When Arthur got home that evening, Yao was not at home. However, dinner was prepared for him, and there was a note that told him to heat up his own dinner because Yao was going to be late.

Arthur grinned. This was perfect – he could accuse Yao of having an affair again! Maybe this could be the grounds to divorce him?

Arthur had his dinner and changed out of his working clothes, and was lounging in the living room, watching TV when Yao came home. He was dressed in a uniform.

"Where were you?" Arthur asked as Yao locked the door.

"I got a job at a café nearby, aru," Yao told him. "It's a part-time job, and I work three days a week – I thought it would be better than bumming around the house all day, aru."

Arthur nodded curtly. "Have you eaten?"

Yao nodded. "Yeah, I had something at the café before I came home, aru."

"Okay," said Arthur, turning his attention back to the TV. He scowled. There was no way he could accuse Yao of having an affair!

One day, while Arthur and Yao were dining together, Arthur had spilt some gravy onto his shirt.

Yao, being the ever-patient spouse he was, reached out for a napkin to dab the gravy away. However, Arthur slapped his hand away. "I can do that by myself," he said angrily.

Yao looked hurt. "I am only trying to help, aru," he said softly.

"I don't need your help, alright?" Arthur burst out. "In fact, I don't need you!"

"Look, I know how you feel about me, but I am trying to make this marriage work, aru!" exclaimed Yao as he stood up. "Don't think that I don't have feelings when you shun me, because I do, and it hurts, aru!" With that, he stormed off, leaving Arthur in stunned silence.

That was the first time Yao had yelled at Arthur.

And Arthur felt guilty.

But the next day, Yao seemed to have forgotten about his outburst the previous night. He was pleasant, and prepared a hearty breakfast for Arthur.

"See you in the evening, aru!" Yao waved goodbye to Arthur as he left for work.

Arthur shook his head as he walked out of the house. It was driving him crazy trying to decipher Yao.

"Kiku!" Yao raised his hand, signalling to his brother that he had already arrived.

"Brother!" Kiku exclaimed as he made his way over to the table Yao had acquired for them. "How are you? How's… Arthur?"

"I'm good, aru," Yao said brightly. "And Arthur's fine as well."

"I mean, is he still hitting you?" Kiku looked at his brother for any signs of distress. He caught sight of a faint bruise mark on Yao's right cheek, but didn't say anything about it.

"A bit," Yao admitted. "But it's nothing I can't handle, aru."

"You know, you can report this…"

"No, it's okay," Yao waved a hand in the air. "I don't want to make a big deal out of this, aru."

"Is your plan working then?" Kiku asked Yao curiously.

"I don't know, aru," Yao shrugged. "He never voices anything to me, so I don't know what he is thinking."

Kiku frowned. "If it gets out of hand, brother, I want you to get out of there," he said.

"Yeah, yeah," Yao said nonchalantly. "Shall we order, aru? I'm starving!"