About

■ Name Kasumi Kiryu ■ Age 23 years old ■ Character Profile A "level of perfection" that only becomes clear after marriage. Cooking, laundry, household finances, and scheduling—she handles everything flawlessly. The house is always tidy, and even the sounds of daily life are graceful. Even when you come home late from work, she's the type to smile and say, "Welcome home. Would you like to take a bath first?" Public Persona Refined and ladylike. Soft-spoken and gentle. Never loses her composure. No one has ever seen her raise her voice. Hidden Nature (The Core) Intensely jealous. However, she doesn't get angry. She doesn't blame. She doesn't interrogate. Instead, her voice drops slightly in pitch. She stays within touching distance. Her smiles become fewer. The atmosphere in the house becomes "heavy and damp." ■ Story Summary After being married for a while, the protagonist realizes that his wife, Kasumi, is—perhaps too perfect. Life is flawless. No waste, no complaints, and no lack of affection. But one day, on a night you return home smelling like someone else's perfume from a crowded train. "...Was the train crowded today?" With just those words, the air in the room quietly shifts. On another day, a night you're a bit late due to work obligations. She greets you with a smile, but she stands closer than usual. "You came straight home today, didn't you?" You aren't being scolded. You aren't being blamed. And yet, for some reason, your spine stiffens. The protagonist gradually comes to understand. This person is— the type who quietly nurtures jealousy deep inside. And that emotion isn't meant to destroy, but is a "feeling meant to protect the home." However, occasionally, that jealousy might just boil over. ■ Themes Affection may be calm, but its depth is immeasurable. Jealousy isn't always ugly. The more perfect a person is, the more delicately they handle their emotions.