Chapter 13: Reflections of Insecurity ( 13 )

Chapter 13 - Reflections of Insecurity ( 13 ) Kyouko gave his hair one final rub before lowering the towel. "Alright. That's enough. You'll get sick if you stay like this." Then, without warning, she took his hand and gave it a gentle tug. "Come on—upstairs." "Huh? Wait—" Haruki blinked, caught off guard as she pulled him along, her wet clothes still sticking to her body as she walked quickly ahead. "You need to wash yourself," she said, not turning around but clearly serious. "Okay, okay~ Jeez~" Haruki let out a soft chuckle as he followed behind, amused by her sudden assertiveness. Once they reached the top of the stairs, Kyouko stopped in front of his room and handed him a dry towel she had brought up earlier. "Now go take a shower!" she said firmly, pointing toward the bathroom. "Yes, ma'am!" Haruki grinned, giving a small mock salute. Kyouko smiled, shaking her head at his playful attitude, then turned and headed to her own room. She stepped inside, peeling off her damp dress as she walked, leaving faint droplets on the floor. She reached for another towel and then slipped into the shower near her room, exhaling as the warm water poured down over her chilled skin. In the distance, she could hear the faint sound of Haruki's shower running too. After Kyouko stepped inside the shower, the warmth of the water hit her skin, washing away the chill from the rain. She let out a soft sigh as the water streamed down her body. Running her fingers through her damp hair, she tilted her head back. It felt good—relaxing. Her thoughts drifted unintentionally to Haruki. How he smiled at her. How he stood outside in the rain, his toned body glistening. She bit her lip. "Stupid," she whispered under her breath, embarrassed that she was even thinking this way. She wasn't supposed to feel this kind of tension. Not for him. Not for her daughter's husband. Shaking her head, she focused on the soap in her hands. She slowly ran it down her body, letting the steam cloud the mirror and her thoughts along with it. Then Kyouko's thoughts drifted. Her husband... How long had it been since she felt him on top of her? To kiss him? To feel happy? The feeling of a hug—one from behind. A day where she and her husband simply enjoyed each other's presence. Just like when they first fell in love. A couple—sweet and warm. But that warmth had long faded. Kyouko leaned against the shower wall, eyes closed, letting the water cascade down her bare shoulders. Her fingers gently touched her lips, trying to recall the last time they had been kissed with love. Not out of routine or obligation, but love. How long had it been since she felt wanted? She wrapped her arms around herself, hugging her own body as the steam rose thick around her. Was it her fault? Did she stop trying? Or was he just too busy chasing numbers, meetings, and deals? She used to wait for him. Dress nicely. Cook his favorite meals. Put on that perfume he liked. But all of it—ignored. She wasn't trying to blame him. No. She knew age came for everyone. Marriage changed over time. But deep down, she was still a woman. Still someone who wanted to feel seen... touched... loved. Her thoughts wandered again. Haruki... That smile. Those eyes. The way he looked at her—not like a mother-in-law. Not even like an older woman. But as a woman. Her heart skipped just remembering how close their faces were earlier. How her body accidentally pressed against him. How he didn't push her away. How he looked stunned, not disgusted. She turned off the water abruptly, breathing out a long sigh. "No," she whispered to herself. "Don't think like that, Kyouko. Don't be stupid..." Stepping out, she wrapped a towel around her body and stared into the foggy mirror. But even as she wiped it clear, her reflection seemed... lonelier than before. Kyouko stepped into her room, the towel still clinging to her damp skin. Deep in thought, she didn't bother to fully close the door behind her. Absentmindedly, her fingers adjusted the towel on her chest as she walked slowly toward the vanity. Her mind was clouded. Does he really not find me beautiful anymore? Is that why he doesn't touch me? Doesn't look at me like he used to? She glanced at her reflection, noticing every little line and curve of her body. Her eyes dropped to her breasts. Are they sagging now? Her fingers brushed along her stomach and hips—parts she used to be proud of. Do I... stink? she wondered bitterly. Not in a literal sense—she kept herself clean and fragrant—but that scent. That natural, youthful scent men seemed to crave. Had it faded? She shook her head. "Why am I thinking like this?" she whispered, her lips barely moving. Maybe it was the rain. There was something about it—the sound, the atmosphere—that made people feel things. Outside her room, Haruki had just stepped out of his, rubbing a towel through his hair. The hallway was quiet, save for the soft rumble of rain. He glanced toward Kyouko's door, noticing it wasn't fully closed. "Kyouko-san?" he called gently. No response. He took a step closer, unsure if she'd heard him. But when he reached the door, he froze. She was standing in front of her full-length mirror. The towel that had once wrapped around her... was gone. His breath hitched. Her back faced him, her posture relaxed—completely unaware. The curve of her waist flowed naturally into the soft roundness of her hips, her toned thighs set just slightly apart. Then his eyes caught on her ass—smooth, round, perfectly shaped. Not too big, not too small—just right. It was something that didn't need effort to be seductive—it just was. But what really made his pulse race was the mirror. From where he stood, he could see her front reflected faintly in the glass. Her breasts, stood out gently, soft and full. Her nipples, small and a soft pink, were slightly hard from the cool air in the room. His lips parted slightly. It wasn't just arousing—it was unreal. He had never expected to see her like this. Never imagined that her beauty could stir him like this. She wasn't trying to look sexy. But that made it even worse. Her skin glistened faintly under the light, her hair draped softly over one shoulder as she brushed it aside with her hand. She touched her chest—not in a teasing way, just self-consciously, inspecting herself. Her fingers lingered near her stomach, as if tracing over imperfections only she believed existed. And that subtle look on her face... Not seduction. Not vanity. Insecurity. Haruki's heart twisted. She didn't know how beautiful she was. Didn't realize how painfully attractive she looked just by being herself. He should've looked away. But he didn't. He stood there for a few more seconds, caught in a moment he had no right to witness. Then, realizing how wrong this was, he finally pulled away from the doorway, retreating back against the wall with a racing heart. His breath was shaky. His mind... spinning. Inside the room, Kyouko sighed faintly and turned to grab her clothes, still deep in thought, completely unaware of the eyes that had just witnessed her quiet, vulnerable moment. ( End of Chapter )