"Dear… who is this young man?" Hanako asked Kitayama, settling beside him.
Keiko and Kenji both turned slightly, waiting for the answer.
Kitayama grinned. "He's Kyouko's son-in-law. What a small world, huh?"
"Oh?" Hanako blinked, surprised. "Really now?"
Haruki stood slightly and bowed politely. "Hello. My name is Nakagawa Haruki. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Hanako gave a warm nod. "Well-mannered. You're welcome here anytime."
As Haruki straightened, his eyes briefly took in the woman before him—Kyouko's mother.
She looked like she was in her early forties at most. Graceful. Composed.
Her skin still smooth, her posture elegant.
And her figure… well, now he understood.
So this is where Kyouko inherited it…
No wonder.
Kyouko reached again for the sake bottle and gently poured another round into Haruki's cup.
She was quiet. Focused. Careful with her movements.
"Kyouko?" her mother's voice cut in gently.
"Hmm? Yes, Mother?"
