《A Love I Shouldn't Feel》


 Growing Apart

    "Do you, Haruki, take this woman as your wife, to love and cherish her for all your days?"


    "I do."


    "And do you, Satomi, take this man as your husband, to stand by his side through all of life''s joys and trials?"


    "I do."


    As they sealed their vows, Haruki leaned in, pressing his lips against Satomi¡¯s in a gentle yet heartfelt kiss. A wave of warmth washed over him as their fingers intertwined, the cool metal of their wedding rings glinting under the soft chapel lights¡ªa symbol of their new beginning.


    That day had been perfect¡ªa celebration filled with love, promises, and the soft murmur of blessings from family and friends. Now, as he sat in silence, reminiscing, he could still picture it vividly: the delicate scent of her perfume, the way her eyes shimmered when she whispered "I do," and the soft brush of her fingertips against his as they exchanged rings.


    It was a memory he held close to his heart, one that made everything feel so right¡­ at least, it did back then.


    She was beautiful, gentle, and caring.


    But now, all Haruki felt was emptiness.


    It wasn¡¯t that he didn¡¯t love her¡ªhe did. He had always been faithful, never once looking at another woman.


    But everything changed when Satomi was promoted to a high-ranking position at her company. From that moment, her world revolved around work. Meetings, deadlines, late nights at the office¡ªher career became her everything.


    Haruki didn¡¯t blame her, not even in the slightest.


    But this small apartment, once filled with warmth, now felt unbearably empty.


    It was sad¡ªnot that he couldn¡¯t provide for them; he could¡ªhe earned more than Satomi, even with her salary and bonuses.


    As a programmer and designer, he also worked as a systems consultant, handling various projects for clients. His job granted him freedom¡ªhis boss allowed him to work remotely whenever he chose, only requiring him to come into the office for meetings or to deliver completed projects.


    Haruki remembered the days when they both earned less. Life was simpler back then¡ªno pressure, no expectations. They ate whatever they could find, often sharing instant noodles or cheap takeout, laughing over silly things. Sometimes, they¡¯d cook together, turning a simple meal into something special. On weekends, they¡¯d take long walks in the park, holding hands and dreaming aloud. Even a rainy day felt warm when they curled up under the same blanket, watching old movies on a tiny laptop.


    Back then, happiness wasn¡¯t something they had to chase; it was simply there.


    The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    But now¡­ it was all gone.


    Haruki couldn¡¯t even remember the last time he¡¯d savored Satomi¡¯s home-cooked meals. The kitchen, once filled with the rich aroma of simmering miso soup and freshly steamed rice, now sat cold and unused.


    "Haa¡­ what a life."


    He let out a long sigh, staring at the glowing screen of his laptop before shifting his gaze to the world outside. The city lights flickered beyond the small window of their cheap rented apartment, a silent reminder of how much had changed.


    Money? What was it really worth?


    Could it buy back time? Could it bring back the happiness they had lost?


    Haruki glanced at the clock. It was already past 11 PM.


    Just then, he heard the sound of a car pulling up outside. She¡¯s back.


    Without hesitation, he approached the door, wanting to greet her as he always did. When he opened it, he smiled.


    "Welcome back, honey."


    Satomi stepped inside, looking exhausted as she set her bag down.


    "Ah¡­ dear, I¡¯m home."


    "Are you hungry?" he asked, hoping¡ªjust maybe¡ªthey could sit down and share a meal together like they used to.


    She shook her head. "No, I¡¯m just tired. I already ate with my co-workers."


    "Oh¡­"


    Haruki¡¯s voice trailed off, his smile slightly fading.


    Their marriage had lasted over a year now. Haruki wanted a child; he longed for one. A little life to call their own, a new chapter in their love story. But every time he brought it up, Satomi¡¯s response was always the same: Not yet. Maybe later. There''s no time for that.


    Did she not realize that the older they got, the harder it would be to raise a child?


    Of course, they were still young¡ªHaruki knew that. They were both 26, high school sweethearts who had been inseparable for years. But lately, it felt like the distance between them was growing.


    Work. That¡¯s all she seemed to care about.


    Work, work, work.


    Was it really about ambition? Or was she just chasing money? If that was the case, why? He had money too¡ªmore than enough to support them both.


    "Dear?"


    Satomi¡¯s voice pulled him from his thoughts.


    "Yes, honey?" he responded, trying to mask the heaviness in his chest.


    "I think we should find a new place."


    Haruki frowned slightly. "Oh? But why?"


    "Well, my new job is a bit far from here. I don¡¯t want to be late."


    His frown deepened. "Wait¡­ new job? You quit your current one?"


    "No," she said casually, removing her heels as if it was just another regular night. "The company I worked for got bought out¡­ by my father. And now, I¡¯m in charge."


    Haruki froze. "Your father?"


    She gave a small nod. "Yes."


    "Your family¡­ is rich?"


    Satomi hesitated for a moment, then shrugged. "Not really. My father only recently found success. Now, his company is one of the biggest, and he bought out my old workplace."


    Haruki leaned back slightly, processing her words. Why was she only telling me this now?


    Satomi was happy. Too happy.


    I could see it in her face¡ªthat look. The excitement, the pride. She was glowing with joy.


    I should be happy too. And I was¡­ or at least, I thought I was.


    But deep inside, something felt off¡ªlike a shift was happening, something I couldn¡¯t quite put into words. Was this just the beginning of even bigger changes?


    "Dear, what are you thinking?" Satomi¡¯s voice cut through my thoughts.


    I blinked and forced a small smile. "Oh, nothing."


    That was all I could say for now. I didn¡¯t want to ruin her happiness. I didn¡¯t want to hurt her feelings, even if a part of me was already uneasy.


    "So, dear¡­ about moving out?"


    I didn¡¯t know how to respond. A part of me wanted to protest, but the words wouldn¡¯t come.


    All I could do was smile and say, "Well¡­ I¡¯m comfortable living like this. But if you want, you can find a place."


    Her eyes lit up. "Really? Then I¡¯ll ask my father to help us find a new place near my office."


    I let out a small breath and nodded. "Okay. As long as you¡¯re happy¡­ I¡¯m happy too."


    But was I really?


    ( End of Chapter )

 A Cold Touch

    "So, dear¡­ about moving out?"


    I hesitated. Deep down, I wasn¡¯t sure how I felt about it.


    A new place? A fresh start? Or just another step toward something I wasn¡¯t ready for?


    But instead of voicing any of that, I forced a small smile and replied, "Well¡­ I¡¯m comfortable living like this. But if you want, sure,why not."


