As Kitayama turned to refill his cup, his eyes caught someone stepping into the garden from the house.
Kyouko paused, then walked over quietly, hands folded in front of her.
Kitayama squinted at her and chuckled.
"What’s with the facemask again?"
"Umm..." she glanced away slightly.
"Haaa... Kyouko..." he sighed in his usual rough tone.
"Anyway—thank you for the drinks!" he said with a wide grin, raising his cup.
Kyouko smiled behind her mask and bowed slightly. "I’m glad."
"Now go," he waved her off. "Eat, drink. Enjoy yourself. Tonight’s for everyone."
She stepped away quietly, blending back into the flow of the celebration.
She turned at the sudden call, slightly startled.
Three women rushed over from across the garden, waving with wide smiles.
"Ah! Chiyo! Aiko! Hanae!"
Her old classmates from school approached quickly, arms full of drinks and plates, faces glowing with reunion excitement.
"Woow!! Kyouko!!" Aiko gasped dramatically. "How come!?"
"Why do you still look so young?!" Hanae added, eyes wide.
"This is not fair!" Chiyo pouted.
She gestured to herself and the others with a dramatic sigh.
"Look at me!" she said, placing a hand on her stomach. "Already like a pufferfish after three kids."
"And you," Aiko grinned, nudging Kyouko’s shoulder gently, "you still look exactly the same as when we graduated. Married and all, yet not a single wrinkle."
Kyouko laughed softly, hiding her smile behind her mask.
"Come on, it’s just the lighting..."
"Oh, shut up," Hanae laughed. "You haven’t changed at all. Still quiet, still beautiful."
The four women settled at a small table near the edge of the garden, away from the louder crowd.
Plates of food and sake cups quickly filled the space between them, and laughter followed not long after.
Aiko poured the first round, grinning. "Come on, Kyouko. Just a little. It’s a celebration."
Kyouko gave a small nod and accepted the cup, but she sipped slowly, careful.
She was smiling, but she didn’t lose herself in the drinking like the others.
"It’s been so long since you came back," Hanae said, stretching her arms behind her. "You’ve been in Tokyo too long."
Chiyo leaned in, pointing dramatically. "And still look this beautiful! Seriously—what are you eating over there? Youth pills?"
Kyouko laughed softly, placing a hand over her mouth.
"Did everyone in Tokyo look like you?" Aiko teased, pouring herself another drink. "Because if so, we’re moving."
Kyouko shook her head with a soft chuckle. "Stop exaggerating..."
"I’m serious!" Chiyo huffed. "You’re glowing. It’s not fair."
"Maybe... maybe someone’s in love?" Hanae said suddenly, raising an eyebrow.
Kyouko’s hand froze mid-reach toward her cup.
Then she gave a small smile, eyes drifting away.
"...Nothing like that," she said gently.
"So... where’s Satoshi?" Aiko asked, pouring herself another drink.
Kyouko gave a soft smile, eyes lowered. "He couldn’t come."
"Huh? Really? He can’t?"
"Yeah... busy with work."
"Oh..." Chiyo blinked. "So you’re alone now?"
"Kinda," Kyouko said gently, still sipping slowly from her cup.
There was a short pause—just long enough for Aiko’s eyes to light up with mischief.
"You know Kanzaki from the next class?"
Kyouko tilted her head slightly. "Hmm?"
"You must remember," Hanae leaned in, grinning. "That handsome guy from the class next door who used to like you!"
Kyouko gave a soft "Oh..." without any interest.
"I heard he’s single again," Chiyo added, her voice low and gossipy.
"Why?" Aiko asked, already invested.
"His wife left him," Chiyo replied, shaking her head. "Ran off with someone from her company."
"Seriously?" Hanae gasped.
Kyouko listened in silence.
"Kyouko, you didn’t drink much!" Aiko pointed out, eyeing her nearly full cup.
Kyouko smiled. "Ah... I can’t drink much."
"Eh? Why not?" Hanae leaned in.
"You know..." Kyouko lowered her voice just slightly, teasing. "Beauty."
All three women burst into laughter.
"Really!?" Chiyo giggled. "That’s your secret?"
Kyouko gave a small shrug, eyes twinkling. "Mm... yeah."
"Oh my god," Aiko laughed. "I knew it. So if I stop drinking, I’ll look like Kyouko again?"
"Too late," Hanae said, grinning. "We’ve already been ruined by life."
Kyouko smiled quietly, hiding everything else behind that soft, unreadable expression.
Meanwhile outside the house.
Haruki parked his scooter neatly beside the row of vans and the branch chief’s car.
As he removed his helmet and brushed his hair back, a small group of female staff nearby turned toward him.
"Mr. Nakagawa~!" one of them called cheerfully.
Haruki gave a simple, polite smile in return.
A clean, genuine smile. Calm. Effortless.
Inside their minds, chaos erupted.
Wow... he’s really good-looking up close...
That’s it. That’s my type.
Can I just sit next to him tonight?!
Haruki didn’t notice.
He simply adjusted his sleeves and followed the group as they walked toward the celebration area.
"Mr. Kitayama! Happy birthday!"
"Thank you, thank you," Kitayama replied, raising his cup with a wide smile.
Ichiro, standing beside him, glanced toward the approaching group.
"Here comes my eldest stupid son," he muttered with a grin. "Why so late, Kajima!"
"Father!" the man huffed, adjusting his shirt. "I’m a branch chief now, you know. I was working. And I brought my boss."
"Ahh," Kitayama nodded, turning to greet the guest.
"Mr. Kitayama," Kajima said with a formal tone, "this is my superior, Mr. Nakagawa. If you don’t mind, I’d like to introduce him."
Haruki stepped forward and bowed politely. "Thank you for the invitation."
Kitayama’s eyes lit up as he looked the younger man up and down.
"Oh! Look at him," he said with a laugh. "Tall, good build, handsome face."
He let out a hearty chuckle.
"Lucky I don’t have any single daughters. If I did, I’d force you to marry her."
The nearby guests laughed, and Haruki smiled politely, bowing again in thanks.
"You can sit wherever you like," Kitayama said, gesturing toward the long row of tables. "Food’s over there, drinks are flowing. Make yourself at home."
"Thank you," Haruki nodded with a polite smile.
Kitayama scanned the crowd for a moment. "Now where is she...?" he muttered to himself, eyes searching for Kyouko in the crowd.
Meanwhile, Ichiro leaned in toward his son and whispered sharply, "You—go sit with the others."
"Ehh? But he’s my superior..." Kajima whispered back, glancing at Haruki.
"And I’m your superior here," Ichiro shot back. "Now go. Leave us."
Kajima grumbled and slunk off toward the other staff table.
Kitayama looked at Haruki again, eyes twinkling.
He didn’t know why, but there was something about this young man he immediately liked.
Not in any strange way—just a sense. A presence. Solid. Calm.
"So," Kitayama said, raising his cup, "your family name—Nakagawa?"
"Yes, sir. Nakagawa Haruki."
Kitayama clicked his tongue and laughed.
"Damn. If you weren’t married, and if any of my daughters were still available, I’d gladly ask you to marry them!"
Haruki laughed softly, bowing his head. "That’s an honor, sir."