Several weeks had passed since that quiet night. Kyouko and Haruki had returned to their usual closeness—well, maybe too close now—but they still kept their boundaries.
That evening, they gathered around the dinner table, enjoying the calm atmosphere.
"It's rare to see you both home early," Kyouko said, smiling at her husband and daughter.
"We need to rest up," Satoshi replied. "We're heading out of town for work."
"Huh? When?" Kyouko's eyebrows shot up.
"Tomorrow," Satomi said casually, picking up a piece of meat with her chopsticks and feeding it to Haruki.
"You're just telling me this now?"
"It wasn't planned," Satoshi explained, lifting his glass. "Last-minute decision. With all these new projects coming in, we decided to open a new branch."
Kyouko sighed but kept her smile. "I see..."
As dinner wound down, Satoshi set down his chopsticks and turned to Haruki.
"By the way, Haruki," he said casually.
"Yes, father-in-law?" Haruki replied.
"If you're not too busy while we're away… could you keep an eye on your mother-in-law?" he asked, glancing at Kyouko, who quietly sipped her tea. "She doesn't like being alone or dealing with strangers. If she needs groceries or has errands, maybe you could go with her."
"Umm… okay," Haruki nodded, surprised but keeping his composure.
"Yeah," Satomi added, smiling as she leaned on Haruki's shoulder. "Don't feel awkward around Mom, okay? She's really easy to get along with once you relax."
Kyouko studied her tea, hiding a small smile. Haruki stole a glance at her. No one else at the table knew how close they'd become—closer than most would consider appropriate, but still teetering on the edge of something more.
"All right," Haruki said.
Satomi leaned back in her chair and playfully nudged him with her elbow.
"And Mom, don't be too awkward around Haruki, okay? You know he doesn't have any family left."
"I know," Kyouko replied softly, her voice calm but unreadable.
Satoshi stood and stretched. "I'll go get everything packed upstairs."
Once he left, Satomi looked back and forth between Kyouko and Haruki.
"What's up with you two?" she asked, narrowing her eyes teasingly. "Still acting weird? Come on, Haruki, you've been living here for months. You should feel totally comfortable with her by now."
Haruki chuckled awkwardly and scratched the back of his head. "Yeah… you're right."
Kyouko smiled faintly, her fingers resting lightly on her teacup.
"Oh, please," Satomi said, rolling her eyes. "This is why I say you both need to loosen up. Have some fun while we're gone or something. Go shopping, get some fresh air. I don't want to come home and find you both stuck inside like two awkward high schoolers."
Kyouko chuckled softly. "We'll be fine."
Satomi pointed her chopsticks at her mother with a teasing grin.
"And Mom! Keep an eye on Haruki, okay? Don't let him wander around alone. He might end up with two or three girls flirting with him."
Kyouko let out a soft laugh and glanced at Haruki.
She couldn't deny it—Haruki was far too handsome. Tall, polite, with that quiet charm most women noticed, even if he didn't try. And Kyouko? She'd noticed. Maybe a little too much lately.
Haruki scratched the back of his head and chuckled softly.
"I don't think I'm that popular," he said modestly.
"You'd be surprised," Satomi smirked. "Anyway, don't make Mom worry. Be a good boy while we're gone."
Kyouko hid her smile behind her teacup.
She wasn't worried about Haruki getting caught up with anyone.
What worried her more... was how much she was starting to enjoy spending time with him. The way her heart lifted when she heard his voice. The way she found herself looking forward to their time together, especially after everything Haruki had done for her.
She knew this was dangerous. She didn't know if she could hold out much longer.
Once Haruki got to the living room and set up his laptop and earbuds, Satomi leaned closer to her mother in the kitchen—just enough to talk without being overheard.
"Mom, while we're away… try your best to make Haruki comfortable, okay?" she whispered, glancing over her shoulder to make sure he couldn't hear. "He doesn't have family, and honestly, I don't think he has many close friends either."
Kyouko blinked at her daughter, a soft laugh escaping her lips as she rinsed a cup in the sink.
"Come on, Satomi. He's an adult. A big boy now. I think he can manage just fine without me babysitting him."
"I'm not saying babysit him," Satomi replied with a grin, "but you know… just talk to him. Be nice. Treat him like a friend."
Kyouko dried the cup slowly, her gaze drifting toward the living room.
Friend?
She seriously said...be friends with him?
Inside her mind, she let out a soft chuckle.
We've already become more than just friends, Satomi.
I don't think friends hug like that, or let their hands touch a body that's supposed to belong to your father, Satomi.
Kyouko just smiled.
"I'll be nice," Kyouko said, her voice light but carrying an undertone that Satomi didn't catch.
"Don't worry."
Kyouko stood there a moment longer, drying her hands on a towel.
Like a friend...
If only Satomi knew how easy it was to talk to Haruki. How natural it felt to be close to him. Sometimes, when she laughed at his jokes or leaned against him, she'd forget she was supposed to keep her distance.
"Friend, huh?" Kyouko murmured, her voice barely above a whisper as she softly chuckled to herself—a small, feminine laugh that faded quickly.
Satomi didn't seem to notice the weight behind her mother's words. She just grinned and opened her phone, scrolling through her packing list.
"Hmm? You're not that old, Mom. Seriously. You still look good for your age. Haruki even said so once, remember?"
Kyouko raised an eyebrow. "He did?"
"Yeah, he said something like, 'Kyouko-san looks really young for a mom.' I remember that."
Kyouko smiled faintly but didn't reply. Her heart fluttered just a bit, though she tried to push the feeling aside.
Satomi continued, cheerful and oblivious. "Anyway, just do your best, okay? I know you're shy around people, but at least talk to him. Take him to a movie or something. Go shopping together. Haruki's not hard to be around. Just don't let him sit at home staring at his laptop all day."
Kyouko nodded slowly, wiping down the counter even though it was already spotless.
"Alright... I'll see what I can do."
Satomi leaned over and gave her mother a quick hug. "That's the spirit!"
Kyouko watched her daughter walk away, still smiling.
She wasn't sure what exactly she was agreeing to—but one thing she knew for certain: it had already gone beyond just being friends.
( End Of Chapter )