Kapitel 8: Her Memory Ended There

"I'm going to work."

Kyoya wiped his lips with a napkin. Each of his movements was refined and elegant, befitting his temperament. He extended a hand and reached out to pour more milk into Shouko's glass.

"This... Isn't it a bit too late?" Shouko glanced at the wall clock. It was already 10 AM. "Were you actually waiting for me to wake up?"

The question might sound like she thought too highly of herself but Shouko couldn't resist asking him that. When she recalled his actions since the first day he accompanied her in the hospital, it was quite a plausible guess.

Kyoya sipped his green tea, his dark eyes were staring straight at the lady's face. A faint smile graced his lips. "I'm busy. At the very least, I want to have breakfast with you."

He had pushed aside all of his important schedules just for him to be able to personally take care of her. His assistant would cry if he continued delaying the company affairs. Since she was now safe in their home, he could start returning to work with an easy mind.

"Alright," Shouko didn't reject his offer. This short time of them having breakfast together could be used for her to start getting to know him. She added gently, "But if you're in a rush please just wake me up. Your schedule could be messed up if you're late because of waiting for me."

Hearing the concern in the soft voice of hers, Kyoya's mood gradually lifted up. "Okay."

After finishing his tea, he stood up from the chair. Shouko too wanted to stand up yet she stumbled on her feet. Kyoya swiftly caught her, stabilizing her on the soft carpet.

"You don't have to send me off. Just stay in the room. If you're bored, call the maids to help bring you to anywhere you like." Kyoya took the chance to lightly twirl with the end of her silky hair. Feeling satisfied with the opportunity to touch her, his voice was further being laced with tenderness.

"Oh... okay," Shouko nodded. Her cheeks began to flush by their close proximity. His warm breath fell on one side of her face.

Kyoya smiled again. He helped her to the bed. By this time, Old Toshio had silently left the room, giving the couple some privacy. The old man smiled as he closed the door.

Once Shouko sat on the bed, Kyoya crouched down. He placed both of his hands on the soft mattress, his wife was sitting opposite her. Shouko kept her head low as she looked back at Kyoya who was staring intently at her.

"Aren't you heading to work?" Her voice was so quiet at the end of the sentence as she was flustered with his action.

Seeing her like this urged him to let out a soft chuckle. Kyoya quietly took in the minute of her expression that was displayed by her right now.

"I suppose it's too early for me to have a goodbye hug?"

Shouko's eyes widened slightly. Did this guy was really asking for a hug?

"En? Err..." At this moment, she was really at a loss of what to do.

Kyoya laughed but his eyes carried a trace of sadness in them, making Shouko couldn't bear to look at him. Without thinking, she slowly lifted her hand and placed them on his head. Her fingers went through his hair, caressing him softly.

There was something subtle in the air surrounding them.

By the time she realized what she had done, Kyoya had already appeared stunned by her action. His dark orbs were enlarged, his shocked expression was clear in them.

"Ah! Sorry!"

Shouko quickly retracted her hand. How could she so easily touch him? And why did of all places, she touched his head?

"I..."

Before she could give any excuse, Kyoya held her wrist gently and brought her palm back on his head. The sadness from earlier was replaced with a faint joy. Shouko stiffened, she just let the man did as he liked.

His rough palm held her hand, sending warmth through her skin.

"I'll be back. Stay safe at home."

"Okay... Come back soon."

Kyoya smiled softly. He appeared reluctant to let go of her hand. As his fingertips traced her fingers, he deliberately hooked his pinky finger with hers for a moment before he let go. He slowly stood up, glanced at her with a smile and headed outside.

Shouko was still in a trance by the time she heard the sound of a car engine from the outside. She patted her cheeks repeatedly, got off the bed and walked toward the windows. From there, she could see the tall figure in a black suit striding toward the car.

From this angle, she could see his side profile clearly. Even from afar, she could tell the tenderness that he displayed to her before had gone. His face was cold and his gaze was indifferent as he stopped to listen to what his assistant was talking about.

He seemed like another person.

Shouko was still daydreaming when that man suddenly tilted his head up, turned around and met her gaze.

Once again Shouko was caught in surprise.

His eyes were forming into crescent-shaped and his thin lips curved upward. He raised his hand, waved at her and got into the car.

Even after he sat at the back seat, he wounded down the window to see her. As the chauffeur begin driving the car, she saw him leaning against the cushion and gave her a last smile.

The car disappeared through the carved gate.

Shouko remained standing by the windows, her mind was in a mess.

"Does he really love me so much?"

Shouko swept her gaze to her left and right. She had yet to properly see what was in this master bedroom.

There was a king-size bed at the center, two bedside tables at each side with different things on them. On one side, a philosophical book was laid on top of it. On the other side, two beige-colored planners were stacked on another book. From seeing them, she knew which book belonged to whom.

Their photos were hung on the wall too. It seemed like Kyoya had taken her to vacations a few times already.

There were photos of them playing ball at a beach, enjoying the mountain scenery, walking under the falling maple leaves and having a picnic at a park.

They had shared beautiful moments together.

"His face is so cold but..." Shouko traced the wooden frame of a photo placed on her lap. "His eyes are beautiful."

Her fingertips hovered above his eyes. They were sharp and just one look they seemed like they could penetrate deeper into your soul. His dark eyelashes were in contrast with his slightly pale face.

