Chapter 169: Surrounded by Love ( 169 )

Words : 1107 Updated : Sep 29th, 2025

Chapter 169: Surrounded by Love ( 169 ) "Wow!" Keiko grinned, holding out her phone. "You two really are mother-in-law and son-in-law? Mom—look at their photo!" Hanako leaned in, eyes narrowing slightly, then smiled. "Hmm~ This looks good. Very natural." Kitayama glanced over her shoulder. He let out a surprised grunt. "Hoh... they do look like a real couple." "Don’t they?" Keiko beamed. "If I didn’t know better, I’d say they’re married!" "Hey, hey!" Kyouko waved her hands slightly. "That’s enough—stop teasing." Her voice was soft, but her cheeks were clearly flushed. Haruki just smiled quietly. "You look comfortable," Hitomi added with a gentle chuckle. "Not awkward like earlier." "They’ve been living together for a while now," Hanako said casually, handing the phone back to Keiko. "I suppose it’s natural to be close." Kyouko glanced sideways. "Let’s take a big group photo now!" Riko shouted. "Before the light gets too bright!" "Right!" Daichi raised a peace sign. The family gathered, laughter rising again, camera ready. But as Kyouko stepped into the group, brushing slightly past Haruki— Her fingertips brushed his briefly. A fleeting touch. But enough. Enough to make them both smile just a little... as the camera flashed again. After the group picture was taken, the beach echoed with laughter and good cheer. Keiko was the first to check the photo. "Aww~ This turned out so good!" She held up her phone, showing it around. Kazuma gave a thumbs-up. Hitomi nodded, smiling. Hanako adjusted her hat, clearly pleased. Even Kitayama looked impressed. "I’ll post it on our group," Keiko said, already tapping into LINE. "Eh!?" Kyouko blinked. "You’re posting that?" "What’s wrong?" Keiko tilted her head. "Only us can see it, right? It’s the family group." Kyouko hesitated. "Ah... nothing." She smiled quickly, brushing hair behind her ear. But her heart beat faster. "Oh, Father!" Keiko looked at Kitayama. "We should add Haruki to the family group, right?" "Hah!?" Kitayama raised an eyebrow. "You still haven’t added him?" "I don’t know his number!" Keiko laughed. "Nee-san! You have it, right? Add him." "Okay, okay..." Kyouko sighed softly, already pulling out her phone. Her fingers tapped the screen quickly, but her breath caught a little when she reached his name. Nakagawa Haruki Her son-in-law. Her lover. She copied his contact. Shared it. "Done." A few seconds later, Haruki’s phone buzzed in his pocket. [You have been added to: Takahashi Family ] He opened it. Keiko had already posted a welcome message. Keiko: "Welcome to the group, Haruki-kun!" "Now you’ll see all the embarrassing childhood pics of Nee-san!" Haruki smile. He glanced up at Kyouko, who was avoiding eye contact. Hanako replied next: "Glad to have you officially in, Haruki-kun" Haruki gave a small bow toward everyone, smiling gently. "Thank you." The mood was warm, light. Then Kitayama cleared his throat. Straightening slightly, his serious tone cut gently through the laughter. "Now everyone knows your phone number," he said to Haruki. "Even if you’re busy back in Tokyo later... don’t be a stranger. Chat in the group sometimes." "Yes, Mister Kitayama." Haruki nodded respectfully. "I’ll make sure to stay in touch." Then Kitayama turned his gaze. "And you—Kyouko!!" Kyouko jolted slightly, startled by the sudden shift. "Y-Yes, Father?" "No more excuses." His voice was stern but not unkind. "Don’t do what you did before. You didn’t come home for over twenty years. You barely even called us." Kyouko’s breath caught. She lowered her gaze, voice soft. "Yes, Father... I won’t do that again." "Good." He looked at the rest of the group. "Now that we all have Haruki-kun’s number—if you, Kyouko, ever go quiet again..." He gave her a pointed look. "...we’ll call Haruki instead." "Oho~" Keiko grinned. "That’s smart!" Kenji laughed. Kyouko blushed, her lips pressing into a quiet smile. She glanced at Haruki, who met her eyes with a soft, unreadable expression. She mouthed silently: "Sorry." Haruki shook his head gently, returning a reassuring look. Kitayama leaned back, his expression calm but sharp. "So, Haruki-kun?" he said, voice steady. Haruki straightened slightly. "Yes, Mister Kitayama?" "How long you going to be in Okinawa?" Haruki glanced at the shoreline, thoughtful. "Ah... not for long now," he said. "Less than a month, I think. I’ve been here over two already. Once I finish reviewing the training files and the branch audit for Yamashita Corporation, I’ll be heading back to Tokyo." Kitayama gave a grunt. "Hmm... I see." He paused, letting the sound of the waves fill the silence for a beat. "If you have time..." he continued, looking directly at Haruki now. "...visit us again when you’re not busy. And drag this mother-in-law of yours along." Kyouko turned her head, surprised. "Father..." Kitayama snorted. "What? It’s true. If that ungrateful son-in-law of mine—that bastard Satoshi—tries to hold her back again, you call me. I’ll scold that son of a bitch myself." The entire group went quiet for a moment. Then Keiko laughed. "See? Father likes you more than Satomi’s real dad!" Hanako sighed. "Dear, please don’t swear so much when we’re on vacation..." Kitayama grumbled. "Hmph. I say what I want." Haruki smiled softly, grateful but holding back his full emotion. "Thank you, Mister Kitayama. I’ll remember that." He glanced at Kyouko, who was avoiding eye contact again—but the faint warmth in her cheeks said everything. "So, Haruki." Haruki turned. "Yes, Mr. Kitayama?" Kitayama gestured lazily toward Kyouko. "Before you go back to Tokyo with your mother-in-law here..." His tone was casual—but knowing. "...make sure you drop by. We’re going to have a drink." Haruki smiled. "Of course. I’d be honored." Kenji leaned in with a wide grin. "Yeah, Haruki-kun! We’ll drink until we forget the time. Like last time, huh?" Kazuma chuckled softly, swirling the ice in his glass. "Sounds good. I’ll bring better sake next round." Across the table, Keiko giggled, clearly amused by the men’s enthusiasm. Hanako simply smiled, a warm, gentle look in her eyes. She turned to Kyouko and spoke with a soft firmness only a mother could carry: "Yes, Kyouko. Don’t forget to come home before you two return to Tokyo." Kyouko blinked, then nodded slowly. "I won’t, Mother." But inside, her chest tightened. It wasn’t just about visiting anymore. This—these moments, this family warmth, the laughter, the togetherness— It was becoming harder to leave. Harder to pretend. Harder to hide how much it meant to her... To come home not just as a daughter—but with Haruki beside her. Even if no one else knew the truth. Yet somehow, it already felt like everyone had accepted him. As if, in some unspoken way... They already knew who she truly belonged with. ( End Of Chapter )

Chapter 169: Surrounded by Love ( 169 )

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