"Haruki?"
He looked down at her, his head still gently leaning against hers. "Hmm? Yes, Kyouko-san?"
She hesitated. "Nothing..." Her voice was soft, almost a whisper.
Kyouko didn't know what she really wanted to say. Or maybe she did—but couldn't bring herself to say it.
If Haruki asked for a kiss right now, she might actually give it to him. Right here, in the stillness of the night. Under the stars. With no one else watching.
If he took advantage of her right now, in this vulnerable moment—even if he wanted more—she didn't know if she could resist. Not with the heat building inside her, the pulse between her thighs.
But she knew better.
She knew Haruki still had Satomi. She didn't know what had happened or what had brought him out here alone to the backyard. But this young, handsome man was still married to her daughter. She didn't want to be the reason anything broke between them.
Still, deep down, a quiet ache lingered in her chest.
She knew that if her husband... or Satomi... saw them like this, in this moment—saw how Haruki held her so tenderly, how she melted into him as if she belonged there, or how his hand now rested gently against her breast—they would never believe this was just an innocent embrace.
Because it wasn't. There was no way a woman like her, pressed against him like this, his hand touching a body that was supposed to belong only to her husband, could look innocent at all.
Haruki glanced down when he felt a soft tremble against him.
Kyouko's shoulders were shaking.
"Kyouko-san…?"
She didn't answer right away.
Tears slipped down her cheeks, catching the faint moonlight.
"Haruki…" Her voice cracked as she pressed her face against his chest. "Why… why does it always turn out like this?"
She wasn't sobbing, but the weight in her voice—those quiet, broken words—cut deeper than any scream could.
"When you love someone… when you're loyal… when you give everything… why does it still end up like this?"
Haruki froze. He wanted to say something, anything, but the words caught in his throat.
Kyouko continued, her voice barely above a whisper. "I've always held back… always been patient… always careful. I gave him everything I could. My youth. My body. My heart…"
She leaned against his shoulder, her quiet tears somehow more devastating than any outburst.
"Is it because I'm not beautiful anymore? Is it because I'm no longer young…?" Her fingers tightened around the fabric of his shirt. "Do men only love when it's fresh… when we're still glowing…?"
Haruki slowly wrapped both arms around her, holding her tighter. One hand gently caressed her back while the other brushed through her hair.
He still didn't speak. He didn't know what to say.
He knew loneliness. He knew rejection.
His wife had been cold for years, turning away from his touch and dismissing his affection. They barely talked anymore. And sex? He'd forgotten how long it had been.
But Kyouko had it harder. Her pain ran deeper. He could feel it in the way she clung to him, her fingers pressing into his shirt.
So he didn't speak. He just held her.
He held her gently, feeling her trembling slowly ease.
He didn't need to ask—he could sense it. The ache. The emptiness that no words could fill.
Arching… yearning…
This wasn't just about sex. Not for someone like Kyouko.
He knew that kind of longing well—the kind that kept you awake at night. The kind that made your own body feel like a stranger when the one you loved stopped touching you.
For men, desire could be simple. Physical. Straightforward. But for women… for Kyouko… it ran deeper.
Yes, she needed intimacy. She needed to be touched. To feel wanted. But more than that—she needed to be cared for.
Not just to be seen, but to be felt.
He understood now.
She wasn't just a woman missing her husband's body. She was a woman missing herself—the way she used to feel in someone's arms, the warmth of a kiss, the way being desired made her feel alive.
Haruki didn't say anything. He simply tightened his arms around her, letting her know he was here—truly here.
And in that quiet, stolen moment beneath the stars, Kyouko let herself breathe.
Haruki smiled as he gently wiped away her tears with his thumb. His expression was pure—warm, with no hidden intent. A smile that wasn't trying to charm, just offering quiet reassurance.
Kyouko looked up at him. She didn't say anything, but her heart, which moments ago had felt so heavy, began to settle. His presence was the calm after a long, emotional storm.
"You're still beautiful, Kyouko-san," Haruki said softly. "Honestly... I think you're even more beautiful than any woman i met. So please... don't talk like you're no longer worth anything. Don't think that being older makes you any less radiant."
Kyouko blinked, then slowly nodded, her lips curving into a faint, genuine smile—one that needed no words.
She felt seen. And that was what she needed most.
"Thank you, Haruki," Kyouko said softly, wiping away the last traces of her tears.
She let out a small laugh—light but tinged with embarrassment. "We should go inside. If anyone saw us like this... they'd probably think we're having an affair."
Haruki chuckled, his hand still resting gently on her back. "Yeah... if they saw us hugging like this, they'd probably think worse."
Their eyes met again—neither rushed to move, but the spell between them was slowly lifting, giving way to reality. A quiet understanding passed between them.
Moments like this weren't supposed to happen. And yet... they did.
If only she was mine... Haruki thought.
As they both stood, Kyouko quietly brushed off her pajama pants while Haruki stretched his arms with a soft yawn. Without a word, he followed her toward the house.
But just before reaching the door, Haruki suddenly stopped.
Kyouko turned back, her expression curious. "Haruki?"
He stood there, his eyes fixed on her.
Then, without warning, he stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a quiet, firm embrace.
"Can I… at least hug you like this?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. "I'm sorry if this bothers you, Kyouko-san. Really… I'm sorry."
Kyouko tensed for only a moment before relaxing into him.
She looked up at him, her expression soft, and placed her hands gently on his back.
"Don't worry, Haruki," she whispered. "You're not bothering me at all."
She let him hold her close, resting her cheek against his chest.
After a moment, Kyouko looked up at him, still nestled in his arms.
Haruki met her gaze, then his eyes drifted down to her lips.
She noticed. Of course she did.
And she smiled.
She knew that look. She knew what it meant. When a man looked at a woman like that, there was only one thing on his mind: a kiss.
Slowly, Haruki leaned in—his face closing the distance, his breath brushing her skin. Just a little more and...
Kyouko giggled softly, lifting a finger to gently press against his lips before they could touch hers.
"No, no~" she teased, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
Haruki paused, blinking, then let out a small laugh as he stepped back, rubbing the back of his neck. "Can't blame a guy for trying," he mumbled, still smiling.
Not wanting him to feel rejected, Kyouko leaned in and gently planted a quick kiss on Haruki's cheek.
"Nothing too serious now, okay?" she said softly, her tone light and teasing. "Besides... kissing an old woman like me?"
Haruki smiled and returned the gesture, pressing a warm kiss to her cheek. "You're not old, Kyouko-san. Not even close."
Kyouko laughed lightly, brushing her hair behind her ear. "Come on, let's go inside. Before they both wake up and think we're really having an affair out here."
Haruki chuckled under his breath and followed her in without another word—but his heart felt oddly full.
( End of Chapter )