Kyouko woke up a little later than usual.
She blinked at the empty space beside her, the covers slightly rumpled.
She stretched lazily, then sat up, brushing her hair behind her ear.
Grabbing her towel and small pouch of skincare products, she walked quietly toward the bathroom—still half-sleepy.
But just as she stepped out of the bedroom—
A pair of arms wrapped around her from the side.
She nearly dropped her things.
"Haruki!! I nearly had a heart attack!"
"Why?" he teased, grinning as he hugged her close.
"Am I that handsome and charming in the morning?"
"Mou~ Haruki..." she pouted, half scolding, half smiling.
"Mm... morning, darling," she answered softly.
"I’m going to shower now."
He leaned in and kissed her lips.
Kyouko kissed him back, then pulled away with a playful smile.
"I haven’t brushed my teeth yet."
their laughter soft and warm, echoing through the quiet apartment.
After their shared shower.
where one "round" had once again turned a morning routine into soft, breathless intimacy.
Haruki stepped out of the bathroom first, towel around his waist, humming to himself.
Kyouko stayed behind.
She stood quietly before the fogged-up mirror.
Soft droplets still clung to her skin.
Her hair, damp and tousled, clung gently to her neck and shoulders.
She reached for her pouch.
One by one, she began her ritual.
A dab of face serum, gentle fingers patting it in.
Hair serum smoothed through her locks.
Then body serum, gliding along the curves of her arms, shoulders, collarbone, and down to her thighs.
Almost like a dancer in silence.
Each motion filled with quiet love.
Not just for herself...
But for the man waiting outside that door.
She looked up, gazed into her reflection.
All of it now belongs to him.
No other man had the right to touch it.
Not even the man who once called himself her husband.
She was no longer his.
And if anyone ever asked her why.
She would simply smile and say:
Because this heart...
Kyouko stepped out of the bathroom, skin glowing, wrapped in a fresh towel.
Her hair was still slightly damp.
Haruki was standing near the window, phone pressed to his ear—speaking casually.
"Yes... she’s with me, Mrs. Hanako."
Kyouko’s eyes widened.
He wasn’t even holding his phone.
She recognized it instantly—the exact same model and color they had just bought.
But hers had a tiny charm on the corner.
"Haruki!!" she hissed in a sharp whisper, rushing forward.
He glanced at her over his shoulder, totally unfazed.
That familiar, sly smirk curved on his lips.
"Yes, she just got out of the bathroom," he added casually.
Kyouko covered her face with both hands in pure embarrassment.
"Stop it—give it back!" she hissed again, cheeks burning.
Haruki chuckled but continued.
"Mm... yes, she’s living with me now."
She bit her lip, caught somewhere between horror and helpless laughter.
Mou~ Haruki... what do I do with you...
"Okay, Mrs. Hanako... I’ll give the phone to her now."
Kyouko’s eyes widened in panic.
Haruki gave her a wink as he casually walked past and toward their bedroom.
Leaving her holding the line.
Kyouko stared at the device like it might explode.
Then slowly brought it to her ear.
"M-...Mother..." she stammered.
"Ara~ no need, Kyouko-chan," Hanako’s voice came through sweetly...
with a very obvious hint of smug amusement.
"Oh, and just so you know—
I have it on loudspeaker now."
"Your father’s here," Hanako continued.
"And Kenji. And Keiko too. And your niece Riko, Daichi, Kazuma...
Oh, and Kenji’s wife, Hitomi."
A ripple of soft laughter echoed on the other end.
"My, my~ you didn’t even tell us we’re expecting a new grandchild."
Her cheeks burned hot as steam.
"Haruki told us, Kyouko-chan~" Hanako said in a singsong voice.
"Now be a good girl and tell us everything properly, ne?"
From the background, Kenji’s voice cut in.
"Tell Haruki to prepare himself. We’re bringing sake when we visit."
Another round of laughter burst through the line.
Hanako’s voice turned playful again.
"Now tell us, Kyouko-chan~ did you say yes yet?"
"Huh?" Kyouko blinked. "Say yes to what?"
"To his proposal, of course!"
Kyouko’s face turned bright red.
"M-Mother! No! I’m still in my waiting period—two more weeks!"
A dramatic gasp echoed from the other end.
"Ara~ so you haven’t said yes...
Yet you’re already pregnant...?"
The tone was teasing.
"My, my~ what a bold daughter I raised~"
From the background, Keiko chimed in with a laugh,
"Neesan, you really went all in before the ink even dried!"
Kenji added, "She didn’t just sign the divorce, she signed up for full service."
"Uncle Haruki must be really strong if you got pregnant during his recovery~"
Kyouko nearly dropped the phone.
"Everyone—stop teasing me!!" she cried, face burning.
But even through her embarrassment, she couldn’t help smiling.
Inside her mind, Kyouko fumed silently.
Just you wait, Haruki!!
How dare you tell them without waiting for me!!
Her thoughts were interrupted by her father’s stern voice crackling through the phone speaker.
"Kyouko!? Did you hear what I just said!?"
"Make sure you bring that man here. I need to give him my blessing!"
"I... I will, Father..."
"Good! And listen—if you dare to say no to him—"
There was a dramatic pause.
Kyouko nearly choked.
Her eyes darted toward the bedroom where Haruki was—no doubt grinning, smug and pleased with himself.
Haruki... you’re going to pay for this later... she thought, cheeks burning.
The nagging continued from the other side of the phone.
Kyouko held the phone slightly away from her ear, lips pressed in a thin smile.
Her father’s voice boomed through, full of fire and traditional pride.
"You better not just say ’yes, Father’ like always!"
"Yes, Father... I know," she replied with soft resignation.
"You always say that! And don’t forget—this time it’s serious!"
"I won’t accept any nonsense! Don’t go cheating on him!"
Kyouko nearly coughed from shock.
"Good! You should count your blessings. A young man that tall and handsome actually wants you? That’s a miracle!"
"...I know, Father..."
"Then make sure you bring him with you when you come back here! I’ll be watching!"
"Yes, Father," Kyouko sighed.
Haruki, you better not pretend is nothing... you started this!!