"I received a billing notification."
Silence.
"Those are for research purposes," she said.
"What research?"
"Democracy research."
A pause.
In his office, Joonwoo set down the swatch he was holding.
He sneezed.
His head came up slightly.
He looked at the notification on his phone again.
Three new subscription sign-ups. Forty-five minutes. Same billing account.
He sneezed again.
'There it is,' he thought. 'I can feel it from here. She is about to vote with everything she has and everything I have and possibly some things that are not yet technically ours.'
"Calista," he said.
"Yes?"
"Budget."
"Now is not the time for budget."
"It is always the time for budget."
"Joonwoo."
"Calista."
"Our daughter's boyfriend's group is about to perform on national television."
A pause.
"I am aware," he said.
"And Gleams are counting on us."
Another pause.
"They are counting on themselves actually," he said.
"I am part of Gleam in my heart."
"You are not in the fandom."
