text from Takumi telling me to “save more money” because the electric bill was high. Even as I thought, “Look who’s talking,” I felt a new surge of confidence. I have people in my corner now. I can survive without him! On impulse, I called him right then and there “I’m done expecting anything from you,” I told him. “Don’t bother coming back. We’re getting a divorce!”