Proof of Love (愛の証, Ai no Akashi?) is the third chapter of Volume 8 of the My Happy Marriage novel series.
Summary[]
Miyo wakes up in Kiyoka's childhood bedroom at the Kudou main estate, where they are staying for three days for a restful break after their wedding, at Hazuki's suggestion. She's embarrassed at how late she slept and gets even more flustered when Kiyoka fixes the collar of her nightgown, which threatened to expose her chest. Kiyoka suggests that they stay in bed and "relax" all day, a suggestion that flusters and tempts Miyo. Their intimate moment is interrupted by Hazuki, who reminds them that they are supposed to go boating today. Kiyoka states that he doesn't mind if they stayed in bed the whole day and go boating another time, but Miyo, worried that she would become too spoiled and slovenly, shouts that she wants to stay an upright and decent person and runs off to get changed, leaving behind a laughing Hazuki and a slightly disappointed Kiyoka.
Kiyoka and Miyo head out to the park near noon, dressed in Western clothes. Miyo is captivated by the sight of him, a feeling shared by the passersby. At the park, they board a boat and Kiyoka rows them out into the middle of the pond. Miyo enjoys the tranquility and peace there, away from the noise of the city. After some time, she asks to take over rowing as she wants Kiyoka to also enjoy the peacefulness and he relents, but she finds the oars too heavy for her. Seeing her dejected face, Kiyoka gives her a stuffed animal doll that doubles as a protective charm. Miyo, moved that he bought it for her despite being obviously embarrassed at buying cute things as a man, thanks him and promises to display it in her room. The two head back to the park to eat lunch.
Miyo and Kiyoka eat beautifully prepared lunchboxes in the park gazebo. After lunch, they go for a stroll in the park and come across a small shrine. Kiyoka cautions Miyo against praying at small, neglected shrines as she lacked the ability to sense malevolent presences without Spirit-Sight and shares reflections on how evil can hide in plain sight, and that sometimes the person themselves might not be aware of their own deeds, hinting at a painful memory.
They return to the estate after their walk to find tension in the air. Fuyu is in a rage because a cherished ceramic doll given to her by Tadakiyo had been broken. Kiyoka, with a strange look on his face, asks Hazuki if Tadakiyo is going to do something about it and doesn't seem surprised when she tells him that Tadakiyo didn't seem to plan on doing anything. Miyo asks Kiyoka why Tadakiyo isn't investigating the doll's breakage, and Kiyoka suggests that he is prioritizing Fuyu's mental wellbeing over finding the culprit. Miyo is somewhat unconvinced by his answer, but accepts it and leaves to get changed for dinner.
Though Tadakiyo joined them for dinner, Fuyu remained in her room. After dinner, Tadakiyo brings plates up to Fuyu's room. Miyo is astonished and moved by how much he loved his wife. She and Kiyoka are invited to join him, though Kiyoka seems reluctant. In Fuyu's room, Tadakiyo persuades her to eat. Kiyoka notices the broken doll on the dresser and examines a symbol on the base that looks like something related to the magical arts. Miyo notices it as well, but judges it that is likely harmless as neither Tadakiyo nor Kiyoka dealt with it.
Outside Fuyu's room, Kiyoka confronts Tadakiyo over controlling Fuyu under the guise of love. He reveals that all of his gifts to her are actually infused with arts that allow him to spy on her at all times. Tadakiyo is unfazed and does not deny it, claiming that this is his way of showing love. Kiyoka further accuses Tadakiyo of breaking the doll himself, which Tadakiyo also doesn't deny and even seems to enjoy the confrontation. He asks Kiyoka what his motive would be for deliberately breaking the doll. Miyo nervously proposes that he did it because it was no longer necessary. Kiyoka stops his father from questioning Miyo further by stating that Tadakiyo did it to reaffirm Fuyu's love for him by watching her get upset over the doll's breaking. Tadakiyo confirms it and says that he and Fuyu always had this sort of relationship and that his gifts are the proof of their love. As he walks away merrily, Miyo is left disturbed by the revelations, especially the implication that Fuyu is a willing participant in this dynamic. She decides to completely forget about what she just heard.
Before bed that night, Miyo asks Kiyoka about the doll he gave her. He hurriedly assures her that he hasn't done anything with it and would never do what his father did, but he did think it would be good to enchant at least one item in her possession, as she is always finding herself in danger. Miyo tells him that she doesn't mind if he did, because she belongs to him. The two share a passionate kiss and tell each other "I love you."
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
Mentioned characters[]
Chapter Notes[]
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| Volume 1 | |
|---|---|
| Volume 2 | |
| Volume 3 | |
| Volume 4 | |
| Volume 5 | |
| Volume 6 | |
| Volume 7 | |
| Volume 8 | |
| Volume 9 | |