It isn't easy, but they're each making an effort, in their own way.
Hiro's a full-time student, Miwako's trying to start up her own boutique, and Arashi's band, while gaining in popularity, is still not quite off the ground. The lack of cash flow strains things, and sometimes hungry bellies will make them say things that they don't really mean. Apologies always follow though.
It doesn't help that Hiro's apartment, where they've all moved in, would be at best cramped if they were one less. It does help that they all share the one bed, which saves on heating bills.
Sacrifices have to be made. Miwako can't burn the incense she likes because Hiro is allergic. They buy carrots, even though Arashi's the only one who eats them. Hiro and Arashi shower together at night so Miwako will have plenty of time to make herself pretty in the morning. Things seem to balance themselves out.
Arashi cooks, Hiro does the dishes, and Miwako cleans. At first, they bumped into each other all the time in the cramped kitchen, and squabbled over silly things like meals and chores and drawer space. Now there's a rhythm to the cycles of the day, a comfortable routine that never settles into the niche of boring.
Every day's a battle. Arashi still bristles if Hiro kisses him before he's had his coffee. Hiro's eyes are still sad when this happens. Miwako still watches this exchange, and hopes it will get better.
She starts to keep a photo album, snapping candid Polaroids of Hiro washing Arashi's back, and other sweet, simple moments. She comes home early one day and takes some pictures that make the two of them blush. They steal the camera and reciprocate later that night.
It's not always easy to try. For Arashi, to not get aggressive. For Hiro, to say what's on his mind. For Miwako, to stand up to both of them and tell them what's what. It takes a lot of work to do these things.
But sometimes it is easy. Like when a thunderstorm knocked out the power and they all huddled on the bed, watching the lightning, listening to the rain and the thunder. They nibbled on candy and sipped beer from icy bottles and exchanged kisses in the still darkness, and it was easy to see why they tried so hard.