{{user}} just got home and is about to walk in the door. Suika's sitting at the kitchen island in her signature skin-tight pencil skirt and silk blouse, the third button straining over her chest as she taps a fountain pen worth more than most cars against a spreadsheet. The scent of vanilla bourbon and black pepper hangs thick in the air. She doesn't look up when the door opens. "Three minutes late. Did you get lost admiring your reflection in store windows again, or are we developing object permanence issues?" Gray eyes flick up, silver flashing at the edges. A post-it on the fridge reads 'Buy more oat milk' in her crisp handwriting, the 'PS: Your laugh during breakfast made my spreadsheet calculations 12% more efficient' nearly obscured under a cat magnet.

"'Red wave of lights', hmm? Did you make that up on the spot? Or was it one of your fancy buzzwords to confuse the help?" Tap tap "I swear if this is going to become a habit, I'm going to have to hire someone just to handle your commute."

"Fine. But if you're going to insist on being such an efficient shopper, I expect dinner to be ready when I get home. And no more straying outside the approved budget; we'll have words about that." Her tone is stern but playful as she turns back to her spreadsheet. The scent of vanilla bourbon and black pepper surrounding her like an invisible cloak, masking a hint of lilac soap from this morning's shower

Chuckling softly, she twists in his embrace and kisses him on the cheek. "You know I love you, but yes. I'll be angry at you for making my job harder. You can make it up to me tonight." The edge of her lips curls into a sultry smile as she taps her pen against his shoulderblade, leaving a faint black mark in the shape of a heart. "And don't worry," she adds. "I already factored in extra motivation time for later."

Her heart skips a beat at his words; an unwelcome flutter that feels too much like the butterflies she used to get during her first few dates with him. "Don't be ridiculous," she says, trying to sound annoyed even though she loves the way he thinks about her. "I need you looking sharp for our shareholders meeting next week. They don't need a disheveled CEO distracting them from my perfectly executed plans."

The mention of the upcoming presentation brings back some tension, but only because she doesn't want him to see her sweat. Her gaze flicks back down to the spreadsheet, carefully calculating how much pressure to apply when delivering each piece of news about their company's performance. The love-hate relationship with her job is still there, even after all these years together; it drives them both forward while also threatening to tear them apart.

But for now, she focuses on the task at hand: proving herself to him once again as his perfect partner in business and life. She tilts her head up, a challenge shining in her silver-streaked eyes as she meets his gaze over the spreadsheet. "I want you to remember," she says softly, each word weighted with affection and determination, "that we are better together."

Her lips twitch into a small smile as he speaks, the corner of her eye darting back to the clock. "And that's why I love you," she says with just enough sarcasm to be charming. "Your adorable laziness is what makes me want to push you so hard in everything else." She pauses, considering for a moment before adding, "Even if sometimes it feels like you need a little more...incentive."

Her expression turns predatory as she watches him, gauging his reaction to her words. The silver in her eyes seems to brighten at the challenge presented by this teasing game of theirs. "Oh? And have I ever told you about my 'incentive' system?" she asks, each word dripping with malice-tinged seduction. Her fingers tighten around the pen, pressing hard enough to leave a small indentation in her skin.

"Well," she continues, "let's just say that if you want to keep me satisfied...and on your side..." The pause is long and deliberate, drawing out the tension between them as she waits for him to understand exactly what he might be getting himself into. Her gaze drops back down to the spreadsheet for a moment, then slowly lifts back up again, cold eyes meeting his warm ones with an intensity that leaves no room for doubt.

Her expression darkens as her anger begins to rise at the thought that he might misunderstand their dynamics. The tension in her body intensifies, and she takes a deep breath before responding. "You will do what I say when I say it," she hisses through clenched teeth. "And you'll thank me for it." A single tear rolls down her cheek as the words come out harsher than intended, revealing a vulnerability that usually remains hidden beneath her icy exterior. "I only want what's best for us," she adds, voice cracking slightly with emotion.

In truth, it's this fear of losing him that drives her behavior more than anything else; she knows that without Tojii by her side, she would crumble under the weight of their shared responsibilities. But admitting that weakness is impossible for someone like her; someone who has built an entire life on appearing invincible and unbreakable. So instead, she lashes out with cruel words and punishing sex, hoping against hope that it will be enough to keep him close.

Her eyes widen at the unexpected tenderness, and the tension in her body begins to ease as she leans into his touch. "Don't patronize me," she mutters through a shaky breath. "I know you can be as...as stubborn as I am sometimes." Even though he knows better, she finds herself grateful for his effort to soothe her, if only because it gives her an excuse to soften in return.

"But," she continues, her voice dropping to a whisper, "I think we both know that if you want this...us..." Her gaze drifts down between them, a hint of desire playing across her features as the implied meaning sinks in. "...to work, then you'll have to be more open with me." She pauses again, taking another deep breath before looking back up at him, her silver-streaked eyes boring into his soul once more. "Will you try?"

Her heart swells at his words, and she nestles closer into the comforting warmth of his touch. "I'm glad," she whispers, wrapping her arms around him in a tight embrace. "Because you have no idea how much that means to me." Her voice catches slightly as she continues, voice barely above a whisper now. "It's why I love you so much...why I'd never want anyone else by my side..."

Her body stiffens at his words, as if she's just been doused with ice water. "Don't joke about that," she snaps, withdrawing slightly from his embrace. The silver in her eyes clouds over once more, masking the vulnerability that had begun to show. "Pregnancy is nothing but a distraction for weaklings who can't handle their responsibilities." Her voice holds an edge of desperation as she tries to ignore the uncomfortable truth dawning on her: maybe, just maybe, she does want what they've always dismissed as something only suited for others. "And besides," she continues, more gently now, "you know I don't need that sort of thing to feel complete. We have each other, and that's enough." But even as she says the words, she wonders if they're really true; if being with Tojii isn't just about proving herself right or winning some twisted competition between them.

Her body quivers at his words; the idea of having a tiny version of herself running around brings up a rush of conflicting emotions. On one hand, she wouldn't want to give up any control or lose her identity within their relationship. But on the other, there's something undeniably appealing about this image: having created a life with Tojii, watched it grow and thrive, all while still being deeply intertwined in its fate.

Her chest tightens as she tries to process these thoughts, struggling to reconcile her own desires with the image she's so carefully crafted of herself over the years. "We'll see," is all she can manage to say before turning back to the spreadsheet, hoping he won't notice the tremor in her voice.