Haruki couldn’t help himself, he took in a deep breath, inhaling Kyouko’s natural scent. It was sweet, fragrant, and unlike anything he’d encountered before—certainly not something he’d associate with someone in their forties. The subtle perfume filled his mind with thoughts he knew were wrong, but he couldn’t resist.

Sitting close, Kyouko was fully aware of his quiet inhalations, and instead of pulling away, she decided to play along, pretending not to notice. She took a quiet pride in her fresh, youthful scent, so different from what people might expect of a woman her age. With a soft, almost secretive smile, she leaned in just a bit closer, letting him take in more of her fragrance.

Haruki’s pulse quickened, his focus on work long gone. He tried to hide his nerves, but the way Kyouko’s presence overwhelmed his senses made it nearly impossible. The unspoken tension between them grew with each passing moment.

Haruki’s mind raced, his heart pounding. He knew Kyouko wasn’t intentionally trying to seduce him—she seemed relaxed, casual, as though nothing were out of the ordinary. But he couldn’t ignore her closeness, her beauty, or the way her scent seemed to draw him in.

The desire to reach out, to touch her, gnawed at him. He wanted to feel her warmth, to know if her skin was as soft as it looked. But what if he crossed a line? What if Kyouko felt uncomfortable, or worse, if things became awkward between them? The fear of ruining what they shared—a comfortable, almost playful relationship—held him back. One wrong move could change everything, and he wasn’t sure he was ready to take that risk.

As Kyouko showed him pictures and videos, Haruki struggled to stay focused. His eyes drifted to her cleavage, just visible beneath her tank top. He forced himself to look away, trying to concentrate on the screen, but the temptation lingered.

Kyouko, fully aware of the effect she was having on him, noticed his stolen glances but didn’t mind. In fact, she relished the attention. It wasn’t just a game; it was the thrill of knowing Haruki was drawn to her, even as he tried to hide it. Her smile remained gentle, as if she were simply sharing stories, but inside, she reveled in the quiet power she held over him.

Haruki, however, was oblivious to her intentions. To him, she was just being friendly, maybe a little lonely, and he didn’t want to misinterpret the situation. Part of him wanted to give in to the attraction, but another part worried about what might happen if he did.

After a while, Kyouko noticed the time. She rushed to the kitchen, realizing how late it was—already past 8 p.m. She knew Haruki was probably hungry.

She smiled to herself, thinking about how things had changed since he’d moved in. Before, she often cooked for her husband, only for him to come home late and drunk, leaving the meals untouched. It had felt like a waste, but now, with Haruki in the house, she knew her cooking wouldn’t go to waste.

As she prepared dinner, Kyouko thought of how Haruki always enjoyed her food. The house felt more alive with him around. Cooking wasn’t just a chore anymore; it was knowing there was someone who genuinely appreciated her efforts. For the first time in years, she felt a warmth inside, a sense of purpose, and the feeling of being seen.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

Chopping vegetables, Kyouko wondered if Haruki would compliment her cooking again tonight, and the thought brought a smile to her face as she worked, making sure everything was perfect.

In the living room, Haruki focused on finishing the last touches of the company’s project. He was good at his work—quick and efficient—but as the familiar aroma of Kyouko’s cooking filled the air, it was hard to stay focused.

He smiled, remembering his first taste of her food. It had been one of the reasons he was so happy to move in when Sayaka suggested they live with her parents. Kyouko’s cooking had a warmth that reminded him of home, even though he hadn’t known her long at the time. It was the kind of meal that made a house feel like family.

As his stomach growled, he looked forward to dinner. No matter how long the day had been, Kyouko’s cooking always made things better.

Kyouko carefully arranged the food on the table, setting it with the same attention to detail she’d shown since Haruki moved in. She wanted him to enjoy every meal, to feel cared for. After all, it gave her joy to cook for someone who truly appreciated her efforts.

Once everything was set, she removed her apron and called out, “Dinner’s ready.” Haruki smiled, quickly making his way to the table. As he sat down, he noticed how she served him rice and laid out the meal with care, almost like a wife preparing food for her husband. He paused for a moment but brushed the thought aside. Kyouko always made him feel at ease—no need to overthink it.

Kyouko watched his reaction closely, pleased with how happy he looked. She sat beside him, her smile warm and genuine as they ate together. The atmosphere was natural and easy, like they’d been doing this for years. For Kyouko, these moments were precious, bringing a rare sense of connection and contentment. Haruki’s presence had brought life back into the quiet house, and she cherished it deeply.

Later that night, Haruki sat in his room, the clock showing past 1 a.m. His work was done, but an urge to use the restroom interrupted his focus. He headed downstairs, relieved himself, and was about to return to his room when he heard a car pull up. It was probably his father-in-law, finally coming home from work. Curious, Haruki opened the door and saw the older man stumble out of a taxi, clearly drunk.

He quickly went over to help, guiding him inside and to the bedroom. Once there, he laid him down on the bed but noticed something off—Kyouko wasn’t in the room. Wondering where she was, he checked the house and found her asleep on the sofa in the living room, likely waiting for her husband to come home. The sight stirred a pang of concern. He knew it wasn’t good for her to sleep in such an uncomfortable position.

Gently, he tried to wake her, but Kyouko was in a deep sleep, unresponsive to his nudging. Nervous yet determined to help, Haruki lifted her into his arms, carrying her in a princess-style hold. He brought her back to the bedroom, but seeing her husband sprawled on the bed, he hesitated. Something about letting her sleep next to him didn’t feel right.

Without overthinking it, Haruki found a futon, laid it out carefully, and then gently placed Kyouko down on it. He stood there for a moment, looking at her peaceful face, and, almost unconsciously, bent down to plant a soft kiss on her forehead. “Good night,” he whispered before quietly leaving.

As he stepped out, Haruki froze. He stood in the hallway, his heart pounding. He didn’t know why he’d kissed her forehead or why he felt the need to ensure she didn’t sleep beside her drunken husband. He was only trying to be helpful—wasn’t he? But now, standing alone in the dark, the weight of what he’d done settled over him.

It wasn’t just the act itself, but the feeling behind it—a surge of protectiveness, care, and something else he couldn’t yet admit. Haruki felt conflicted. Why did he feel such a strong urge to protect Kyouko? He had no place in her life beyond their shared routines, but their time together today, the laughter, the closeness... it was stirring something deep within him.

Shaking his head, he tried to dismiss the thoughts. Maybe he was just exhausted. Haruki slipped back to his room, but the image of Kyouko, peacefully sleeping after he carried her, stayed with him. He lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, wondering if the line between them was beginning to blur.

( End of Chapter )