Chapter 194: Shared Happiness ( 194 )

Words : 1210 Updated : Oct 1st, 2025

Chapter 194: Shared Happiness ( 194 ) The next day. The sun filtered softly through the front gates of the small countryside orphanage—the same one that had raised Haruki long ago. "Haruki onii-san!!" A wave of excited children rushed toward him, arms wide and voices bright. Haruki laughed, crouching slightly as he welcomed them with open arms, his bag brimming with sweets, fruits, and neatly packed food containers. "Whoa, slow down! There’s enough for everyone!" He began handing things out, letting each child choose, ruffling a few heads, smiling as the kids eagerly unwrapped candies and peeked into the bags. From nearby, the older caretaker couple watched with fond eyes, standing by the low steps of the main house. "You never change, Haruki-kun," the woman chuckled warmly. "Still spoiling them." Haruki grinned. "They deserve it." Suddenly—a hush fell over the crowd of children. All heads turned toward the front entrance. Footsteps. Soft. Deliberate. And then they saw her. A woman stepped through the gate. She wore simple but elegant clothes. Her long, dark hair was pinned back neatly, and a facemask covered her lips. But her grace, the way she carried herself—even the kids noticed. Beautiful. Serene. Gentle. She looked like someone from a dream. "Haruki onii-san... who is that?" one of the boys asked in awe. Haruki turned and smiled, lifting a hand to wave her over. "Ah, she?" He reached for her hand as she came closer. "She’s my wife." There was a beat of stunned silence. "For real!?" "She’s so beautiful!!" "Waaah, like a movie lady!" Kyouko laughed softly behind her mask, her eyes smiling. She bowed gently toward the children. "Nice to meet you~" The older caretaker stepped forward with her husband, eyes crinkled with a knowing smile. "This is the first time you’ve brought your wife here, Haruki-kun." Haruki looked at Kyouko beside him. She stood quietly, her fingers lightly brushing his sleeve. And for a moment, everything felt right. Each child hesitated for a moment, still in awe. Then, one by one, they slowly stepped closer to her—small hands reaching out, curious eyes wide. Kyouko smiled softly, her gaze warm and kind as she gently caressed each child’s hand, offering a touch of comfort, one after another. She lowered herself gracefully, softly to her knees, her skirt folding neatly beneath her, so that she could meet each child at eye level. A girl with a braid stared up at her, wide-eyed. "You’re really Haruki onii-san’s wife?" Kyouko reached out, brushing the girl’s bangs from her forehead and smiled. "Mm... I am." Another child, a boy with round cheeks, pointed shyly. "Your hands are really pretty." Kyouko laughed gently. Haruki stood just behind her, watching. Seeing Kyouko kneeling among the children, gracefully holding their hands, her smile so natural and gentle. The children began to tug at Kyouko’s sleeves and hands, their voices bright with excitement. Kyouko let out a soft, flustered laugh. She looked back at Haruki with wide eyes. He just shook his head, smiling. His eyes filled with quiet affection. "You’re on your own now." Kyouko gave him a helpless look—but still followed the kids inside, letting them pull her into their little world. Haruki turned back to the caretakers. From the inner pocket of his jacket, he pulled out a simple, sealed envelope, and offered it to the older woman with both hands. "I already transferred some..." he said softly. "Just a little extra to keep things running smooth." The woman blinked in surprise, taking it reluctantly. "Haruki-kun... you don’t have to do this." Her husband stepped beside her, nodding. "The amount you sent last month was enough to cover the year. We were still talking about it just yesterday." Haruki smiled, modest and sincere. "I didn’t forget where I came from." He looked at the children’s laughter echoing from inside. "And I’m not planning to." Mrs. Himari held the envelope close, her eyes softening. "You turned out to be a good man, Haruki-kun." He rubbed the back of his neck. "I just want the kids to have what I didn’t. That’s all." "Besides..." Haruki continued softly, eyes steady, "once the kids start school again, they’ll need more supplies. Uniforms. Materials. Meals. Please, just accept this." He bowed low. "It’s for them. And for you. So you can pay your staff fairly. Keep things running. I owe everything to this place... to both of you." He lifted his head slowly, his voice steady. "If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have gone to school. I wouldn’t have become who I am." Mrs. Himari’s eyes shimmered just slightly. Her husband smiled beside her and gave a small nod. "If you insist..." the older man said gently. "Then we’ll accept it, Haruki-kun." He reached into his coat once more. "And... I’ve already arranged for a new van to be delivered by next week." He turned slightly, glancing at the old vehicle parked near the gate. "That one’s been stalling too much. The kids deserve better. Something safer for the school runs." Mrs. Himari gasped lightly. "A van? Haruki-kun..." "Just a simple one. Nothing fancy. Just enough room for everyone and strong enough for the hills around here." The older couple looked at him—a young man who once had nothing, now standing tall and giving so much, yet speaking as if it were just a small gesture. From inside the house, a burst of laughter erupted, and Kyouko’s soft voice could be heard gently guiding the kids, clearly trying to keep up with their energy. Inside the house, laughter danced across the walls as the children gathered around Kyouko, still buzzing with energy. "Onee-san! Tell us a story!" "Yeah! A princess one!" "No, a cool one—with fighting!" Kyouko chuckled softly, seated neatly on the edge of a wide cushion. Her posture remained elegant, even as she was surrounded by noisy little bodies climbing onto beanbags and mats around her. "Okay, okay..." she said in her calm, soothing voice. "How about one with both a princess and some fighting? Would that be fair?" A round of cheering erupted. But just as she was about to begin, one of the quieter girls—a small child with short hair and big curious eyes—raised her hand shyly. Kyouko blinked, then nodded gently. "Yes, sweetheart?" The girl’s fingers fidgeted with her skirt. Her voice was soft. "Can... can we see your face?" The room went silent for a moment. Even the noisier kids turned to look. Kyouko paused. Then she smiled, slow and kind, eyes crinkling gently at the corners. With a graceful motion, she reached up and removed her facemask, folding it neatly and tucking it into her pocket. She didn’t rush. She didn’t perform. She simply revealed herself, quietly. The children stared. One of the boys gasped. "Waaah... she’s really pretty..." The little girl who asked blushed, but smiled wide. "You look like a storybook lady..." Kyouko’s laugh was soft and genuine. "Then I’ll do my best to tell a story that suits my face." She sat up straighter, folding her hands lightly in her lap. And as she spoke, Haruki watched from the doorway. His eyes never left her. The woman who once thought she had nothing left to give... And yet now, was everything. ( End Of Chapter )

Chapter 194: Shared Happiness ( 194 )

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