At 7:20 a.m., the quiet of the Sato household broke as the sound of slippers shuffled down the hallway.
Hana and Sakura, dressed in their crisp white school uniforms, made their way into the dining room, smartphones already in hand. Both girls sat opposite each other at the table, half awake, half buried in their LINE chat threads.
"Did you see what Rento posted last night?" Sakura whispered, giggling."The one with his shirt off?" Hana smirked. "I saved it. His abs are crazy for a seventeen-year-old.""Gross, that's a crime. But yeah, he's so hot.""Bet you wouldn't say that if he liked my photo again."
Ayaka watched them from the kitchen, half-listening to their banter. She placed their steaming coffee cups on the table, followed by bowls of miso soup, grilled fish, and freshly cooked tamagoyaki.
"Eat while it's hot," she said with a smile, then turned and walked back down the hall to the bedroom.
Inside, Minato was still sitting on the edge of the futon in his checkered pajama pants, rubbing sleep from his eyes. The scent of coffee had roused him, but he hadn't moved past grabbing the morning paper—Yomiuri Shimbun folded open across his lap.
"Time to wake up properly," Ayaka said gently. "I made natto today, just how you like it."
Minato grunted in response. "Coming."
By the time he joined the family at the table, he still hadn't changed. His graying hair was tousled, and the paper was tucked under his arm.
"You girls are getting reckless day by day," he muttered without looking up. "You're not even out of middle school yet, and I see manicures, piercings… How long before you both start dyeing your hair bright red?"
Sakura rolled her eyes. Hana made a face.
Ayaka placed two neatly wrapped lunchboxes beside their plates. "Dear, don't lecture them like that while they're eating."
Minato barely glanced at her. "It's not lecturing. It's called parenting."
She sighed. "It's just style nowadays. They're good students; that's what matters most."
"They're spoiled, Ayaka," he said flatly.
Ayaka held back her irritation and gave the girls a tight-lipped smile. "Finish up and don't be late."
Minato reached for his bag under the table, opened his wallet, and pulled out a crisp ¥10,000 note. He handed it to Hana, and then Minato instructed Hana to divide the money equally between them.
"Your allowance for the month. Don't spend it all on bubble tea and useless junk."
"Thank you, Dad~!" both girls chimed in, leaning over to kiss his cheeks before dashing off toward the genkan with bags in hand.
The door slid shut.
Ayaka stood in the middle of the room, arms crossed.
"You're spoiling them," she said coldly.
"It's just money, Ayaka. Let them enjoy. They're young."
"They're going to be brats at this rate."
Minato ignored her. He picked up his cup of coffee, sipping it calmly as he opened the newspaper.
Just then, Ayaka's phone rang.
She glanced at the screen:Kobayakawa Riku.
Her heart skipped.
She quickly declined the call and switched her phone to vibrate, slipping it into her apron pocket.
Minato didn't even ask. He was deep in the editorial section.
At 8:30, after brushing his teeth and changing into a simple gray suit, Minato slung his shoulder bag over one arm and adjusted his tie in the hallway mirror.
"I'll be heading to Fukuoka," he said casually. "One of our senior guys is retiring from the branch there. They're doing a farewell lunch."
Ayaka nodded. "When will you be back?"
"Midnight. Or later, depending on the bullet train. Keep lemon water in the fridge in case you're asleep."
He leaned forward and gave her a quick kiss on the forehead, more automatic than affectionate, and stepped into his shoes.
Then he was gone.
The house fell into silence.
Ayaka stared at the front door for a moment, listening for his footsteps down the block. Then, with trembling fingers, she unlocked her phone.
I have time till 2 PM.Here's the location of the love hotel. Room 206. Bring condoms and beers.
She hit send.
Seconds later, the reply came.
❤️🍺👍
By 9:45, Ayaka stood under the hot shower, her body steaming as water cascaded down her bare skin. She shampooed her hair slowly, working the suds into a soft lather. Her fingers traced her arms and her stomach, pausing briefly at her hips.
She exhaled, resting her palm against the wall.
It's just sex. It's only today. I'll forget it later.
She stepped out of the bathroom, drying herself with a soft pink towel. She chose her underwear carefully—black lace, the pair she never wore around Minato. She put on a simple pink blouse and short, figure-hugging skirt. Not too obvious. But enough for Riku to stare.
At 10:15, the doorbell rang.
Her heart stopped.
No way.
She tiptoed to the peephole and glanced through it—Riku. Standing there in his casual tee, kombini bag dangling in one hand like he'd just come over to borrow soy sauce.
She opened the door just enough to hiss, "Are you insane?! What if someone saw you?!"
Riku grinned. "Relax. I brought gifts."
He pushed the door open gently and stepped inside, closing it behind him. He held up the kombini bag like a proud fool.
Inside were six beer cans and a small purple box labeled:
Blueberry Flavored Condoms – Extra Soft
Ayaka's eyes widened.
"Are you fucking joking? This is my house, Riku."
"Yeah," he said, walking in like it was his place. "So treat your guest better. It's my first time here."
"We're not doing this here," she said, trying to keep her voice steady. "Let's go to the hotel. I booked it. We have time."
He set the bag down on the kitchen counter.
"I didn't book it," he said with a shrug. "Low on budget this month."
"Are you serious?!" she snapped. "This isn't some stupid manga, Riku! What if the neighbors—"
He stepped forward and kissed her.
Faster than she could react. Lips pressed hot against hers, hands sliding up her sides. Her protest turned to silence.
And once again, her home—the place she cooked, cleaned, and raised her daughters—stopped being sacred.