The dinner table was lively, filled with gentle laughter, clinking cups, and warm chatter about the wedding.
Kyouko sat quietly, watching her family.
Her little brother Kenji was animated, joking about the ceremonial robes. Kazuma and Keiko were arguing about floral colors. Even Hanako looked relaxed, occasionally glancing at the updated seating plan with subtle pride.
But it was her father she kept stealing glances at.
Kitayama sat at the head of the table, as always. Stern, upright... but tonight, his eyes were softer. His usual grunts were fewer, his brows less furrowed.
And for once, he smiled.
But for Kyouko... it was enough to make her chest tighten quietly.
He almost never smiled.
She looked down at her lap and smiled to herself.
She had just texted Haruki minutes ago.
He would answer when he could.
The warmth of the room, the clatter of plates, the soft sound of her mother refilling tea, it all felt gentle.
Kitayama didn’t meet her eyes. He simply stared into his tea, swirling it once.
A grunt. Low. Dismissive.
He took a sip, and said no more.
But Kyouko’s heart softened.
Kyouko looked around the table once more.
At the smiles. The gentle arguments. The way her father quietly listened without interrupting.
Hanako, sitting beside her, noticed immediately.
"What’s with that smile?" she asked, her voice light and knowing.
Kyouko blinked, then looked away for a moment.
"Hmm? Nothing..." she replied softly. "It’s just..."
She paused, the words slow and thoughtful.
"I’m already old enough to be married twice over... and yet you’re all acting like it’s my first wedding."
She gave a small shake of her head, still smiling.
A quiet chuckle escaped Hanako’s lips.
"Well," she said, reaching for her tea, "maybe because this time, it’s the right one."
Kyouko didn’t answer.
She only looked down at her cup and gently held it in both hands.
And her smile lingered.
"And Kyouko?" Hanako said again, her voice laced with quiet amusement.
"Yes, Mother?" Kyouko turned toward her with a calm expression.
Hanako sipped her tea, then tilted her head.
"Don’t pretend you’re not excited. You look more excited than the rest of us."
"W-What!?" Kyouko straightened a little. "I’m not!"
"Really, nee-san?" Kenji smirked from across the table. "You’ve been sneaking glances at the torii gate ever since we had it installed out front."
Keiko leaned forward, resting her chin on her palm. "And I saw her earlier. Standing near the wedding room display, just admiring the shiromuku... like she wasn’t imagining herself already wearing it."
Kyouko’s cheeks flushed faintly.
"And don’t forget," Keiko continued with a grin, "those white zori sandals and tabi socks? You picked them up twice just to look at them."
Kyouko glanced away, hiding her expression behind the rim of her teacup.
"...Mou~ Keiko-chan."
The table chuckled gently, the mood light and full of affection.
Kitayama let out a small grunt.
Hanako smiled into her cup, watching her eldest daughter.
How long had it been since they’d seen her ?
Soft. Glowing. Womanly.
Kitayama let out a low grunt.
"Don’t worry about the cost."
Everyone quieted slightly.
"It’s all paid already. Just like your previous wedding... Kenji’s wedding before... and Keiko’s too."
Kyouko turned to him gently.
"...Mm. Thank you, Father."
Kitayama set his cup down with a small clink.
"Hmph... just make sure you stop hiding everything after this."
His tone didn’t rise, but the weight behind it was firm.
"Don’t repeat the same mistake you made with that bastard, Satoshi."
Kyouko lowered her eyes slightly.
Kitayama took another sip of tea, then asked without looking up.
"I heard you invited Satomi to your wedding."
Kyouko nodded gently. "Yes, Father. After all... she’s still my daughter."
There was a short pause.
Then, Kitayama let out a rare, quiet chuckle.
"Mm... she’s going to feel awkward soon."
His lips curled slightly at the edge.
"Knowing her mother is marrying her ex-husband."
The table fell silent for a beat.
Kenji stifled a laugh.
Keiko covered her mouth.
Hanako only smiled into her cup.
Kyouko pressed her lips together, trying to hide her own reaction.
"...I didn’t invite her to punish her," she said softly.
"I know," Kitayama muttered.
Kitayama took another sip of tea.
"...I’m sure your ex-husband, that bastard will attend too," he muttered, a rare smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.
"I don’t know, Father," Kyouko replied gently. "I didn’t invite him."
"Hmph," Kitayama grunted. "Even if you didn’t... I’m sure he’ll come."
His gaze shifted, eyes narrowing in quiet amusement.
"After this, they’ll both know who your real family is."
Hanako smiled beside him, her tone light but precise.
"Yes, I’m sure they will."
She gently placed her cup down.
"After all... your ex-husband only ever knew your father had ’a lot of friends.’"
Kitayama’s brow arched.
"To him, I was just a man with connections. A few successful drinking buddies. Some old ties from school."
Hanako chuckled softly, finishing the thought.
"But soon... they’ll realize."
"Good thing," Kitayama muttered, "you never told that bastard Satoshi about us... or how wealthy our family actually is."
Kyouko nodded slowly.
"Yes, Father. I remembered your advice."
Kitayama gave a small grunt of approval.
He leaned back slightly, arms crossed.
"Because I always suspected he was that kind of man."
Kitayama’s eyes narrowed.
"The kind who acts sweet until money gets involved."
He tapped the table once, lightly.
"If he had known the truth back then... about who we really are... about the Takahashi Group... he would’ve changed. Smiled more. Flattered more. Pretended better."
"And you would’ve never seen his real color."
Kyouko looked down at her hands.
"...You were right," she said softly.
Hanako reached over, placing her hand gently over Kyouko’s.
"That’s why we didn’t stop you," she said quietly. "You had to see it for yourself."
"Enough talking about that bastard," Kitayama said, his voice low but final. "Now it’s just a memory."
He took another sip of tea, then added.
"If they ever find out about our family’s wealth... don’t even think about getting back with Satoshi. Not even if he tries to crawl back and beg you."
Kyouko smiled gently.
"I’m not going to, Father."
"I have a better man now."
Kitayama gave a short grunt.