    Her eyes lit up instantly, excitement dancing in them. "Really? Then I¡¯ll ask my father to help us find something near my office."


    I nodded slowly. "Okay. As long as you''re happy¡­ I¡¯m happy too."


    The words flowed easily, but in the silence that followed, I couldn¡¯t ignore the weight pressing on my chest.


    Was I really happy?


    All I could see was her excitement.


    The moment I agreed, she immediately pulled out her phone and called her father, her voice light and almost playful.


    "Hello? Father? Yes, it¡¯s me, Satomi! Ah¡ªare you busy? Aww~"


    She giggled softly, her tone affectionate.


    "Yes, yes, Father¡­ I need your help finding a new place for us to live."


    There was a brief pause, and I noticed her expression shift slightly.


    "Eh? What? Oh, the meeting tomorrow afternoon? Of course, I remember!"


    Another pause. Her excitement dimmed just a little.


    "But¡­ umm¡­ okay¡­ Please do, Father. Thank you."


    She ended the call with a small sigh, but the excitement in her eyes hadn¡¯t completely faded.


    And I just sat there, watching.


    Then she made another call.


    "Ah, hello? Mother?"


    She still sounded excited, bubbling with enthusiasm about her new job and the company her father had entrusted to her.


    From where I sat, I could tell she was thrilled. Maybe even too thrilled.


    "Mom~ Father said I should ask you to help us find a house."


    A pause. Her face fell slightly.


    "Ehh? You can¡¯t? Why?"


    Her tone shifted, frustration creeping in.


    "But, Mom¡­"


    Another pause. Her fingers tapped impatiently against her knee.


    "Ehh¡­ what should I do? I¡¯m busy¡­ and I don¡¯t know if Haruki knows much about the area."


    The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    She sighed, her shoulders slumping just a little.


    "Ugh¡­ fine. I¡¯ll ask Father."


    And just like that, she ended the call.


    I sat there, just watching.


    She dialed again.


    "Ah, Father~," she chimed sweetly.


    A pause. Her lips pouted.


    "Eh? I¡¯m your only daughter, so why can¡¯t I call you?"


    She let out a small huff. "Yeah, yeah¡­ busy, busy. What? You don¡¯t care about me anymore?"


    She listened for a moment, then sighed.


    "No, I did call Mom. She said she can¡¯t help. Said she doesn¡¯t know." Satomi rolled her eyes. "Mom¡¯s always like that¡­ too shy to go out."


    Another pause. Her fingers twirled the hem of her sleeve.


    "Yes¡­ yes¡­ but, Father¡­ mm¡­ mm¡­ please help me~"


    Her voice softened into a playful whine.


    "I am your only daughter, right? Aw~ please, Papa¡­ see? I even called you Papa~"


    I watched as she giggled, clearly knowing how to get her way.


    "Yes, yes¡­ mm? Yeah? Oh¡ªthat¡¯s not a bad idea."


    She nodded as if considering something.


    "Mmhmm. Yes, I¡¯ll talk to him about it later."


    "Yes, Papa~ I know¡­ So can you help me tell her?"


    Another pause. Then her face lit up.


    "Yes! Thank you, Papa~! Of course, I remember the meeting tomorrow!"


    She grinned, leaning back against the couch.


    "Yes, yes¡­ as the new owner of the company, blah blah blah~," she said with a teasing smile.


    "Yes, yes, okay, Papa~."


    She finally ended the call, still smiling to herself.


    And all I could do was watch.


    "You know, dear?"


    "Hmm?" I looked up at her.


    "Papa said we can live in their house for a while."


    "Ehh?" My brows furrowed in surprise.


    "Besides, the house is big. We can all live together. I¡¯ll be busy after this, so with Mom there, you won¡¯t feel lonely."


    I hesitated. "Are you sure? You know I don¡¯t want to intrude on their lives¡­ or make things awkward."


    She waved a hand dismissively. "Nah, don¡¯t worry about it."


    I felt awkward.


    Who wouldn¡¯t? Living with your in-laws wasn¡¯t exactly a dream scenario.


    To make things even stranger, I had barely seen her mother. Even on our wedding day, she wore a kimono and a face mask the entire time. Too shy? Or something else? I had no idea.


    I grew up in an orphanage, so the concept of having parents¡ªof being part of a family like this¡ªfelt foreign. Comforting, maybe. But also distant, like something I didn¡¯t quite know how to belong to.


    But looking at how excited Satomi was, I couldn¡¯t say no.


    "Okay."


    Her face lit up. "Thank you, dear! Muah~" She kissed my cheek, completely oblivious to the unease settling in my chest.


    I saw her yawn.


    "Dear, let¡¯s go to sleep."


    "Okay."


    "We have a lot to do tomorrow."


    "Okay, honey."


    Satomi lay beside me, her back turned as she scrolled through her phone. Her long hair cascaded over the pillow, a few strands spilling onto my side of the bed.


    I turned toward her, watching. Waiting.


    "Satomi¡­" My voice was quiet and careful. I reached out, brushing my fingers along her shoulder.


    "Hmm?" She didn¡¯t look up, still focused on her screen.


    I hesitated before sliding closer, wrapping an arm around her waist. She was warm, her familiar scent filling my senses.


    "It¡¯s been a while¡­" I murmured, pressing a soft kiss against the back of her neck.


    She finally turned her head slightly, glancing at me. Her expression was unreadable.


    "Haruki¡­ I¡¯m really tired."


    Gentle words. But they felt like a cold hand pressing against my chest.


    I swallowed, forcing a small smile. "Just for a little while¡­?" My fingers traced slow circles along her hip, my voice barely above a whisper.


    She sighed, setting her phone down at last. "Tomorrow, okay? I have an early meeting."


    Tomorrow.


    How many times had I heard that?


    I pulled back slightly, staring at the ceiling. The warmth I had felt just moments ago was already fading, replaced by something else¡ªsomething colder.


    "Yeah¡­ okay."


    The bed felt bigger than it was.


    That night, I lay on my back, my eyes fixed on the ceiling. The dim glow from the bedside clock carved soft shadows across the room.


    Beside me, Satomi slept soundly, her breaths deep and steady¡ªuntil a snore erupted, loud and unbothered.


    My body didn¡¯t care about the emotional distance, though. My penis was still hard, aching with frustration.


    How long had it been?


    I tried to remember the last time we¡¯d had sex. Two weeks? Three? Every time I tried lately, she had an excuse¡ªtoo tired, too busy, tomorrow, promise.


    I glanced at her sleeping form, the curve of her shoulder exposed under the blanket. My fingers twitched with the urge to touch her, wake her up, remind her I was still her husband.


    But I didn¡¯t.


    Instead, I rolled onto my side, gripping the sheets. It wasn¡¯t just about sex¡ªit was the rejection. The slow, quiet way we were becoming strangers in the same bed.


    I closed my eyes and tried to ignore the heat between my legs.


    Sleep never came.


    ( End of Chapter 2 )

 Meeting the Mother

    Haruki stopped in front of the tall iron gates, gripping the strap of his bag as he exhaled slowly.


    It felt strange standing there.


    The house beyond the gates was massive¡ªelegant and imposing. It was a far cry from the cramped apartment he and Satomi once called home. He had never really thought of this place as his. No matter how many times Satomi insisted otherwise, it still felt like he was stepping into someone else¡¯s world.


    He pressed the doorbell.


    Ting tong~


    A faint crackle came from the intercom, then a voice said, "Who is it?"


    Haruki cleared his throat. "Ah¡­ it¡¯s me. Haruki."


    A brief pause followed. Then¡ª


    "Oh! Wait a moment¡ªI¡¯ll open the gate for you."


    A soft click echoed through the quiet evening. With a low mechanical hum, the gates groaned as they slowly swung open.


    Haruki adjusted his grip on his bag and stepped inside.


    "Thanks," he murmured, though he wasn¡¯t sure if anyone on the other side could hear him.


    He walked toward the entrance, his steps slow as he took in the house. It was massive, almost intimidating, yet the carefully maintained lawn softened its grandeur. Flowers lined the pathway, their vibrant colors swaying gently in the breeze.


    When he reached the door, it swung open before he could knock.


    "Come in."


    A soft, feminine voice welcomed him.


    Haruki hesitated for a moment before stepping inside. "Ojama shimasu," he said instinctively, the polite Japanese phrase for entering someone¡¯s home.


    Then he saw her.


    He stopped mid-step, his breath catching for a brief second.


    Standing before him was a girl.


    Not just any girl¡ªa beautiful one.


    Young. Not too small, not too tall. Delicate features, soft curves, and eyes that held a quiet confidence.


    Haruki blinked, his mind racing.


    I didn¡¯t know Satomi had a little sister.


    "Come in, Haruki-kun."


    His thoughts came to a screeching halt.


    "Kun?"


    Huh?


    Haruki¡¯s thoughts stumbled.


    Wait¡­ is she older?


    He cleared his throat. "Um¡­ excuse me, are you Satomi¡¯s little sister?"


    If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    The girl blinked, then let out a soft, almost amused chuckle.


    "Hmm? Ah¡­ no, sorry." She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, tilting her head slightly. "I¡¯m her mother. Don¡¯t you remember me?"


    Haruki felt his chest tighten.


    His mother-in-law?


    His mind went blank for a second.


    He had seen her once before¡ªbriefly¡ªon their wedding day. Dressed in an elegant kimono, a face mask covering most of her features, barely speaking a word.


    But now?


    Standing before him, looking like this?


    Haruki swallowed hard.


    "You¡¯re¡­ Satomi¡¯s mother?"


    "Ah¡­ um, it¡¯s not good to keep you standing there." She gave a small, almost nervous smile before gesturing toward the living room. "Why don¡¯t you sit on the couch? I¡¯ll prepare some coffee for you. You drink coffee, right?"


    Haruki, still dazed, managed only a nod.


    His mind refused to process it.


    Satomi¡¯s mother?


    For real?


    But¡­ how?


    His eyes followed her as she disappeared into the kitchen.


    She looked younger than Satomi. And if he was being honest¡­ even more beautiful.


    Haruki sank into the couch, the cushions soft beneath him.


    His gaze wandered around the room. Everything was neat and spotless, the air fresh with a faint, pleasant scent¡ªmaybe lavender?


    Still¡­ something felt off.


    A house this big, yet eerily quiet.


    Is she¡­ alone here?


    Before he could dwell on the thought, soft footsteps approached.


    Kyouko appeared, holding a cup of steaming coffee.


    "Here, Haruki-kun. Careful, it¡¯s hot."


    He quickly sat up straighter, accepting the cup with both hands. "Ah¡­ thank you. Um¡­ mother?"


    She chuckled softly. "If that feels awkward, just call me Kyouko."


    Haruki hesitated. "O-Okay¡­ K-Kyouko-san."


    As Kyouko settled onto the couch across from him, Haruki found himself unable to look away.


    She was stunning.


    Her face¡ªflawless and smooth, untouched by makeup yet radiating an effortless beauty. Full lips¡ªthe kind that made a man wonder how they¡¯d feel against his skin.


    And then¡­ her body.


    Curves that seemed almost impossible for a woman who already had a grown daughter.


    His eyes trailed lower.


    Her breast¡­ round and full, rising gently with every slow breath.


    The way her blouse stretched against them¡ªGod¡­


    And her thighs¡ªsoft and shapely, the kind that could drive a man crazy if he let himself think too much.


    Haruki swallowed hard.


    Wow¡­ she¡¯s so hot.


    Still staring, he felt his gaze slowly drift downward¡ªlingering where it shouldn¡¯t.


    His fingers tightened around the coffee cup.


    Damn it¡­


    Kyouko shifted slightly in her seat, tilting her head as she studied him.


    Inside her mind, a small worry surfaced. Am I making him uncomfortable?


    "Umm¡­ sorry, Haruki-kun, if I¡­" She hesitated, her voice soft. "If I¡¯m making you uncomfortable¡­"


    Haruki¡¯s eyes snapped up.


    "Ah¡ªno, Kyouko-san! It¡¯s me who should apologize!" he blurted out, a little too quickly.


    He forced a smile, hoping she wouldn¡¯t see through him¡ªhoping she wouldn¡¯t realize that his heart was racing for all the wrong reasons.


    Kyouko simply smiled, completely unaware of the thoughts swirling inside his head.


    Kyouko hesitated for a moment before speaking, her voice soft and a little shy.


    "It¡¯s just¡­ you know¡­ kind of surprising when my husband suddenly told me that you and Satomi would be living here."


    Haruki looked up, sensing a hint of nervousness in her tone.


    "Ah¡­ sorry, Kyouko-san. If I¡¯m intruding, I can start looking for another place¡ª" he began, already shifting to stand.


    "No, no¡ª!"


    Kyouko¡¯s eyes widened, a brief flash of panic crossing her face.


