บท 14: ( 14 )
Kyouko gently handed the card back to Haruki, her fingers brushing his hand. Without a second thought, she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him, pulling him into a warm embrace.
"Thank you, Haruki," she whispered softly, her cheek resting against his chest.
Haruki stood still, momentarily stunned by the hug. His heart raced, unsure how to respond. He hesitated, wondering if this was okay, if she'd mind. But as he felt her arms tighten around him, pulling him closer, all his doubts melted away. Slowly, cautiously, he wrapped his hands around her waist.
He could feel the softness of her body against his, her perfume filling his senses as he inhaled deeply, her hair brushing against his face. It felt… nice. He let himself savor the warmth, the quiet connection that had been growing steadily between them.
Kyouko didn't pull away. She stayed, holding him, letting the moment linger. She knew Haruki was special—more than just her son-in-law. He had a kind heart, and it had been so long since she'd felt this kind of warmth from anyone, especially from a man.
When she finally stepped back, she smiled at him, her eyes soft and her voice gentle. "You really are a good person, Haruki."
He nodded, still a little dazed, but smiled back at her. "I just wanted to make you happy, Kyouko-san. You deserve it."
They stood there for a moment, feeling an unspoken connection pass between them. The line between what was proper and what they both wanted felt thinner than ever, but neither seemed ready to cross it—yet.
As they continued their walk through the mall, Kyouko's hand wrapped comfortably around Haruki's arm as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Her heart felt lighter than it had in years, as if this was something she had been longing for without even realizing it. Haruki walked beside her, carrying the boutique bags in his free hand. Though he didn't say much, he felt the warmth of Kyouko's presence.
Kyouko couldn't help but smile to herself. To anyone else, they might look like a couple on a casual date—walking together, talking in soft tones, enjoying each other's company. And while Haruki might not have realized it, for Kyouko, this felt like something special. It was the kind of affection and attention she had missed for so long. Her husband had never taken her out like this, never made her feel cherished in this way.
They stopped by a few more stores, casually browsing through the windows. Kyouko admired the jewelry displays, the elegant clothes, and even a few things she didn't need. Each time something caught her eye, Haruki would glance at her with his familiar, gentle smile.
"Do you want to check inside?" Haruki asked, noticing her gaze linger on a pair of earrings in a store window.
Kyouko chuckled softly and shook her head. "No, I'm just looking. Besides, you've already done enough for me today."
Haruki shrugged lightly. "I don't mind at all. It's nice spending time like this."
Kyouko's heart skipped a beat at his words, and she squeezed his arm just a little tighter. "It's been a long time since I've felt this happy, Haruki. Thank you for today."
Haruki glanced down at her, noticing the softness in her voice. "I'm glad I could make you happy, Kyouko-san. You deserve to be treated well."
Their conversation flowed easily as they walked. Kyouko asked about Haruki's work, and he mentioned some new design projects he was working on. She listened attentively, genuinely interested in what he had to say, and Haruki found himself opening up more than he usually did. It felt comfortable—like he didn't have to hide anything from her.
As they wandered through the mall, time seemed to slip away. Kyouko was content just being by Haruki's side, basking in the warmth of their connection. She couldn't help but think how different this was from her usual life—how much she craved this kind of attention, this kind of affection. And today, she wasn't going to feel guilty about enjoying it. Not today.
Glancing at the clock, Kyouko noticed it was already past 2 PM. "Haruki, we've been out for hours! Sayaka will be waking up soon, and she'll need to eat before heading to work," Kyouko said, a hint of urgency in her voice.
Haruki smiled and nodded, understanding her concern. "Yeah, we should head back."
They made their way to the car, and Haruki opened the door for Kyouko before getting into the driver's seat. As they drove home, the atmosphere was light and comfortable. Kyouko looked out the window, feeling a sense of fulfillment from their time together.
Haruki, on the other hand, was lost in thought, replaying the day's events in his mind. He couldn't shake the feeling of how different things felt between them—almost like they had crossed an invisible line. But he didn't feel awkward or guilty. If anything, he felt closer to Kyouko, as though the bond they shared had deepened in an unexpected way.
As they pulled into the driveway, Kyouko unbuckled her seatbelt and turned to Haruki. "Thank you again for today. I really enjoyed it."
Haruki looked at her with a soft smile. "Me too. If you want to hang out again, just let me know."
Kyouko gave him a grateful smile before they both got out of the car. Haruki grabbed the bags from the trunk, and they headed into the house together, just in time to prepare something for Sayaka before her shift.
The warmth from the day lingered between them, a quiet but undeniable connection they both felt but left unspoken.
--
Haruki sat at the dinner table, eating the food Kyouko had prepared earlier, while Sayaka, already dressed in her nurse uniform, sat beside him. She leaned against Haruki's shoulder, her head resting gently as they shared a few moments of closeness. Though she was exhausted, she tried her best to be affectionate before heading off to another long shift.
She glanced at the clock, noting she still had a bit of time before she had to leave. Smiling softly at Haruki, she picked up a piece of food and gently fed it to him. As he chewed, she leaned in closer, her lips near his ear, and whispered, "I'm sorry I couldn't satisfy you this morning... I was so tired."
Haruki smiled gently at her, whispering back, "Don't worry about it. Just rest when you get the chance." He stroked her arm, trying to reassure her. He didn't want her to feel guilty, especially knowing how busy her job was.
Sayaka looked up at him, grateful for his understanding, and kissed his cheek softly. "Thank you," she said before turning back to her plate. The morning's brief intimacy may have been incomplete, but Haruki knew it wasn't something to dwell on.
Kyouko, tidying up in the kitchen, could see the two of them from where she stood. She watched their interaction, feeling a mix of contentment and something else—a hint of longing and a tinge of jealousy. Her thoughts drifted back to her time with Haruki earlier, the way he looked at her, the subtle connection they shared. She knew it was wrong to have such thoughts, but she couldn't help herself.
Drying her hands on a towel, she glanced at the clock. It was almost time for Sayaka to leave, and the house would soon settle back into its usual quiet routine. But now, something had changed, and she wasn't sure if she wanted things to go back to how they were before.
The sound of Sayaka's voice pulled Kyouko from her thoughts. "Mom, thank you for the food. It was great, as always."
Kyouko smiled warmly. "You're welcome, dear. Just make sure you rest when you get the chance at work."
Sayaka nodded, finishing her meal. "I will."
Noticing the time, Sayaka stood up. "I have to go now," she said, ready to leave for her shift. Haruki got up as well, following her to the door. At the entrance, she turned to him, reached up, and pulled him into a deep, passionate kiss.
"I love you," she whispered, her lips still close to his.
"I love you too," Haruki replied, returning her kiss just as tenderly. He felt the warmth of her affection despite her exhaustion, and it made him appreciate her even more.
As Sayaka got into her car, she waved at him with a bright smile. Haruki raised his hand in a gentle wave, watching as she pulled out of the driveway and drove off into the evening.
With Sayaka gone, he turned back to the house, the door closing softly behind him. The quiet returned, and as he walked through the house, his thoughts began to drift… back to Kyouko.
( End of Chapter )
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JakkuSen
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