Haruki opened the front door and stepped inside. The house was quiet, lights dim, shadows stretching softly across the floor.
He crouched in front of Kyouko, who sat at the edge of the entry step, hands resting lightly in her lap.
Haruki slowly reached for her heels.
She watched him in silence as his fingers brushed the straps, sliding off one heel, then the other.
Her pulse quickened.
He's so gentle. Nothing like Satoshi.
With her shoes removed, Haruki lifted her again and carried her up the stairs. Kyouko's arms slipped around his neck, her cheek brushing his chest.
My husband never carried me like this.
Haruki shouldered open her bedroom door, flicked on the light, and filled the room with a soft, warm glow. He walked to the bed and lowered her gently onto the mattress, arms steady beneath her.
But as he shifted to stand, his foot slipped. He lost his balance and fell forward.
Their lips met.
Kyouko's eyes widened.
Haruki froze, heart pounding, body tense as realization hit.
His eyes widened in panic. He pushed himself up, pulling away. "S-sorry, Kyouko-san! I didn't mean to—!"
Kyouko lay still for a moment, then looked up at him calmly, her expression soft despite the heat rising in her cheeks.
She smiled weakly. "It's okay, Haruki. I know... it was just an accident."
Haruki sat back, still flustered. "Y-yeah... sorry, Kyouko-san."
"Really, don't worry about it," Kyouko said, glancing sideways as she tried to mask her own fluster.
Haruki rubbed the back of his neck, unsure where to look. "Do you want to eat something?"
Kyouko hesitated. Her appetite hadn't returned yet, but the warmth in his voice made her smile.
"Maybe… ramen sounds good."
Haruki blinked, surprised by the simple request, then nodded with a faint smile.
"Okay. I'll bring it up in a bit."
He stood, his eyes lingering on her for a moment before he turned and headed out.
Kyouko watched him leave, her fingers gently brushing her lips.
It was just an accident.
And yet... it left something behind.
A feeling she couldn't quite name.
Haruki headed downstairs quietly, his footsteps light as he made his way to the kitchen.
He filled the kettle, set it on the stove, and waited for the water to boil.
His mind returned to that moment upstairs.
The moment when their lips met.
Her lips were soft, and they tasted sweet, even if only slightly.
I wonder if I had really kissed her back then, how would she react?
Would she let me kiss her, or would she push me aside?
He exhaled softly. I wasn't supposed to feel this way. She's your mother-in-law, Haruki.
But the image of her lying beneath him, the softness in her eyes, and the gentle smile she gave afterward… it was impossible to forget.
The kettle hummed.
Haruki blinked and straightened, forcing himself back to the present. "Right… ramen."
He opened a packet and began preparing it, but his thoughts kept circling back to her, dragging him into that accidental kiss.
Meanwhile, upstairs.
Kyouko lay quietly on her bed, her eyes drifting to the ceiling. Her fingertips brushed her lips again.
The accidental kiss from before made her heart race.
Haruki...
She smiled, remembering how he had looked so panicked—apologizing with flushed cheeks and avoiding her gaze.
I was the one who should have been surprised. I should've pushed him away. But I don't know why... when our lips touched, I didn't do anything.
Is it because I was expecting something?
Kyouko turned her head to the side, gazing toward the door.
He was downstairs right now, making ramen for her.
She sighed, closing her eyes for a moment.
What if Haruki had kissed me back then? Would I have let him? Or would I have returned the kiss?
"I must be crazy," she whispered.
Well... it's just an accidental kiss. Nothing more.
After a while,
Haruki arrived, pushing the door open carefully while balancing the tray in both hands. The faint scent of ramen filled the air.
Kyouko, now dressed in a light, comfortable outfit, sat at the edge of the bed.
"Kyouko-san, your ramen is here," he said softly.
"Thank you, Haruki."
"No problem."
He set the tray down on the small table beside her and adjusted the bowl so it would be easy for her to reach.
"Ah—sorry, forgot something," he said suddenly, turning to leave.
Kyouko blinked. "Haruki?"
He was already out the door, his footsteps light as he hurried downstairs.
A minute later, he returned, this time with a glass of warm water and a bottle of sports drink.
"Here," he said, setting them beside the tray. "In case water's not enough. You need to stay hydrated."
Kyouko's eyes softened, her surprise melting into quiet warmth. "You really think of everything, don't you?"
Haruki rubbed the back of his neck, a touch embarrassed. "It's just common sense…"
"No," she said softly, meeting his gaze. "It's not. Not everyone would care this much."
Haruki fell silent, unsure how to respond.
Kyouko looked down, picking up the chopsticks, her lips curving into a faint smile. "You're making it hard for me, you know."
He blinked. "…Huh? Hard?"
She paused, then let out a soft, awkward laugh. "Ah, nothing, Haruki. Nothing."
( End Of Chapter )