    Before she even thought about it, she leaned forward, reaching out as if to stop him.


    "That¡¯s not what I meant at all!" she rushed to explain.


    Her sudden movement caught Haruki off guard, and for a brief second, the space between them felt too close¡ªher warmth, her scent¡­


    Flustered, Kyouko quickly pulled back, pressing a hand to her chest.


    "I just¡­ didn¡¯t expect it, that¡¯s all," she said softly, looking away, clearly embarrassed.


    Haruki sat back down, watching her.


    Her reaction was too cute.


    Kyouko tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her gaze flickering toward Haruki¡¯s empty cup.


    "Umm¡­ if you¡¯re done with your drink, I can show you Satomi¡¯s room upstairs. You can use it if you¡¯d like."


    Haruki hesitated, then nodded.


    "O-Okay, Kyouko-san¡­ and, um¡­ sorry again for the trouble."


    Kyouko¡¯s lips parted slightly, as if wanting to say something, then she let out a small, almost awkward chuckle.


    "Ah¡­ no need to keep apologizing," she murmured, glancing away.


    Then, almost shyly, she added, "I¡¯m sure Satomi¡¯s the one who forced you into this¡­ right?"


    Haruki scratched the back of his head, offering a small, guilty smile.


    "U-Umm¡­ kinda."


    Kyouko let out a soft sigh, shaking her head with an amused look.


    "That girl¡­" she muttered under her breath before standing up.


    "Come on, I¡¯ll show you the room."


    Haruki followed, still very aware of how graceful she looked, even with such casual movements.


    ( End of Chapter )

 Caught Off Guard

    As Kyouko walked ahead, Haruki¡¯s eyes¡ªalmost instinctively¡ªdrifted lower.


    The gentle sway of her hips, the way her fitted skirt hugged her curves¡­ Damn.


    His fingers curled slightly at his sides.


    She was gorgeous.


    And that sway¡­


    It wasn¡¯t exaggerated. It wasn¡¯t intentional.


    But that made it worse.


    His throat felt dry as he quickly looked away, forcing himself to focus on something¡ªanything¡ªother than how effortlessly his mother-in-law moved in front of him.


    "Haruki-kun?"


    His head snapped up.


    Kyouko had stopped at the base of the stairs, glancing back at him with a small, curious tilt of her head.


    Had she noticed?


    "A-Ah, yeah?" he stammered, quickly stepping forward.


    She smiled gently. "The room is just upstairs. Come on."


    Haruki exhaled slowly, willing his thoughts back into place.


    Kyouko stepped aside, gesturing toward the room.


    "This is Satomi¡¯s old room. You can use it now."


    Haruki stepped inside, glancing around. The room was neat and simple, definitely better than their old apartment. His gaze landed on a door to the side.


    "Wow¡­ this room even has its own bathroom."


    Kyouko nodded with a small smile. "Yes. Satomi used to love having her own space."


    She paused for a moment before asking, "By the way, when is the moving company coming?"


    Haruki set his bag down by the bed and shook his head. "Ah¡­ I don¡¯t think there¡¯s much to bring from our old place."


    He patted his bag lightly. "My laptop and everything I need for work is in here."


    "Oh¡­ I see." Kyouko¡¯s voice was soft, almost thoughtful.


    Haruki turned to her, offering a polite nod. "Thank you, Kyouko-san."


    She smiled warmly. "You''re welcome. If you need anything, don¡¯t hesitate to ask, okay?"


    "Okay, Kyouko-san."


    With that, she turned toward the stairs, her movements fluid and effortless.


    Haruki¡¯s eyes, as if moving on their own, trailed after her.


    Her long hair swayed gently with each step.


    His gaze drifted lower.


    Curves. Perfect curves.


    So beautiful.


    So young.


    So hot.


    His fingers twitched at his sides.


    And then¡ªshe was gone, disappearing down the staircase.


    Haruki let out a slow breath, rubbing the back of his neck.


    This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it


    "Shit¡­"


    He needed to get a hold of himself.


    Haruki set his bags down, stretching his shoulders before scanning the room. His eyes landed on a desk by the window¡ªperfect for work.


    He placed his laptop carefully, arranging his work files neatly beside it. Everything in its place. Just how he liked it.


    Next, he moved to his suitcase, unzipping it and pulling out his clothes. When he opened the closet, his brows lifted slightly.


    "Wow¡­ they already prepared Satomi¡¯s clothes here."


    Dresses, blouses, and neatly folded sweaters filled the space.


    "I guess these are her old clothes¡­"


    Now it made sense why Satomi told him to only bring his personal belongings. She probably planned for the moving company to handle the rest.


    He let out a small sigh before closing the closet and moving to the bed. A few quick adjustments to the sheets¡ªdone.


    Finally, he checked out the bathroom.


    The moment he stepped inside, his jaw nearly dropped.


    "Damn¡­ this thing is bigger than our old apartment¡¯s living room."


    A large bathtub, a sleek glass shower, and a modern toilet¡ªeverything looked clean and expensive, like a luxury hotel.


    He whistled under his breath, running a hand through his hair.


    "Living here is gonna be¡­ different."


    Haruki grabbed a fresh towel, draping it over his shoulder as he stepped into the shower. The warm water cascaded down his body, washing away the fatigue from the long day. He let out a deep sigh, running a hand through his wet hair.


    "Alright¡­ fresh start."


    After finishing his shower, he wrapped the towel around his waist and stepped out, heading toward the closet. The cool air from the room sent a slight chill over his damp skin.


    At the same time¡­


    Kyouko was making her way upstairs.


    She hesitated at his door, then lightly knocked before pushing it open.


    "Haruki-kun, if you''re hungr¡ª"


    The words froze in her throat.


    Her eyes widened.


    Haruki stood half-naked, his toned body still glistening with droplets of water. His broad shoulders, defined chest, and the way his wet hair clung to his forehead¡ª


    Kyouko¡¯s heart skipped a beat.


    "Oh my god¡­ he¡¯s¡­ handsome."


    A sudden warmth rushed to her cheeks. She swallowed hard, gripping the door handle to prevent further embarrassment.


    ¡°Ah¡­ I¡¯m sorry!¡± Her voice came out higher than she intended. She slowly closed the door¡ªcarefully, as if pretending nothing happened.


    From the other side, she cleared her throat. ¡°A-Anyway, Haruki-kun¡­ if you¡¯re hungry, come downstairs, okay?¡±


    She didn¡¯t wait for a response.


    She hurriedly made her way down before she could think about what she had just seen.


