The room had fallen quiet, the warmth of their bodies still lingering in the air.
Kyouko lay on the futon, her chest rising and falling slowly, her body warm and relaxed, still lightly buzzing from everything they'd just shared.
Beside her, Haruki slept, his arm loosely draped around her waist, his breath slow and steady.
For a moment, she simply watched him.
Her phone buzzed again against the floor beside her futon.
She reached out to check the screen.
Her eyes widened slightly.
"Haruki." She nudged him gently. "Wake up. Go... over there."
He groaned softly, blinking. "Hmm...? Oh..."
He looked at the phone in her hand, saw the name, and quickly sat up.
Still drowsy, he gave her a small, sheepish smile, leaned over to kiss her forehead, then quietly stood, stretching with a soft yawn before slipping on his shirt.
With light steps, he left the guest room, closing the door quietly behind him just as the screen lit up again.
Kyouko sat up on the futon, still flushed and warm from everything.
But she quickly brushed her fingers through her hair, intentionally leaving it slightly messy, just enough to make it look like she had been sleeping.
Taking a small breath, she tapped to accept the video call.
Satomi's face appeared on the screen, tired but smiling.
"What's with the call at midnight?" Kyouko asked softly.
"Ah, nothing, Mother." Satomi leaned on something out of frame. "I tried calling Haruki, but maybe he's already asleep?"
Kyouko kept her expression neutral. "Hmm? Why?"
"Me and Father just arrived at the airport." Satomi smiled. "And... we didn't bring the house key. So I'm calling to let you know we're on our way home."
Kyouko's eyes widened slightly, though her voice remained calm. "Okay. I'll wait for you."
Kyouko's composed demeanor immediately dropped into panic.
"Haruki!" she hissed.
"Hmm?" His voice came lazily from outside the room.
"Go upstairs! Shower and sleep. Fast!"
"Satomi and my husband are on their way from the airport. They'll be home soon."
Then Haruki stepped into the doorway, his shirt half-on, scratching his belly casually.
He yawned. "Why the rush? They'll take like, thirty or forty minutes to get here."
Kyouko stood up quickly, lightly smacking him on the arm. "Go! Now! What if they get here faster? What if Satomi calls again and hears you're still downstairs?"
Haruki smiled, clearly enjoying her panic more than he should. "You're cute when you go into full emergency mode."
"Okay, okay~" he chuckled, finally turning to head upstairs, dragging his feet like a lazy cat.
Kyouko sighed as she rushed to clean up the futon and fix the room back to its untouched, innocent state.
As soon as Haruki disappeared upstairs, Kyouko didn't waste a second.
She rushed to her room, opened her closet, and grabbed a clean towel, pressing it to her chest as she spun around and headed straight into the bathroom.
The door closed softly behind her.
She quickly peeled off her clothes, which were now clinging faintly to her skin, and stepped under the warm water, quick but thorough. She made sure to wash everything
Her neck, her chest, between her legs, erasing every trace of what had just happened.
Her cheeks flushed slightly as she recalled how Haruki had held her, kissed her, and how full she had felt.
But now wasn't the time to dwell on that.
Once finished, she patted herself dry, slipped into fresh, modest pajamas, tied her hair back loosely, and stepped out of the bathroom with a deep, calming breath.
Downstairs, the house was quiet once more.
She padded softly into the kitchen and began preparing coffee, moving with quiet grace, her hands steady.
The scent of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, wrapping the room in a warm, late-night calm.
They'll be here soon.
And everything needs to look normal.
And then a car sound outside.
Kyouko took one final sip of her coffee, set the cup down, and walked to the front hall.
"Coming!" she called softly, brushing down her pajama top.
She pressed the intercom button and glanced at the small screen.
Satomi and Satoshi stood outside the gate, both looking tired. Satoshi carrying a travel bag, and Satomi leaning slightly against his shoulder.
A soft mechanical hum followed as the gate unlocked and slid open.
Kyouko stood at the door, turning the knob just as they approached the entrance, their steps heavy with travel fatigue.
She pulled the door open with a warm smile.
"Mom~ I'm tired..." Satomi mumbled as she stepped inside first, slipping off her shoes and letting out a sigh.
Satoshi followed with a soft yawn, setting down the bag. "We're back."
Kyouko nodded gently, her voice calm and steady.
"You must be exhausted. Come in. I'll warm something up if you're hungry."
They stepped into the home, still unaware of how much had happened while they were gone.
"Dear, do you need something to eat?" Kyouko asked gently, turning to her husband as he slipped off his jacket.
"Ah, no..." Satoshi waved his hand with a yawn. "I just want to sleep."
Kyouko nodded. "Alright."
Satomi stretched her arms above her head with a groggy sigh. "Mom, where's Haruki?"
Kyouko's fingers tightened just slightly on the edge of her pajama sleeve. "I think he's upstairs."
"He locked himself in?"
"Umm... well," Kyouko smiled lightly. "My friends came over today, so..."
"Ahh—those aunties from the video call?" Satomi's tone was already sleepy.
"Yes," Kyouko answered simply.
Satomi laughed quietly. "No wonder Haruki locked himself in the room."
Then she paused mid-step. "Did he eat yet?"
Kyouko nodded, calm and composed. "Yes. He did come down and... eat."
Satomi didn't catch the pause in her voice. "Good to know. I'm sleepy, so I'm heading upstairs."
As Satomi ascended the stairs, Kyouko stood quietly in the hallway, her gaze calm, her smile soft.
Kyouko stood quietly at the bottom of the stairs, watching as her husband and Satomi disappeared to the upper floor, their footsteps fading into silence.
She waited until their doors closed.
Then, slowly, she turned back toward the living room. Her expression gentle, her lips curved in a small smile.
Lucky they always forget to bring the key.
And the remote to the gate? With me, as always.
There was a spare, of course, but they never thought to use it. They never remembered to carry it.
They always called her.
Because to them, I'm always here. Waiting. Opening the gate. Keeping the house warm.
She glanced at the intercom panel by the door.
But they never ask how I am.
Her fingers brushed over the surface of the counter as she passed it, the house finally quiet once more.
They only ever talked about work.
She walked softly to the kitchen, turned off the remaining lights, and stood in the dim glow of the hallway.
They'll never notice.
With that thought, she turned and walked calmly to her room.