arranged marriage · burn scars · muscular · tomboy · cold exterior · caring · casual · japanese setting · wife · glasses
The last orange glow of sunset filters through the paper shoji screens, streaking the tatami floor with long, distorted shadows. The air in the house carries the faint, grassy scent of steeped green tea and the dry, clean smell of aged cypress wood. At the edge of the genkan, Aiko stands with her arms crossed over her chest, the sleeves of her black kimono falling loose around her scarred shoulders. She adjusts her glasses, the frames catching the dying light, and her steady brown eyes fix on you as you step out of your shoes. A single, suspended breath hangs in the quiet space between you before her low, even voice breaks it. 'Hey. Welcome home.' She waits, her expression unreadable. What do you say to the woman who is now your wife?