Kyouko stepped inside
The bell above the door chiming softly. Dressed in tight black leggings and a soft, sleeveless beige top, her figure turned more than a few heads, but she paid them no mind.
She moved quietly through the aisles, her eyes scanning for fresh meat and a few vegetables. A soft dinner... something simple, something warm—for Haruki. The thought alone brought a gentle flutter to her chest.
She paused in front of the neatly wrapped cuts of beef, reaching for one with delicate fingers.
She turned, her expression calm but curious. "Hmm?"
A tall man stood a few steps away small grocery store, slim, with short graying hair.
"It’s me," he said, voice lifting slightly. "Kanzaki, Your senpai from high school."
Masaru’s grin widened. "Wow. Kyouko. You look beautiful. Still the same as back then. Maybe even more radiant now."
Kyouko offered a small, polite smile. "I see. Thank you."
He chuckled, stepping closer. "Kyouko-chan?"
She turned slightly toward him, head tilted.
"Why so cold?" he asked, eyes searching her face. "I was honestly happy to see you again..."
Kyouko’s voice remained soft, but distant. "I’m sorry. But I’m a little busy right now."
She gave a graceful bow, barely tilting forward, and turned her back to him without another word, her shopping basket swinging gently from one arm.
Masaru watched her go, his smile faltering.
Kyouko didn’t look back.
Kyouko sighed softly inside her mind as she turned away. Whatever.
She returned to her shopping, selecting a few more ingredients with swift, silent movements. Her fingers brushed along a bottle of soy sauce, then paused at the spice rack.
Something warm. Comforting. She wanted to cook something Haruki would love.
At the register, she placed the grocery items on the counter.
The cashier scanned them as Kyouko reached into her handbag.
The dark-blue debit card Haruki had given her.
A small, gentle smile touched her lips.
She hadn’t checked the balance. She didn’t want to. What moved her wasn’t the money. It was the PIN.
She remembered the way she had teased him back then—eyes narrowing in mock warning.
"Don’t blame me if I spend it on something expensive later~"
Kyouko held the card for a moment longer, staring at its smooth, matte surface.
Then slowly, she slid it back into her wallet.
No... I’m not going to use it.
Instead, she took out her own debit card, the one linked to the quiet savings she had managed herself for over twenty years.
Money that came from stretching grocery budgets. From skipping new clothes. From quietly putting a little aside. Month after month.
Satoshi never gave her more than what was necessary. Just enough for bills, for groceries, for appearances.
Even after he became the president of a mid-sized company, he spent freely on Satomi. On travel. Gifts. Private lessons. Designer handbags.
The register beeped softly as she tapped her card onto the reader.
"Thank you," Kyouko said gently, bowing her head.
The plastic bag of groceries swayed lightly in her hand as she turned and walked out of the store.
Outside, the sun caught the light sheen of sweat on her neck. Her sleeveless top clung to her softly curved body, and her black leggings hugged her thighs with every step. She moved quietly, gracefully.
Kyouko slipped into her mother’s car and placed the groceries on the passenger seat.
She glanced down at her hands on the steering wheel, then looked at her reflection in the rearview mirror.
The tires rolled gently over the narrow gravel road as Kyouko guided her car toward the seaside house. The sound of cicadas buzzed faintly through the windows, blending with the rhythm of ocean waves in the distance.
As she turned the corner, her eyes landed on a familiar sight.
Haruki’s scooter. Parked neatly to the side.
She slowed the car and pulled into the drive.The car hadn’t even come to a complete stop when the front door opened.
Haruki stood. His hair still slightly damp, probably from a late morning shower. A loose, dark gray T-shirt clung gently to his chest, and his hand lifted in a casual wave, his smile lighting up the doorway.
Kyouko’s lips curved faintly.
Inside her mind, the thought came quietly.
She turned off the engine and took a slow breath.
No matter how many times she saw him . Open, happy, completely unguarded—her heart never failed to stir.
Kyouko opened the door, stepped out gracefully, and lifted the grocery bag from the passenger seat.
Haruki was already walking toward her.
"You came," he said, voice soft.
Kyouko gave a slight nod, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
Haruki reached for the grocery bag.
He glanced at her outfit, tight black leggings, sleeveless beige top and blinked once.
"You were jogging?" he asked, only half-teasing.
Kyouko looked straight at him.
"I lied," she said plainly.
Haruki laughed under his breath.
He stepped aside, holding the door open for her like always.
Kyouko walked past him, her figure gliding into the shade of the house.
Haruki placed the grocery bag gently on the kitchen counter, letting out a small sigh as he turned, only to find the door already closed.
Kyouko stood just a few steps away, her back leaning softly against the wall, arms behind her, one leg crossed slightly in front of the other. The faintest smile played at her lips.
His feet moved on instinct. Slow, sure. And when he reached her, he leaned in without hesitation, capturing her lips in a kiss that was deep.
Kyouko let out a soft, muffled gasp as her hands came up to his shoulders, gripping lightly. Her lips parted, answering his kiss, letting it linger as long as he wanted.
Then his hands slid lower and he lifted her clean off the ground.
"Haruki!" she giggled breathlessly between kisses, her voice soft and flustered. "Don’t rush!"
"No way," Haruki murmured against her lips. "I’m going to continue from last night. You promised, remember?"
Her arms looped around his neck, her body light in his hold, her cheeks flushed with warmth.
"Haruki~" she whispered again, half protest, half surrender.
But she didn’t stop him.
As he carried her through the short hallway toward the bedroom, her legs gently wrapped around his waist, holding herself close. The soft scent of her skin filled his senses, sweet with the faint trace of rosewater and sunlight.
He nudged the door open with his foot.
And today... so was she.