Chapter 18
Haruki, now dressed in his office outfit, made his way downstairs. His mind was filled with thoughts of Kyouko cooking, knowing that she had likely prepared a strong, hot cup of black coffee for him. as he entered the kitchen, he paused, caught off guard. Kyouko was still in her fitted exercise outfit, her toned figure looking youthful and captivating. She looked undeniably beautiful, and Haruki found himself taking in her appearance from head to toe, lingering perhaps a moment too long.
Kyouko noticed his gaze and greeted him with a gentle smile. “Haruki, take a seat. Breakfast will be ready in a minute.” Her voice was warm, as if completely unaware of the effect she had on him. Haruki blinked, snapped out of his thoughts, and took his seat at the table.
There, just as he expected, was a steaming cup of black coffee. He took a sip, savoring it, and watched Kyouko as she moved gracefully around the kitchen. The comfort of the familiar scene settled over him, though a certain tension lingered beneath the surface, especially with Kyouko looking as she did. Trying to focus, he reminded himself of the meeting awaiting him.
When breakfast was ready, Kyouko placed the meal in front of him and then took a seat across the table. Her expression was soft but distant, and after a pause, she asked, “Are you going to the office today?”
Haruki nodded, taking a bite. “Yeah, I have a meeting this morning.” He noticed a hint of sadness in her eyes, though she tried to mask it with a polite smile. Something in her expression tugged at him.
To lighten the mood, he added casually, “But I’ll probably be back in the afternoon.”
Kyouko’s face brightened a little. “Oh, that’s nice,” she replied, her smile becoming more genuine. “I’ll make sure there’s something nice for you when you come back.”
Haruki smiled, warmed by her thoughtfulness. Despite the underlying tension he often felt, moments like these brought him a sense of ease. They continued eating quietly, each sipping their coffee, slipping back into a comfortable silence.
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Haruki arrived at his office and, without wasting time, headed straight to his boss’s room. He greeted his boss casually, and the man looked up, smiling broadly. "Good to see you, Haruki! The meeting will start soon."
Before the boss could stand, Haruki handed over the file and USB with the latest project materials. The boss’s smile widened as he took them. "Excellent work, as always. The last project was a massive success—the promotion video, the movie cover, everything you prepared brought in huge returns. The company couldn’t be happier."
Haruki nodded, about to excuse himself for the meeting room when his boss stopped him. "Hold on a moment." The boss opened a drawer, pulling out an envelope and handing it to him.
“What’s this?” Haruki asked, opening it to find two movie tickets inside.
The boss chuckled. "Tickets for the premiere of the movie from your last project. Consider it a small thank-you."
Haruki glanced at the tickets. "Thanks,” he replied, tucking them away.
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
The boss added, "And don’t worry—your reward, wages, and bonus will all be deposited directly. You've earned it."
Haruki acknowledged this with a modest nod. Recognition for his hard work was always rewarding, especially when it contributed to the company’s success.
In the meeting room, Haruki stayed focused on the discussion, absorbing the details and mentally noting how the team’s plans would align with his work. Toward the end, his boss gave him a nod of appreciation. “I want to recognize Haruki’s hard work on the last project. The results speak for themselves, and the whole company has benefited from his efforts.”
Haruki acknowledged the praise with a modest nod, staying attentive.
The boss continued, “Haruki, after this, I’d like you to meet with the project team. We have a new assignment that I believe you can handle from home, as usual.”
“Got it. I’ll stop by afterward.”
As the meeting wrapped up, Haruki gathered his things, already thinking about how he would approach the new project.
He headed to the project department to pick up the new file, noting that the deadline was far off, giving him ample time to prepare. After collecting the materials, he politely excused himself and left the office.
Checking his watch—it was just past 11 a.m.—Haruki decided to pick up something special for his family. He drove to a nearby cake shop, thinking a few treats might bring a smile to Kyouko’s face. He selected an assortment of cakes and donuts, imagining her reaction when he returned home.
As he paid, he remembered the movie tickets. A thought crossed his mind: perhaps Kyouko and her husband could use them to enjoy a night out together. It seemed like a thoughtful way to help them reconnect.
With a satisfied smile, Haruki climbed into his car and headed home, eager to share the surprise with Kyouko. The thought of bringing her a little happiness warmed him as he anticipated her reaction.
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When Haruki arrived home, he parked the car and walked into the house, finding Kyouko sitting in the living room, casually checking her smartphone. He greeted her with a warm smile and handed her the cakes and donuts he had picked up. Kyouko face lit up with happiness, and she suggested they share the treats together.
She stood up and headed to the kitchen, returning shortly with two glasses and a bottle of juice. Placing everything on the table, she smiled warmly at Haruki, grateful for the thoughtful gesture. The two sat together, enjoying the sweet treats and the quiet moment, the mood light and comfortable.
As they settled in, Haruki decided it was a good time to bring up the tickets. "By the way, Kyouko-san," he said, reaching into his pocket and pulling out the envelope. "I got these movie tickets as a reward for my last project. I thought maybe you and your husband could use them for a nice night out together."
Kyouko looked at the tickets, surprised, and a mix of emotions flickered across her face. She smiled softly, touched by Haruki thoughtfulness. "Thank you, Haruki," she said gently, though the mention of her husband made her feel a little conflicted inside. Still, she appreciated the gesture. "I'll see if we can use them."
They continued chatting over the cakes, but Kyouko couldn’t ignore the slight ache in her chest, her thoughts drifting back to the happiness she felt earlier with Haruki.
Kyouko sighed softly as she looked at the movie tickets. She knew her husband wouldn't be interested. His rare days off were usually spent with his friends, drinking and staying out late. Still, she kept the tickets for now, her mind already formulating a plan. She would tell Haruki later that her husband couldn’t go, pretending it was just one of those things. A part of her hoped Haruki wouldn’t want to waste the tickets. Maybe, just maybe, he would suggest they go together instead.
If he didn’t, Kyouko was determined to find another way, another excuse to get Haruki to the movie with her. After all, it wasn’t about the movie—it was about spending time with him, sharing something fun and carefree. She bit her lip, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. Would Haruki pick up on her hint? Or would she need to be more direct?
As they continued chatting casually over the cakes and donuts, Kyouko decided to wait for the right moment to bring up the tickets. She glanced at Haruki, who seemed relaxed and happy. That warmth in her heart from earlier swelled again, and she smiled to herself. She didn’t need much, just a little of Haruki's attention—just a small, secret part of his world.
( End of chapter )