As Kyouko walked calmly toward the room 324 area, her steps steady again, her thoughts stirred.
No wonder Father always knew.
If I hadn’t come out of the ward...
If I hadn’t eaten yet...
If I skipped cleaning myself or rested too long in the chair beside Haruki...
She let out a soft sigh.
Wonder how many of his people are here...
She glanced subtly at the nurse station she passed.
Probably more than twenty.
Maybe even some of the doctors. The nurses. Maybe even the security guards or cafeteria staff...
She didn’t feel afraid.
Just... tired. A little overwhelmed.
No wonder... two or three doctors kept coming in to check on Haruki every few hours.
Even when no one asked.
It wasn’t hospital policy.
It was Kitayama policy.
And now she understood.
Father wasn’t just protecting me.
He was protecting Haruki too.
He probably knew about my affair with Haruki already...
Kyouko’s heels clicked softly against the floor as she walked.
Her gaze remained forward, but her thoughts were elsewhere.
With the way Mother spoke...
The teasing smile, the look in her eyes...
It wasn’t just guessing.
I’m sure they all already knew.
Kenji’s smirk the other day... Keiko’s teasing when we were at the breakfast table...
They hadn’t said it out loud.
But the way they looked at her—
The way they looked at Haruki during that trip in Okinawa...
They said nothing to shame her.
Nothing to guilt her.
Only soft hints. Small smiles.
Because they saw how much she loved him.
And maybe that was enough.
Kyouko walked slowly down the hallway, her steps elegant and quiet.
As she passed the nurse station, she offered a gentle bow—polite and graceful, as always.
The nurses at the counter smiled and bowed back, watching her as she made her way toward Room 324.
Once she disappeared through the door, one of the younger nurses sighed softly.
"Her husband is so lucky."
Another nodded. "Yeah. She sleeps here almost every night. And even when she leaves, she’s always back before evening."
"She’s so beautiful too..." a third nurse added, resting her chin on her hand.
"I wonder what skincare products she uses. Her skin looks flawless even without makeup."
The first nurse giggled. "How about we ask her?"
"Aw, I want to know too!" one of them giggled.
Another leaned in, voice softer now.
"And she’s really caring... she even treated us to food before."
"Yes~ she’s so polite. Never complains, always bows. I wonder who her family is..."
The older nurse lowered her voice slightly, glancing around.
"Some say her father’s a powerful man."
"Yeah... and I heard the doctors here really prioritize that patient."
"Not just the doctors," another added. "The director too. I saw him come up personally last week. Twice."
"Shhh... don’t say that too loud," one whispered, eyes darting around playfully.
They all nodded, giggling softly like girls at school.
"What are you all gossiping about?"
"A-Ah... Mrs. Sarukawa...!" one of them stammered, standing straighter.
Another tried to smile. "We were just... um... talking about the beautiful lady who always looks after her husband in Room 324..."
Mrs. Sarukawa crossed her arms, stern.
"Focus on your work. This is a hospital, not a salon."
"Y-Yes, ma’am!" they all said in unison, bowing quickly.
She gave them one last sharp glance, then turned and walked down the corridor with that crisp, no-nonsense stride.
"Scary lady..." one nurse muttered under her breath.
"I heard she was fighting with her husband again." Another whispered, eyes wide.
"Shhh! Don’t say it so loud!"
They leaned in again.
"He came home late last night—drinking with coworkers."
"And she punched him in the face. I swear."
"Just look at her palm..." one nurse whispered, eyeing the direction Mrs. Sarukawa went.
"It’s huge. If she punched his face? That’s brain damage."
They giggled quietly, one hand covering their mouths.
But just as quickly, they returned to work, glancing nervously toward the hallway—
In case the hurricane came back.
Kyouko stood silently near the wall, her hands folded neatly in front of her skirt as the doctor performed the routine check on Haruki.
She watched every movement—quiet, focused—memorizing every word the doctor said, every slight adjustment to the monitors.
When they finished, the lead doctor turned to her and gave a small, respectful nod.
"He’s stable, as before. We’ll continue to monitor his condition."
Kyouko bowed deeply and gracefully.
The doctor nodded again, and the group of nurses followed him out of the room, the door closing gently behind them.
She turned back toward the bed.
Then walked slowly—unhurried—to the chair beside him.
The place she always came back to.
Kyouko sat down, smoothing her dress beneath her, and leaned slightly forward.
Her hand reached out, gently brushing his fingers.
Kyouko leaned closer, brushing his hand softly with her thumb.
"I’m going back to the house... just to check on something."
She smiled faintly, her eyes warm, though a little tired.
"Don’t worry, darling. I won’t be long."
She brought his hand to her cheek, closing her eyes for a brief moment.
"I’ll be back before night."
She leaned in, kissed his cheek gently—soft and lingering.
Her voice dropped to a quiet whisper near his ear.
"Don’t worry... I’ll be here again before you even notice I’m gone."
She stood slowly, adjusting the blanket at his side, tucking it neatly.
And then, with one last look at the man she loved more than anything—
Kyouko turned and walked toward the door.
Inside Kyouko’s mind, as she walked down the hallway toward the hospital exit—
Maybe I should drive today.
Kenji already gave back my car key.
The same one I used that day...
The day I rushed here the first time, shaking so badly.
She exhaled softly, remembering.
That terrifying call.
The way her heart dropped.
The blur of the road, her hands trembling on the steering wheel.
Hope there’s no problem with the car...
It’s been sitting for long.
She glanced down at her purse, making sure the key was there.
Then looked out the glass door at the parking lot ahead.
Just a quick stop home.
Take a few of Haruki’s clothes...
Maybe cook something for later.