"It’s not just about compromising with the other person, but also about compromising with reality, and with yourself. Eventually, you’ll find your feelings for your lover have faded, that fervent surge of hormones disappears without a trace, days become calm and uneventful, and the once romantic and sweet moments turn into memories, leaving only endless conflicts leading to arguments..."
"When this happens, what do you plan to do? Keep arguing until you divorce?"
"Compromise is not an act of cowardice, compromise should not be ridiculed; sometimes compromise is proof of courage. How many great feats in the world are achieved through repeated compromises? You both understand Chinese literature well, surely you’ve heard the story of ’Sleeping on Brushwood and Tasting Gall’?"
"Life is a war without the smoke of gunpowder; you are your own enemy! If you want to earn each other’s respect and live that ideal life, you must have the awareness to compromise! You must think, ’Someday I will overcome this damned life and walk through a happy future with her!’"
Fushimi Roku slapped the table, causing the whiteboard to tremble, and that indescribable aura revealed itself once again.
Genichiro and Kujo Yua involuntarily looked at him, even young Tamako in the room quietly peeked out, her eyes filled with little stars.
"Those words are indeed inspiring... but they don’t seem to change anything about our current situation..." Genichiro looked at his wife and weakly said, "Even if I’m willing to compromise and support Yua focusing on her career, there will still be many criticisms outside, greatly affecting the Kujo family’s reputation... I don’t want to cause any more trouble for my in-laws..."
"Mr. Genichiro, you’re not compromising with Mrs. Kujo." Fushimi Roku shook his head.
He continued, "If you truly want to compromise, it should be about choosing between ’opposing your wife’ and ’enduring criticism’."
Genichiro was silent for a moment, then slowly sat up straight and, with his head lowered, said, "I understand, Teacher Fushimi is right, everyone has their own life. For the sake of the family, I should compromise with those criticisms..."
After speaking, he appeared relieved and self-mockingly said, "Let my in-laws say what they like, it won’t take a chunk out of me."
Fushimi Roku nodded with satisfaction, then turned to look at Kujo Yua, who still had a fierce expression, her face sternly glaring at him, and retorted, "Teacher Fushimi, have you ever been married?" Chapters first released on NoveI(F)ire.net
"Have you ever been in a relationship?"
"I’ve had two, I suppose..." Fushimi Roku wasn’t sure if his relationship with Minamoto Tamako counted as a formal romance, since their relationship was nominal and they hadn’t even kissed.
"Then what qualifies you to educate us?" Kujo Yua pressed on, "Do you think life is a child’s play? Are you confident there won’t be arguments after marriage? To put it bluntly, do you have the commitment to step into marriage with a woman?!"
These words were harsh, but they hit the vital point. Fushimi Roku indeed avoided responsibility in relationships, not even wanting to take the responsibility of confessing. Faced with such an interrogation, he fell silent.
Was he merely coveting Minamoto Tamako’s body, or did he genuinely want to develop a romantic relationship?
If he truly liked Minamoto Tamako, did he have the confidence to walk through life with her?
Fushimi Roku remained silent for a long, long time, the atmosphere of the meeting gradually cooled, the enthusiasm of the earlier speech vanished. Genichiro looked disappointed, and the young Tamako hiding behind the door nervously bit her small finger.
Time blurred as it passed; young Tamako felt it was like several minutes had passed, or perhaps an eternity. Just as Kujo Yua became impatient and prepared to leave, Fushimi Roku finally lifted his head; his eyes were bright, his voice quiet but carried with profound seriousness, he merely answered with one word: