After breakfast, with full plates cleared and the air still warm with conversation, Haruki had spent a little more time chatting with Kitayama, Kenji, and even Hanako. They’d asked about his work, life in Tokyo, and shared a few laughs.
But eventually, he stood and bowed politely to everyone.
"Thank you for the meal."
"Oh, I kid!" Kitayama laughed, patting his belly.
Hanako nodded, smiling with quiet approval.
"I’m... I’m going now," Haruki said gently. "I still have some work after this."
"Okay," Kitayama replied, standing up to see him off. "Come again, alright?"
Everyone followed, walking with him toward the front door like a proper family send-off.
Haruki stepped outside, waved once, and walked to where his scooter was parked.
He put on his helmet, reached into his pocket.
He searched again. Another pocket. Then both hands. Then the side pouch on the scooter.
"...It’s not here," he muttered.
"What’s wrong?" Keiko asked.
"Umm..." Haruki looked up, a little awkward. "I think... I lost my key."
Immediately, everyone began helping.
Kenji and Kazuma checked the yard. Hitomi and Hanako looked by the breakfast table. Kyouko followed calmly, checking near the drinking area, around the house, softly calling "maybe it fell under the mat..."
Haruki even went back inside to check the room where he slept.
Hanako returned, wiping her hands. "How about you park the scooter first? And if you’re late... we can ask—"
"I can send him," Kyouko said smoothly, interrupting with a gentle voice. "If you let me borrow your car."
Hanako blinked, then nodded. "That’s a good idea. Wait here."
She walked back into the house and returned with the car key, handing it to Kyouko.
"Here. Take the small one."
"Wait a bit," Kyouko said sweetly, already slipping the key into her pocket. "I’m going to get my purse."
She turned, walking lightly back inside.
Her expression serene.
And quietly satisfied.
Kyouko slipped on her shoes by the genkan, her purse hanging neatly at her side.
"Mom, Dad... I’m going now."
"Be careful, Kyouko," Hanako said, wiping her hands on a dish towel.
She turned toward Haruki, who was standing nearby, helmet in hand.
"Now, Haruki-kun," she said with a graceful smile. "Let’s go. I’ll drive you."
"...Okay," Haruki replied, giving a small nod. "Thanks, Kyouko-san."
As they stepped outside, Kitayama called out from the entrance, voice booming as always.
"If you have time, visit us again!"
Haruki turned with a slight bow. "I will. Thank you, everyone."
Keiko and Kenji waved, and Hanako gave one last look of approval as the two walked toward the car together.
Once inside the car, Kyouko slipped into the driver’s seat, buckled her seatbelt with quiet elegance, and started the engine.
Haruki settled in beside her, still feeling the faint pressure of her presence.
They pulled out of the driveway slowly, waving once more to the family before turning onto the quiet country road.
For a while, the drive was calm.
Once they were far enough from the house, Kyouko pulled the car gently to the side of the road and stopped.
"...Eh?" Haruki looked over. "Why are we stopping?"
Kyouko turned her head, resting her hands softly on the wheel.
Her lips curved into a smile.
"Why," she said gently, "didn’t you bring your phone?"
Haruki blinked, caught off guard.
"And," she continued, tilting her head slightly with that same calm expression, "why didn’t you tell me where your outstation was?"
"Hmm?" she added, smiling again, but this time, her eyes narrowed.
But not letting him off the hook.
"Err..." Haruki scratched his cheek, trying not to smile. "Because we were... too busy... having sex?"
Kyouko gave his arm a quick slap.
"Ouch!" Haruki laughed, rubbing his arm. "Not my fault."
Kyouko turned slightly in her seat, eyebrows lifted, lips still smiling.
"Now," she said softly but firmly, "you’d better tell me your social accounts. Everything. Line, Instagram, whatever."
"Okay, okay," Haruki chuckled, reaching into his pocket. "Jeez... so bossy in the morning."
"Now tell me~" Kyouko said, leaning slightly closer, her smile sweet, but dangerously sweet.
Haruki chuckled nervously. "Err... what’s with that smile, Kyouko?"
She smacked his arm again,same spot.
"Ouch!" Haruki winced, rubbing it. "You’ve got good aim this morning..."
He blinked. "My company’s rental house, near the coast."
"Do you bring women there?"
"How many girls have you slept with?"
"Ouch!! I’m telling the truth!!"
"Who!?" Kyouko narrowed her eyes.
Haruki grinned, eyes soft. "Satomi... and the other one..."
He leaned in, lowering his voice.
"...Her name is Kyouko."
Kyouko stared at him for a second.
Then looked away, smiling.
"...Idiot," she whispered.
Without a word, Kyouko unbuckled her seatbelt, stepped out of the car, and walked around to the passenger side.
She opened the door, leaned in.
And grabbed Haruki by the wrist.
"Ahh! Help! Help me!" Haruki yelped playfully, laughing. "A woman’s trying to kidnap me!"
"Ow!! Someone help!! A fierce woman is hitting me!!"
Kyouko rolled her eyes with a smile, giving his arm a final pat.
"Enough playing," she said softly. "Now drive."
Haruki stood up with a grin, rubbing his arm again. "Yes, ma’am."
They traded seats, still smiling.
As Haruki drove along the quiet countryside road, Kyouko sat with her hands resting neatly on her lap, eyes scanning the scenery.
She glanced at each turn, each road sign.
"What are you doing, Kyouko?"
"Remembering the way," she said softly. "I grew up here, so I know some of these roads."
"Heh~ like you can remember everything," Haruki teased, grinning. "Didn’t your father say you rarely come home?"
Kyouko blinked. "Huh? How do you know that?"
Haruki smirked. "Hmm? Your father told me when we were drinking. Said if he had a single daughter, he’d force me to marry her."
"Ow!!" Haruki laughed, rubbing his arm yet again. "That same spot again! You’re gonna bruise me!"
Kyouko just turned her face to the window, smiling softly.