Kazuki didn't wake up to birds or sunshine this time. He woke up to yelling.
Not his name. Not even close.
But he recognized Lila's voice. Angry. Tight. Mixed with a deeper voice—rough, loud, not the kind that asked questions gently.
He rolled off the straw bed, stretched, cracked his neck, and muttered, "Well… that's a little early."
The system buzzed like it just dropped hot tea.
{Event Triggered: Husband Returns – 1 Day Early}
{Warning: Relationship Risk – Lila's emotional state unstable}
{Quest Updated: Avoid confrontation OR win dominance}
{Reward: +20 Charm if you survive}
Kazuki brushed himself off. "Of course. Drama can't wait."
He didn't run to her place. He strolled.
Slow and lazy, like he was on a picnic and not walking into a possible punch to the face.
When he got there, the door was wide open.
Inside, Lila stood stiff, arms crossed, face pale. Her husband—a tall, broad man with a beard and arms like tree trunks—was pacing.
"I heard about some guy hanging around," he snapped. "Who is he?"
Lila opened her mouth. Closed it. Her eyes flicked—just once—toward the doorway.
Kazuki leaned on the frame.
"Yo."
Both of them turned.
The husband's eyes narrowed. "You're him?"
Kazuki gave a lazy smile. "Define 'him.'"
"You've been sniffing around my wife?"
Kazuki clicked his tongue. "She smelled nice. Couldn't help it."
The man stepped forward like a bear about to maul.
Lila jumped in. "Stop! He's just a traveler. He helped me with the goats."
Kazuki tilted his head. "And the laundry."
"Shut up," Lila muttered.
The husband looked between them. "You touch her?"
Kazuki smiled like a devil in disguise. "Wouldn't you like to know?"
Lila shouted, "He didn't!"
Too fast.
Too loud.
The husband caught it too. His fists clenched. "You lying to me?"
"I'm not!" she snapped, voice trembling now. "He's just—he's just stupid!"
Kazuki chuckled. "Now you're hurting my feelings."
The man growled and turned on Kazuki.
"Get out of my village."
Kazuki stepped forward, slow, controlled, eyes locked.
"Can't do that."
"Why?"
"Because you don't own her."
The room dropped dead silent.
Lila's eyes went wide. The husband looked like he might break the table in half.
Kazuki stepped closer. His voice dropped low.
"You left her alone too long. And people notice when something beautiful's left unguarded."
"You son of a—"
The husband lunged.
Kazuki dodged, barely. A vase shattered behind him.
Another swing. He ducked under. Stepped back, lips still curved.
"Man, for a merchant, you hit like a farmer."
He didn't punch back. Just kept moving, teasing, letting the guy waste energy.
Eventually the man slowed. Huffing. Face red.
Lila shouted, "Stop it, both of you!"
Kazuki glanced at her. "You want me to leave?"
She hesitated.
"...Yes," she said, but it was too soft.
The husband didn't hear. Kazuki did.
He smiled.
"Then I'll go."
He turned and walked out, hands in his pockets, dust on his boots. Didn't run. Didn't look back.
The system pinged softly.
{Lila Affection: 52%}
{Husband Suspicion: 100%}
{Quest Failed: Avoid confrontation}
{Bonus Unlocked: +5 Boldness for standing your ground}
Kazuki made it halfway down the path before he heard footsteps behind him.
It was Lila.
She caught up, eyes burning, but not with anger.
"You could've made it worse," she hissed.
"I could've."
"Why did you say all that?"
Kazuki shrugged. "Because it was true."
"You're insane."
He stepped close. "And you're not running away."
She didn't move.
Didn't blink.
Didn't breathe.
"Go home," she whispered.
He leaned down, lips near her ear again, same place as before.
"Next time," he said again.
And walked off.
This time, she didn't watch him leave.
But she didn't go back inside either.
Kazuki didn't go far. Just circled the edge of the village, hands tucked into his pockets like he had all the time in the world. He waited until night fell—until the lights dimmed and the shouting stopped.
He waited for that kind of silence that meant no one had anything left to say.
Then, casually, he walked back.
He didn't knock this time either. Just leaned against the wall outside Lila's house. Moonlight cut across the thatched roof, and the night smelled like old wood and regret.
The door creaked open.
It wasn't her husband.
It was her.
She stepped out slowly, arms folded under a thin shawl. Her eyes found him instantly.
"You're really stupid."
"Charmingly stupid," he corrected.
"You almost got killed."
"Still alive though."
She stared at him for a long second. Then sat on the steps like this wasn't the worst idea she ever had.
"He's asleep," she said. "Drank himself half dead."
Kazuki sat beside her, not too close. Not yet.
"I'm not here to ruin your life," he said after a bit.
She scoffed. "Could've fooled me."
"I'm just here because I can't stop thinking about how you looked at the river."
That one landed.
She didn't say anything for a moment.
Then she whispered, "Do you always chase married women?"
"I don't chase," Kazuki said. "I wait. Then walk in when they open the door."
"And if they never do?"
"I knock louder."
Lila laughed, just once. Soft and bitter.
"You talk like this is a game."
He turned to her. "It's not. I just play it well."
She looked at him finally. In the dark, her eyes looked tired. Soft. Dangerous.
"I should hate you."
"You probably will."
Then he reached over, slow, slow, fingers brushing her wrist.
She didn't pull away.
He leaned in, eyes watching hers, until he could feel her breath.
"You're trembling," he said.
"You're not."
"I already made my choice."
Then their lips met—soft, cautious, stolen. Not long. Just enough to feel it. Enough to tip her off the edge she'd been standing on for two days straight.
She pulled back first, breath shaky.
"This isn't fair," she whispered.
"I'm not fair."
She stood, looked down at him like she wasn't sure whether to slap him or kiss him again.
"Go," she said. "Before I forget what I promised myself."
Kazuki stood, hands still in his pockets. He didn't grin this time. Just looked at her, calm and quiet.
"Tomorrow?"
She didn't answer.
She didn't have to.
The door closed behind her.
System pinged softly in his ear:
{Lila: 63%}
{Kiss Logged: First of Many}
{New Quest: Touch without guilt – Bonus EXP: Manipulation Skill +1}
{Warning: Jealousy Event Incoming – Mia Intercept}
Kazuki looked up at the moon and sighed.
"Now we're getting somewhere."