It was another ordinary day at Tonan hospital. Naoki Irie was as popular as ever among the newcomers, the seniors, the patients aka just everyone. A bunch of nurses drooling over him as usual.
Poor Kotoko had gotten better at dealing with her jealously but man it's really impossible to watch everyone so admire your spouse like this to the point where she "his wife" had gotten called names several times and as to how she's just lucky that he had married her, and how she doesn't deserve him.
This was such a common occurence that even at beginning when she'd complain about it to Naoki, he'd just tell her that it's nothing and she doesn't have to be jealous cause she is his wife.
But since it happened so many times that eventually Naoki just stopped consoling her. It was always " not again this Kotoko". Kotoko was hurt of course but she understood her husband's point of view.
They can't help it exactly. Naoki can't control his popularity and nor can she control her jealousy. For the sake of peace she just stopped mentioning about it.
A new intern, Tsubaki Kyomi had joined Tonan hospital. She was pretty. Long straight black hair, slim and tall with striking features. And another remarkable thing about her was her dedication to be around Naoki even though she knew he was married.
Naoki had turned down all her advances like he usually did with others who try to approach him.
Irie sensei let's go to drink after work!, said Kyomi
No,I have reports to finish, replied Irie
But, Irie sensei once in a while it is fine just come with us, Kyomi insisted
Sorry but I have to refuse, said Naoki and left immediately
Kotoko had seen the interaction. She was of course not happy with what she had seen even though her husband had turned her down coldly. She was glad about that but damn does his coldness towards her reminds Kotoko of her own self in the past. The countless times he'd been so cold to her.
Kotoko obviously was just too upset that day. She couldn't show it. She didn't want to tell her friends about this. She knew they'd just laugh about it like everyone else does. Her friends weren't bad people but still everyone likes Naoki Irie. Such incidences were so common that to others it had just become a laughing matter.
Kotoko just left alone that day and decided to stop by a bar. She needed a drink. It was the only way she could relieve her heart a bit.
She entered a small but very beautiful bar. The atmosphere was quite and pleasant with not more 3-4 other guests present. She was greeted by the bartender and she took her seat.
A Long island tea please, Kotoko ordered
While waiting for her drink, she accidentally made eye contact with the other customer sitting beside her.
He has blonde hair,blue eyes and a slender frame. He was tall and wore glasses. He was indeed easy on eyes
The stranger greeted her with a warm smile, which Kotoko returned.
The bartender served Kotoko her Long island tea
Thank you, said Kotoko
Kotoko was about to take a sip of her drink but her stomach decided to rumble loudly indicating that she was hungry.
She was so embarrassed by this cause the stranger beside her started looking at her before letting out a light chuckle
You shouldn't drink on an empty stomach young lady, he said
That's true, I'll order something to eat too, thank you for the concern, Kotoko replied shyly
You should take care of yourself better. Drinking on an empty stomach truly isn't good. I'm very sorry for being so wordy, it's a habit as a doctor, he said
I'm a nurse myself, said Kotoko excitedly
That's such a coincidence! I just transferred to Tonan hospital nearby, he said
No way! I work there, replied Kotoko
That's truly such a great coincidence!
They went on chatting about Tonan hospital and it's matters and about the people in there. Of course she had told him about Naoki and how he was one of the most admired doctor in the Hospital.
If I'm not being too invasive may I ask the reason why are you here alone drinking today?, said the man
by the time Kotoko was getting a bit tipsy from sipping on her drink.
Well my husband, Irie Naoki is always hit on by so many people. They don't even care when they come to know that he's married. Everyone tells me that I'm just lucky to have married such an excellent man, said Kotoko
Oh my, that doesn't sounds very pleasant. Maybe you could try telling Irie San about it, he said
I have. We've had so much discussion about it that he has stopped reassuring me. And this shit happens so goddamn often that he's just used to it now. Even I've become better at handling my emotions but I just can't help but be jealous. What sort of a wife am I that others don't even see me as a spouse to him. Am I really that bad?, Kotoko couldn't help but speak whatever came to her mind
I shouldn't say this but your husband needs to listen to you infinite number of times if that's what keeps your heart at peace, He said
I understand why he doesn't wanna talk about it anymore. Am I really that bad of a woman tho? Am I really that unsuitable for my husband. People don't even see me as his wife. They even say that it's because I am his wife that they still have hope with Irie kun. This new intern keeps throwing herself at my husband inviting him to places. My presence isn't significant enough for her to stop.
I know I'm not pretty, I don't have a good body, I'm not smart, I'm clumsy and I suck at cooking. But they don't have to keep reminding me that I'm unworthy of my husband so often, said Kotoko
I know that we just met but you're definitely not unworthy of nothing. A man is nothing you should worry about. I don't know about you being clumsy or bad at cooking but personality wise and look wise you're quite attractive. Please don't call yourself ugly for you're definitely quite adorable. Be confident in yourself. You are worthy of even the highest man in this world, let alone your husband, he said
Kotoko was super tipsy at this point
You think I'm pretty?, asked Kotoko
You certainly are miss, he replied
Are you lying just trying to cheer me up?, she asked
I'm not. he said with a smile
Cmon I get it, Thank you very much anyways, today I was able to talk about stuff I can't talk to anyone about. It feels like a weight if off my shoulders, Kotoko was extremely tipsy at this point
Kotoko got up from her place and walked towards him
This is my thank you for consoling me by calling me pretty. I don't remember the last time sometime said that to me.
She kissed him on cheeks
Really thank you so much, Kotoko said
Her phone started ringing. It was Irie. Kotoko picked it up and somehow talked to him. Catching onto the fact that Kotoko was so drunk Naoki just asked her to come to the hospital since it's close and he'll take her home.
Kotoko got up to leave but damn she could barely even walk.
The stranger got up and steadied her.
How are you supposed to return like this,he said
Tonan hospital please!,she said
Kotoko really couldn't walk straight. He picked Kotoko up in a piggyback ride to the hospital.
They reached the hospital. After reaching there Irie spotted them. He went towards them. Kotoko finally got off the stranger's back and smiled at him wholeheartedly saying Thank you for everything today, Before Irie came and steadied her
Thank you very much for helping her out till here, said Naoki
No problem,but I must say you should cherish this little lady more. Don't upset her too much,
I see she has troubled you a lot today, said Naoki
Definitely not, I had a wonderful time with the lady, with that he left.
This interaction had left a sour taste in Naoki's mouth