Kyouko’s eyes briefly drifted to the table.
It was resting beside his cup, the screen face-down.
She waited patiently, letting the conversation flow, smiling softly behind her calm expression.
When no one was watching too closely, she subtly reached into her sleeve and slipped her own phone out—then gently placed it beside his on the table.
The chatter around them grew louder. Laughter, the clink of glasses.
No matter what... I’ll get his number.
His social account. His contact. Something.
She sipped quietly, keeping her expression serene as always.
"Hey, Kyouko!" Kitayama suddenly called out.
"Yes, Father?" she replied with her usual gentle tone.
"Does Satomi know he’s working here?"
"Yes," Kyouko said smoothly. "But Satomi didn’t tell me he was in Okinawa... perhaps because she’s too busy."
"Busy, busy!" Kitayama scoffed, shaking his head. "Life isn’t just work!"
He pointed toward Haruki, grinning.
"Remember that, Haruki!"
"Yes, Mr. Kitayama," Haruki answered with a polite nod, though his gaze flicked just for a second, to Kyouko.
As the others laughed and joked around the table, Haruki reached for the phone beside him.
He casually picked it up her phone.
Without changing his expression, he held it in one hand while pretending to check his own screen. His fingers moved quickly—typing his number, saving it under a simple name.
Then, with the same calm, unreadable look, he placed it back where it was.
He lifted his cup again, laughing softly at something Kitayama said.
Meanwhile, Kyouko, from the corner of her eye, kept watch.
When the timing felt natural, she reached forward slowly, just to adjust the chopsticks, or so it seemed and slipped her phone back into her sleeve.
Inside her mind, her heart skipped.
She lowered her gaze, unlocked the screen beneath the table, and checked.
A quiet joy bloomed in her chest.
She immediately reached for the sake bottle and, with smooth hands, poured another drink for her father.
She poured for Haruki, her hands steady, her lips softly curved.
"Where’s Kyouko?" Hanae asked, scanning the crowd.
"There she is," Chiyo pointed. "By her father’s table."
"Ohh... she’s with him?" Aiko whispered. "The strict old man?"
"Yeah," Chiyo smirked. "No wonder she’s keeping quiet."
"Hmm?" Hanae tilted her head. "Wait... who’s that?"
"That man. Sitting next to them."
The three leaned in just enough to peek around the guests.
"Tall... serious face..." Aiko murmured.
"Wow... he’s handsome," Hanae added.
"Don’t tell me Kyouko’s related to him too," Chiyo said, narrowing her eyes.
"No way. That guy doesn’t look like family..."
They kept watching, curiosity rising.
The three women slowly approached the table, walking casually, trying to act natural.
"Mr. Kitayama," Hanae said sweetly, "Happy birthday!"
"Oh, thank you, thank you," Kitayama grinned. "Ah, you girls—Kyouko’s schoolmates, right?"
"Yes," Chiyo replied with a polite nod. "From way back."
As they chatted with him, Haruki turned slightly to acknowledge them.
He gave a small nod and a soft smile.
That muscle through his shirt...
Why is a man like that sitting with Kyouko and her father!?
They kept their expressions composed, but their eyes spoke everything.
Kyouko glanced at them, calm on the surface.
But her chest tightened.
Don’t look at him like that...
Mr. Kitayama looked at the three women, grinning.
"Hmm? If you’re hungry, the food’s right over there."
"Ah, no, no..." Aiko said quickly. "We were just... umm..."
Hanae leaned closer to Kyouko, eyes wide. "Kyouko... who is this man?"
Before Kyouko could open her mouth.
"He’s Kyouko’s son-in-law!" Kitayama declared proudly, clapping Haruki on the back.
"WHATTTT!!???" all three women exclaimed at once.
Their faces twisted between shock, disbelief, and regret.
"Son-in-law!?" Chiyo hissed under her breath. "That man!?"
Aiko’s eyes darted to Kyouko.
"Your daughter’s husband!?"
Hanae blinked rapidly. "Why didn’t you say anything earlier!?"
Kyouko just sipped from her cup, calm as ever.
Meanwhile, near the far tables, a few of the female staff from Haruki’s office were gathered in a small circle, whispering as they watched from a distance.
"Our boss is sitting with that serious old man," one of them murmured.
"Yeah... and—wait. Who’s that beautiful girl sitting next to him?"
Their eyes widened in surprise.
"She looks so young!"
Just then, Kajima walked past, overhearing them.
"That’s Mr. Kitayama’s eldest daughter," he said casually, sipping from a paper cup.
"Ehh??" one of the girls gasped. "Mr. Kitayama married that late?"
They exchanged puzzled glances.
Kajima shook his head. "No, no. He’s my cousin. Well—second cousin, technically."
"Huh? But she looks like she’s in her early twenties..."
"I don’t know her exact age. We barely talk. But Mr. Kitayama’s youngest daughter is thirty, so..."
The group fell silent for a second, processing that.
"...Then how old is she?" one whispered, still staring at Kyouko.
"So... our boss is her husband?" one of the female staff whispered, eyes still locked on Haruki and Kyouko.
"Hey, don’t ask too much," Kajima replied, keeping his tone low. "I don’t know. I haven’t asked them yet."
"But you said she’s Mr. Kitayama’s daughter, right?"
"Yeah, but..." Kajima scratched his cheek, glancing toward the table. "My father’s there too, so I’m not just gonna go barging in."
"Ehhh... Chief, go over and ask!" another whispered eagerly.
"No way," Kajima said firmly. "Father is there. So, no."
The girls sighed in frustration, but kept stealing glances toward Haruki and Kyouko.
Their curiosity only grew.
Keiko, Kenji, and their mother Hanako approached Kitayama’s table together, carrying plates and small trays of snacks.
As they neared, Hanako clapped her hands once.
"Alright, family gathering—if you excuse us," she said, smiling sweetly.
Ichiro, who had been comfortably seated, blinked. "Eh? Hanako... I’m also his family."
"Yeah, yeah," Hanako waved a hand dismissively. "Just scoot over a bit."
Ichiro grumbled but shifted to the side, making space as she sat down beside Kitayama.
"Ugh, look at your wife," he muttered under his breath.
Kitayama just laughed, pouring himself another drink.
Kenji sat next to Kyouko while Keiko took the other side, glancing at Haruki again with subtle curiosity.
Everyone was gathering now—family, food, stories.
But only two of them were sitting there with hearts quietly racing.