    Haruki didn¡¯t think much about what had just happened.


    For him, being seen shirtless wasn¡¯t a big deal¡ªmen didn¡¯t usually get shy about things like that. He simply grabbed a clean set of clothes from his bag and dressed without hesitation.


    To avoid smelling like shampoo or sweat, he dabbed on a bit of light cologne. He wasn¡¯t trying to impress anyone¡ªhe just didn¡¯t want his mother-in-law to think he was unkempt.


    Once he felt presentable, he headed downstairs, following the faint scent of something cooking.


    Stepping into the kitchen, he looked around before calling out.


    ¡°Umm¡­ Kyouko-san?¡±


    Kyouko, who had been focused on the stove, turned around quickly. ¡°Ah, Haruki-kun! Take a seat¡ªI¡¯m almost done.¡±


    Haruki nodded and pulled out a chair. His gaze flickered toward her for a moment.


    She was wearing a simple fitted sweater and casual house pants, but even in something so ordinary, she looked effortlessly elegant.


    He shook off the thought and leaned back in his chair, watching her move around the kitchen.


    There was something oddly peaceful about this.


    Haruki leaned back in his chair, arms folded as he watched Kyouko move around the kitchen. The sound of the pan sizzling and the rhythmic tapping of the knife against the cutting board should have felt ordinary. But his eyes couldn¡¯t help but linger on her.


    She stood by the counter, her back slightly arched as she reached for a bottle of soy sauce from the top shelf. The movement made her sweater tighten around her chest, highlighting the fullness of her breasts. They weren¡¯t just big¡ªthey were perfectly shaped and firm, the kind that would make any man look twice. Haruki swallowed, his throat suddenly dry.


    His gaze trailed lower, following the curve of her waist down to her hips. Wide, smooth, and attractively feminine. The way they flared out from her slim waist was captivating, striking a perfect balance between softness and definition. When she shifted her weight from one foot to the other, the snug fit of her house pants made every movement irresistibly captivating.


    Then there was her ass. Round, perky, and undeniably attractive. The thin fabric of her pants hugged every contour. Every time she moved¡ªwhether it was reaching for an ingredient, stirring the pan, or even the subtle sway of her hips as she stepped from one side of the kitchen to the other¡ªHaruki felt like he was watching something forbidden. A temptation he shouldn¡¯t be thinking about.


    She turned slightly, giving him a side view¡ªher breasts pressing gently against the counter as she leaned forward to taste the soup. Her tongue peeked out, licking the spoon lightly before she nodded in satisfaction. Haruki clenched his fists. Even the smallest, most casual gestures felt dangerously alluring coming from her.


    ¡°Haruki-kun?¡±


    He snapped out of his daze, realizing too late that he had been staring for too long. Kyouko looked at him with a small smile, tilting her head.


    ¡°Are you okay?¡± she asked, completely unaware of the effect she was having on him.


    Haruki cleared his throat and shifted in his seat. ¡°Y-Yeah. Just¡­ spacing out.¡±


    Kyouko chuckled softly before turning back to the stove, her hips swaying once more as she continued cooking.


    Haruki exhaled slowly. This was going to be dangerous.


    ( End of Chapter )

 Stirring Feelings

    Once the food was ready, Kyouko carefully placed the dishes on the table. The aroma of freshly cooked food filled the air.


    ¡°I hope my cooking is to your liking,¡± she said with a gentle smile as she took a seat across from Haruki.


    ¡°Thank you, Kyouko-san.¡± Haruki nodded, picking up his chopsticks.


    Kyouko let out a soft chuckle. ¡°It¡¯s rare for me to cook this much.¡±


    Haruki tilted his head slightly. ¡°Really?¡±


    She nodded, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. ¡°My husband is always busy with work¡­ He rarely eats at home. So most of the time, I only cook for myself.¡± Her smile remained gentle, but there was a hint of wistfulness in her voice.


    ¡°Oh¡­¡± Haruki murmured, unsure how to respond.


    ¡°Well¡­ let¡¯s eat.¡±


    ¡°Itadakimasu~¡±


    They clapped their hands together in unison before picking up their chopsticks.


    As Haruki took his first bite, a strange warmth settled in his chest. Eating with someone¡­ it felt nice. It was different from the lonely meals he had grown used to in that cramped apartment.


    ¡°Haruki, eat more.¡±


    He blinked as Kyouko reached for a piece of meat and placed it in his bowl with a gentle smile.


    ¡°Ah¡­ thank you,¡± he said, his voice slightly stiff.


    ¡°A man like you needs to eat plenty.¡± She chuckled softly. ¡°Don¡¯t be shy.¡±


    Haruki gave a small nod. ¡°Okay, Kyouko-san.¡±


    Haruki found himself stealing glances at Kyouko as he ate.


    She¡¯s¡­ everything a man could want in a wife. Beautiful, gentle, and on top of that¡ªher cooking was incredible. No restaurant meal could compare to this.


    Before he could stop himself, the words slipped out.


    ¡°It¡¯s nice¡­ eating like this.¡±


    Kyouko blinked, momentarily surprised, before a soft smile graced her lips. ¡°Yeah¡­ it¡¯s been a while since I had a meal like this too.¡±


    They fell into a comfortable silence, the sound of chopsticks lightly clinking against bowls filling the space.


    For the first time in a long time, Haruki didn¡¯t feel alone.


    After the meal, Haruki helped Kyouko gather the dishes and carry them to the sink.


    ¡°Ah, Haruki-kun, I can handle the dishes. You should rest,¡± Kyouko said with a gentle smile.


    Haruki hesitated. It felt wrong to just sit back and let her do everything.


    ¡°Umm¡­ I¡¯d like to help, Kyouko-san.¡±


    ¡°No, no.¡± She waved him off, already rolling up her sleeves. ¡°Just leave it to me. I¡¯ll take care of it.¡±


    Before he could insist, she had already stepped past him, turning on the faucet and starting to wash.


    Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    Still, Haruki lingered. Something about watching her work so effortlessly made it hard to just walk away.


    Without a word, he reached for a plate and began rinsing.


    ¡°Haruki-kun¡­¡± Kyouko sighed. ¡°Let me do it.¡±


    ¡°Please, at least let me help.¡±


    She turned to him with an amused look. ¡°You need to rest, don¡¯t you?¡±


    Haruki just smiled, continuing to rinse the dishes beside her.


    Kyouko shook her head, a soft smile playing on her lips.


    ¡°Well, if you insist.¡±


    That smile¡ªso warm and sincere¡ªcaught Haruki off guard.


