"Don’t blame me," Kyouko said calmly, slipping into the car seat. "If I spend it on something expensive."
Haruki smiled as he placed the bags in the back.
"I don’t mind," he said softly, sliding into the driver’s seat beside her. "Besides... you are more expensive to me."
Kyouko’s cheeks warmed, though she kept her expression composed.
He looked at her, playful—hopeful.
"So... about sleeping over?"
Kyouko’s lips curled into a small smile, but her eyes stayed gentle.
"No~" she said softly. "I can’t. Sorry. Not today."
Haruki nodded slowly, gaze still resting on her.
Because he already knew.
She wasn’t saying no to him.
"Now, let’s go to your home," Kyouko said as she buckled her seatbelt. "I’ll cook something for your dinner tonight. After that—I’m going home."
"Yes, ma’am~" Haruki replied playfully, flashing her a grin as he started the engine.
Kyouko smiled faintly, turning her gaze to the window as they pulled out of the parking lot.
He even gave me his card...
When I didn’t even ask for it.
When I didn’t even need it.
He’s serious about me...
More than I expected.
The silence between them wasn’t awkward.
And somewhere deep inside her chest, Kyouko felt it again.
That soft, undeniable ache.
He really is... dangerous.
Such a huge difference... between Satoshi and Haruki.
With Satoshi, she always had to ask.
Every time she needed money for groceries... the electric bill... gas... household expenses...
And even then, sometimes he’d respond with a sigh, a cold glance, or silence.
He never brought her gifts.
Not even a small dessert when he came home.
Not even once in over twenty years of marriage.
She had to ask for every little thing.
He gave her his card, his time, his touch... himself.
Yes, maybe Haruki wanted her body.
Maybe it started with lust.
But he gave—and in doing so, he made her feel.
Satoshi had more money. More stability. More reputation.
He never listened when she spoke.
Never noticed when she cried.
He never truly saw her.
And made her feel like she was worth it all.
Haruki glanced at her as he drove, noticing how quiet she’d become.
"What are you thinking about?"
She blinked, as if pulled from somewhere far away.
"Hmm? Oh, nothing," she replied softly. "Just wondering what I should cook for your dinner tonight."
Haruki smiled. "Oh... so you’re staying over?"
Kyouko let out a small sigh, turning her gaze out the window.
"I already told you... I can’t today."
"Ah... right." Haruki’s voice softened,.
Once they arrived at Haruki’s house, Kyouko unbuckled her seatbelt and stepped out.
She moved toward the trunk to help with the groceries.
"No, Kyouko~" Haruki called out with a small grin. "I’ll handle the heavy ones."
She gave him a soft, teasing glance. "Suit yourself,"
She walked ahead and opened the front door.
Haruki followed behind, arms full of grocery bags, and carried everything straight to the kitchen.
Kyouko followed Haruki into the kitchen, her steps light as always.
She set her purse on the counter and began checking through the groceries, organizing them by type out of habit.
Then she spotted an apron still wrapped in plastic.
"Hmm?" he answered, still placing things into the fridge.
She slowly unwrapped the plastic and held the apron up.
With a small embroidered cat near the bottom hem.
"This is for younger people," she said calmly, turning it in her hands. "What’s with this cat? And the color? It gets dirty easily."
Haruki looked over his shoulder, then grinned as he walked up behind her.
"It suits you," he said softly.
Before she could protest, he slipped his arms around her waist from behind and gently kissed her forehead.
Kyouko’s eyes softened.
Kyouko smiled faintly and slipped the apron over her dress, tying it neatly behind her waist.
Then she turned toward the stove and began preparing the ingredients with practiced grace.
"Now, now~" she said without looking back, her tone light but firm. "Go do your job or something."
She caught him in the corner of her eye.
Haruki, sitting at the small dinner table meant for two, chin resting on one hand.
"I am doing my job," he said with a grin.
Kyouko raised an eyebrow. "And that is?"
Before she could respond, Haruki stood up and quietly walked over. His arms wrapped gently around her waist from behind.
"Haruki..." Kyouko murmured in warning.
She stiffened slightly when she felt his hand sneak lower, resting boldly on her butt.
"I’m cooking," she said in a low voice, not turning around. "If you keep doing that, I can’t cook."
Haruki chuckled and leaned in, pressing a kiss to her cheek.
His other hand slid upward, gently cupping her breast through the apron.
"Ouch!" Haruki winced, stepping back slightly.
Kyouko turned just enough to glare at him from the corner of her eye, holding the kitchen knife in her hand.
"Behave, big boy~" she said with a subtle smirk.
Haruki raised both hands in surrender, laughing softly.
Kyouko stood at the stove, gracefully stirring the pan, the soft scent of simmering sauce filling the kitchen. The rice cooker nearby had already clicked—perfectly timed.
Haruki stepped closer, wrapping his arms around her from behind, his chin resting gently on her shoulder.
"Mmm... smells good."
"You’re not smelling the food," Kyouko said calmly, not looking back.
"Enough teasing," she murmured, lips curving into a smile. "Now bring me the container."
"Yes, ma’am~" Haruki said with a grin, stepping back.
But not before giving her a quick, playful slap on the butt.
"Haruki!!!" Kyouko snapped, half-glancing over her shoulder.
Haruki laughed, already grabbing the container from the shelf.
"Yes, yes—I’m helping!"
"Behave," she warned, waving her wooden spoon