Chapter 2: The Distance Between Us ( 2 )

Chapter 2 - The Distance Between Us ( 2 ) "Do you, Haruki, take this woman as your wife, to love and cherish her for all your days?" "I do." "And do you, Satomi, take this man as your husband, to stand by his side through all of life's joys and trials?" "I do." As they sealed their vows, Haruki leaned in, pressing his lips against Satomi's in a gentle yet heartfelt kiss. A wave of warmth washed over him as their fingers intertwined, the cool metal of their wedding rings glinting under the soft chapel lights—a symbol of their new beginning. That day had been perfect—a celebration filled with love, promises, and the soft murmur of blessings from family and friends. Now, as he sat in silence, reminiscing, he could still picture it vividly: the delicate scent of her perfume, the way her eyes shimmered when she whispered "I do," and the soft brush of her fingertips against his as they exchanged rings. It was a memory he held close to his heart, one that made everything feel so right... at least, it did back then. She was beautiful, gentle, and caring. That was a memory from four years ago. But now, all Haruki felt was emptiness. It wasn't that he didn't love her—he did. He had always been faithful, never once looking at another woman. But everything changed when Satomi was promoted to a high-ranking position at her company. From that moment, her world revolved around work. Meetings, deadlines, late nights at the office—her career became her everything. Haruki didn't blame her, not even in the slightest. But this small apartment, once filled with warmth, now felt unbearably empty. It was sad—not that he couldn't provide for them; he could—he earned more than Satomi, even with her salary and bonuses. As a programmer and designer, he also worked as a systems consultant, handling various projects for clients. His job granted him freedom—his boss allowed him to work remotely whenever he chose, only requiring him to come into the office for meetings or to deliver completed projects. Haruki remembered the days when they both earned less. Life was simpler back then—no pressure, no expectations. They ate whatever they could find, often sharing instant noodles or cheap takeout, laughing over silly things. Sometimes, they'd cook together, turning a simple meal into something special. On weekends, they'd take long walks in the park, holding hands and dreaming aloud. Even a rainy day felt warm when they curled up under the same blanket, watching old movies on a tiny laptop. Back then, happiness wasn't something they had to chase; it was simply there. But now... it was all gone. Haruki couldn't even remember the last time he'd savored Satomi's home-cooked meals. The kitchen, once filled with the rich aroma of simmering miso soup and freshly steamed rice, now sat cold and unused. "Haa... what a life." He let out a long sigh, staring at the glowing screen of his laptop before shifting his gaze to the world outside. The city lights flickered beyond the small window of their cheap rented apartment, a silent reminder of how much had changed. Money? What was it really worth? Could it buy back time? Could it bring back the happiness they had lost? Haruki glanced at the clock. It was already past 11 PM. Just then, he heard the sound of a car pulling up outside. She's back. Without hesitation, he approached the door, wanting to greet her as he always did. When he opened it, he smiled. "Welcome back, honey." Satomi stepped inside, looking exhausted as she set her bag down. "Ah... dear, I'm home." "Are you hungry?" he asked, hoping—just maybe—they could sit down and share a meal together like they used to. She shook her head. "No, I'm just tired. I already ate with my co-workers." "Oh..." Haruki's voice trailed off, his smile slightly fading. Their marriage had lasted over a year now. Haruki wanted a child; he longed for one. A little life to call their own, a new Chapter in their love story. But every time he brought it up, Satomi's response was always the same: Not yet. Maybe later. There's no time for that. Did she not realize that the older they got, the harder it would be to raise a child? Of course, they were still young—Haruki knew that. They were both 26, high school sweethearts who had been inseparable for years. But lately, it felt like the distance between them was growing. Work. That's all she seemed to care about. Work, work, work. Was it really about ambition? Or was she just chasing money? If that was the case, why? He had money too—more than enough to support them both. "Dear?" Satomi's voice pulled him from his thoughts. "Yes, honey?" he responded, trying to mask the heaviness in his chest. "I think we should find a new place." Haruki frowned slightly. "Oh? But why?" "Well, my new job is a bit far from here. I don't want to be late." His frown deepened. "Wait... new job? You quit your current one?" "No," she said casually, removing her heels as if it was just another regular night. "The company I worked for got bought out... by my father. And now, I'm in charge." Haruki froze. "Your father?" She gave a small nod. "Yes." "Your family... is rich?" Satomi hesitated for a moment, then shrugged. "Not really. My father only recently found success. Now, his company is one of the biggest, and he bought out my old workplace." Haruki leaned back slightly, processing her words. Why was she only telling me this now? Satomi was happy. Too happy. I could see it in her face—that look. The excitement, the pride. She was glowing with joy. I should be happy too. And I was... or at least, I thought I was. But deep inside, something felt off—like a shift was happening, something I couldn't quite put into words. Was this just the beginning of even bigger changes? "Dear, what are you thinking?" Satomi's voice cut through my thoughts. I blinked and forced a small smile. "Oh, nothing." That was all I could say for now. I didn't want to ruin her happiness. I didn't want to hurt her feelings, even if a part of me was already uneasy. "So, dear... about moving out?" I didn't know how to respond. A part of me wanted to protest, but the words wouldn't come. All I could do was smile and say, "Well... I'm comfortable living like this. But if you want, you can find a place." Her eyes lit up. "Really? Then I'll ask my father to help us find a new place near my office." I let out a small breath and nodded. "Okay. As long as you're happy... I'm happy too." But was I really? ( End of Chapter )