Otto wo Sutetai.

After dating my boyfriend through four years of college, I got pregnant and we got married. As a newlywed wife, I, Hana, had a problem.

My husband didn't help me to do anything at home, even though we both had jobs. While I put up with morning sickness and tried my best to keep up with my job and do housework, he goes out drinking several times a week and comes home late. This did not change with the birth of the child. I began to feel lonely because of my husband's distant attitude.

I thought that if I could go back to work after my maternity leave, at least the loneliness would be gone. But after a year away, my career was overtaken by my former junior colleagues. Every time the kid had a fever, I had to leave the office and take time off.

My job, housework, and childcare are all weighing on my shoulders.

Why do I have to work this hard?

Was this marriage a mistake?

(Source: Shodensha, translated)

Note: Originally self-published on Instagram, it was later collected into a published volume.