    For a moment, he just stood there, watching her. Despite only being there for a day, there was an odd sense of comfort, as if they had known each other for much longer.


    He resumed rinsing the dishes, but his gaze kept drifting back to her.


    She was stunning.


    His father-in-law was a lucky man. Haruki didn¡¯t know Kyouko¡¯s exact age, but since Satomi was already 26, she had to be over 40.


    Yet, her face, her skin, her figure¡ªnothing about her revealed her age.


    After finishing the dishes, Kyouko wiped her hands on a towel and turned to him with a gentle smile.


    ¡°Thank you, Haruki.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re welcome.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure you¡¯re not tired?¡± she asked, tilting her head slightly.


    Haruki shook his head. ¡°Ah, no¡­ I don¡¯t feel tired at all.¡±


    Kyouko nodded. ¡°Okay¡­ if you say so.¡±


    With that, Haruki headed upstairs to his room.


    He sat on the bed, opened his bag, and pulled out his laptop. He didn¡¯t have much work to do; his schedule was flexible¡ªhe could work anywhere, anytime.


    Yet, for some reason, he found himself heading back downstairs.


    Not because of work.


    But because he didn¡¯t want to miss the chance to see Kyouko.


    Haruki sat in the living room, his fingers moving swiftly over the keyboard. The glow of his laptop screen illuminated the dim room as he worked on a new project assigned by his boss. The deadline was still far off, but he had a habit of finishing tasks ahead of schedule¡ªfaster than anyone else in the company.


    The house was quiet, except for the occasional hum of the air conditioning and the faint clicking of his keyboard.


    Meanwhile, upstairs, Kyouko entered her bathroom with a towel draped over her arm. Warm water cascaded down her skin as she stood under the shower, steam filling the space. She moved with practiced ease, her hands gliding over her body as she washed away the day¡¯s fatigue.


    After finishing, she carefully followed her skincare routine¡ªmoisturizing her face, smoothing lotion over her arms and legs, and taking extra care with her long, silky hair. The scent of her shampoo lingered in the air, a soft, feminine fragrance that felt both refreshing and calming.


    By the time she stepped out of the bathroom, wrapped in a fresh towel, she felt rejuvenated. She let out a small sigh, stretching her arms before heading toward her wardrobe to pick out something comfortable for the night.


    After changing, Kyouko casually walked downstairs, dressed in her usual sleepwear¡ªa silky pajama set that clung softly to her curves. She never put much thought into what she wore at home, especially since her husband was rarely around. It was just comfortable, nothing more.


    As she reached the living room, she noticed Haruki still sitting there, his laptop open, the screen casting a faint glow on his face.


    ¡°Haruki?¡±


    He looked up from his work, slightly surprised. ¡°Hmm? Yes, Kyouko-san?¡±


    She smiled gently. ¡°Need a drink?¡±


    ¡°Ah¡­ umm¡­¡± He hesitated for a moment, his eyes flickering toward her before quickly returning to his laptop.


    ¡°Coffee?¡± she offered, her voice light and warm.


    Haruki nodded. ¡°Okay¡­ that sounds good.¡±


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll make us some.¡±


    She turned toward the kitchen, her bare feet padding softly against the floor. Haruki exhaled, shifting in his seat. He hadn¡¯t meant to stare, but there was something about the way her silk pajama top draped over her and the subtle way the fabric moved with her body¡­


    He shook his head, trying to refocus on his work. But with Kyouko in the kitchen, he found it even harder to concentrate.


    Kyouko hummed softly, a gentle tune filling the quiet space as she prepared their coffee. She moved with ease, not thinking much about her presence¡ªthis was her home, after all.


    Once the coffee was ready, she carried both cups to the living room, placing them on the coffee table. As she bent forward to set them down, her pajama top loosened slightly, the fabric shifting just enough to reveal the deep curve of her cleavage.


    Haruki''s eyes were drawn to it instantly.


    He didn¡¯t mean to stare¡ªreally, he didn''t¡ªbut how could he not? It was right there, soft and full, framed perfectly by the silky fabric. Then it hit him.


    She wasn¡¯t wearing a bra.


    His throat went dry.


    His fingers hovered above his keyboard, forgotten. The warmth from the laptop suddenly felt insignificant compared to the heat rising in his body.


    So plump¡­ so full¡­


    The realization struck him harder than he expected. This was his mother-in-law. But in that moment, the title didn¡¯t carry the weight it should have. Right now, she was just an incredibly beautiful, young woman standing in front of him, completely unaware of the effect she was having on him.


    ( End of Chapter )

 The Comfort Zone

    Haruki didn''t even try to look away.


    Why should he?


    This was a rare sight¡ªsomething he never expected, something no man in his position could ignore. His heart pounded in his chest, but he remained still, pretending to focus on his laptop while his eyes took in the view before him.


    Kyouko, completely unaware, let out a soft sigh as she settled onto the long couch. She stretched her arms above her head, shifting her body into a more relaxed position. The thin fabric of her pajama top clung to her curves, dipping lower and exposing even more of her cleavage.


    Haruki swallowed hard.


    His hands clenched slightly over his keyboard. It was impossible to look away now. Every slight movement¡ªher slow, steady breaths, the way the fabric shifted with her¡ªwas pure temptation.


    She had no idea.


    "Kyouko-san?" Haruki asked.


    "Hmm?" Kyouko replied without looking up. She was focused on her smartphone, scrolling absentmindedly.


    She shifted slightly, adjusting her posture, the loose collar of her pajama top dipped lower, revealing more of her cleavage.


    "You always stay up this late?" he asked, forcing himself to look at her face instead.


    "Hmm? Not really¡­" Kyouko murmured, still fixated on her phone. "If I get too tired, I just head to my room and sleep."


    "Oh," Haruki said, gripping his coffee cup a little tighter.


    "What about you, Haruki?" Kyouko asked, finally sparing him a brief glance before looking back at her screen.


    "Me?"


    "Yeah. Do you always stay up this late?"


    Haruki hesitated for a moment. "Sometimes."


    "Why?"


    He exhaled through his nose, managing a wry smile. "Satomi often comes home late."


    Kyouko finally looked up from her phone, tilting her head slightly. "I see¡­ that must be tough."


    Haruki shrugged. "I''ve gotten used to it."


    She sighed softly, stretching her arms above her head¡ªa casual motion, nothing intentional¡ªbut the way her top lifted slightly, revealing the soft outline of her curves under the fabric¡­


    Haruki immediately averted his gaze, taking a long sip of coffee to distract himself.


