Chapter 50: Bleeding Hearts

Tsukiko kept her promise to Haruki for their weekend date, though her heart felt heavier than ever. The day started with Haruki pulling up in front of her house. He stepped out of the car, leaning casually against the door as he waited for her. Tsukiko emerged in her usual formal attire, her face pale and tired.

Haruki's sharp eyes caught the subtle signs of her exhaustion. "Tsukiko? Are you feeling unwell? We can postpone if you need to rest," he said, his voice laced with concern.

Tsukiko avoided his gaze, forcing a small smile. "I'm fine. Let's just go."

As they got into the car, Tsukiko asked softly, "Where are we going?"

Haruki hesitated, glancing at her. "You don't look well. I'll take you back inside and get some medicine." He reached for the door, ready to leave, but Tsukiko grabbed his sleeve.

"No," she insisted, her voice firm yet fragile. "Let's… just proceed."

Reluctantly, Haruki agreed. 

The silence between them only broken by the hum of the engine.

When they arrived, Tsukiko looked out the window, her expression distant. 

"The beach?" She asked.

Haruki nodded as he unbuckled her seatbelt. "Thought you might need a change of scenery. Let's go."

They walked along the shoreline, the salty breeze brushing against their faces. Haruki glanced at Tsukiko, trying to read her emotions. "It's good weather, isn't it?" he said, attempting to lighten the mood.

Tsukiko didn't respond.

Haruki frowned. "Are you still feeling unwell?"

Without answering, Tsukiko abruptly said, "Let's eat something," and walked past him toward a nearby beachfront restaurant.

Haruki followed, his heart sinking. 

He watched her retreating figure, sensing the emotional distance between them. Something was wrong—terribly wrong.

At the restaurant, as the meal arrived, Haruki noticed Tsukiko struggling to cut her food and leaned over to help. She gently stopped him. "It's okay, I can—"

Haruki cut her off, his voice unusually firm. "Are you regretting it?"

Tsukiko froze, her fork hovering midair.

Haruki met her eyes, his voice quieter now but no less intense. "Tsukiko… just tell me. Did something happen?"

After a long, tense pause, Tsukiko finally set down her fork, her hands trembling slightly. "Haruki…" Her voice wavered as she spoke, raw and fragile. "... do you love your sister?"

Haruki blinked, caught off guard by the unexpected question. "My sister? Why are you asking about—"

"Answer me," Tsukiko interrupted, her gaze unwavering, demanding honesty.

Haruki hesitated, unsure where this was going. "Sure… I love her. She's my sister after all. Why are you asking?" His brows furrowed. "Do you perhaps… know Sha?"

Tsukiko's lips curled into a bitter, painful smile. "What would you do if I said I hated your sister?"

Haruki reached out and gently took her hand, his voice soft but steady. "Tsukiko, explain so that I can understand. Please."

Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, her voice barely a whisper. "Sha… you said... Haha." She let out a bitter laugh, the sound hollow and full of sorrow. "That's her name huh."

"Well, I'm more familiar with her husband." Her words hit Haruki like a cold wave. 

"Remember when I told you about the moment I saw my husband—the man I trusted with everything—wrapped up with another woman? On my way to work… in my own bedroom…?" Tsukiko's voice wavered slightly before she met his eyes.

"Why… why did it have to be your sister?"

Haruki's worried expression faltered, his hand slowly withdrawing as the realization sank in.

"How are they doing?" Tsukiko's voice trembled as she continued, her eyes locked on him. "You seemed close when I saw you last night."

Haruki could hardly process the shock, his mind racing. "Tsukiko, what are you talking about?"

She shook her head, her voice breaking with a painful edge. "Just when I think I should give myself a second chance, why must you be her brother? The one who—" She stopped, unable to finish.

Tears welled up in Tsukiko's eyes as she looked away, taking a shaky breath. "Why… why must it be you…"

"Tsu—Tsukiko, I—" Haruki's voice faltered as he tried to find the right words to calm her down.

But Tsukiko cut him off. "Did you know?"

His eyes were wide with confusion, his heart sinking with each word. "I… I didn't know, Tsukiko." His voice was barely a whisper, filled with guilt and regret.

"I can't do this, Haruki," Tsukiko whispered, her voice cracking. "I don't think we should continue this."

"Tsukiko, wait—" Haruki reached out, his hand trembling, but she pulled away.

"Looking at you… " She looked at him, struggling to hold back her tears. "hurts me."

Haruki stood frozen by her words.

Her voice breaking as she stood abruptly, her chair scraping loudly against the floor. 

He scrambled to follow her, but the waiter blocked his path, demanding payment for the bill. By the time he made it outside, 

she was gone.

Panic surged in him. He searched the beach, calling her name, 

"Tsukiko!"

His voice growing hoarse as the sound of the waves and bustling crowds drowned him out.

Out of breath and overwhelmed by the sense of losing her, Haruki sank to his knees on the sand, his eyes filled with unshed tears. Fear gripped his heart like a vice, the weight of her absence pulling him down into the cold, empty silence.

Tears streamed down his face as he bowed his head, his heart shattered. The fear of losing her… it consumed him. And in that moment, 

he felt like he was drowning.

Tsukiko, now in a taxi heading home, sobbed uncontrollably. Her chest felt like it might collapse under the weight of her emotions.

Meanwhile, Haruki returned to the city, his anguish turning to frustration. He dialed Tsukiko's number repeatedly, but she didn't answer. His frustration reached its peak, and in a moment of desperation, he called his sister.

"Sha—" he started sharply, but she cut him off as she picked up the call.

"Brother!" Sha's voice was panicked and shaky, her words broken by hiccupping sobs. "Kai… Kai… hicc…"

Haruki's grip on the phone tightened. "What about Kai?"

"He's divorcing me!" Sha wailed, her sobs growing louder.

"WHAT?!" Haruki exclaimed, stunned. "What about your child?"

"She's with Mom and Dad in the countryside," Sha replied, her voice trembling. "Brother, you're coming, right? Please come—"

"Take care of your own mess." Haruki said coldly before ending the call. His mind was a whirlwind of emotions.

"What the hell is he even thinking?" Haruki muttered to himself, pacing his apartment, torn between anger and despair.