Kyouko lay quietly on her futon, her heart still racing from a mix of surprise and shock. Just a short while ago, she’d been sitting alone in the living room, waiting for her husband—a routine she didn’t enjoy but had grown accustomed to. When she heard Haruki coming downstairs, she’d put her phone away and feigned sleep on the sofa, intending to tease him, curious about his reaction.
Then, the sound of a taxi arriving signaled her husband's return. She almost broke character but stopped when she saw that Haruki was helping her drunken husband inside. Opting to continue her charade, she kept her eyes shut, breathing evenly as if deeply asleep. She felt Haruki approach and gently try to wake her, but she remained still, wondering what he’d do next.
To her surprise, Haruki didn’t just leave her there. Instead, he lifted her into his arms. She tensed slightly at the unexpected closeness, but let herself be carried back to her bedroom. She thought he would simply set her down and leave, but when he arranged the futon for her, a rush of emotions washed over her—gratitude, confusion, and something else, something deeper.
But the moment that truly left her stunned was when he bent down and kissed her forehead, whispering a soft "good night." Her heart leaped. The second he left the room, she opened her eyes, her mind reeling. What had just happened? Haruki’s gentle gesture, so unexpectedly intimate, left her feeling both warmth and a strange sense of excitement.
Kyouko lay staring at the ceiling, her heart refusing to settle. She had only meant to tease him, but now, everything felt different.
Thoughts she’d never dared to entertain began swirling in her mind. What if Haruki had kissed her lips instead of her forehead? The tenderness of his forehead kiss had already shaken her—how would it feel to have his lips against hers?
Her heart pounded at the idea. She couldn’t recall the last time her husband had kissed her, not even a small, affectionate peck. After Sayaka was born, the passion between them had faded entirely. There had been no closeness, no intimacy. She’d come to accept that emptiness, convincing herself that it was just part of life.
But now, thinking of Haruki, this younger, attractive man who noticed her in ways her husband no longer did, filled her with a warmth she hadn’t felt in years. What if, instead of that soft kiss on her forehead, he’d leaned down and kissed her lips? Would it have been gentle, cautious, filled with the same care? Or would it have sparked something, something that would awaken the passion inside her that had long gone dormant?
Kyouko closed her eyes, picturing it in vivid detail. Her breath quickened, and a soft smile appeared on her lips. She wanted to know. Would Haruki ever be bold enough to cross that line, or was it just her fantasy? The thought lingered, tempting her with possibilities.
Kyouko kept staring at the ceiling, her mind filled with conflicting thoughts. She knew she couldn’t directly ask Haruki for what she wanted, nor could she openly flirt. It would be wrong, and she didn’t want to disrupt anything between him and Sayaka.
She wanted to protect her daughter’s happiness. After all, she saw how much Haruki loved Sayaka and didn’t want to stand in the way of that.
But deep down, Kyouko yearned for something for herself—a small part of Haruki’s affection, just enough to fill the emptiness that had built up over the years. It wasn’t about driving a wedge between him and Sayaka; she didn’t need all of him, just a hidden piece of his care. Something just for her.She knew men like Haruki were capable of sharing their love.
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She told herself it wouldn’t hurt anyone if it stayed a secret. Just a little, she thought. Just enough to make her feel alive again. She longed for that connection, that warmth, something she hadn’t felt in years. To be seen, to be cherished, even if only in small, private moments.
As she closed her eyes, Kyouko resolved to wait. She wouldn’t push, wouldn’t chase anything. She would be patient, content with the hope that one day, Haruki might share a small part of his love with her—a secret love, just for her.
--
The next morning, despite not sleeping at all, Kyouko went about her routine as usual. She moved quietly through the house, careful not to disturb anyone, especially Sayaka, who had just returned from her night shift. Sayaka, looking exhausted, headed straight to bed without a word.
Kyouko washed her face, lingering in the mirror a moment longer than usual. Her skin still looked fresh, her body youthful despite the sleepless night. She made herself a cup of coffee, savoring its warmth as she mentally prepared for the day.
After finishing her coffee, she changed into her usual fitted exercise outfit, the one that flattered her figure. Though her mind still swirled with the events of the night before—Haruki’s unexpected forehead kiss and the warmth it left—she pushed those thoughts aside to focus on her routine. It was this discipline that kept her looking vibrant, her armor against life’s uncertainties.
With a deep breath, Kyouko stepped outside to begin her exercises, determined to keep her mind focused. She couldn’t dwell on those late-night thoughts; she needed to present herself as the graceful, attractive woman she prided herself on being.
Meanwhile, Haruki woke up to find Sayaka, still in her nurse’s uniform, peacefully asleep beside him. He leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead, then brushed his lips gently against hers. Sayaka remained fast asleep, her breathing steady, and Haruki smiled. Though her exhausting work had kept her from fulfilling his needs lately, he didn’t mind. Just being close to her was enough.
He quietly got out of bed, took a towel, and headed downstairs. His boss had called the previous day, requesting a meeting, and Haruki was eager to present the project he’d completed ahead of schedule. His boss appreciated early submissions, and Haruki felt confident in the quality of his work.
On his way to the bathroom, he paused, knowing Kyouko would likely be outside, going through her morning routine. Curiosity tugged at him, and instead of heading straight for the shower, he peeked out, watching her through the curtains.
She was there, just as he expected—Kyouko in her fitted workout outfit, moving gracefully through her exercises. Haruki felt his heart skip a beat. She looked stunning, her body fit and toned, her movements fluid and captivating. He watched her a moment longer than he’d intended, feeling a mix of admiration and something deeper, something he wasn’t ready to admit.
He quickly shook off the feeling, knowing he shouldn’t be watching her like this. But there was something magnetic about her presence, something that drew him in. Swallowing, he pulled away and headed for the shower, though the image of Kyouko lingered in his mind as he prepared for the day.
Haruki couldn’t deny the growing allure Kyouko held for him—an attraction that seemed to deepen with each passing day.
He didn’t feel the need to rush since most of his work was done from home, allowing him a more flexible schedule. Today, however, he had an important meeting, so he would need to make an appearance at the office. While most of his colleagues worked in teams on their projects, Haruki had a reputation for handling tasks solo and often finishing ahead of schedule, a fact that had earned him respect in the company.
After his shower, Haruki stepped out with a towel wrapped around his waist, only to find Kyouko in the hallway, her face glowing from her morning workout. Haruki couldn’t help but notice how stunning she looked, even in a casual setting.
“Good morning,” he greeted her with a smile, feeling slightly self-conscious standing there in just a towel.
Kyouko smiled back warmly. "Good morning, Haruki. Breakfast will be ready soon," she replied, her eyes lingering on him a second longer than usual before turning toward the kitchen.
Haruki nodded, watching her for a moment before heading to his room to dress. There was an ease in her presence that made him comfortable, even though he felt a subtle nervousness. As he dressed, his thoughts drifted between his upcoming meeting and the strange tension he felt around his mother-in-law.
(End of Chapter)