The cheerful chime cut through the haze of chatter and laughter. But the ladies hardly noticed, still buzzing with gossip and stories as they helped themselves to another round of tea and snacks.
Kyouko stood up with practiced grace, brushing her skirt lightly as she walked toward the front door.
"Excuse me for a moment," she said softly.
She stepped to the small intercom screen and pressed the button.
A slightly muffled voice came through. "Is my mother there? Mrs. Minami?"
Kyouko blinked, glancing back at the couch where Minami was currently laughing about something involving a friend's grandson getting caught with a girl in the park.
Kyouko hesitated, then replied, "Okay, I'll buzz you in."
She pressed the gate button, and the gate unlocked.
Turning back to the room, she said, "Minami-san, your son is here."
"Oh?" Minami blinked, then stood, smoothing her blouse with an elegant flick of her hand. "I told him I'd only be out for an hour."
The other women laughed.
Kyouko offered a small smile, but her thoughts were already whirling.
I really need this day to end...
The front door opened with a soft click.
"Ah, hello," the young man said casually as he stepped inside.
"Hello," Kyouko replied politely, bowing slightly.
"I'm Hiroshi," he added, extending a hand toward her with a friendly smile.
Kyouko hesitated, then gave another small bow instead of taking his hand.
I don't really like shaking hands... especially with men I don't know well...
"Mrs. Minami is inside," she said softly, stepping aside.
He walked past her without a second glance, heading into the living room.
Mrs. Minami turned from her tea, raising an eyebrow. "Hiroshi? What are you doing here?"
"Dad's been calling your phone like ten times. You left it at home."
"Ah—really?" Minami pulled open her purse and blinked. "Oh no... I did forget it..."
She gave an awkward laugh, standing up and brushing off her skirt. "Well then, I suppose I'd better head home."
The women around her laughed, and one of them stood as well. "We should go too. It's already so late."
"Thank you for the lovely afternoon, Kyouko-chan~" one said, grabbing her purse.
"Yes, thank you for all the snacks and tea. You're such a wonderful host~"
"We should do this again soon~"
Kyouko bowed slightly, hands folded politely in front of her. "It's no problem at all. Thank you for coming."
One by one, they gathered their bags and slipped into their shoes, still chatting and teasing as they made their way toward the gate. Hiroshi followed behind with a lazy wave.
Kyouko stood in the entryway, hands still folded, eyes blinking slowly.
As they stepped outside the gate, Hiroshi kept glancing back at the house—specifically at the door, where Kyouko had bowed them off with her usual quiet grace.
"Mom... who was that hot girl?" he asked, stuffing his hands into his pockets.
Mrs. Minami blinked. "Huh? What are you talking about?"
"The one who opened the door. Green dress. Young, sexy, elegant—totally my type."
Minami rolled her eyes and smacked his arm lightly. "You idiot—that's Kyouko-chan. My friend."
"Wait, what?" Hiroshi frowned. "No way—she looks way too young."
"She's around my age... well, younger than me, actually," she muttered with a slightly bitter tone.
Hiroshi stayed quiet, but inside, his thoughts twisted.
Man... she's hot. That figure, that skin... the way she moves. Damn.
His eyes narrowed slightly as they walked.
If I can seduce her... get her alone. I wonder how she'd react. Would she resist? Get flustered? Ugh—I'd love to see her face if I fucked her hard enough she couldn't even stand afterward.
He smirked slightly to himself.
This might be interesting.
Once the last guest stepped through the gate, Kyouko didn't wait another moment.
She rushed to the wall panel and pressed the button, watching the metal gate slide shut. Then she turned, marched to the front door, and locked it firmly—twice.
Leaning her back against the door, she let out a long, weary sigh.
"Gossip ladies are really... something else..." she muttered under her breath, rubbing her temples.
"Having a 'hard' day?"
Haruki was descending the stairs slowly, barefoot, with a towel still slung around his neck and his hair slightly damp from a quick rinse. His smile was pure and playful—completely relaxed.
"Ugh!! There's another one!" Kyouko exclaimed, pointing at him dramatically. "How dare you come downstairs without a shirt earlier!"
Haruki blinked, genuinely confused. "Huh? I didn't do anything wrong..."
"Not wrong!?" She marched toward him, arms crossed.
"I just came down for a bit... because I'm hungry."
"They were staring at your body!!"
Haruki scratched his head awkwardly. "Err... I didn't mean to—it was just... hot, that's all."
Kyouko narrowed her eyes.
Haruki gave a sheepish chuckle, shrugging slightly. "Yeah. Hot."
Kyouko stared at him for a moment, then sighed and turned away, grumbling under her breath. "Men really don't get it..."
Haruki watched her walk off, still smiling. "You're cute when you're mad."
Haruki laughed softly to himself and followed her into the kitchen.
She turned halfway, still walking toward the kitchen, her tone clipped. "What!?"
Haruki leaned casually against the wall, arms crossed, with a soft smile on his lips. "I'm hungry."
Kyouko narrowed her eyes. "Food?"
She let out a slow sigh, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear. "Wait. I'll cook something for us."
"Thank you~" he said with that same innocent, boyish grin.
She took two steps, then—
She froze again. "...What now?"
Haruki tilted his head. "Kiss?"
Kyouko exhaled—long, deep, and tired—as if she'd just been asked the most exhausting question in the world.
Then, slowly, she turned around, walked right up to him, and stood on her toes.
She planted a soft, deliberate kiss on his lips—gentle, but lingering just long enough to make her point.
Pulling back, she said deadpan, "Now shut up and wait."
Haruki smiled. "I like it when you're bossy."
Kyouko rolled her eyes and finally disappeared into the kitchen.