Kyouko walked gracefully, her hand resting lightly on Haruki's arm as they strolled side by side.
Of course Satomi knew about me and Haruki.
She was my daughter, after all. If those girls tried to contact her, she'd probably just ignore them.
And Satomi herself had asked me to keep an eye on him…
Well, Satomi... you were right. Girls really do flock to him like bees to honey.
"Um... Kyouko-san?" Haruki's voice pulled her from her thoughts.
"Hmm?"
"You said we shouldn't hold hands or act intimate in public..."
"Oh~ So you don't want to? Okay~" Kyouko smiled and slowly withdrew her hand from his arm.
Haruki caught her hand before she could pull away and looked at her, his cheeks tinged with pink.
"I… I didn't say I don't want to."
"So, you want me to hold your hand… or not~?" Kyouko gazed into his eyes, her smile teasing and soft.
He hesitated. "But… if Satomi finds out…"
Kyouko tilted her head. "I'll just tell her a group of flirty girls were all over you, so I had no choice but to step in."
Haruki blinked. "You... had no choice, huh?"
"Yes. If Satomi asks me later, I know exactly what to say."
When they reached the car, Haruki hurried to open the passenger door for her.
"My, my... How thoughtful~"
Haruki smiled, meeting her eyes. "Hmm? I always treat you like this. Remember the first time we went grocery shopping?"
Kyouko gave him a warm, amused look. "Now, now, stop charming me. Get in and drive."
"Yes, ma'am," he said with a grin, giving her hand a light squeeze before walking around to the driver's side.
Once inside, Haruki started the engine. "Is there anywhere you want to go, Kyouko?"
"Oh~ how bold," Kyouko glanced at Haruki. "Not adding '-san' anymore?"
"If I do, people might think you're older than me." He gave her a sidelong glance, smiling.
Kyouko leaned back in the seat and smiled. "Hmm? I am older than you."
"Only on paper," Haruki replied softly, admiration in his eyes. "When we walk together, I doubt anyone notices. Even when we first met, I was surprised myself."
"Flattery will get you nowhere, naughty boy~"
Haruki chuckled, glancing out the window. "So, anywhere you want to go, Kyouko?"
She looked at her phone. "Hmm… Let me think. I don't have anything to do at home, and it's still early. Maybe there's somewhere you want to go?"
Haruki smiled. "How about we have a date today?"
Kyouko narrowed her eyes, lips curving. "A date?"
He nodded, pretending to think. "Yeah… you said earlier, you were my… hmm, what was the word again…" He shot her a playful sidelong glance.
Kyouko felt her cheeks warm as she looked away. "I didn't mean it that way."
"Oh~ you break my heart, Kyouko~ How cruel, toying with my feelings."
She laughed and gave his arm a light slap.
"Ouch! Not that hard." Haruki grinned, rubbing the spot where Kyouko had slapped him.
"I didn't even hit you hard. Now, drive." She gave him a gentle, expectant look.
"Ugh! So bossy~" Haruki shot her a playful smile before starting the engine.
As the car glided down the street, Kyouko gazed out the window.
Girlfriend…
I only said that because those girls were flirting with him. It was just to make them back off, wasn't it?
But why do I feel this restless ache in my chest?
Jealousy? I never imagined I'd feel something so childish at my age.
Perhaps it's only natural, after everything that's already happened between us.
We're comfortable around each other. We've already kissed.
But still… the words girl and friend. The label isn't completely wrong.
We're closer than best friends, and I am a girl.
Kyouko smiled, her gaze returning to the passing scenery outside the window.
They spent the rest of the day together: eating lunch at a cozy restaurant, catching a movie, and strolling through the mall while casually shopping.
By the time the sun began to dip, casting a soft golden glow, they arrived at Happo-en.
"Haruki? What are we doing here?" Kyouko glanced at him with a smile.
"Hmm? Oh... after the project I've been working on, this seems like a perfect time to relax, clear my mind, and maybe spark some ideas for the next one my boss just assigned me. I prefer the beach, but it's too far," Haruki replied with a soft chuckle.
They stepped out of the car, and Kyouko smiled warmly.
"It's been so long since I last came here."
"Let's take a walk, enjoy the scenery, and grab dinner at a nearby spot," Haruki suggested.
Kyouko nodded and slipped her arm through his, savoring the view.
They strolled leisurely through the garden as the sun set. The sky bloomed into soft pinks and golds, while lanterns flickered to life along the paths and over the koi pond.
Kyouko noticed the sky starting to darken.
"I think we should head home now, Haruki," she said, gazing at him with a pure smile.
"Okay, Kyouko. How about we grab some food on the way back?"
"If you say so~" she replied with a smile.
They ate at a nearby place, enjoying the meal together.
Kyouko felt a surge of happiness. It had been so long since anyone had taken her out on a "date" like this. Her husband had never once brought her to a place like this, making her feel truly seen.
After Haruki paid for the meal, they walked together toward the car.
"Kyouko?"
"Hmm?" Kyouko looked up at him as he stopped in front of her. "Haruki?"
He drew a slow breath and stepped closer. "Your hair."
Before she could speak again, Haruki closed the space between them, his hand lifting toward her neck, brushing gently through her hair from the front.
Kyouko froze, her breath catching.
"Haruki?" she whispered, confused.
Then she felt it, the cool, delicate touch of something sliding against her skin.
Haruki whispered softly into her ear, "Happy birthday... Kyouko-san."
Kyouko looked down, her fingers trembling as they brushed over the necklace resting against her skin. The gold shimmered softly, its intricate cherry blossom pendant adorned with petals subtly encrusted in faint diamonds.
It had been more than twenty years since anyone had given her something like this. Even with all of Satoshi's wealth and success, he had never gifted her anything.
"How... do you know?" she whispered, her voice shaking, tears shining in her eyes.
Haruki smiled, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear before leaning down to press his lips to hers in a deep kiss.
When they parted, Kyouko's eyes shimmered as she whispered, a trembling smile on her lips. "Thank you, Haruki."
"So... about that girlfriend thing before."
Kyouko chuckled softly and slapped his arm. "Don't ruin the mood!"
"What? I'm serious." Haruki smiled. "Be my girl? Please."
Kyouko bit her lower lip, glancing up into his eyes. "We're both married, Haruki... and you still have Satomi, right?"
Haruki leaned down and kissed her again, then smiled, gazing into her eyes.
"Why do you insist on wanting me to be your girl?"
"Because you said it before."
"But it was just—" Before Kyouko could continue, Haruki kissed her once more.
"Just say yes, or no." Haruki smiled.
Kyouko bit her lower lip.
Haruki had become someone special to her.
Someone who truly cared, who was always there, who treated her like no one else ever had.
He filled every hollow space her husband had left empty.
And now, he had even remembered her birthday with a gift Satoshi had never once offered in over twenty years.
I'm sorry, Satoshi. But Haruki is someone I can't bear to lose.
Kyouko looked up into his eyes again, biting her lower lip.
"Mm..." she murmured with a nod.
Haruki grinned. "Is that a yes or no~?"
Kyouko narrowed her eyes and puckered her lips. "Yes."
"So you'll be my girl?"
"Y-yes..." Kyouko said, meeting his gaze.
Haruki's heart swelled with happiness. He leaned down and kissed her passionately.
Kyouko pulled away from the kiss when she noticed someone nearby.
"Haruki!" she hissed in a low voice. "Let's head home first."
"Okay, Kyouko~"
( End Of Chapter )