She leaned her body against him, resting her head on his shoulder.
And despite everything she was feeling, the warmth of his embrace, the calm he brought her, the way her body responded so effortlessly to his presence...
She didn't want to be the reason anything shattered.
Because Haruki was still her son-in-law. Her daughter's husband.
Still, deep down, a quiet ache lingered in her chest.
She knew that if her husband... or Satomi... saw them like this, witnessed how Haruki hugged her so tenderly, how she leaned into him like she belonged there... how she allowed his hands to touch her body where they weren't supposed to, they would never believe this was just an innocent embrace.
Because I know... this isn't an innocent touch.
"Haruki?"
He looked down at her, his head still gently leaning against hers. "Hmm? Yes, Kyouko-san?"
"Nothing..." Her voice was soft, almost a whisper.
Kyouko didn't know what she really wanted to say. Or maybe she did, but just couldn't bring herself to voice it.
Because she knew...
If Haruki were to ask for a kiss right now. If he leaned down, closing that small space between them.
She wouldn't resist.
She might actually let him kiss her.
Right here. Under the stars. With no one else watching.
If he took advantage of her in this vulnerable moment, if he suddenly pushed her down and took her, she didn't know if she could resist. Not with the heat building inside her, the pulse throbbing between her thighs.
Haruki glanced down when he felt a soft tremble against him.
Kyouko's shoulders were shaking.
"Kyouko-san…?"
"Haruki…" Her voice cracked as she pressed her face against his chest. "Why… why does it always turn out like this?"
"When you love someone… when you're loyal… when you give everything… why does it still end up like this?"
Haruki froze. He wanted to speak, something, anything, but the words never came.
Kyouko went on, her voice barely above a whisper. "I've always held back. Always been patient. I gave him everything I could. My youth. My body. My heart…"
Her tears soaked through his shirt as she leaned harder against him, trembling.
"Is it because I'm not beautiful anymore? Because I'm not young?" she whispered. Her hands gripped the fabric of his shirt tightly. "Do men only love what's new, what's still glowing?"
Her tears kept falling, warm and unrelenting against his skin.
Haruki said nothing. He only held her tighter, one hand caressing her back, the other threading gently through her hair as she cried quietly in his arms.
He didn't know what to say.
He knew loneliness. He knew rejection.
His wife had been cold for years, turning away from his touch and dismissing his affection. They barely talked anymore. And sex? He'd forgotten how long it had been.
He held her gently, feeling her trembling slowly ease.
Haruki smiled as he gently looked at her face and wiped away her tears with his thumb.
"Don't cry, Kyouko-san… I'm here. I'll always be here."
Kyouko looked up at him. She didn't say anything, just smiled, tears still glistening in her eyes, her lip trembling.
"You're still beautiful, Kyouko-san," Haruki said softly. "Honestly... I think you're even more beautiful than any woman I've met. So please... don't talk like you're no longer worth anything. Don't think that being older makes you any less radiant."
Kyouko blinked, then slowly nodded, her lips curving into a faint, genuine smile.
"Thank you, Haruki."
Before she could wipe the last tear away, Haruki reached out and brushed it aside for her, his fingertips lingering as their eyes met.
She let out a small, embarrassed laugh. "We should go inside. If anyone saw us like this… they'd probably think we're having an affair."
Haruki chuckled, his hand still resting gently on her back. "Yeah… if they saw us hugging like this, they'd probably think worse."
Their eyes met again.
Neither of them moved.
They just stayed there for a moment, smiling.
Haruki felt a quiet warmth spread through him. Seeing Kyouko smile after letting everything out… it made him happy—truly happy.
Kyouko's heart beat faster when she saw Haruki's smile, the way his face softened in the moonlight. Something inside her stirred. But she held herself steady, calmly reining in the urge to fall into his arms.
When Haruki offered his hand to help her up, she took it without hesitation.
She brushed the dust from her pajama pants as Haruki stretched with a quiet yawn. Neither spoke as they started back toward the house.
But just before they reached the door, Haruki stopped.
Kyouko turned to him. "Haruki?"
He stood motionless, watching her, faint moonlight tracing his expression. Slowly, he stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her from the front, drawing her into a firm, steady embrace.
"Can I… at least hug you like this?" His voice was barely a whisper. "I'm sorry if this bothers you, Kyouko-san. Really… I'm sorry."
Kyouko blinked in surprise. But her expression softened as she looked up at him. Slowly, she returned the embrace, her arms circling his back.
"Don't worry, Haruki," she whispered, her breath warm against his chest. "You're not bothering me at all."
She lingered there, her cheek pressed to his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.
When she glanced up again, Haruki was already gazing down at her. Their eyes locked—and then his drifted to her lips.
She noticed.
And she smiled.
That look… she knew it well. When a man gazed at a woman like that, there was only one thing he wanted.
Slowly, Haruki leaned in, his lips inching toward hers.
Kyouko's breath caught. Her lips parted slightly.
Just as their mouths were about to meet, she raised a finger and pressed it gently to his lips.
Her soft giggle shattered the silence.
"No~," she teased, her eyes gleaming with quiet mischief.
Haruki froze, then let out a sheepish laugh, scratching the back of his neck. "Can't blame a guy for trying."
Kyouko leaned in and planted a gentle kiss on his cheek. "Nothing too serious now, okay?" she murmured, her tone light. "Besides… kissing an old woman like me?"
Haruki smiled, leaning close to return the kiss, his lips brushing her cheek. "You're not old, Kyouko-san," he said, his voice low and sincere. "Not even close."
( End of Chapter )