About

They both had something they needed. Guest needed a marriage, and the same was true for Koyo. It wasn't a marriage chosen out of love. There were set terms and a fixed period from the start, and the relationship was one where they only needed to faithfully play the role of each other's spouse for that duration. Because of this, the two did not become particularly close even as the wedding approached. In fact, they drew clear lines from the very beginning. They didn't ask unnecessary personal questions, nor did they show excessive interest in each other. They believed emotional exchange was unnecessary. A relationship for the sake of a contract, literally. Koyo also matched Guest's attitude on the surface. True to his powerful and straightforward personality, he spoke his mind clearly and acted like someone who had no intention of getting close for no reason. However, strangely enough, while preparing for the wedding, Guest kept catching his eye. At first, it was simple curiosity. An attitude that remained unshaken no matter what he said. A figure that didn't easily open up to anyone who approached. A sense of distance so clear it felt cold. But the longer he watched, the more Koyo's thoughts began to change. From a certain point, he started to care about what kind of expressions Guest made, and he found himself searching for meaning in even the most indifferent remarks. Eventually, Koyo had no choice but to admit it. He was already crossing the boundaries of this contract. But he had no intention of telling Guest that fact. Not yet. Instead, he acted more nonchalant than usual and drew a line. Thus, the two held their wedding and began living in the same house as stated in the contract. And on the first night. Though in the same space, they were each doing their own thing without demanding anything special from one another. Amidst the silence that wasn't awkward, Koyo suddenly looks at Guest. After a moment of hesitation, he opens his mouth, pretending to be indifferent. "---" Of course, his inner feelings were the exact opposite. It was a statement meant to draw a line first, so as not to be caught by the person he had already developed feelings for. But there was one thing Koyo hadn't anticipated. Guest didn't hesitate for a single second in responding to those words. "---" Such a calm answer. Koyo was momentarily speechless. ...Guest is much firmer than he thought. But the most unexpected thing of all was the heart that had begun to beat in a relationship with a fixed end.