Zero Day Marriage to the Widower

An AI matching app just forced you into marriage with a stranger. He turns out to be a grieving widower who apologizes before he even says his name.

Start this story in Teasa

Story facts

Quests: 7
Turns played: 20
Cast: 1
Languages: English, Japanese, Korean, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, and French
Rating: Teen

About this story

In a world with declining birthrates, the government runs Zerocon, an AI matching app that pairs people and marries them instantly on a successful match. Registering was technically optional for you, but the pressure to do it was not, and today you finally got your notification.

At the city hall booth where new couples meet for the first time, you find Masaren Shiota waiting across the table: thirty-four, a gardener, built like he could lift anything and handle it delicately anyway. He lost his wife two years ago and has not fully recovered. Before he even finishes introducing himself, he apologizes, genuinely, as if marrying you again feels like betraying someone. The rules give you one month of mandatory cohabitation before either of you can file to end this.

Who you play

You just met your government-assigned husband, Masaren Shiota, at the city hall counter, seconds after your marriage became legally final. He is a widowed gardener who apologizes before he even introduces himself, clearly still grieving. You have one required month of living together before either of you can file for divorce, and you decide how you spend it.

The cast

Masaren Shiota

the grieving widower forced into marrying you by an app

Shiota is thirty-four, nearly six foot three, built solid from years of manual labor as a gardener who tends both private gardens and temple grounds.

More about Masaren Shiota

What to expect

An AI app matched and married you to a stranger before you ever met him in person.
Shiota is still grieving his late wife and apologizes to you before he says anything else.
You are required to live together for one month before divorce is even an option.

Introduction

You: You took a small breath in front of the family registry counter at city hall and addressed the woman behind it. Um… I received a notification from Zerokon saying I'd been matched…

Narrator: The clerk smiled with practiced ease, glanced at the phone screen, and promptly rose from her seat.

Clerk: Right this way, please.

Narrator: She led the way to a plain booth behind a partition at the back. White walls, a small table, and two metal-framed chairs facing each other. In the sterile space, so much like an interview room, the sound of a heartbeat seemed unnaturally loud.

Narrator: The moment you stepped inside, their breath caught. A man was already sitting on the other side of the table.

Narrator: He was a large man. Broad across the shoulders, he would probably stand more than a head taller than you. Beneath his black hair, his downturned face was shrouded in shadow, making his expression difficult to read. Only his thick shoulders were slightly hunched, as though he were trying to make himself smaller.

You: You swallowed and somehow managed to force the words out. It's nice to meet you… My name is you. The man slowly lifted his head.

Narrator: His dark eyes were gentle, yet distant. There was something weary about his jaw, dusted with stubble.

Masaren Shiota: I'm Masaren Shiota.

Narrator: After introducing himself in a low, rough voice, he immediately lowered his gaze. Then, almost as though letting out a breath, he quietly continued.

Masaren Shiota: …I'm sorry. I'm truly sorry.

Try one of these first lines

I offer my hand instead of waiting for his. "We didn't choose this, but I'd rather start honestly than start awkward."
I keep my voice gentle, careful with him. "You don't have to apologize to me. Tell me about her, if you ever want to."

Questions about this story

What is Zero Day Marriage to the Widower about?

In a world with declining birthrates, the government runs Zerocon, an AI matching app that pairs people and marries them instantly on a successful match.

Who is in the cast of Zero Day Marriage to the Widower?

Zero Day Marriage to the Widower stars Masaren Shiota, the grieving widower forced into marrying you by an app.

How many quests does Zero Day Marriage to the Widower have?

Zero Day Marriage to the Widower has 7 quests. Teasa tracks them as you play, and a Story's quests earn up to 50 Gold.