    Kyouko let out a quiet sigh and shifted again, drawing one leg up onto the couch. "Honestly, I don''t sleep early either. It''s¡­ lonely sometimes."


    Haruki blinked. "Lonely?"


    She nodded, setting her phone down beside her. "My husband rarely comes home early. Some nights, he doesn''t come home at all." She gave a small, humorless laugh. "So, I just sit here¡­ waiting."


    Haruki clenched his jaw. He didn''t know why, but something about that¡ªher sitting alone every night, waiting for a man who might not even show up¡ªmade his chest tighten.


    Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    "I see¡­" was all he managed to say.


    Kyouko leaned back into the couch, her eyes drifting toward the ceiling. "It''s funny, isn''t it? When I was younger, I thought marriage meant never being lonely again. But sometimes, it feels even lonelier than before."


    Kyouko didn''t notice anything strange¡ªshe had no idea that Haruki had been stealing glances at her all this time. To her, he was just her son-in-law, someone she had only just met properly today. Yet, oddly enough, she felt comfortable around him. There was no awkwardness, no tension¡ªjust an easy, natural atmosphere that put her at ease.


    "So¡­ you''re going to work tomorrow, right?" Kyouko asked, casually sipping her coffee. She leaned forward slightly, causing her loose pajama top to slip lower and reveal more of her cleavage, completely unaware of its effect.


    Haruki''s eyes flickered down before he forced himself to focus on his cup instead. "Umm¡­"


    "Huh?" Kyouko tilted her head, noticing his hesitation. "What''s wrong?"


    "Satomi didn''t tell you?"


    "Tell me what?"


    "My job is flexible. I can work from anywhere, so I usually work from home. I only go to the office sometimes to submit completed projects."


    "Oh¡­" Kyouko nodded, smiling. "That''s nice. That means you won''t be as busy as them."


    Haruki let out a small chuckle. "Yeah¡­ kinda."


    Kyouko took another sip of her coffee, shifting comfortably on the couch. "That''s good. At least you won''t be overworking yourself."


    Haruki glanced at her, watching as she settled into the cushions, still completely unaware of how much she was showing. He swallowed hard and quickly looked away.


    "Yeah¡­ I guess that''s one good thing about my job."


    Neither of them said anything for a moment. The night was quiet, the only sounds being the occasional soft clink of Kyouko''s cup against the table and the faint hum of the night air outside.


    It was strange. Haruki never thought he''d feel this relaxed in someone else''s home. Yet, here he was¡ªsitting across from his mother-in-law, having a casual late-night conversation, and feeling¡­ at ease.


    Kyouko, on the other hand, simply smiled to herself, unaware of the thoughts running through Haruki''s head. She had worried about having someone else in the house, but somehow, this didn''t feel awkward at all.


    If anything¡­ it felt surprisingly nice.


    "You know¡­ Haruki-kun¡­"


    "Yes?" Haruki responded, though his gaze remained fixated on her cleavage. No matter how much he told himself to look away, his eyes kept drifting back. It was just¡­ right there.


    "I don''t know why, but I feel comfortable around you," Kyouko said, oblivious to the turmoil in his mind. Her voice was soft and casual. "I don''t really talk much with people."


    Haruki forced himself to meet her eyes. "That''s¡­ nice to know," he said, rubbing the back of his neck. "I was¡­ well, worried, I guess. That maybe being here would make you uncomfortable."


    Kyouko shook her head gently, smiling. "Not at all. If anything, it''s nice to have someone to talk to."


    They sat in comfortable silence¡ªKyouko focused on her smartphone, completely unaware, while Haruki focused on her body.


    His eyes traced her figure, lingering on every curve. The way her pajama top hung just loosely enough to tease. The way her bare legs stretched out along the couch.


    Then his gaze flicked to the clock: 12:34 AM.


    It was already past midnight.


    Suddenly, a video call came in on Kyouko''s phone.


    "Oh¡­ Satomi''s calling."


    She answered the call, bringing the phone to her ear.


    "Hello~" Kyouko greeted her daughter with a gentle voice.


    On the screen, Satomi was sitting beside her father, surrounded by stacks of documents. Several workers moved around behind them, focused on their tasks.


    "Ah, Mom! Is Haruki there yet? I tried calling him, but he didn''t answer!"


    Kyouko glanced at Haruki, then turned the phone toward him. He was still seated with his laptop open, fingers resting idly on the keyboard.


    "He''s right here."


    Haruki blinked at the screen, caught off guard. "Oh¡­ uh, hey."


    Satomi frowned. "Good lord, Haruki!! Why didn''t you answer your phone?"


    "Err¡­ sorry," he said, scratching his cheek and looking guilty. "I left it upstairs and forgot about it."


    Satomi sighed. "Seriously¡­ Anyway, how''s everything? Did you settle in okay?"


    Haruki stole a quick glance at Kyouko before nodding. "Yeah, your mom''s been really helpful."


    Kyouko smiled slightly, but Satomi barely noticed, too busy flipping through a document with her focus elsewhere.


    "Good. Listen, I''ll be home late¡ªprobably past two or three. Dad has me going through all these reports, and it''s taking forever."


    "That late?" Kyouko frowned. "You should at least eat something."


    "I will, I will. Don''t worry, Mom."


    She turned back to Haruki. "And you¡ªmake sure you rest, okay? Don''t just stay up working."


    Haruki smirked. "You''re the one who should be hearing that."


    "Yeah, yeah¡­ Anyway, I gotta go. Love you, Mom! Haruki, don''t slack off!"


    With that, the call ended.


    Kyouko sighed softly, placing her phone on the table. "She really is just like her father¡­"


    Haruki leaned back against the couch, stretching his arms. "Looks like it''s just us for a while, huh?"


    Kyouko nodded, absently swirling her coffee. "Yeah¡­ just us."


    ( End of Chapter )

 Fitness and Fluster

    Haruki had been living with them for more than two weeks now.


    As usual, his wife, Satomi, rushed out early with her father, both too busy with work to linger around the house. This left Haruki alone with Kyouko once again.


    That morning, Satomi had already left, and Haruki was just waking up.


    "Yaaawwn¡­"


    He stretched lazily before heading to the bathroom to wash his face. He hadn''t managed to do his morning exercises for the past two weeks¡ªsomething about working out on the lawn felt¡­ weird. Maybe awkward. He wasn''t sure.


    Making his way downstairs, he headed straight to the kitchen and poured himself a glass of water.


