Between the Lines ( 16 )

Haruki took a deep breath, inhaling Kyouko's natural scent. It was sweet and fragrant, unlike anything he'd encountered before—definitely not what he'd expect from someone in their forties. The subtle perfume filled his mind with thoughts he knew were wrong, but he couldn't resist.

Sitting close, Kyouko was aware of his quiet inhalations. Instead of pulling away, she decided to play along, taking pride in her fresh, youthful scent. With a soft, secretive smile, she leaned in a bit closer, letting him take in more of her fragrance.

Haruki's pulse quickened, his focus on work fading away. He tried to hide his nerves, but Kyouko's presence overwhelmed him. The unspoken tension between them grew with each passing moment.

His mind raced, heart pounding. He knew Kyouko wasn't trying to seduce him—she seemed relaxed, as if nothing were out of the ordinary. But he couldn't ignore her closeness, her beauty, or the way her scent drew him in.

The desire to reach out and touch her gnawed at him. He wanted to feel her warmth, to know if her skin was as soft as it looked. But what if he crossed a line? What if Kyouko felt uncomfortable, or worse, if things became awkward? The fear of ruining their comfortable, playful relationship held him back. One wrong move could change everything, and he wasn't ready to take that risk.

As Kyouko showed him pictures and videos, Haruki struggled to stay focused. His eyes drifted to her cleavage, just visible beneath her tank top. He forced himself to look away, trying to concentrate on the screen, but the temptation lingered.

Kyouko noticed his stolen glances but didn't mind. In fact, she relished the attention. It wasn't just a game; she enjoyed knowing Haruki was drawn to her, even as he tried to hide it. Her smile remained gentle, as if she were simply sharing stories, but inside, she reveled in the quiet power she held over him.

Haruki, however, was oblivious to her intentions. To him, she was just being friendly, maybe a little lonely, and he didn't want to misinterpret the situation. Part of him wanted to give in to the attraction, but another part worried about the consequences.

After a while, Kyouko noticed the time and rushed to the kitchen, realizing how late it was—already past 8 p.m. She knew Haruki was probably hungry.

She smiled to herself, reflecting on how things had changed since he'd moved in. Before, she often cooked for her husband, only for him to come home late and drunk, leaving the meals untouched. It had felt like a waste, but now, with Haruki in the house, she knew her cooking wouldn't go to waste.

As Kyouko prepared dinner, she thought about how much Haruki enjoyed her cooking. The house felt more alive with him around. Cooking wasn't just a chore anymore; it brought her warmth and a sense of purpose, making her feel seen for the first time in years.

Chopping vegetables, Kyouko wondered if Haruki would compliment her cooking again tonight, and the thought made her smile as she worked to make everything perfect.

In the living room, Haruki focused on finishing the company's project. He was quick and efficient, but as the familiar aroma of Kyouko's cooking filled the air, it became hard to concentrate.

He smiled, recalling his first taste of her food. It had been a big reason he was happy to move in with her parents when Sayaka suggested it. Kyouko's cooking had a warmth that reminded him of home, even though he hadn't known her long. It was the kind of meal that made a house feel like family.

As his stomach growled, he looked forward to dinner. No matter how long the day had been, Kyouko's cooking always made things better.

Kyouko carefully arranged the food on the table, putting in the same attention to detail she had since Haruki moved in. She wanted him to enjoy every meal and feel cared for. Cooking for someone who truly appreciated her efforts brought her joy.

Once everything was set, she removed her apron and called out, "Dinner's ready." Haruki smiled and quickly made his way to the table. As he sat down, he noticed how she served him rice and laid out the meal with care, almost like a wife preparing food for her husband. He paused but brushed the thought aside. Kyouko always made him feel at ease—no need to overthink it.

Kyouko watched Haruki's reaction closely, her heart swelling with joy at his happiness. She sat beside him, her smile warm and genuine as they ate together.

"Haruki, here, try this one," Kyouko said, placing a beautifully arranged piece of grilled salmon on his plate.

"Oh... thank you, Kyouko-san!" Haruki smiled broadly, taking a bite. "Mmm... really delicious!" he exclaimed, his eyes lighting up with delight.

"I'm glad you like it, Haruki!" Kyouko replied, her cheeks flushing slightly from the compliment. "I tried a new marinade this time. I was worried it might be too strong, but I'm happy to hear you enjoyed it."

Haruki took another bite, savoring the flavors. "You really have a talent for cooking. I don't think I could ever get tired of your meals," he said, sincerity radiating from his voice.

"Maybe I should just start charging you for dinner," Kyouko teased, a playful glint in her eyes.

Haruki laughed. "I'd happily pay whatever you ask! But then, it wouldn't feel the same. It's more than just food; it's… well, it's all of this." He gestured around the dinner table, where the warm light flickered and the soft clinking of cutlery filled the room.

The atmosphere felt natural and easy, like they'd been doing this for years. For Kyouko, these moments were precious, bringing a rare sense of connection and contentment. Haruki's presence had brought life back into the quiet house, and she cherished it deeply.

Later that night, Haruki sat in his room, the clock showing past 1 a.m. His work was done, but an urge to use the restroom interrupted his focus. He headed downstairs, relieved himself, and was about to return to his room when he heard a car pull up. It was probably his father-in-law, finally coming home from work. Curious, Haruki opened the door and saw the older man stumble out of a taxi, clearly drunk.

He quickly helped him inside and guided him to the bedroom. Once there, he laid him down on the bed but noticed something off—Kyouko wasn't in the room. Wondering where she was, he checked the house and found her asleep on the sofa in the living room, likely waiting for her husband to come home. Concern stirred within him; it wasn't good for her to sleep in such an uncomfortable position.

Gently, he tried to wake her, but Kyouko was in a deep sleep, unresponsive to his nudging. Nervous yet determined to help, Haruki lifted her into his arms and carried her back to the bedroom. But seeing her husband sprawled on the bed, he hesitated. Something about letting her sleep next to him didn't feel right.

Without overthinking it, Haruki found a futon, laid it out carefully, and gently placed Kyouko down on it. He stood there for a moment, looking at her peaceful face, and almost unconsciously bent down to plant a soft kiss on her forehead. "Good night," he whispered before quietly leaving.

As he stepped out, Haruki froze in the hallway, his heart pounding. He didn't know why he'd kissed her forehead or why he felt the need to ensure she didn't sleep beside her drunken husband. He was only trying to be helpful—wasn't he? But now, standing alone in the dark, the weight of what he'd done settled over him.

It wasn't just the act itself but the feeling behind it—a surge of protectiveness, care, and something else he couldn't yet admit. Haruki felt conflicted. Why did he feel such a strong urge to protect Kyouko? He had no place in her life beyond their shared routines, but their time together today—the laughter, the closeness—was stirring something deep within him.

Shaking his head, he tried to dismiss the thoughts. Maybe he was just exhausted. Haruki slipped back to his room, but the image of Kyouko, peacefully sleeping after he carried her, stayed with him. He lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, wondering if the line between them was beginning to blur.

(End of Chapter)