Kyouko stood at the front door, her posture graceful as ever, hands gently folded in front of her.
Outside, the cab door closed with a soft thunk.
Satoshi and Satomi were already inside.
Neither of them looked back.
She simply watched the cab pull away.
I wouldn’t have seen you off, Satoshi...
If it weren’t for my parents being here.
Her expression composed.
But inside, there was no sadness.
Only a quiet sense of finality.
Over twenty years of being a faithful wife... and you didn’t even glance at me before leaving.
That cab didn’t just carry her husband and daughter back to Tokyo.
It carried away the last thread of her loyalty to a marriage that no longer existed in anything but name.
Kyouko watched the cab disappear down the street, her expression serene—outwardly the image of a dutiful wife seeing off family.
Inside, her heartbeat whispered faster.
I couldn’t wait to arrive at Haruki’s house today.
That quiet, sunlit seaside home.
The gentle rhythm of the waves beyond the windows.
The warmth of his presence.
The feeling of being wanted.
She would pretend at first, act a little awkward, a little unsure.
But they both knew what would happen once she crossed that threshold.
Once the door closed behind them.
Once they were alone.
Knew that look in his eyes when she undressed.
Knew how tightly he held her when their bodies met.
She smiled to herself, small and secret.
One thing was certain.
Tonight, he would take her again.
He wouldn’t stop until she collapsed in his arms, trembling and breathless.
Why should I resist, anyway?
He looks at me like I’m everything he ever wanted.
He doesn’t just touch me—he ravishes me.
He fucks me hard, yes.
But it’s more than that.
He worships my body like it’s a treasure he can’t believe he gets to hold every night.
He doesn’t even want other men to see me, not even in something as innocent as a fitted exercise outfit.
And for once in my life...
Being everything for someone.
Not because I tried to be.
But because I simply am.
He’s not after my wealth.
He doesn’t even know about my father’s influence.
That alone told her everything.
Haruki wanted only one thing.
And unlike my husband.
That cold, distant man who buried himself in spreadsheets and boardrooms.
Haruki didn’t care about power or status.
Satoshi only ever thought about one thing:
He had long stopped looking at her like a woman.
Had long stopped seeing her at all.
And if he had an affair outside?
If he was already warming someone else’s bed?
Kyouko exhaled quietly.
Because what she had now.
Was something he never gave her.
And the freedom to feel alive.
"You look... a little sad. Is it because they left you here?" Hanako asked gently.
Kyouko hesitated for a moment, then gave a soft smile. "Ah... I don’t know, Mother."
Hanako didn’t press further. Instead, she reached into her apron pocket and held something out.
"By the way... your father said to give you this." She placed the car key in Kyouko’s palm.
"Eh—no!" Kyouko hissed softly, pulling her hand back.
Hanako blinked. "Why?"
"I don’t want that car."
"Why not?" Hanako asked, lowering her voice in confusion.
Kyouko leaned in slightly and whispered back. "It’s just... Satoshi doesn’t know about Father, you know... and if Haruki-kun sees me using that car—what if he tells Satomi? And Satomi tells Satoshi?"
"Ah... right..." Hanako nodded, now understanding the silent web that Kyouko always navigated alone.
"Just give me your car key instead," Kyouko said, calm but firm.
Hanako raised an eyebrow. "Why do you want to drive my car?"
Kyouko smiled faintly. "Because it’s simple."
"Haaa..." Hanako sighed, shaking her head slightly. "I don’t know why all my sons and daughters don’t want it."
Kyouko tilted her head slightly. "Want what?"
"Your father’s car collection. The one gathering dust in the city garage. Who’s going to use them, huh?"
Kyouko let out a soft breath.
"How would I know..."
Hanako gave a light chuckle, but then remembered something else.
"Ah, by the way. Your father asked me to get your bank account number."
Kyouko’s expression changed instantly. Her shoulders stiffened just a little as she leaned in and hissed quietly, "No."
Hanako blinked. "What? Why?"
"Father always taught us to manage our own money," Kyouko said, her voice low but steady. "I know why he’s asking for my account number."
Hanako narrowed her eyes with a knowing smile. "You think he wants to deposit something?"
"I know he does," Kyouko muttered, looking away. "And I don’t need it."
Hanako smiled warmly.
"That’s just like you."
Kyouko didn’t answer.
She had her own savings.
She didn’t need her father’s money.
"By the way," Hanako added softly, adjusting the towel on her shoulder, "don’t forget to call, okay?"
"Mm... I will," Kyouko said, her voice warm. She stepped forward and gently hugged her mother.
From behind them, Kitayama appeared at the entrance.
Kyouko turned and hugged him too.
"Don’t forget to visit us sometimes," he said, his tone gruff but affectionate.
"I will, Father," she smiled.
Kitayama looked past her, narrowing his eyes slightly. "Now go. Look like that boy’s been waiting awkwardly for a while already."
Kyouko laughed softly. "Okay..."
She stepped outside, the sun soft against her skin as she walked toward the parked car.
Kyouko turned back and gave a gentle wave to her parents.
Kitayama gave a silent nod.
Haruki bowed politely toward them before opening the passenger door and slipping inside.
Kyouko entered the driver’s side, calm, graceful.
And as the engine started.
She knew this wasn’t just a ride to Haruki’s house.
It was the beginning...