The Stirring Heart ( 17 )

Chapter 17 

Kyouko lay quietly on her futon, her heart racing from surprise and shock. Not long ago, she had been sitting alone in the living room, waiting for her husband. She didn't enjoy this routine but had gotten used to it. When she heard Haruki coming downstairs, she put her phone away and pretended to sleep on the sofa to tease him and see how he would react.

Then, she heard a taxi arrive, signaling her husband's return. She almost opened her eyes but stopped when she saw Haruki helping her drunken husband inside. Choosing to stay in her act, she kept her eyes shut and breathed evenly as if she were deeply asleep. Haruki approached and gently tried to wake her, but she stayed still, curious about what he would do next.

To her surprise, Haruki didn't just leave her there. He lifted her into his arms. She felt nervous at this unexpected closeness but let him carry her back to her bedroom. She thought he would just set her down and go, but when he arranged the futon for her, she felt a rush of emotions—gratitude, confusion, and something deeper.

The moment that truly stunned her was when he bent down and kissed her forehead, whispering a soft "good night." Her heart leaped. As soon as he left the room, she opened her eyes, her mind spinning. What just happened? Haruki's gentle gesture was so unexpectedly intimate that it filled her with warmth and a strange excitement.

Kyouko lay staring at the ceiling, her heart still racing. She had only meant to tease him, but now everything felt different.

Thoughts she had never dared to think began swirling in her mind. What if Haruki had kissed her lips instead of her forehead? The tenderness of his kiss on her forehead had already shaken her—how would it feel to have his lips against hers?

Her heart raced at the thought. She couldn't remember the last time her husband had kissed her, not even a small, affectionate kiss. After Sayaka was born, the passion between them had faded completely. There had been no closeness, no intimacy. She had accepted that emptiness, telling herself it was just part of life.

But now, thinking of Haruki—this younger, attractive man who noticed her in ways her husband no longer did—filled her with a warmth she hadn't felt in years. What if, instead of that soft kiss on her forehead, he had leaned down and kissed her lips? Would it have been gentle and careful? Or would it have sparked something inside her that had long been asleep?

Kyouko closed her eyes, imagining it vividly. Her breath quickened, and a soft smile appeared on her lips. She wanted to know. Would Haruki ever be bold enough to cross that line, or was it just her fantasy? The thought lingered, tempting her with possibilities.

Kyouko continued to stare at the ceiling, her mind filled with conflicting thoughts. She knew she couldn't directly ask Haruki for what she wanted, nor could she flirt openly. It would be wrong, and she didn't want to disrupt anything between him and Sayaka.

She wanted to protect her daughter's happiness. After all, she saw how much Haruki loved Sayaka and didn't want to get in the way of that.

But deep down, Kyouko craved something for herself—a small part of Haruki's affection, just enough to fill the emptiness that had built up over the years. It wasn't about coming between him and Sayaka; she didn't need all of him, just a hidden piece of his care. Something just for her. She believed men like Haruki could share their love.

She told herself it wouldn't hurt anyone if it stayed a secret. Just a little, she thought. Just enough to make her feel alive again. She longed for that connection, that warmth, something she hadn't felt in years. To be seen, to be cherished, even if only in small, private moments.

As she closed her eyes, Kyouko decided to wait. She wouldn't push or chase anything. She would be patient, hoping that one day, Haruki might share a small part of his love with her—a secret love, just for her.

--

The next morning, even though Kyouko hadn't slept at all, she went about her routine as usual. She moved quietly through the house, trying not to disturb anyone, especially Sayaka, who had just come home from her night shift. Sayaka looked exhausted and went straight to bed without saying a word.

Kyouko washed her face, spending a moment longer in front of the mirror than usual. Her skin still looked fresh, and her body seemed youthful despite the sleepless night. She made herself a cup of coffee, enjoying its warmth as she mentally prepared for the day.

After finishing her coffee, she changed into her usual fitted exercise outfit, which flattered her figure. Even though her mind was still filled with thoughts about the night before—Haruki's unexpected kiss on her forehead and the warmth it brought—she pushed those thoughts aside to focus on her routine. This discipline helped her look vibrant, serving as her armor against life's uncertainties.

Taking a deep breath, Kyouko stepped outside to start her exercises, determined to keep her mind focused. She couldn't dwell on those late-night thoughts; she needed to show herself as the graceful, attractive woman she prided herself on being.

Meanwhile, Haruki woke up to find Sayaka, still in her nurse's uniform, peacefully asleep beside him. He leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead, then brushed his lips gently against hers. Sayaka remained asleep, her breathing steady, and Haruki smiled. Even though her exhausting work had kept her from meeting his needs lately, he didn't mind. Just being close to her was enough.

He quietly got out of bed, took a towel, and went downstairs. His boss had called the day before, asking for a meeting, and Haruki was eager to present the project he had completed ahead of schedule. His boss appreciated early submissions, and Haruki felt confident in the quality of his work.

On his way to the bathroom, he paused, knowing Kyouko would likely be outside, doing her morning routine. Curiosity pulled at him, and instead of heading straight for the shower, he peeked out, watching her through the curtains.

She was there, just as he expected—Kyouko in her fitted workout outfit, moving gracefully through her exercises. Haruki felt his heart skip a beat. She looked stunning, her body fit and toned, her movements fluid and captivating. He watched her a moment longer than he intended, feeling a mix of admiration and something deeper, something he wasn't ready to admit.

He quickly shook off the feeling, knowing he shouldn't be watching her like this. But there was something magnetic about her presence that drew him in. Swallowing hard, he pulled away and headed for the shower, though the image of Kyouko lingered in his mind as he prepared for the day.

Haruki couldn't deny the growing attraction he felt for Kyouko—an allure that seemed to deepen with each passing day.

He didn't feel rushed since most of his work was done from home, giving him a more flexible schedule. However, today he had an important meeting, so he needed to be at the office. While most of his colleagues worked in teams on their projects, Haruki had a reputation for handling tasks alone and often finishing ahead of schedule, which earned him respect in the company.

After his shower, Haruki stepped out with a towel wrapped around his waist and found Kyouko in the hallway, her face glowing from her morning workout. He couldn't help but notice how stunning she looked, even in such a casual setting.

"Good morning," he greeted her with a smile, feeling a bit self-conscious standing there in just a towel.

Kyouko smiled back warmly. "Good morning, Haruki. Breakfast will be ready soon," she replied, her eyes lingering on him a moment longer than usual, She was surprised by how well-built and muscular he looked, making him incredibly attractive. There was something deeper stirring inside her, a flutter of excitement that she hadn't felt in a long time, before she turned toward the kitchen.

Haruki nodded, watching her for a moment before heading to his room to get dressed. There was an ease in her presence that made him comfortable, even though he felt a subtle nervousness. As he dressed, his thoughts shifted between his upcoming meeting and the strange tension he felt around his mother-in-law.

Once in the kitchen, her thoughts raced. Haruki wasn't just handsome; he was tall and incredibly fit. Sayaka was lucky to have him. The idea of him being so strong and sexy filled her with a mix of admiration and something that felt a little dangerous.She couldn't help but wonder—how big was he? 

(End of Chapter)