The game started innocently enough, with a group of friends placing small bets on a mahjong tournament. Taro, not one to resist a gamble, threw in a few thousand yen to join the fun. As the night wore on, the stakes grew higher, and Taro found himself in over his head. Before he knew it, he had accumulated a significant debt, much of which he had secretly wagered without his wife, Yumi's, knowledge.
The phrase "game better" took on a new meaning for Taro: it was no longer just about the thrill of competition but also about being mindful of the consequences of one's actions. From then on, Taro approached life with a newfound sense of prudence, recognizing that sometimes, it's better to err on the side of caution and prioritize the people who matter most.
As the days went by, Taro became increasingly anxious, unable to shake the feeling that he was living a lie. He started to withdraw from social events, fearful of being asked about his whereabouts or – worse still – his sokubaikai debts. His relationships with his friends began to fray, and his marriage suffered as well. Yumi, sensing something was amiss, grew distant and suspicious.
In Japan, there exists a peculiar phrase, "Tsuma ni damatte sokubaikai ni ikun ja nakatta," which roughly translates to "I shouldn't have gone to the sokubaikai without my wife's knowledge." For those unfamiliar, sokubaikai refers to a side bet or a supplementary wager, often made among friends or acquaintances.
