Kyouko gave his hair one final rub before lowering the towel.
"Alright. That's enough. You'll get sick if you stay like this."
She took his hand and gave it a gentle tug. "Come on… upstairs."
"Huh? Wait…" Haruki blinked, caught off guard as she pulled him along, her wet clothes still clinging to her body as she walked quickly ahead.
"You should go take a shower now. You're going to get sick if you don't," she said without turning around.
"Okay, okay~ Jeez~" Haruki let out a soft chuckle as he followed behind, amused by her sudden assertiveness.
Once they reached the top of the stairs, Kyouko stopped in front of his room and handed him the dry towel she'd brought up earlier.
"Now go take a shower!" she said, pointing toward his room.
"Yes, ma'am!" Haruki grinned, giving a small mock salute before heading inside.
Kyouko smiled, shaking her head at his playful attitude, then turned and headed to her own room.
She stepped inside, tossed the wet towel gently into the basket, grabbed another dry one, and headed out to the bathroom next to her room.
She could hear the faint sound of Haruki's shower running too. She smiled when she heard him singing inside, then stepped into her bathroom.
Once inside, she removed her wet outfit and turned on the warm shower.
She let out a soft sigh as the water streamed down her body. Running her fingers through her damp hair, she tilted her head back.
Her mind drifted back to that moment, the one where she'd rubbed Haruki's hair with a towel.
Why did I do that?
Haruki was just her son-in-law. He wasn't her husband.
And yet she'd treated him like that.
Haruki had smiled when she'd leaned in just to dry his hair.
And her lips had parted, as if expecting something.
"Stupid," she whispered under her breath, embarrassed that she was even thinking this way.
She wasn't supposed to feel this kind of tension.
Not for him.
Not for her daughter's husband.
Shaking her head, she focused on the soap in her hands. She ran it slowly down her body, letting the steam cloud the mirror.
And paused.
Staring at the wall as warm water cascaded over her head.
How long?
How long had it been since her husband last smiled at her? Or made her feel like this?
Satoshi never even let me care for him the way I gently rub a towel over Haruki's head.
Or when I tried to kiss him, or asked for a hug.
He would just grumble, call me weird and annoying, and avoid me entirely.
Why?
She wrapped her arms around herself, hugging her own body as the water streamed down.
Was it my fault? Or because I'm no longer beautiful? Or was he just too busy chasing numbers, meetings, and deals?
I was always waiting for him to come home, even when he was late. I tried to maintain my youthful appearance just for him. I cooked for him, let him control everything, money, expenses, it all, while staying faithful. I never once raised my voice or fought back against what Satoshi said to me.
I know age comes for everyone. Marriage changes over time. The sweet moments of first love and early marriage slowly fade, turning bland and distant.
But not like this.
Not when everything was gone long before today.
Because I was a wife, a woman. I was supposed to deserve some attention.
Kyouko exhaled softly and continued rinsing the shampoo and soap from her body.
Once finished, she wiped herself dry, wrapped towels around her body and hair, and headed to her room.
Lost deep in thought, she forgot to close the door properly.
She removed her towel and stood naked before the long mirror at her vanity.
Does he really not find me beautiful anymore?
She studied her reflection, her eyes scanning her body. Her hand gently cupped one breast.
Have they lost their shape? Sagging? No longer round and firm?
Her fingers traced along her stomach and hips.
Has my stomach become a bit bloated? Maybe fat here and there? Or have my hips turned weird?
Or maybe I smell like an old lady? No longer carrying that natural, youthful sweet scent men seemed to crave. Has it faded?
Meanwhile.
Haruki stepped out of his room, rubbing his towel through his damp hair as he glanced down the stairs.
Did Kyouko already finish? I wonder if I can ask her to make me a coffee, it's perfect for a rainy day like this, not to mention, she make perfect coffee.
He glanced toward Kyouko's room and noticed her door wasn't fully closed.
Oh... she's still here...
"Kyouko-san?" he called gently.
No response.
He took a step closer, unsure if she'd heard him. But when he reached the door, he froze.
She was standing naked in front of her full-length mirror.
His breath hitched.
Her back faced him, her posture relaxed and completely unaware. The elegant curve of her waist flowed naturally into the soft roundness of her hips, her toned thighs set just slightly apart.
His eyes were drawn to her ass, smooth, round, and perfectly shaped. Not too big, not too small. Just perfect.
Haruki swallowed hard, frozen in place, drinking in the breathtaking view before him. He could see a clear reflection of her body in the mirror.
Her breasts were soft and full, standing out gently. Her nipples, small and a delicate pink, were slightly hardened by the cool air in the room. She touched one breast, inspecting herself, her fingers lingering near her stomach.
Haruki's mind went blank for a moment before he snapped out of it and pulled back from the doorway.
His breath came unevenly, his mind spinning.
No... I should go now.
( End Of Chapter )