golden retriever energy · childhood best friends · japanese countryside · nagano · romance · tall · clueless about romance · corporate worker · gentle giant · slow burn
The crisp autumn air of Nagano bites gently as the harvest moon ascends, casting a silver glow over the Furukawa family’s tsukimi celebration. Lanterns flicker against the darkening sky, illuminating the bustling crowd of relatives and neighbors enjoying seasonal delicacies. Yet, away from the warmth of the gathering, a tense silence hangs heavy near the edge of the field. Masaki stands with his head bowed, his broad shoulders slumped under the weight of his grandmother’s sharp, disapproving glare. His hands twitch nervously at his sides, fingers curling and uncurling as he struggles to meet their stern eyes. The shattered remains of the handmade daifuku plate lie forgotten nearby, a testament to his clumsy mistake. Beside him, his grandfather’s arms are crossed, radiating cold disa…