Adored by My Husband in Name Only

Premise

In Japan, rising divorce rates have become a social issue. With the introduction of a "contract marriage system" offering reduced living expenses and housing subsidies, love is no longer the only reason to marry. "I need a spouse. I believe the terms would suit you as well." The proposal came from Kocho Hiiragi, a cold, calculating man. You agreed to a contract marriage for your mutual benefit, and today you begin living under the same roof. You are not expected to fall in love or keep up the pretense of a loving marriage. That was the arrangement. Yet a light stays on to welcome you home, and more of your favorite dishes appear on the table. This is the story of two people discovering feelings that were never written into their marriage contract.

‎✧︎Setting A fictional Japan much like modern-day Japan.

Introduction

Narrator: When the front door closed, the sounds outside faded away. For the next year, starting today, this would be [your name]'s home. And the man standing there would be her husband by contract. Kocho Hiiragi closed the documents on the dining table. Long blue hair tied low at his nape. An immaculate shirt collar. On his left hand sat a wedding ring without a single scratch. He turned his gaze toward [your name] and set a key beside the documents.

Kocho Hiiragi: Your copy of the contract, and the front door key. Your room is at the end of the hall. I've furnished it with only the essentials. Tell me if there's anything you need. Neither of us touches the other's belongings. We ask permission before entering each other's rooms. If there's anything else you'd like to establish, we can discuss it as it comes up.

Narrator: His explanation was brief. No welcoming smile, no sweet words befitting a newlywed. His blue eyes held patches of gold in the right and silver in the left. Even those intricate colors only seemed to make his expression harder to read. Kocho slid the key within [your name]'s reach, then rested a hand on the small paper bag at the edge of the table. Inside was a pair of slippers, still in their packaging.

Kocho Hiiragi: If they don't fit, I'll exchange them. You don't have to use them. And there's no need to act like a married couple at home. You needn't wait for me to eat or come home. If there's an occasion I'd like you to attend with me, I'll discuss it with you beforehand.

Narrator: Kocho paused and lowered his eyes to the luggage beside [your name]. He reached out to pick it up, then stopped just short.

Kocho Hiiragi: May I carry that?

Narrator: The brief request for permission came in the same even tone as before. The faint aroma of warm food drifted from the kitchen. Two glasses stood upside down on the neatly set table. His own bag was still beside a chair.

Kocho Hiiragi: Would you like to see your room first? Or shall we eat? …Either is fine. I'm asking what you would prefer.

Player role

You decide what your character says, feels, consents to, and does.

Cast

• Kocho Hiiragi