Once the food was ready, Kyouko carefully arranged the dishes on the table. The aroma of freshly cooked rice and miso filled the air.
"I hope you'll enjoy it," she said with a gentle smile as she settled into the seat across from Haruki.
"Thank you, Kyouko-san." Haruki nodded and picked up his chopsticks.
Kyouko let out a soft chuckle. "It's been a while since I've cooked this much."
Haruki tilted his head slightly. "Really?"
She nodded, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "My husband is always busy with work... He's rarely home for dinner. So most nights, I only cook for myself." Kyouko smiled.
"Oh…" Haruki murmured, unsure how to respond.
"Well… let's eat."
"Itadakimasu~"
They clapped their hands together in unison before picking up their chopsticks.
Haruki took his first bite, and a strange warmth settled in his chest. Eating with someone... it felt nice. Different from the lonely meals he'd grown accustomed to in that cramped apartment.
He had always eaten alone, sometimes buying food from the convenience store while waiting for Satomi to get home.
"Haruki, eat more."
He blinked as Kyouko reached over with her chopsticks to place a piece of meat in his bowl, a gentle smile on her face.
"Ah… thank you," he said, his voice slightly stiff.
"A man like you needs to eat plenty," she chuckled softly. "Don't be shy."
Haruki gave a small nod. "Okay, Kyouko-san."
As he ate, Haruki found himself stealing glances at Kyouko.
She's everything a man could want in a wife—beautiful, gentle, and on top of that, her cooking was incredible. No restaurant meal could compare.
He knew because he often bought takeout or ordered online... and he'd never tasted anything so delicious.
Before he could stop himself, the words slipped out.
"It's nice... eating like this."
Kyouko blinked in surprise, then a gentle smile curved her lips. "Yeah... it's been a while since I've had a meal like this too."
They settled into a comfortable silence, broken only by the soft clink of chopsticks against bowls.
For the first time in ages, Haruki didn't feel alone.
It felt strange. He'd barely been there a day, yet sitting with Kyouko seemed right, like something he'd been missing without even knowing it.
Enjoying the delicious meal accompanied by someone as beautiful as Kyouko made Haruki's heart race.
After the meal, Haruki helped her gather the dishes and carry them to the sink.
"Ah, Haruki-kun, I can handle these. You should rest," Kyouko said with a gentle smile.
Haruki hesitated. It felt wrong to sit idly by and let her handle everything alone.
"I'd like to help, Kyouko-san."
"No, no." She waved him off, already rolling up her sleeves. "Leave it to me. I'll take care of it."
Before he could protest, she brushed past him, turned on the faucet, and began washing the dishes.
Haruki lingered. Watching her work so effortlessly made it impossible to simply walk away.
Without a word, he grabbed a plate and started rinsing it.
"Haruki-kun..." Kyouko sighed. "Let me do it."
"Please, at least let me help a little."
She turned to him with an amused smile. "Don't you need to rest?"
Haruki just smiled and continued rinsing the dishes beside her.
Kyouko shook her head, a gentle smile curving her lips.
"Well, if you insist."
That warm, sincere smile caught Haruki off guard.
For a moment, he just stood there, watching her. Though they'd only known each other for a day, a strange comfort settled between them, like they'd known each other for years.
I resumed rinsing the dishes, but my gaze kept drifting back to her.
She was stunning.
My father-in-law was a lucky man. I didn't know Kyouko's exact age, but since Satomi was already 26, she had to be over 40.
Yet nothing about her, not her face, her skin, or her figure, revealed her true age.
She had a beautiful face and those captivating eyes.
No wrinkles lined her eyes or forehead. Her skin looked smooth, almost porcelain-like. Even her hands, as she reached for another dish, showed no signs of age. They were small, soft, and delicate.
How was that even possible?
After finishing the dishes, Kyouko wiped her hands on a towel and turned to him with a gentle smile.
"Thank you, Haruki."
"You're welcome."
"Are you sure you're not tired?" she asked, tilting her head slightly.
Haruki shook his head. "Ah, no… I don't feel tired at all."
Kyouko nodded. "Okay… if you say so."
Haruki watched as Kyouko glided gracefully toward the hallway.
I guess I should head upstairs.
He climbed the stairs and entered his room. Sitting on the bed, he opened his bag and pulled out his laptop, staring at it blankly.
I don't have much work to do. Just that project, still far from any deadline. My schedule's flexible. I can work anywhere, anytime.
Yet something felt missing. He sat there, restless.
I guess I'll head downstairs. No point staying cooped up here...
Working in this room just felt wrong somehow.
Or is it because... I want to see her?
Haruki wondered, his mind drifting to his young, beautiful, hot, and curvy mother-in-law, Kyouko.
He slowly stand up, grab his laptop and headed back downstairs.
He settled into the living room, his fingers flying across the keyboard. The laptop's glow lit up the dim space as he dove into the new project his boss had assigned.
The deadline was still far off, but he had a habit of finishing tasks ahead of schedule, faster than anyone else in the company.
The house was quiet, except for the occasional hum of the air conditioning and the faint clicking of his keyboard.
Meanwhile, upstairs, Kyouko slipped into her bathroom with a towel draped over her arm. Warm water cascaded down her skin as she stood under the shower, steam filling the space around her. She moved with practiced ease, washing away the day's fatigue.
After finishing, she worked through her skincare routine, moisturizing her face, smoothing lotion over her arms and legs, taking extra care with her long, silky hair. The scent of her shampoo hung in the air, a soft, feminine fragrance that was both refreshing and calming.
When she finally stepped out wrapped in a fresh towel, she felt rejuvenated. A small sigh escaped her lips as she stretched her arms, then headed toward her wardrobe to pick out something comfortable for the night.
After changing, Kyouko casually walked downstairs in her usual sleepwear, a silky pajama set that clung softly to her curves. She never put much thought into what she wore at home, especially since her husband was rarely around. It was just comfortable, nothing more.
When she reached the living room, she found Haruki still sitting there, laptop open, the screen casting a faint glow across his face.
"Haruki?"
He glanced up from his work, slightly startled. "Hmm? Yes, Kyouko-san?"
She smiled gently. "Want something to drink?"
"Ah… umm…" He hesitated, his eyes flickering toward her before quickly dropping back to his laptop.
"Coffee?" she offered, her voice light and warm.
Haruki nodded. "Yeah… that sounds good."
"Alright, I'll make us some."
She turned toward the kitchen, her bare feet padding softly against the floor. Haruki exhaled, shifting in his seat. He hadn't meant to stare, but there was something about the way her silk pajama top draped over her, the subtle way the fabric moved with her body…
He shook his head, trying to refocus on his work. But with Kyouko in the kitchen, he found it even harder to concentrate.
Kyouko hummed softly, a gentle tune filling the quiet space as she prepared their coffee. She moved with effortless grace, completely relaxed.
Once the coffee was ready, she carried both cups to the living room.
"Here's your coffee, Haruki. Careful, it's hot," Kyouko said, bending forward to set the cup down next to him. Her pajama top loosened slightly, the fabric shifting to reveal the deep curve of her cleavage.
Haruki's eyes were drawn to it instantly.
It was smooth, soft, full. And then Haruki noticed something.
She wasn't wearing a bra.
His throat went dry.
So plump... so full...
His focus narrowed to one thing: her nipple.
It was... pink.
The realization hit him like a punch.
She was his mother-in-law. His wife's mother.
And yet... she was too beautiful.
Haruki swallowed hard.
No, Haruki... don't think too much... she's not seducing you. She just didn't notice.
( End of Chapter )