Several days later…
Haruki sat at the dining table, sipping his coffee. Next to him, Satomi scrolled through documents on her phone, while Mr. Satoshi sat across from them, eyes glued to his tablet as he checked work updates.
From the kitchen, cheerful humming drifted in.
Kyouko was preparing breakfast, her mood lighter than it had been in days.
"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."
"Oh, no problem, honey," Mr. Satoshi said without looking up from his screen. "Besides, Satomi and I can always eat at the office. You should focus on taking care of yourself."
"Thank you, dear," Kyouko replied gently, pouring coffee into everyone's cups with a graceful touch.
Haruki accepted his cup with a polite nod.
"Thank you, Kyouko-san."
"Haruki?" Satomi asked suddenly.
"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—maybe tomorrow or the day after, I'll swing by to see what's next. Why?"
"Nothing much," Satomi replied, swiping through her phone.
"I got movie tickets from a client. They were supposed to be for Mom and Dad."
Mr. 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, "why don't you take Mom instead?"
"Yes, good idea," Mr. 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 uncertainly. "Are you both sure?"
"Of course," Mr. 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 too, y'know. We're all family."
Haruki forced a smile. "No, no, it's not that. Just caught me off guard, that's all."
Mr. 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, Haruki… please 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, honey?" Mr. 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 suddenly glanced at the clock and her eyes widened. "Dad! We're going to be late if we keep chatting!"
"Ah! You're right!" Mr. Satoshi stood up abruptly. "Honey, I'm heading out!"
"Take care," Kyouko said, waving.
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, a bit flustered.
Kyouko smiled softly as the front door closed behind them.
Haruki scratched the back of his neck, feeling 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 already gave the okay, I don't mind at all."
"Oh… okay then."
A brief pause hung in the air 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."
Haruki blinked. "Really?"
She nodded with a smile. "Why not? You helped me work up a good sweat last time."
Haruki smiled back, trying to keep his thoughts in check—but inside, he was definitely excited.
Yes! I get to see sexy Kyouko again...
In the courtyard, Kyouko appeared wearing her form-fitting workout outfit—sleek black leggings and a cropped top that hugged her curves perfectly.
Haruki was already stretching, wearing a pair of loose shorts and nothing else. His toned, muscular body glistened slightly from his warm-up. Kyouko paused for a moment, her eyes tracing the lines of his back before she joined him.
"Let's start with stretching," she said casually, though her heart raced unexpectedly.
They began with slow, deliberate movements side by side. When it came time to assist each other, the air between them shifted—charged with something unspoken.
Haruki knelt behind her, his hands hovering for just a heartbeat before settling on her waist to guide her posture. His palms were warm against the thin fabric. "Like this?"
Kyouko's breath caught slightly. She nodded, her voice dropping to barely above a whisper. "Mm-hmm. A little lower… yes, right there."
When she turned to help with his stretch, her fingers traced along his arms, feeling the firm contours of his biceps beneath her touch. She lingered—adjusting his pose with more care than necessary, her fingertips exploring the definition of his muscles.
Neither of them mentioned it. The silence between them hummed with tension, thick and electric.
They continued—light touches that became deliberate caresses, guiding movements where hands wandered just beyond what was needed, correcting posture with bodies pressed closer than before. Every contact sent warmth spreading through them, and each moment stretched longer than the last. It didn't feel awkward; it felt inevitable. Natural. Like something they'd both been waiting for.
"You've gotten good at this," he murmured, his voice low and rough. His gaze traveled slowly down her body—the curve of her neck, the way her cropped top clung to her skin, the tantalizing glimpse of cleavage that made his pulse quicken.
She noticed exactly where his eyes lingered, and a flush of heat bloomed across her chest. "Well," she said softly, a playful edge threading through her breathless tone, "I've had a very good teacher." Her eyes met his with unmistakable invitation, enjoying the hunger she saw reflected there.
His lips curved into a slow grin, his gaze darkening with appreciation. "I'll definitely take that compliment." The words came out husky, weighted with meaning that had nothing to do with exercise.
Kyouko's heart fluttered at his interest, but she kept her focus on the exercise. As she leaned slightly forward, she gave him a bold glimpse of her curves. She could tell he appreciated it, and the thrill of his gaze made her heart race.
( End of Chapter )