Several days later...
Haruki sat at the dining table, sipping his coffee. Satomi scrolled through documents on her phone, while Satoshi sat across from them, eyes glued to his tablet as he checked work updates.
From the kitchen, cheerful humming drifted in as Kyouko prepared breakfast.
"Mom?" Satomi called out.
"Hmm?"
"You're in a good mood today."
"I am," Kyouko replied, smiling as she placed a plate on the table. "It's been a while since we've all had breakfast together. I'm sorry I couldn't prepare anything when I was sick."
"Why worry about that?" Satoshi muttered without looking up from his screen. "Besides, Satomi and I can always eat out."
Kyouko just smiled, pouring coffee into everyone's cups with a graceful touch.
"Thank you, Kyouko-san." Haruki smiled and nodded, lifting the cup to his lips and slowly sipping the coffee.
As always, Kyouko's coffee was perfect.
Satomi looked up from her phone and glanced at Haruki. "Haruki?"
"Hmm?" He looked up from his cup. "Yes?"
"You're not going to the office today?"
"No, I already sent the finished project to my boss. So I have some free time for now. Maybe tomorrow or the day after, I'll stop by and see if they have any projects to be done. Why?"
"Nothing much," Satomi replied, swiping through her phone. "It's just that I got movie tickets from a client before."
"You want to go together?" Haruki asked with a playful smile.
Satomi narrowed her eyes and glared at him. "You know I'll be busy for that. Besides, these tickets were supposed to be for Mom and Dad."
Haruki sipped his coffee slowly and looked at Satomi. "Oh..."
Satoshi glanced up briefly. "But with all the new projects from the merger, I won't have time."
Haruki leaned in to look. The tickets were for a VIP screening of a horror film at a luxury cinema.
"Since you're free," Satomi said casually without looking up from her phone, "why don't you take Mom instead?"
"Yes, good idea," Satoshi said, still tapping on his tablet. "It'd be a waste to let them go unused. So, Haruki, if you don't mind, could you take my wife to the movie?"
"Huh?" Haruki blinked.
"Yeah, Haruki," Satomi chimed in without looking up. "It's a waste if nobody uses them. If you're free, take Mom to watch it, okay?"
Haruki glanced between them in surprise. "Are you both sure?"
"Of course," Satoshi said, raising an eyebrow. "What's wrong? You don't like horror movies?"
"Ah, no, it's not that… it's just—"
Satomi looked up with a small frown. "Haruki? You still feel awkward around my mom? She's your mother-in-law. And we're family."
Haruki forced a smile. "No, no, it's not that. Just caught me off guard, that's all."
Satoshi nodded and poured himself more coffee. "Well, your mother-in-law mentioned wanting to see that movie. I wish I could take her, but I've been swamped with meetings. So if you can, accompany her?"
Haruki glanced at Kyouko.
She was quietly sipping her coffee, but when their eyes met, she smiled softly.
"…Alright," Haruki said with a small nod. "If Kyouko-san doesn't mind, I'd be happy to go."
"Oh, by the way, Kyouko?" Satoshi added, checking his watch.
"Hmm?" Kyouko looked up.
"Satomi and I will be home late again tonight. More meetings, as usual."
"Yes, Mom," Satomi chimed in. "Don't wait up for us, okay? And don't worry about dinner. We'll grab something on the way back."
"Alright," Kyouko replied with a gentle nod.
Satomi glanced at the clock and her eyes widened. "Dad! We're going to be late if we keep chatting!"
"Ah! You're right!" Satoshi stood up abruptly. "I'm heading out!"
"Take care," Kyouko said, waving softly.
Satomi jumped to her feet and grabbed her bag. On her way out, she leaned in and gave Haruki a quick peck on the cheek. "I'm going! And don't forget your phone again like last time!"
"Okay, okay," Haruki replied.
Kyouko smiled softly as the front door closed behind them.
Haruki scratched the back of his neck, pretending to feel awkward. "Are you sure you want to go to the movie with me, Kyouko-san?"
She glanced at him with a soft smile. "Well… since my husband has already given us permission, so I don't mind."
The room fell into a comfortable quiet before Kyouko tilted her head slightly.
"Haruki?"
"Yeah?"
"You're not exercising today?"
"I was planning to."
"Then let's do it together. Like last time."
They cleared the table together, moving in quiet rhythm and work side by side in the kitchen, quietly washing the dishes together.Kyouko stood by the sink, handing over the rinsed plates while Haruki wiped them dry.
When she glanced at him, Haruki met her eyes briefly and smiled.
She was happy.
Ever since that day, the fever, the hospital, and that accidental kiss, something between them had quietly shifted. The air felt lighter. Their moments flowed more easily, more naturally.
After finishing the dishes, Kyouko turned to him in the doorway.
"I'll see you in the backyard."
"Okay, Kyouko-san." Haruki smiled and slipped into his room.
A few minutes later, Kyouko emerged in her sleek, form-fitting workout clothes. The black leggings hugged her long, shapely legs perfectly, while her cropped top traced every curve of her toned body.
Haruki was already there, stretching. He wore loose shorts and nothing else. Sunlight caught the faint sheen of sweat on his skin, highlighting the toned muscles of his shoulders and back.
Kyouko paused, watching the way his back flexed as he reached upward.
"Let's start with stretching," she said casually, striving to sound composed.
"Got it."
They began side by side, their movements slow and synchronized as they helped each other with the stretches.
Haruki knelt behind her, placing his hands gently on her waist.
"Like this?"
"Mm-hmm. A little lower… yes, there."
When it was his turn, she stepped behind him. Her fingers brushed along his arms and shoulders as she adjusted his pose, light but deliberate, tracing the firm shape of his muscles before she pretended to correct his stance.
They continued helping each other stretch. Haruki controlled his touch to ensure Kyouko didn't feel awkward, even as he savored the moment.
"You've gotten good at this," he murmured, his voice low and rough. His gaze traveled slowly down her body, lingering on her bare waist, her neck, and her round, plump ass as his hand held her waist.
Kyouko smiled, pretending not to notice where Haruki's eyes lingered. "Well, I have a good exercise partner."
Haruki's clearly looking at me with that look. What a perverted son-in-law~ Well... I don't mind... since he's just looking... right?~
( End Of Chapter )