Sayaka woke up, got ready, and slipped into her nurse's outfit before heading downstairs. She noticed that Haruki wasn’t in their room, and his work laptop was missing too. Assuming he might already be downstairs, she went to the kitchen and found her mother, Kyouko, preparing lunch.

“Mom, where’s Haruki?” Sayaka asked casually, sitting down at the table.

Without turning from the stove, Kyouko replied, “Maybe in the living room.”

As she waited for her meal, Sayaka’s gaze fell on two movie tickets lying on the table. Curious, she picked them up. “Mom, are you going out? Going to the movies?” she asked, sounding a bit surprised.

Kyouko felt a jolt of alarm but kept her calm. “Yes, I was planning to go alone,” she replied casually, though inside, she scrambled to maintain her composure.

Sayaka, still puzzled, asked, “Why didn’t you ask Haruki to go with you?” Before Kyouko could answer, Sayaka spotted Haruki coming out of the bathroom. “Haruki!” she called. “You should go with Mom to the movie!”

Haruki, caught off guard but quickly playing along, nodded. “Uh, sure, if you insist,” he replied with a smile, well aware that they’d already made plans.

Sayaka, pleased, smiled back. “Good. I don’t want her to go alone.”

She seemed content, happy that her mother would have company. Kyouko, meanwhile, felt a surge of excitement, though she kept her face neutral. Everything was falling perfectly into place.

Sayaka had no idea that the entire scenario was part of Kyouko plan.She’d left the movie tickets out intentionally, knowing her daughter would notice. Kyouko understood Sayaka’s caring nature and anticipated that she wouldn’t want her mother going to the movie alone. Everything was working out just as Kyouko had hoped.

Now, with Sayaka’s approval—and more importantly, Sayaka herself insisting that Haruki accompany her mother—it all seemed entirely innocent. This allowed Kyouko to spend time with Haruki without raising any suspicion. Although Haruki had already invited her to the movie earlier, Sayaka’s request removed any lingering awkwardness.

Kyouko was thrilled. Sayaka’s intervention had only solidified her chance to spend time with Haruki, guilt-free, and she now looked forward to their movie outing, assured that no one would suspect a thing.

Feigning reluctance, Kyouko asked, “Are you sure, Sayaka? I don’t want to make Haruki feel uncomfortable...” she said softly, as if uncertain.

Sayaka, slightly confused by her mother’s hesitation, responded casually, “Of course, Mom! Haruki’s family now. You don’t need to worry about things like that.” She smiled warmly, entirely oblivious to the subtle tension. “Besides, it’d be rude to leave him out. Just let him go with you and enjoy the movie. Don’t overthink it.”

Sayaka’s innocent and trusting nature allowed her to view the arrangement as completely normal. She assumed that Haruki going with her mother was just another sign of his acceptance within the family. To her, it seemed thoughtful, perfectly appropriate, and even considerate.

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Kyouko kept her act flawless, pretending to feel uncertain. “If you say so, Sayaka... I guess it’s fine then,” she sighed lightly, as though complying reluctantly. But inside, her heart raced with anticipation. It was perfect. She hadn’t needed to push the idea further—Sayaka had done it for her.

Meanwhile, Haruki maintained a neutral expression as he listened. Though he felt a bit awkward, Sayaka’s suggestion made it seem more natural. Smiling at her, he nodded. “Okay, I’ll make sure your mom gets there safely.”

Sayaka beamed, entirely unaware of the underlying tensions. “Thanks, Haruki! I’ll feel better knowing she won’t be alone.”

Kyouko couldn’t believe how smoothly everything had aligned. She’d finally get some time alone with Haruki, and no one would suspect a thing. Just as she’d wanted, things were progressing effortlessly, without any direct effort on her part. Now, all that remained was to wait for the moment.

Taking her time in the shower, Kyouko carefully prepared herself for the outing. She stood before the mirror, her heart beating faster in anticipation. Smiling, she applied a soft shade of lipstick that brought out the fullness of her lips, followed by a touch of mascara to enhance her eyes. She didn’t need makeup to feel beautiful—but today, she wanted to look captivating.

Slipping into the dress Haruki had bought her, Kyouko took a deep breath, admiring her reflection. The dress hugged her figure, emphasizing her curves, and the thought of Haruki’s reaction sent a thrill through her.

As she finished getting ready, she gave herself one last look in the mirror, satisfied with her appearance. Confident that Haruki would be captivated, she added a final touch of perfume and stepped out, ready to meet him.

Meanwhile, Haruki waited in the living room, trying to steady his nerves. His mind raced. Kyouko wasn’t just any woman—she was his mother-in-law. Yet, she’d become someone special to him, and despite his efforts to keep everything appropriate, he couldn’t ignore the attraction he felt.

When Kyouko emerged, Haruki looked up and froze. She was stunning. Her dress, her soft makeup, the way she carried herself with confidence—it was mesmerizing. For a moment, he couldn’t find words, just staring as she approached.

“Haruki, how do I look?” Kyouko asked with a soft smile, her voice playful but slightly shy.

Haruki blinked, swallowing as he found his voice. “Beautiful...” he said, his tone sincere, his eyes unable to hide his admiration.

Kyouko’s heart skipped a beat, but she maintained her composure. “Thank you, Haruki. Shall we go? We don’t want to be late,” she replied with a warm, knowing smile, picking up her bag and leading the way.

As they left together, Haruki couldn’t shake the feeling that today would be unforgettable.

Outside the cinema, Kyouko held a popcorn bag in one hand and a drink in the other. She looked around, feigning slight discomfort in the crowd. Glancing up at Haruki, she said softly, “Haruki... there are so many people here. Do you mind if I... hold onto your arm? Just so I don’t feel too nervous?”

Haruki looked down at her, his heart quickening. Kyouko looked both beautiful and vulnerable, making it impossible for him to refuse. He gave a reassuring smile, keeping his voice steady. “Of course, Kyouko-san. I don’t mind at all.”

Kyouko smiled sweetly, slipping her hand around his arm with a light but deliberate touch.

Haruki’s pulse raced. Her closeness, the light fragrance she wore, the softness of her touch—it blurred the lines in his mind. Yet, he reminded himself to stay calm, convincing himself it was simply a casual gesture in a crowded space.

As they entered the cinema together, Kyouko felt a quiet satisfaction at how smoothly things were progressing. Haruki, on the other hand, felt a whirlwind of emotions—excitement, nervousness, and an undeniable attraction. Being this close to her felt natural, yet deeply thrilling, and he couldn’t deny how much he enjoyed it.

(End of Chapter)