He gazed impassively at the ring and wondered where Rokubungi had gotten the money to pay for it, wondered what Yui saw in that man.

Enough, apparently, to agree to marry him. Such a shame, such a waste. Not only did she deserve more, the two of them could have done so much more on the project together... He couldn't even manage to fool himself on that point.

Of course the potential had been there, but she just wasn't interested. And all that time, he'd been hoping they'd progress beyond the limited teacher/student relationship.

Not fast enough. But Rokubungi... had moved quickly. A little too quickly to believe actually. There was no doubt some underlying reason for it all, maybe money or... It was possible that if Yui had talked just a little too much about the project...

No, she wouldn't do that though; she was as serious about it as he, and doing anything, _anything_, to jeopardize it would be tantamount to treason. As serious as he... If anything, she was more, driven almost, and now...

"Congratulations," he said, trying to mask the disappointment in his voice. Trying to crush the jealousy. If it had been possible, he would have tossed it all away; it just wouldn't work, no matter how beautiful and intelligent she was.

"We haven't set a date or anything yet."

She was so happy, excited. She didn't see how wrong it all was. "I'm sure..." The words were so hard to force out, and certainly not with any genuine feeling. "You'll be very happy."

"Thank you, Professor."

She hugged him, and Kozo Fuyutsuki knew he was in hell.

"Yui?"

"Hm?" All she wanted was to relax and go to sleep. The slightly grave tone he was using told her she wouldn't get that chance.

"Where's your ring?"

Feeling her hand and realizing it was naked, Yui reached into her pocket. "I forgot to put it on after I finished up today." She pulled it out and slipped it on her finger.

Gendo nodded and looked at her hand. Everything was as it should be once again. He stood, holding on to Yui's hand. "You look exhausted. I'd like to know what you're doing that does this to you every day."

"Just hard work. I'm not the only one that looks like this at the end of the day."

"A small comfort. You're lucky I'm here or who would look after you? Each night, you're too tired to even cook for yourself."

Yui stood at the gentle insistence of Gendo's pulling. "I can take care of myself just fine," she insisted. "I can eat well enough without your help."

"Maybe, but that's a non-issue now. As long as you insist on working yourself to exhaustion, I'm going to take care of you." He led her to the bedroom. "And then, after it's official, we can move into a decent place with a big kitchen, and then you're going to eat right."

"Mm hm." She shrugged out of her clothes with Gendo's assistance. Before laying down, she put on a nightshirt and sighed.

"What is it?" Gendo asked as he covered her.

"I'll be glad when this is all over." Smiling tiredly, she reached up and stroked his cheek. "You need to shave."

When it was all over? What did she mean? Surely not the two of them. "If you insist, I will." He leaned down and kissed her forehead.

"Don't stay up so late tonight."

"I'll be in in a little bit. You just get some sleep." He frowned imperceptibly, watching her settle into bed. "I love you."

"Good night," Yui mumbled. "I love you too."