Kyouko dried her hands with a towel, then picked up her phone.
She called her husband first.
No answer.
She sighed quietly, then tried calling Satomi.
Again, no answer.
She lowered the phone, staring at the screen for a moment before locking it with a soft tap.
They asked me to prepare dinner… but they're both late.
Her gaze shifted toward the living room.
Haruki was sitting there quietly, flipping through TV channels with an unsure expression.
Kyouko didn't say anything.
Instead, she opened a short video app and started scrolling through clips — light exercises, household tips, funny skits.
Something to distract her... even just a little.
She kept scrolling through short videos without noticing how much time had passed.
Her legs felt numb, and her butt ached from sitting too long.
"Hmm?" she muttered, shifting her position.
She glanced at the time on her phone.
12:05 a.m.
"What...?" Her eyes widened. "It's already that late?"
She stood up, stretching her legs, then looked toward the living room.
The TV was off.
The room was dim, lit only by the soft glow of a wall lamp.
And there — Haruki was fast asleep on the couch, his posture slightly slouched, breathing steady and quiet.
Kyouko blinked in surprise.
He must've waited until he couldn't stay awake anymore.
Quietly, she went upstairs, careful not to make noise.
From the linen closet, she took a spare blanket and a pillow.
Coming back down, she tiptoed over to the couch.
"Haruki…" she whispered.
No response.
"Haruki..." she tried again, a little closer.
Still nothing.
He's really out cold...
She crouched beside him and gently laid the blanket over his body. Then, with careful hands, she lifted his head just enough to slide the pillow under him.
Once done, she stood still for a second, just watching his peaceful expression.
Kyouko blinked.
She hadn't paid much attention before, but now, seeing him this close…
Handsome...
His face in sleep looked calm. Gentle. The usual stiffness he had in front of others was gone, replaced by a quiet vulnerability that made him seem almost… soft.
Her gaze slowly moved lower.
One of his arms was across his stomach, the sleeve of his shirt pushed up slightly. She noticed the faint curves of muscle — not too bulky, but toned. Just right.
Does he always look like this? she wondered.
She stayed there a little longer than she should have, gently adjusting the blanket over him again.
Then, without saying anything, she turned and went back to the kitchen.
Kyouko looked at all the dishes she had prepared earlier.
Softly, she started packing everything away into the refrigerator one by one.
She sighed.
She had been looking forward to everyone eating together… but now, it was just the usual silence.
Still, when Haruki asked for seconds earlier — it made her genuinely happy.
Happy that someone appreciated her cooking, and enjoyed the food she made.
Her eyes then fell on the single white rose — the one Haruki had brought.
Kyouko reached out and gently touched its petals. Her eyes softened, and a small smile appeared behind her face mask.
Maybe… maybe it's okay to be a little more open, she thought. Just a little. No need to stay so closed off all the time.
A faint sound caught her ear — the familiar hum of a car approaching outside.
Kyouko grabbed the remote for the gate and slowly walked to the front door.
She pressed the button, watching as the automatic gate slid open.
She waited calmly, her hands folded gently in front of her.
The car pulled into the driveway and parked.
From the driver's side, Satoshi stepped out, looking tired.
Satomi got out from the passenger side, looking just as serious.
"Dear~" Kyouko greeted them with a soft smile.
Satoshi looked at her, his brows slightly furrowed.
"What's with the facemask again?" he muttered, handing her his bag.
Satomi, despite her exhaustion, managed a smile and walked over to hug her mom.
"Mom~ I'm home~"
"Welcome back," Kyouko said warmly, accepting both of them with grace.
They stepped inside together.
Satomi looked around and blinked.
"Mom, where's Haruki?"
"Hm? He's on the couch," Kyouko replied casually.
"Ehhh!?" Satomi's voice rose. "Why didn't you tell him to sleep in my room?"
Kyouko paused… then quietly shook her head, saying nothing.
Satoshi groaned as he sat down.
Satomi pouted in frustration.
"What's with the shy act again, Mom? Come on, he's your son-in-law, not some stranger."
"That's true, Kyouko," Satoshi added, giving her a look.
Kyouko stayed quiet, only adjusting her face mask slightly and glancing toward Haruki — still asleep on the couch.
"Anyway, Mom!" Satomi said, dropping her bag by the door. "Why didn't you tell me Dad's company was doing so well? Even my workplace ended up getting bought by him!"
Kyouko blinked. "Eh?"
"I was shocked when I saw my manager walking behind Dad like some VIP escort," Satomi said dramatically, waving her hands. "I was like—what!?"
Satoshi, already sitting at the dining table, chuckled. "That's why I said I'd come pick you up."
"And you know what, Mom? Everyone at work was stunned when they found out I'm the new owner's daughter! Their jaws dropped." Satomi grinned, clearly enjoying the memory.
Kyouko smiled softly, the kind of smile that said she wasn't surprised—but didn't need to boast, either.
Then she asked gently, "Do you two need food?"
"Ah, no." Satomi shook her head. "We already ate at the surprise party."
"Oh…" Kyouko replied, her tone calm and peaceful.
But inside, she looked toward the kitchen — toward the dinner she had carefully prepared earlier.
Then… why did I bother making all that?
"Mom?"
"Hmm?"
"Haruki already ate?"
"Yes." Kyouko nodded. "He already ate."
"Anyway, Satomi," Satoshi said as he sipped his tea. "Starting tomorrow, you'll be working under me again."
"Ehh!? Papa, that's so sneaky!" Satomi puffed her cheeks in pretend protest. "You totally set me up!"
Kyouko quietly smiled as she placed their cups of green tea on the table, then sat beside them while they kept talking.
"Tomorrow, you'll be attending a meeting at the main office with me," Satoshi added, his tone serious. "We've got a lot to do, and I don't want you waking up late. We leave together."
"Yes, Papa~ I won't be late, I promise."
"You both need a bath?" Kyouko asked softly.
"No," Satoshi answered, standing up with a yawn. "I'm going straight to bed. I'm exhausted."
"Same here," Satomi said, stretching before heading upstairs. She was already deep in a work talk with her father as they walked, not even noticing Haruki asleep on the living room couch.
"Satomi…" Kyouko tried to call after her, but she didn't hear — too focused on her dad's words.
Kyouko watched them go upstairs and sighed softly.
( End Of Chapter )