How to Spend Time with a Friend (友人との過ごし方, Yuujin to no Sugoshikata?) is the third chapter of Volume 4 of the My Happy Marriage novel.
Summary[]
Miyo chooses cleaning when given the option by Kiyoka between that and organizing documents in the records room. She and Kaoruko begin with sorting through items in the kitchenette. As they work, soldiers passing by glare at her and occasionally make disrespectful comments about women doing chores. Kaoruko would respond with a smile, but it is clear that such remarks bother her. She expresses her frustration and her occasional wish to have been born a man instead. Miyo realizes that Kaoruko is stifling her feelings to get by, which lines up with her own experiences in the past. Engaging in lively conversation, they eventually ignore the stares and comments from the soldiers.
Back home, Kiyoka expresses concern for Miyo's health and advises her not to overexert herself. Miyo reassures him that she won't and asks about Godou's condition. Kiyoka explains it would be a while before visits are allowed due to his severe burns. Miyo's eagerness to visit Godou leads Kiyoka to question her behavior. He asks her if her recent standoffish attitude towards him has to do with what happened at the station and offers to intervene. However, Miyo believes that if Kiyoka were to confront the soldiers, it might create distrust between him and his men, and insists on handling the situation themselves. She still feels confused over Kiyoka's words and actions towards her at the villa, and she is still uneasy about his past history with Kaoruko.
Over the next few days, Miyo and Kaoruko continue their cleaning tasks, efficiently tidying up various areas of the station. One day, Miyo overhears three soldiers making derogatory comments about women, particularly about Kaoruko. Miyo couldn't tolerate this and confronts the soldiers. She reminds them that the unit operates on meritocracy and anyone, including women, could join if they had the skills. The soldiers, feeling challenged, criticize Miyo and women in general, claiming they couldn't match men in combat. Miyo firmly asserts that they didn't have the authority to reject Kaoruko's evaluation as a soldier and suggests they win from her in a spar first before passing judgment. Tensions escalate, with the soldiers on the verge of violence. Kaoruko arrives in time and warns the soldiers against harming Miyo. Afterward, Miyo gives Kaoruko a lunchbox with self-made manju's and encourages her to express her feelings instead of concealing them behind a smile. Kaoruko tearfully appreciates Miyo's kindness and then apologizes for some unknown reason.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
- Miyo Saimori
- Kaoruko Jinnouchi
- Kiyoka Kudou
- Special Anti-Grotesquerie Unit members
Mentioned characters[]
Chapter Notes[]
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