Chapter 17: Awakening Feelings ( 17 )

Chapter 17 - Awakening Feelings ( 17 ) A soft knock on the door was followed by the arrival of a doctor, holding a clipboard. Haruki stood up right away and bowed politely. The doctor smiled slightly. "Good morning. I'm here to check on the patient." Haruki nodded and quietly stepped aside to give the doctor space. As the doctor got closer to Kyouko's bedside, Haruki took one last look at her before leaving the room. In the hallway, he leaned against the wall for a moment. He had forgotten his phone in the rush. A part of him wanted to go home and get it, maybe let Satomi know what had happened... but another part didn't want to leave Kyouko alone, even for a minute. Maybe I'll wait until the doctor is done, he thought, putting his hands in his pockets. Then I'll tell Kyouko I'll go back for a bit... He sighed softly and looked at the door again, waiting patiently Once the doctor stepped out with a polite nod, Haruki quietly returned to the chair next to Kyouko's bed. She was still asleep, her breathing steady, though her face looked a bit pale. Well... I think the phone can wait. He looked around and grabbed a magazine from the nearby rack. Flipping through it absentmindedly, his eyes didn't really focus on the pages. Eventually, they wandered back to Kyouko. Even while sleeping, she looked graceful. Her hair was slightly messy, and her lips were slightly parted as she breathed. There was a softness in her expression, a calmness that made her seem even more beautiful. Haruki smiled to himself. She really is something else... He leaned back slightly in the chair, holding the magazine loosely in his hands while keeping his eyes on her face. Hours went by. Haruki flipped through every page of the magazine without really reading it. The room was quiet, except for the soft hum of machines and distant sounds from the hospital hallway. He let out a small yawn and stretched a bit in the chair. His gaze returned to Kyouko. Her breathing was calm, her expression peaceful. Those lips... He rested his elbow on the armrest, propping his cheek against his palm as he kept watching her. His body relaxed, his eyelids growing heavier with each passing moment. The warmth of the room, the rhythmic sound of the IV drip, and her presence—all of it lulled him. Without realizing it, he slowly slouched forward. And then... His head gently rested against her arm, near the curve of her chest. Soft. Warm. Haruki didn't even stir. He had fallen asleep. Kyouko stirred, blinking slowly as she woke up from sleep. Her body felt strangely heavy on one side. She shifted her gaze—and paused. Haruki's head was resting gently against her chest, his face calm and peaceful as he slept. Her eyes widened in surprise, but she didn't move. Her first instinct was to panic or wake him, but then she looked at him more closely. He was so handsome. So quiet. Like a boy who had finally found peace after a long day. Her breath caught for a moment. Her heart skipped—not from fear or shock, but something warmer. Something unfamiliar. Slowly, her hand moved almost on its own. She ran her fingers through his hair, which was soft and slightly messy from sleep. He didn't wake. He only sighed softly and shifted closer. Kyouko smiled. She didn't know why, but something about Haruki made her feel... at ease. Yes, he was handsome—anyone could see that—but it was more than just his looks. It was the way he stayed. The quiet care in his actions. The way he made her feel like she wasn't alone. For the first time in a long while, she felt truly comfortable beside someone. Kyouko smiled softly as her fingers continued to brush through his hair. She closed her eyes again, her body still tired... but her heart? Her heart felt warm. After so long living with silence and distance, today she wasn't alone. Someone was here. Someone who cared. Kyouko slowly extended her hand, her fingers reaching for Haruki's cheek. She caressed it gently, trying not to wake him. He stirred slightly, not fully awake, and instinctively moved closer. His arm slid over her waist, and his head nestled deeper against her chest. Kyouko's eyes widened, and her heart raced in panic. Before she could react, the door opened. A nurse stepped in, quietly checking the equipment and chart. She glanced over and smiled warmly. "Your husband really cares for you," she said softly. "Ah..." Kyouko's voice caught in her throat. She couldn't bring herself to correct her. "You two look good together. Newlyweds?" "Um... umm..." Kyouko's face flushed. The nurse chuckled gently, giving a knowing smile before heading out of the room. As the door closed, Kyouko let out a small breath. She looked down at Haruki's sleeping face. Kyouko felt awkward—Haruki was still asleep, his head resting on her chest, his arm wrapped lightly around her waist. She could feel his warmth, his breath brushing against her skin through the thin fabric of the hospital gown. Part of her wanted to wake him up, to gently push him away before he realized what he was doing. But another part of her didn't. It had been so long. So long since anyone held her like this. So long since even her husband embraced her while they slept. And sex? That part of their marriage had vanished long ago. Not once since Satomi was born. Not even once. Why? Was she not attractive anymore? Was it the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes? The way her body had changed with age? She never asked him. She was too scared of the answer. That thought stung. Yet now here was Haruki. Younger. More handsome. Holding her in a way that made her feel like a woman again—not just a wife or a mother. Her heart raced a little faster. She felt excited, nervous. And most of all... she felt something she hadn't felt in years. Desired? Maybe. But now, as Haruki held her gently in his sleep, a part of her stirred. This wasn't just about being touched. It was about feeling wanted. Something her husband hadn't made her feel in decades. "I shouldn't feel like this," she whispered to herself. But she didn't move. Kyouko closed her eyes, pretending to rest, but her heart beat quietly in her chest. Slowly—hesitantly—her hand moved toward Haruki's. Just a little more... She opened one eye and glanced at their sides. Her fingers brushed against his... and then, finally, she held his hand. Warm. Firm. Comforting. She felt nervous. Terrified he might notice. Terrified he might open his eyes and see how foolish she was being. What would he think? That she was lonely? Desperate? Or worse—that she desired something she had no right to feel? She swallowed, her cheeks warming. And yet... she didn't let go. ( End of Chapter )