Does he has always look pale? I've just noticed it now.

Rosy colors tinged her cheeks. If this continued, it won't take her long to fall in love with him again.

He was so gentle and considerate of her. How could she let go of such a fine man like him?

Knock! Knock!

The two knocks on the door brought her back to reality. Noriko was standing in front of the door.

"Young Madam, the old master is here. So does your sister," Noriko said after gave her a light bow.

"What? My sister too?"

Shouko was elated. Ono was here! She finally had the chance to meet her!

Because Shouko was still unable to move around much, the old master and Ono were brought to the drawing room located on the same floor as the master bedroom. This room was rarely used since most of the guests would be received in the lounge on the ground floor. Noriko helped Shouko to walk toward the drawing room.

"Shouko!"

A familiar voice rang in the air excitedly. Shouko's eyes lit up when she saw Ono walking toward her. Her entire body was being hugged by the woman.

"Ah! I'm so glad you're alright! I thought you wouldn't wake up anymore!" Ono vented out her frustration while embracing her half-sister.

"I'm alright... but not to be soon if you continued hugging me like this," Shouko's voice was a bit muffled due to Ono's tight hug. Her bandaged arm ached slightly under the pressure.

"Oh! I'm sorry!" Ono quickly released her sister. She took the time to size her up.

Shouko too looked at this Ono properly.

Nothing much had changed. Her facial features didn't change much except she appeared mature than five years ago. Her hair had been cut into a pixie one. A professional office attire in cream color clad on her tall and slender figure.

"You... Your husband said you didn't remember anything since five years ago?" Ono asked with a surprised tone once both of them were seated on the couch.

"Yes," Shouko seemed full of regret. "I don't know why it happened. I didn't even remember my graduation day. I..."

At first, Shouko's attention was directed fully on Ono yet once she was seated, she saw another figure from the corner of her eyes. She suddenly remembered that the old master had come too. Shouko quickly turned her head. An old man in casual clothes sat on the single couch. A flicker of recognition flashed in her eyes.

"Grandpa?" She was uncertain yet she felt like she didn't make a mistake. His face was still clear in her mind.

"Oh? Do you remember me?" The old man laughed in joy.

"You... weren't you from the street?"

This was the same old man she had helped after she met her editor. But, how could he be here?

"Do you mean... the first time we met?" The old man asked, his laugh faded yet his voice was filled with wonder.

Shouko nodded repeatedly. She was still confused with the appearance of this grandpa here.

"Ahahaha!"

Shouko was left dumbfounded when this old man suddenly laughed out loud. It was evident that he was feeling ecstatic over her admission. He even patted his thighs as he laughed. Old Toshio who stood by the couch's side smiled meaningfully.

"You remember the old master?" Ono asked for confirmation.

"What? The old master?" Ono's words cleared her doubt. "Don't tell me... that grandpa..."

"Hahaha... it's me... it's me, Shouko," The old man rubbed his teary eyes. He had laughed too hard until he felt his back pain coming back to him. "That old man was really me. It seemed like you didn't remember that I have purposefully met you there."

Shouko's face was filled with question marks at this moment. Ono and Old Master Kashino exchanged a glance before they chuckled.

"Alright, alright. I'll tell you," His sister looked so pitiful right now. They shouldn't keep her in the dark.

Aiya~ seeing Shouko like this reminded Ono of their younger days.

Sigh. She felt like she was so old right now.

Thus, Ono began to reminisce about the day for Shouko.

"Well, do you remember when I said the old master disliked me from the moment I arrived at the blind date venue?"

Shouko pondered for a moment before she nodded. Ono did mention that.

"I wasn't lying to you when I said Old Master Kashino wanted you to be his granddaughter-in-law! I've even cooperated with him so you could meet your husband then!"

Shouko furrowed her brows. She tilted her head, staring at the jovial old man.

Somehow, she had understood what had happened.

"Do you mean, you and grandpa colluded with each other so I would meet with Kyoya?"

Ono nodded. "That old man has even feigned illness just to see how you would react."

"Yes, that's me!" Old Master Kashino didn't even have any shred of guilty when he proudly admitted to Ono's claims.

Shouko was speechless.

"Well, I've taken a liking to you right at the moment, child," Old Master Kashino smiled gently at Shouko who was still confused. "Long story short, my wish to have you as my granddaughter-in-law was finally fulfilled not long after!"

Shouko pursed her lips. She was afraid to mention that her memory ended there.

She remembered seeing a black car pulled out in front of her and the old man. A tall figure stepped out from the car while the old man scolded that man. That young man's face was a blur in her mind.

That man was Kyoya, right?

How could I forget the first time I met him?

Shouko tried to recall back her memory of that day.

Meeting her editor for the first time. A quiet road. An old grandpa collapsed on the pedestrian walk. The bus stop. Chatting with the grandpa. The black car. A pair of leather shoes stepping out from the car. The sun backlighting a tall figure.

And...

"Urgh!"

"Shouko? Are you okay?" Ono was turned alert when Shouko suddenly grimaced.

"No... It's nothing," Shouko smiled weakly. She rubbed her aching temple.

It was certain. Her memory ended there.

She couldn't see the face of the man getting out of the car.

Her first time meeting Kyoya....

She forgot about it.