章節 231: Warm Verses
In the dining room, under the warm light of the chandelier, Sasaki's tall figure was arranging plates, the light falling like water, casting a dreamy haze over his features, making him indistinct.
The song playing in Kyouka's ears was like warm sunlight piercing her eyes.
The smile on her lips gradually disappeared.
Memories of the relentless passage of time, the nostalgia for her girlhood, the hardship of raising children alone after her lover's death—all these emotions surged into her eyes.
Time had passed too long, with too many experiences; she had long forgotten the face of her former lover.
Just like the now blurry face obscured by tears and light, she couldn't see clearly.
Before the sadness in her heart dissipated, a pair of warm hands reached her face, wiping away the glistening tears from her eyes.
"Kyouka, don't cry~"
The familiar voice mingling with the familiar song caused her mind to drift.
As her vision cleared, the indistinct face from her memory was replaced by the face before her.
"Fuyumi..."
"Yes, it's me."
Knowing that the song had stirred her past memories, Sasaki took a step closer, gently brushing her ear as he placed his hand on her neck and hugged her:
"It's okay, from now on, I'll be here with you no matter what."
Perhaps her mind was still foggy.
Kyouka didn't notice the inappropriate address as she leaned into his solid chest, surrounded by a warm and comforting aura.
This intoxicating feeling made her instinctively wrap her arms around his waist.
Sasaki, realizing the unexpected gain from her unintentional gesture, gently stroked her soft hair but didn't take advantage of the situation.
Aunt Kyouka might be confused, but he was not.
The big boss had been controlled, but without a high enough level (of affection), recklessly pushing forward and breaking the control would be tantamount to seeking death.
Doing something reckless now would be like breaking the fragile boundary they had just crossed last night.
The result would surely be Aunt Kyouka reprimanding him and keeping her distance from him thereafter.
Killing the goose that lays the golden eggs just for momentary pleasure was not an option.
He reminded himself to be patient.
Sasaki comforted her for a while before gently pushing her away and, meeting her gradually clearing eyes, said:
"Aunt Kyouka, let's eat."
His gentle words were like a bucket of cold water pouring over her head, instantly waking her up.
Releasing her hands from around his waist, Kyouka was about to explain her momentary loss of composure when Sasaki took her hand, leading her to the dining table and seating her in a chair.
"Aunt Kyouka, please try my cooking. You can't say it's bad~ I put a lot of effort into it."
"How could I~ Anything Fuyumi makes, Auntie will definitely finish."
Seeing nothing unusual in Sasaki's expression, Kyouka suppressed the tumultuous feelings in her heart and reassured him, shifting her gaze to the dishes before her.
Baked creamy pumpkin, sausages, boiled chicken breast, pan-fried salmon, sautéed potatoes, various vegetable rice balls...
There weren't many dishes, but without exception, they were all her favourites.
If it were just one or two, it could be a coincidence, but all of them fitting her tastes...
Helping her change shoes, preparing the bathwater, playing her favourite songs, cooking her favorite dishes...
Kyouka was not insensitive to emotions.
From Fuyumi's overstepping behavior last night and his attentiveness tonight, it was clear he had special feelings for her.
As the elder, she was well aware of the gap between them.
She should sternly and seriously talk things through, dispelling his improper thoughts about wanting to be with an older woman.
But looking at the table full of delicious and appealing dishes... would a normal high school boy have such good cooking skills?
His parents were already deceased, and he had previously been in an accident due to attempting suicide.
If she bluntly rejected him now, something bad might happen.
If anything were to happen, how could she face her best friend...
So, she couldn't bring it up herself... as long as she remained firm, it should be fine... it had to be fine...
The music playing in the background, the tempting food before her, the earlier thoughtful gestures at the entrance... and the hand gently stroking her hair from behind... was this really okay?
As the saying goes, even a fierce woman fears a persistent suitor.
Especially for her, who lost her lover early and took on the responsibility of raising children alone, working hard to support her family.
She spent most of her life focused on her career to provide a good life for her child, never enjoying life or being cared for by someone close.
Everything Sasaki was doing for her now was what she had dreamed of.
Could she really hold out to the end?
"Aunt Kyouka, please try it and tell me how it tastes."
The inquiry in her ear and Fuyumi's gesture of serving her food brought Kyouka back from her thoughts.
Pushing aside the wild thoughts in her mind, she looked at the handsome young man bathed in soft light, who had grown up, and nodded with a smile:
"Okay."
'Let things happen naturally. If I really make a mistake, I hope my best friend won't blame me...'
(So that I can love someone)
(Under the wide sky, even if we never meet again, I will live on)
(You loved me with all your heart)
(You embraced everything about me)
(It was like a sunny spot)
(You loved me with all your heart)
(You embraced everything about me)
(It was like a sunny spot)
...
Amidst the music playing in the background, the two of them ate dinner warmly.
After they finished eating, Sasaki gently pushed Kyouka aside when she wanted to wash the dishes, telling her to go take a bath instead.
After using her bathwater to soak, just like the past few days, he gave her a massage.
During the massage, Sasaki noticed that Aunt Kyouka no longer instinctively resisted his touch as she had in previous days.
Occasionally, when he touched areas that were more intimate, she had no reaction.
From her attitude, he knew that his performance tonight was excellent.
Continuing like this, gradually building their relationship, one day he could have her sitting on the bed, gently smiling and touching her round belly.
Click~
Returning to his room, Sasaki closed the door, lay down on the bed, and took out his phone, opening the LINE app.
In the contacts section, there was a noticeable red dot.
He opened the contacts, and a friend request popped up.
[Kurashiki Reina] requested to add you as a friend.
Below were options to "Accept" or "Decline."
'Could this be a case of "I'll give you ten million yen, don't marry me"?'
Remembering Aunt Kyouka's words from last night, 'have it all,' Sasaki thought it wasn't impossible.
Two people without any feelings suddenly forced by their families to marry, it was normal to resist and refuse.
With this thought, Sasaki's finger lightly touched the "Accept" option.
After adding her as a friend, he sent a "Hello" and then switched to Otome's chat page to see if they had arrived home safely.
But before his finger could touch the keyboard, a message from the contact marked "Kurashiki Reina" popped up at the top of the phone screen.
[Hello.] 22:35 "Read"
Seeing that it had been read, not replying would seem very rude.
Sasaki had no choice but to exit the chat with Otome and type:
[Hello, Kurashiki-san.]22:35 "Read"
As soon as he sent the message, she replied again.
[Hello, Sasaki-san.]22:35 "Read"
[I was introduced to you by Tsushima-san, the gyaru who added you on LINE this morning, remember?]22:35 "Read"
She doesn't know about our engagement?
From her messages, there was no mention of the arranged engagement by their parents, so Sasaki assumed that Aunt Kurashiki hadn't told her.
But wait!
If Aunt Kurashiki didn't tell her, why did she add me?
Meeting through Tsushima... could she also be a superficial fan of good looks?
With this in mind, Sasaki replied to her.
[I remember.]22:36 "Read"
[Kurashiki-san, is there something you need from me?]22:36 "Read"
[Yes, there's a small matter I need Sasaki-san's help with.]22:36 "Read"
[I heard from Tsushima-san that Sasaki-san has someone you like, correct?]22:36 "Read"
[Yes...]22:36 "Read"
[So, would Sasaki-san mind having multiple girlfriends?]22:36 "Read"
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