After that wave of release, Kyouko lingered in the bathroom for a while.
The water continued to run, but her body had calmed. The ache between her thighs, that restless heat... it was already quieted for now.
She cleaned her body, and once finished, reached for a towel. She dried herself gently before heading back to her room.
When she entered the bedroom, her husband was still asleep, lying on his side with the blanket half slipped off.
She moved to the wardrobe and changed into her usual pajamas, something looser and more comfortable. She ran her fingers through her hair before slipping under the covers.
She lay there for a while, staring at the ceiling and listening to the quiet of the room. The night had grown still again. No more pulsing heat. No more desperate longing.
Slowly, Kyouko drifted into sleep. Her body, finally calm, sank deeper into the mattress. The soft rustle of the blanket and the faint hum of the night outside her window faded into silence.
And then... Haruki appeared.
He smiled at her with his usual handsome face, that warm, gentle smile that made her heart flutter. He stood beneath the soft glow of starlight, one hand reaching toward her as he always did.
Their fingers touched, and warmth rushed through her chest again. Haruki leaned down, slowly closing the distance between them. Her lips parted.
Kyouko stirred gently.
She glanced around slowly.
She sighed. So it was just a dream.
Kyouko sat up slowly and yawned gracefully.
Then her eyes caught the clock on the bedside table.
10:37 AM.
"Oh no!" she gasped, throwing off the blanket and bolting out of bed.
Her feet padded quickly across the floor as she flung open her bedroom door and rushed into the adjoining shower room.
She washed her body in a rush.
They were supposed to leave this morning.
Her husband. Her daughter.
They must have already left for their trip.
But that wasn't important now.
Haruki.
Had he woken up before her? Had he eaten breakfast? Was he still here?
Kyouko rushed out of the shower, a towel wrapped tightly around her body as droplets of water still clung to her skin. She hurried to her wardrobe, yanking it open with one hand while clutching the towel in place with the other.
Her eyes scanned the rows of clothes inside.
A soft summer dress? Light, airy, and just clingy enough to show her shape when the breeze caught it.
Or perhaps... something more casual?
She paused, biting her lower lip lightly, her hand resting on the hanger of a pale pink blouse.
What am I doing?
Why do I need to look beautiful for Haruki?
He's my son-in-law. Nothing more.
But still... Haruki made her feel alive, like being seen as a woman again. And though she couldn't explain why, he had become important to her.
She smiled softly. "Just something nice for the day," she murmured, eyeing the blouse that accentuated her figure.
After adjusting her hair and applying a light layer of toner, Kyouko gave herself one last glance in the mirror before slipping out of the room. Her bare feet padded softly down the stairs.
"Haruki?" she called out.
No response.
She turned toward the living room. "Haruki?"
Still nothing.
The silence in the house was deafening.
"Ah… did he already leave for his office?" she whispered to herself, standing still at the foot of the stairs.
She let out a long sigh, scolding herself softly.
"Stupid Kyouko… why did you wake up late?"
She exhaled softly, walked to the kitchen, and sat down at the table, her eyes drifting toward the window.
What am I thinking?
Why was the first thing I did this morning… look for Haruki?
Stupid Kyouko! You should wake up early. Did you forget that you were supposed to go out with Haruki today?
She exhaled again, pouring coffee beans into the pot while waiting for the water to heat up.
Because you woke up late, Haruki didn't even eat breakfast. I bet he went out hungry.
She stared blankly at the table, lost in thought.
Kyouko turned her head when she heard footsteps.
Haruki was coming down the stairs, one hand lazily rubbing his eyes, his hair tousled in that effortlessly attractive way. He wore only a pair of loose shorts, his upper body bare.
Kyouko felt relieved, hiding her smile as she made the coffee.
So Haruki hadn't gone out yet. That was good.
She had thought he already left for his office.
"Morning, Kyouko-san..." Haruki slowly walked toward the kitchen and smiled.
"Morning, Haruki-kun." Kyouko smiled while finishing brewing the coffee.
She felt happy, happy that Haruki was still around.
( End Of Chapter )