"So... is that a yes?" Haruki asked, his voice hopeful.
Kyouko tilted her head slightly, lips curling in a soft, unreadable smile.
"Kyouko~" he whispered, dragging her name with a quiet plea as he kissed her cheek from behind, then trailed down to her neck.
She let out a breathy giggle but didn’t move away.
"Please?" he murmured again, his lips warm against her skin.
"I can’t promise," she said softly, her fingers brushing over his hand.
I wonder... how should I even tell them?
That I’m going to live with my son-in-law for three months?
They’ll question me. Of course they will.
Why do you need to take care of your son-in-law?
Isn’t Haruki Satomi’s husband?
Isn’t he a grown man?
There’s no reason for you to stay with him, Kyouko...
No reason... unless there’s something more.
Her chest tightened at the thought.
And then they’ll start looking at me differently.
Start thinking... wondering...
Why I speak softer when I say his name.
Why I always smile when he’s around.
Why I look happier than before.
Satoshi and Satomi will start asking questions too.
"Why are you staying in Okinawa for three months, Mother?"
"You only came to visit your parents."
"Why haven’t you come home?"
Kyouko’s hand rested gently on her chest.
What excuse would I even give?
I don’t want to lie...
But if I tell the truth...
Everything will break.
"Alright, let’s move," Kyouko said, slipping her purse over her shoulder. "I’ll drive."
"Ehh~" Haruki let out a dramatic sigh.
"Oh?" Kyouko looked back with a raised brow, smiling. "You want to drive? Even though I know this place better than you?"
Haruki scratched his cheek.
"Thought so," she replied, walking ahead with that calm grace only she had.
Haruki followed behind, pretending to sulk, but his heart was warm.
"Let’s go," she said, unlocking the car.
And just like that, they headed out.
Once they arrived, Kyouko parked the car smoothly near the store entrance.
She reached into her purse and slipped on her facemask, adjusting it carefully.
As they walked side by side toward the store, Kyouko glanced at him.
"You didn’t work today?"
Haruki looked over, a little surprised. "Hmm? Ah, no. I already told the branch chief I’d be off for three days. And I informed my boss back in Tokyo too."
"Oh..." Kyouko nodded, then narrowed her eyes slightly. "Hmm? Why three days?"
Haruki hesitated. "Ah..."
"Haruki?" Her voice was soft but edged with suspicion.
She stopped walking, turned slightly to face him.
"You’re not thinking of keeping me at your house for three whole days, are you?"
Haruki rubbed the back of his neck, averting his gaze.
Kyouko crossed her arms, pretending to be stern—but her eyes smiled behind the mask.
"...You’re unbelievable," she murmured.
Haruki grabbed the cart and casually began pushing it beside her as they walked into the store.
Kyouko moved with practiced ease, elegant, focused—as she scanned the aisles. She began picking up vegetables, fresh meat, and seasonings she often used back home.
"Hmm..." she murmured, her eyes narrowing slightly at a few shelves. "There’s something missing here... Guess I’ll just work with what they have."
She placed a few items in the cart, then turned her head slightly.
"What do you want to eat, Haruki?"
Without looking at her, Haruki answered.
Kyouko’s steps paused for half a second.
Then she slowly moved closer.
Her hand reached around the side—and pinched his waist discreetly, hidden from view.
Haruki flinched slightly, eyes wide, but smiled.
Kyouko leaned in, her voice soft, controlled.
"Don’t joke like that in the public.." she whispered sharply.
But enough to make it clear he’d better behave.
Haruki chuckled, rubbing the spot she pinched.
"I’m not joking," Haruki added under his breath, barely hiding the smile curling at the edge of his lips.
Kyouko side-glare him, her tone calm but pointed.
"Alright, alright..." Haruki raised both hands slightly in mock surrender, still pushing the cart. "Jeez... chill, girl..."
Kyouko exhaled softly and turned back to the shelf, scanning for the right cut.
"Now," Haruki said with a grin, leaning a bit closer, "Tell me. What are we getting?"
"Meat," Kyouko answered flatly.
Haruki nodded. "Okay, meat it is."
Then he smirked and added under his breath:
Kyouko didn’t even flinch.
She just picked up a package of sliced beef, placed it firmly in the cart, and whispered back without looking at him:
"Keep talking like that, and I’ll feed you nothing but tofu tonight."
Haruki laughed quietly.
"So... you’re staying, right?" Haruki asked as they walked toward the checkout.
Kyouko glanced at him with a calm, almost amused expression.
"No, I don’t think I can," she said softly. "Besides... you already ate me twice."
Haruki coughed lightly, caught off guard by her wording.
"That’s enough for now," she added with a faint smile. "I don’t want my parents questioning anything."
Haruki pouted slightly but said nothing.
"After this," Kyouko continued, placing the groceries on the belt, "we go to your place. I’ll put the food in your fridge, cook, and then... you’re coming with me."
"Your scooter," she said simply.
"...Oh." He scratched his head.
Kyouko reached into her purse, then held something out to him.
"Now take this." She placed his scooter key into his hand.
Kyouko simply gave him a small, innocent smile.
Haruki casually pushed the cart forward to the cashier.
Kyouko reached into her purse to take out her wallet.
But before she could, Haruki smoothly took it from her hand, and with a quick tap, paid using his debit card.
Then, without a word, he slipped his own card into her wallet before handing it back.
"Haruki..." Kyouko called softly as they walked toward the exit, her tone unreadable.
"Hmm?" Haruki glanced at her, arms full with the grocery bags.
"What’s the card for?"
"I want you to keep it," he said gently. "If you ever need to use it... just use it."
"No," she replied, firm but soft. "Take it back. I don’t need it."
He paused, then chuckled under his breath.
"Just keep it," he said, shifting the bags in his arms. "Satomi doesn’t need my money. That card is from my savings. My daily expenses come from this one."
He pulled out another card and gave her a boyish grin.
Kyouko looked at the card in her wallet again.
"I don’t need your card, Haruki..." Kyouko said, her voice low but firm as they walked toward the car.
Haruki didn’t look at her.
"I insist you keep it," he replied softly. "Spend it however you want."
"Don’t know~" he answered with a shrug, feigning nonchalance.
He paused, then leaned in closer—close enough for only her to hear.
His voice dropped, soft but filled with quiet certainty.
"Because you’re mine."
Kyouko’s breath caught.
"And what’s mine... is mine."
He gently brushed his arm against hers.
"And what’s mine... is yours."