"Dear?" Hanako spoke softly as she set down her tea cup beside her husband.
"Hmm?" Kitayama answered, not looking up from the newspaper in his lap.
He glanced over. "Notice what?"
"Kyouko..." Hanako murmured. "She looked... lonely. Sad. Especially when she first arrived."
Kitayama’s eyes lowered. He folded the newspaper slowly.
"I know," he said after a moment. "I noticed too."
Hanako’s voice was quiet. "I didn’t want to say anything in front of her, but... it feels like she’s hiding something. Not big. Just... something painful."
He nodded, staring out the window for a moment.
"But what can we do?" he said finally. "We can’t ask her directly what’s going on between her and Satoshi. That’s their business."
Hanako folded her hands on her lap. "Still..."
Kitayama exhaled slowly. "But looking at how Satoshi is always working, working, working... never visiting, never calling unless it’s about Satomi..."
"I’m sure she’s been alone for a long time."
Hanako’s eyes softened.
"She’s always so composed. So elegant. But when she thinks no one’s watching..."
"She looks like she’s trying not to cry."
Kitayama didn’t respond for a moment.
Then he leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes.
"...We raised a strong daughter," he said quietly. "But strength doesn’t mean she’s not hurting."
"Now bring me my phone," Hanako said suddenly, voice firmer than usual.
Kitayama glanced at her. "For what?"
"I’m going to scold Satoshi," she said flatly. "And tell him they need to come visit us."
Kitayama sighed and leaned back. "You think he’ll care?"
"I don’t care if he cares," Hanako snapped softly. "He’s still Kyouko’s husband. It’s about time he showed his face to this family."
Kitayama rubbed the bridge of his nose. "That man always has an excuse. Work, meetings, flights... but never time for his wife."
Hanako’s eyes were calm, but sharp. "That’s exactly why I’m calling. If he can’t take care of her, the least he can do is face her parents."
Kitayama gave a short breath, then stood up with a grunt. "Alright, alright. I’ll get your phone."
Hanako stood still, her arms crossed, waiting.
"She tries so hard to act normal," she said quietly. "But I see it. That sadness in her eyes. Especially when she thinks we’re not looking."
Kitayama returned with the phone and handed it over.
"She’s always been good at hiding her feelings," he muttered.
"Too good," Hanako replied. She tapped on the screen, searching for Satoshi’s number. "Let’s see how he hides from me."
Satoshi glanced at his phone screen, frowning. Satomi sat beside him, sipping her iced drink, her other hand resting on his thigh. His arm was casually draped around her waist, fingers idly stroking the fabric of her blouse.
"Hm? Whose number is this?" Satoshi muttered, narrowing his eyes.
"Maybe a client?" Satomi offered, tilting her head as she slid the straw between her lips.
He shrugged, then pressed the answer button.
He nearly dropped the phone.
"Ah... m-mother-in-law...?" he stammered.
"Don’t ’mother-in-law’ me!" Hanako snapped through the speaker. "What are you doing right now?"
"Uhh... working," Satoshi lied instantly, shifting in his seat. "Just out for coffee with a, uh, client."
"Good! Then put it on loudspeaker!"
"NOW. I know Satomi’s right there."
Satomi raised an eyebrow as Satoshi sighed and tapped the screen.
"Grandma..." Satomi said cautiously.
"You!" Hanako’s voice sharpened. "Why didn’t you tell me Haruki was here in Okinawa?"
Satomi blinked. "Wait, what? He’s—"
"Don’t act surprised! You’re his wife, aren’t you? How come your grandmother knows before you do?"
"I—I didn’t know either, Grandma—"
"Don’t give me that! What kind of couple are you?!"
Satomi lowered her eyes, silent.
Hanako wasn’t finished.
"Why haven’t you and Satoshi come to visit even once? Just two or three days! You both work nonstop, and I haven’t seen your faces in months! Your mother came all the way here by herself, and you two can’t even spare a weekend!?"
Satoshi opened his mouth, but Hanako cut him off again.
"I don’t want excuses! You’re coming here, both of you. Take two days off. Or three. Whatever it takes. Just get on a plane and come home!"
"Mother in law, we really are very busy right now—" Satoshi tried.
"I don’t care!" she barked. "Busy, shmizzy. You think I can’t handle busy? I’ll buy first-class tickets myself! I’ll send Kenji. I’ll send all your uncles. We’ll drag you both back if we have to!"
"Don’t test me, Satoshi. You forget who you married into. Our family’s not short on money. We’re just short on patience. And we miss our daughter."
Satomi bit her lip quietly.
Hanako exhaled, then spoke more calmly.
Hanako exhaled, then spoke more calmly—but her voice carried weight now. Sharp. Unforgiving.
"Don’t forget, Satoshi..."
Satoshi sat upright, suddenly tense.
"Your company rose because of your father-in-law. His connections. His name. You remember how it started, don’t you? Right after you married Kyouko."
Satoshi didn’t answer.
"He gave you your first project. He introduced you to the contractors. The investors. When you were still scraping the bottom, he lifted you."
The air between the two at the table turned heavy.
"And now that you’ve made it... now that you own a mid-tier company and wear nice suits—you forget?"
Satoshi cleared his throat, voice thin. "Umm... no, mother-in-law..."
Hanako’s voice stayed cold. Precise.
"You’ve become a president. Good for you. Then act like one. You can afford to take three days off for your family. No excuses."
Hanako’s voice sharpened again, leaving no space for argument.
"I want to see you both here tomorrow. No excuse."
Satoshi sat stiffly, the phone still in his hand.
"Book the last flight ticket if you have to," she added coldly. "I don’t care if it’s midnight. You’re coming home."
And with that, the line cut.
Silence settled over the table.
Satomi exhaled, picking up her drink again with slightly trembling fingers.
Satoshi sat back, staring at the wall for a long second.
"...I guess we’re going to Okinawa."
"Yeah," Satomi muttered. "She’s scary when she’s serious."
"But Papa~" Satomi purred, leaning against him again, her voice honey-sweet.
"We can still have fun there for three days, right?"
Satoshi blinked... then smirked a little.
"Yeah. I’ll book us first-class tickets."
Satomi grinned, already unlocking her phone.
"Look at this," she said, showing him the screen—an expensive luxury handbag flashing under the soft café light.
Satoshi glanced at the price without blinking.
"Sure. Anything for you."
Satomi leaned in and kissed his cheek sweetly, her lips barely brushing his skin.
"Thank you, Papa~ You’re the best."