    "Hmm? Where''s Kyouko-san?"


    He glanced around, expecting to see her, but the house was silent. After finishing his drink, he was about to return upstairs when he noticed something¡ªthe back door was open. A gentle morning breeze drifted in, carrying the scent of flowers and fresh grass.


    Curious, Haruki walked toward the door and peeked outside.


    And there she was.


    Kyouko.


    She stood in the middle of the backyard, stretching her arms above her head. The morning sunlight highlighted her toned, flawless skin. She wasn''t just wearing regular workout clothes¡ªher form-fitting sports bra hugged her perfectly, and her leggings accentuated every curve of her hips and thighs.


    Haruki swallowed hard.


    His mother-in-law¡­ looked absolutely breathtaking.


    She transitioned into a slow stretch, bending forward slightly.Her hair, tied in a loose ponytail, swayed with each movement. She was completely unaware that someone was watching.


    Haruki knew he should look away.


    But damn¡­ it was impossible.


    He stood frozen by the door, gripping the frame.


    "Damn¡­ she seriously doesn''t look her age at all."


    Her stomach was flat, her skin unbelievably smooth¡ªno sagging, no wrinkles, nothing that showed any signs of aging. If anything, she looked better than most women half her age.


    He couldn''t help but admire her beauty and the way her body moved effortlessly.


    Then Kyouko noticed him.


    She smiled.


    "Haruki-kun?"


    Haruki froze.


    "A-ah¡­ y-yes, Kyouko-san?"


    She tilted her head slightly, still smiling.


    "Wanna join me?"


    Haruki''s brain short-circuited for a moment.


    Stolen story; please report.


    "Ah¡­ uh¡­ sure¡­ I-I''ll just change into my workout clothes first."


    "Okay~" Kyouko replied, stretching her arms again before continuing her routine.


    Haruki turned around and rushed upstairs, trying to shake off the wild thoughts in his head.


    Haruki came back downstairs, dressed in only a pair of workout shorts, his upper body completely bare.


    Kyouko, who had been waiting for him, widened her eyes slightly in surprise.


    "Oh¡­" she murmured, momentarily stunned.


    Haruki''s body was lean and toned¡ªhis muscles well-defined, not overly bulky but sculpted in a way that made him look like he belonged in a fitness magazine. His chest, arms, and abs looked carved from stone, and when he stretched his arms over his head, the movement made his muscles flex subtly.


    Kyouko quickly looked away, clearing her throat. Why does he have such a body?


    There was a brief silence between them before Kyouko smiled and gestured toward the mat.


    "Let''s start with some stretches first, Haruki-kun."


    Haruki nodded, stepping forward as she demonstrated.


    They began their routine with simple stretches. Kyouko bent forward, reaching for her toes, her tight-fitting outfit hugging every curve of her body. Haruki couldn''t help but stare at how the leggings outlined her legs, her toned thighs, and the perfect shape of her ass as she stretched.


    "Alright, let''s do sit-ups next," Kyouko said cheerfully, completely unaware of Haruki''s gaze.


    Haruki swallowed hard as she lay on the mat, knees bent, feet flat on the ground. He moved into position, kneeling down and placing his hands lightly on her ankles to keep her steady.


    Kyouko lifted her torso, her stomach muscles flexing subtly. Her breast, barely contained by her snug sports bra, rose with each sit-up.


    Haruki tried to look away, but every time she came up, he caught a glimpse of her cleavage, her breast bouncing with each movement. The sight was mesmerizing.


    "One¡­ two¡­ three¡­" Kyouko counted softly, completely oblivious to the effect she was having on him.


    Haruki, on the other hand, was struggling.


    Damn¡­ this is bad.


    Next, they switched.


    Haruki lay on his back while Kyouko moved to hold his legs in place. From his position, he had a clear view of her body leaning forward, her breasts pressing slightly against her forearms as she braced herself. .


    Each time he sat up, he got closer to her face¡ªcloser to her lips.


    "You''re good at this, Haruki-kun," Kyouko commented, smiling.


    "T-thanks¡­"


    They continued their workout, moving from one exercise to another. Kyouko, unaware of just how sensual every movement appeared from Haruki''s perspective, was simply enjoying the exercise. Meanwhile, Haruki was experiencing an entirely different struggle¡ªone that had nothing to do with physical endurance.


    After finishing their sit-ups, Kyouko stood up, stretching her arms above her head.


    "Alright, let''s move on to¡ª"


    But just as she took a step back, her foot caught on the edge of the exercise mat.


    "Ah¡ª!"


    Kyouko lost her balance, tipping forward.


    Haruki, who was still sitting up from their last exercise, instinctively reached out to catch her. But his grip slipped, and both of them tumbled down onto the mat.


    Before he could react, Kyouko landed right on top of him.


    Soft. Warm.


    Her full, round breasts pressed against his bare chest, sending a shockwave through his entire body.


    Their faces were too close, their lips nearly touching. Haruki could feel the faint, warm brush of her breath against his mouth. She smelled sweet¡ªlight, and something uniquely feminine.


    For a moment, neither of them moved.


    Haruki froze. His hands had instinctively grabbed her waist, feeling the heat of her body through her thin workout top.


    Kyouko''s eyes widened, her lips parting slightly in shock.


    Silence.


    His heart pounded in his ears. His mind screamed at him to look away, to do something¡ªanything¡ªbut all he could do was stare.


    "S-sorry!" Kyouko stammered, quickly pushing herself up, her face flushing slightly.


    "N-no, it''s fine," Haruki muttered, his heart racing.


    Kyouko sat back, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.


    "S-sorry¡­ again." She avoided his gaze, clearly flustered.


    Haruki exhaled slowly, forcing himself to relax.


    "Don''t worry about it, Kyouko-san."


    Kyouko stood up quickly, brushing off her leggings and forcing a small smile.


    "I think it''s better if we stop exercising for today," she said, trying to sound casual.


    Haruki sat up, still feeling the lingering warmth where her body had pressed against his. He nodded.


    "Yeah¡­."


    Kyouko turned away slightly, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. She was trying hard to hide her flustered expression, but Haruki could see the faint pink blush on her cheeks.


    "A-Anyway, Haruki-kun¡­ today was a good workout. Let''s do it again tomorrow." She smiled, though there was a tiny hint of nervousness in her voice.


    Haruki exhaled, forcing himself to focus.


    "Okay, Kyouko-san."


    As she walked back inside, Haruki''s eyes lingered on her for a moment before he ran a hand through his hair.


    ( End of Chapter )