"So, the movie's around two o'clock, right?" Haruki asked, glancing at the clock on the wall.
"Yes," Kyouko replied, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "We still have some time."
Her gaze lingered on him for a moment. Shirtless, a light sheen of sweat still glistening across his skin from their workout. The way the light caught the lines of his chest and arms made her heartbeat quicken, though she remained calm on the outside.
"My husband already gave us permission... so..."
"Yeah…" Haruki nodded, his voice trailing off, unsure what else to say.
Kyouko smiled gently. "Let's get ready."
She reached out and casually wrapped her hand around Haruki's arm, tugging him gently toward the house.
Haruki glanced down at her hand, then up at her face. "Kyouko-san…"
"Hm?" She looked up at him, her smile calm and pure.
He smiled faintly. "Nothing."
But his heartbeat betrayed him.
The warmth of her hand against his skin, the faint floral scent of her—natural, feminine—made his mind race.
He watched her move beside him, graceful and composed, her hand still lightly tugging at his arm. That same smile played across her lips, calm and innocent, oblivious to the storm she stirred inside him.
Once they reached upstairs, Kyouko glanced at him and smiled. "Let's prepare for the movie~"
"Okay, Kyouko-san." Haruki nodded and smiled.
They both headed into their own rooms to prepare.
After her shower, Kyouko stood in front of the full-length mirror, running her fingers slowly through her hair and applying leave-in conditioner with care. Her long, black, glossy hair slipped between her fingers like silk.
She set the bottle down and reached for body lotion, smoothing it slowly over her skin—from her shoulder down the curve of her arm, tracing the smooth lines in the mirror. She gazed at her reflection, admiring her flawless skin.
She smiled, feeling a quiet happiness.
At least someone like Haruki still looked at her with those eyes.
Her hands moved lower, gliding across the gentle swell of her breasts.
Still full, round, and firm. Even after giving birth and years of marriage, they hadn't lost their shape.
And yet Satoshi never looked at me like he did before Satomi was born.
She smoothed the lotion over her stomach, trailing down the curve of her waist in a slow, steady stroke, fingers lingered as she smoothed the lotion over the curve of her butt.
And yet, a handsome young man like Haruki had been looking at her with those eyes, dark with desire, burning with lust.
She could still feel the lingering heat of his touch from their earlier exercise session. The way his fingers had brushed against her skin, the way his gaze had lingered on her cleavage...
Does this mean I'm still beautiful?
A soft chuckle escaped her lips as she shook her head.
Stop it, Kyouko. It's just a normal reaction for a man like him. It doesn't mean he's actually interested in you.
Kyouko walked toward the closet, parting the hangers until her fingers brushed against a dress she hadn't worn in years.
She gazed at it—the one she'd worn during her youth, in her final year of high school, when she hung out with her friends.
The design caught her eye: the chest was a bit revealing, and the skirt only reached her knees.
Should I wear this?
She held the dress up to her body and checked herself in the mirror.
Why do I feel so excited? This isn't a date. It's just a movie with me and my son-in-law.
She looked at the dress again and smiled.
Yeah... I think this will do.
Once she finished dressing, she applied some serum to her face and a light spritz of perfume. She grabbed her bag, checked the house key, gate remote, and alarm remote, then slipped her phone and wallet inside.
This bag looks so old. I wonder how many years I've been using the same one.
I want to buy a new one, but Satoshi would be mad if I spent money on something like this.
She sighed and stepped out of her room, pausing when she saw Haruki waiting at the end of the hallway.
"Haruki...sorry I'm late."
Haruki turned, blinking as he took her in. "No problem, Kyouko-san. That dress really looks nice on you."
Kyouko smiled softly, tilting her head with a playful glint in her eyes. "Only the dress? Hmm~?"
Haruki scratched his cheek, flustered but smiling. "Well… you look beautiful."
Her smile deepened, her heart skipping a beat at how genuine he sounded. Without hesitation, she walked up to him and wrapped her hand around his arm.
"Let's go, shall we?" she said softly, leaning her head closer to his shoulder.
"Y-yeah," Haruki replied. Her scent, soft, floral, faintly sweet, wrapped around him, making his chest tighten.
They walked side by side down the hallway, the faint sound of their steps the only thing breaking the silence.
"You know, Haruki," Kyouko murmured, her tone soft. "You don't have to feel awkward around me, you know."
Haruki just smiled and said softly, "I know, Kyouko-san."
They walked downstairs slowly, Kyouko's hand still resting on Haruki's arm.
Haruki looked down at her hand and touched it with his own.
Kyouko's eyes widened slightly, but she controlled her reaction. Her heart beat faster as his thumb brushed along her fingers.
"You have smooth skin, Kyouko-san," Haruki said, still holding her hand, his voice low and warm.
Kyouko didn't pull away. She let him caress her hand, her lips curving into a faint, pleased smile. "I just use the same skincare products I've always used," she replied softly.
Their eyes met.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Haruki smiled. "You know, Kyouko-san…"
"Hm?"
"You're really beautiful."
Kyouko's cheeks warmed. She gave his arm a light slap, her voice playful but tender. "Haruki~ don't tease an older woman like that."
He chuckled softly, still looking at her. Their shoulders brushed as they walked. When they reached the bottom of the stairs, Haruki looked into her eyes. "I really mean it, Kyouko-san."
Kyouko's heart raced, but she masked it with a calm and gentle smile as she looked up at his face. "Really? Or are you just saying that because you want me to treat you to food, right~?"
Haruki laughed again, pretending to think. "Well… the free food was nice, but you're still beautiful—and to be honest, really beautiful."
Kyouko slapped his arm lightly and pulled her hand from his, stepping out the front door and tugging Haruki along. "Fast! I need to lock the door."
Haruki let out a playful laugh. "I'm still wearing my shoes here."
Kyouko just smiled, locked the door, clicked the alarm remote, and opened the main gate.
Once the house was secured, Kyouko unlocked the car and slid into the driver's seat.
Haruki opened the passenger door.
"Hurry up and get in!" Kyouko called with a playful smile from the driver's seat.
"Okay, okay!" Haruki chuckled, closing the door behind him as he slid into the passenger seat.
( End Of Chapter )