AU: (Takes place after Keita begs Kotoko to leave Irie)

"What are you talking about Keita? I'm a married woman!" Kotoko exclaims.

"Kotoko I-

"See you tomorrow!"

Kotoko can't believe what had just happened. Leave Irie? She had loved him for so many years and she finally has everything she's ever wanted! Right? Exhausted and out of breath, Kototoko can still feel her heart pounding in her chest. Maybe Keita has a point. She loves Irie more than anything in the world. She'd do anything for him but does he feel the same? Has she unknowingly been in this cycle of one-sided love since they've been married?

"You're home early."

Slightly shaken, Kotoko looks up to see her husband.

"Irie-kun!"

As usual, he gives little response and simply walks away from her. That night, neither couple got very much sleep. Both struggling with doubts and painful emotions. Irie couldn't understand why he's been treating Kotoko the way that he had. Ever since that Keita guy showed up, Irie couldn't stop this strange new emotion clawing its way out of him. Is this what true hatred felt like? He simply didn't understand…

Morning came all too slowly and Kotoko was excited to be at the hospital to distract herself from the chaos that is her marriage. However, running away from one problem only lead to another. How was she supposed to deal with Keita knowing how he felt about her? As the day went on, avoiding Keita became more and more awkward and surprisingly lonely. After all, he was the only one who believed in her when no one else did. Including her own husband.

"Kotoko. We need to talk." Keita exclaimed.

"Keita! I'm so sorry. I am very busy. I need to get home or mother could get worried."

"What about your husband?"

"Huh?"

"Every time you need to leave you say your mother-in-law will be worried. What about your husband? Do you even know where he is?"

Every time Kotoko was around Keita, it felt as though someone had just stabbed her in the heart. What hurt the most was the fact that it was the brutal truth of her situation. Keita was all too quick to remind her that her whole world was crumbling around her and there was nothing she could do to stop it.

"Keita… I have to go."

"No, you don't. Kotoko, I meant everything I said last night. Call me crazy but I'm almost certain there's something between us. If you are truly happy in your situation, I'll never speak of your marriage again. If not… maybe my suggestion isn't as crazy as it seems. Just think about it, okay?" And with that he was gone.

As Kotoko walked home, she reflected on exactly what her life had become. How did she end up in a love triangle with her husband and a charmingly sweet nurse? Did she… like Keita? Answering the question was far from simple. He's a wonderful person and everything her husband isn't. He's encouraging, kind, and full of passion for what he does. However, Kotoko knew that she could never begin an affair. It's not who she was and she could never forgive herself if she were to let her marriage fall apart because of another man. In this moment Kotoko was filled with motivation and was ready to do everything she could to bring her marriage back together. She decided to head straight to Irie' room.

"Irie-kun! Do you have a second?"

There sat her diligent husband hard at work, studying for upcoming exams.

"Sure. What is it?"

"Well, I've been thinking… would you like to spend some time together this weekend? We could go back to Romance Village, or go rowing, or even just take a peaceful walk to-"

"Can't. I have a lot of review to go over for my upcoming exams. Is that all?"

In that moment, the pain and rejection was too much for Kotoko to bear. She was sick of being disappointed, sick of seeming like the only one in love in her mess of a marriage. Suddenly every painful memory hit her like a ton of bricks. The day he had rejected her, when he berated her for being stupid while helping her study, the day he disregarded her after their first kiss, the day he broke her heart by bringing Chris home, the day he constantly dismissed her efforts with becoming a nurse…

"ENOUGH!"

Kotoko was suddenly filled with rage; throwing everything she could possibly find at her husband.

"Kotoko! What are you doing? Stop." He exclaimed as he was finally able to take ahold of her wrists.

"I can't take this anymore! I hate that you ignore me every day! I'm so sick of feeling rejected and unwanted! Our marriage has been doomed from the start! Keita was right! You don't even love me!"

A sudden smack across her face stopped her angry tantrum.

"Stop. You need to calm down."

"I want a divorce."

Kotoko's voice was cold and filled with unwavering conviction. Naoki couldn't hide the shock on his face.

"What?"

"I don't love you anymore.

"You don't mean that."

"No, I do. Irie, I have loved you for so long but I'm done waiting for a love that isn't there! Keita has been right all along! I've had enough!" And with that she was gone.

Naoki just stood there, completely stunned. A divorce? Did she know how lucky she was to be with him? Out of all the girls who had thrown themselves at him, he chose her didn't he? Although he chose to hide behind selfish and superficial thoughts, Naoki knew deep down that he couldn't blame Kotoko for wanting to leave. But she couldn't leave. It's Kotoko. She's still that sweet, wide-eyed girl who only had eyes for him right? All he could do was wait for her to come back to him. She'll come around. Eventually…