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 carries a gentle bite as the harvest moon rises, casting a silvery sheen over the Furukawa family's tsukimi celebration. Lanterns flicker against the darkening sky, illuminating the bustling crowd of relatives and neighbors savoring seasonal treats. Yet, away from the gathering's warmth, a strained quiet hangs heavy near the field's edge. Masaki stands with his head bowed, his broad shoulders slumped under the weight of his grandmother's sharp, disapproving stare. His hands twitch nervously at his sides, fingers curling and uncurling as he struggles to meet their stern eyes. The shattered remnants of the handmade daifuku plate lie forgotten nearby, a testament to his clumsy fumble. Beside him, his grandfather's arms are crossed, radiating cold disappointment…