Kyouko headed downstairs in a white long-sleeved blouse and a long dark skirt. She adjusted her sleeves lightly as she reached the bottom, her handbag slung over her shoulder.
Haruki's eyes widened. He saw Kyouko every day, yet today she looked different—even more beautiful than usual.
He walked slowly toward her, took her hand, lifted it, and kissed it gently.
"You look beautiful," he murmured, his voice low and sincere.
Kyouko smiled and glanced up, reaching for his collar to adjust it.
"You're only saying that because I'm the only woman around."
Haruki smiled, leaned down slowly, and kissed her lips.
Kyouko's eyes fluttered closed as she returned the kiss.
After the kiss, she glanced up at him.
"Behave... big boy~"
Haruki smiled and whispered, "How can I behave when there's a beautiful woman in front of me?"
Kyouko slapped his arm playfully, narrowing her eyes with a soft, gentle smile.
"Naughty!"
Haruki let out a soft laugh.
Kyouko tucked her hair behind her ear and glanced at Haruki's bag.
"Did you check your things already? Nothing you forgot?"
"Mm... I already made sure everything's inside."
"Let's go to your office," she said softly, offering him a small smile.
Kyouko felt the warmth of Haruki's arms around her waist, his touch lingering with a boldness that hadn't been there before.
She glanced at his hand. Haruki didn't hesitate anymore.
And she knew who—and what—the reason was.
It was her, the one who had allowed it: from those subtle, harmless touches to the way their lips had met.
Even if she wanted to refuse him now, could she? She didn't want Haruki to feel awkward or rejected. She didn't want him to stop looking at her the way he did.
"Stop being a naughty boy and let's go already~" Kyouko said softly, heading to the front door.
"Okay," Haruki said with a smile, grabbing his bag and following Kyouko.
After slipping on her white low heels, she stood outside the front door, took out the house key, locked it, pressed the alarm, and opened the gate with the remote.
She took out her car key and handed it gently to Haruki.
"You drive. I don't know where your office is."
Haruki took the keys with a small nod and a soft smile. "Okay."
Haruki unlocked the car, and Kyouko slid into the passenger seat. He got in beside her and started the engine. The car hummed to life, and he backed out of the driveway.
As he drove, Kyouko stared out the window, her mind beginning to wander.
This wouldn't have happened... if it weren't for her.
If she had kept her distance.
If she hadn't let him hold her.
If she hadn't smiled when he looked at her that way.
If she hadn't returned the kiss.
None of this would've happened.
They could have remained as they were meant to be: just mother-in-law and son-in-law. Nothing more.
No stolen glances. No kisses that still tingled on her lips. No touching where his hand shouldn't.
And yet she had allowed everything to happen.
Kyouko sighed inwardly, pretending to look at her phone while Haruki drove.
She was terrified—terrified of how easy it would be to fall further. Because if they kept going… if this didn't stop... sooner or later, they would reach a point of no return.
A line that shouldn't be crossed.
A line that could never be uncrossed.
And once they did… once they shattered that boundary…
She turned her face to the window again, exhaling quietly.
It would change everything.
When they arrived, Haruki pulled into the parking lot of a tall glass building surrounded by open space and neatly arranged cars.
Kyouko looked around from the car. The tall glass building loomed ahead, while a few people in business attire walked briskly toward the entrance, briefcases in hand.
*Haruki works for a big company?*
"Kyouko-san?" Haruki glanced at her, his hand resting on the key.
"Hmm?"
"Want to come in with me?"
Kyouko looked around, her fingers brushing her lap. "Ah… you're not running late, right?"
"About thirty minutes… maybe a bit more. I'll be fine."
"Is there a café around here?"
"Yeah. Let me show you. You can wait for me there if you want."
"Okay~" Kyouko smiled and reached into her handbag, pulling out a face mask and slipping it on over her mouth. The moment she adjusted it, Haruki quickly stepped out of the car and opened her door for her.
Kyouko stepped out gracefully. Haruki's hand instinctively reached out to take hers.
But before their fingers could meet, Kyouko gently pulled hers back and leaned in, whispering behind her mask with a teasing smile in her eyes, "Most of your coworkers know Satomi, right?"
Haruki blinked. "Some… why?"
"Then we shouldn't hold hands here," she whispered, her voice light but firm.
Haruki scratched the back of his head. "Oh... I forgot."
Kyouko let out a soft laugh and turned her gaze toward the building entrance. "Let's go. Show me the café you mentioned earlier."
Haruki and Kyouko walked together slowly toward the building entrance. She noticed Haruki was about to hold her hand.
"We shouldn't be too intimate in public," she murmured softly.
"Why?" Haruki whispered back.
"I don't want to cause trouble for you… since some of your coworkers know Satomi, won't it be a problem for you later? Hmm?"
Haruki suddenly grew quiet.
Noticing his silence, Kyouko glanced up at him with a small sigh. She reached out and gently placed her hand on his arm.
She leaned in a little closer, her voice turning playful. "Or maybe… we should stop kissing at home and hold hands in public instead?"
Kyouko extended her palm and glanced at Haruki. "Here, hold it if you want. Show everyone~"
Haruki looked down at her hand, a smile tugging at his lips. "Ugh! Really... Kyouko-san."
( End Of Chapter )