Kyouko reached for her purse, the phone still vibrating softly.
She checked the screen.
She glanced across the table.
Haruki had just stood, politely excusing himself as he made his way toward the restroom.
Kyouko sighed quietly.
Satomi’s face appeared.
But her tone was sharp.
"Mom! Where’s Haruki? I’ve called him several times—he’s not picking up! Maybe he’s with another woman?"
Kyouko’s expression didn’t shift.
She smiled—graceful, composed, calm.
"Calm down, Satomi. He probably just went to the toilet."
Her voice was soft, steady.
"Besides... he’s with us right now."
"Your grandparents," Kyouko replied gently, eyes flicking to the side where Hanako and Keiko sat, deep in quiet conversation.
"Your aunt, your uncle... everyone."
Satomi sighed, relieve.
"Please make sure he doesn’t look at other girls."
"Tell me if there’s any woman there who’s... I don’t know. Trying to flirt or anything."
Kyouko’s smile didn’t falter.
But before she could respond, Hanako overheard—leaned closer and spoke with her usual firm gentleness:
"Don’t worry, dear. He’s a good man."
Satomi blinked at the unexpected reply.
"Yes, Grandma, I know... but look at him! He’s handsome and—"
Her voice lowered slightly.
"I just don’t know how many girls would try something..."
Satomi kept talking, her tone still sharp beneath the sweet daughter act.
"Just make sure, okay? If he goes out, tell me. Follow him if you need to. I don’t want him even looking at other girls."
Kyouko listened quietly.
Her smile never faded.
"His schedule is still flexible, like before."
"He rarely goes to the office now. Most of the time, he works from home."
Satomi sighed with relief.
"That’s good... thank you, Mom."
"I knew I could count on you."
"Please just make sure to keep an eye on him."
"If he goes anywhere, let me know."
"Follow him, so he won’t dare to find someone else."
Kyouko nodded softly, her eyes calm.
There’s no need to follow him, Satomi.
He already comes home to me.
Not because I watch him... but because I make him feel wanted.
The way you never did.
If only you knew, Satomi.
Your husband—the man you’re so worried about losing—was behind me.
Shoving his length deep inside me.
He moved like he was starved.
Like he belonged there.
And I gave it to him.
Because I wanted it too.
You should have seen his face.
That look of pure satisfaction.
That quiet groan against my neck when he finally released—everything—inside me.
And when this ends—when this little pause in my body is over—
I’ll let him take me again.
If he wants to take me from behind again?
Because now... I know what it means to feel alive.
To be touched like I’m the only woman he sees.
You could’ve given him that.
"Alright, Mom! I’m having meetings right after this."
"Please check on Haruki for me, okay?"
Kyouko smiled gently.
The call ended with a soft chime.
She calmly lowered the phone back into her purse, tucking it neatly away.
Around her, the soft laughter and conversation of her family continued.
Keiko was teasing Kenji again.
Hanako had started pouring more tea.
Kitayama was arguing lightly with Kazuma about fishing spots on Ishigaki.
Kyouko turned back to the moment.
Joined in the flow as if nothing had happened.
Graceful. Warm. Entirely composed.
A single thought rang with quiet certainty.
Haruki is mine, Satomi.
You may wear the ring.
You may bear the title.
But you don’t have his heart.
You never held his desire.
Never heard the way he groans your name.
Never saw him tremble just from a kiss.
Haruki returned to the table, his expression calm, composed, just as the waiter arrived with their meals.
The plates were beautifully arranged.
They all settled in, chatting lightly as chopsticks moved and steam rose from the plates.
Laughter occasionally filled the space.
Warm. Familiar. Real.
Kyouko gently turned to Haruki, her voice soft but just loud enough for the others to hear.
He looked up from his plate, eyes steady.
"Your wife’s been trying to call you."
Her tone was light. Unassuming. Completely ordinary in front of the family.
Then nodded politely.
"Ah... I’m sorry, Kyouko-san. I didn’t notice."
"Don’t worry about it," Kyouko said with a small, gentle smile.
She returned to her meal, eyes serene.
Haruki’s fingers—caressing her thigh, slow and discreet.
Her breath hitched slightly, but her expression never changed.
Graceful. Controlled.
She nudged him gently with her own leg—a silent signal.
My parents are right beside us.
Haruki gave the tiniest grin, eyes flicking down as he withdrew his hand—casual, obedient.
And across the table, no one noticed.
Only the two of them knew.
Only they could feel how dangerously close their secret was to spilling over.
Her mother’s voice called softly.
Hanako smiled, brushing a light strand of hair from her face.
"Since we just arrived, everyone’s decided to rest for today."
"We’ll start sightseeing and enjoying the island tomorrow."
Kyouko nodded, graceful as always.
"Just don’t forget to come down for dinner later,"
"And if you or Haruki-kun get hungry before that, just order room service."
"I will." Kyouko gave a soft smile, her voice full of ease.
Kyouko lingered for a moment—then turned to look at Haruki.
No words were spoken.
But the tension—the promise—still lingered in the space between them like heat rising off sun-baked stone.
They weren’t just going to "rest."