Chapter 203: A Small World ( 203 )

Words : 1083 Updated : Oct 3rd, 2025

Chapter 203: A Small World ( 203 ) The receptionist blinked, hands poised nervously over her keyboard. "I’m sorry, sir... but I can’t give out patient information without permission. It’s hospital policy." Yamashita’s gaze didn’t waver. He didn’t argue. Didn’t raise his voice. He turned toward his assistant. "Call that woman again," he said quietly. "The one listed as his emergency contact." "Ask where Haruki is." "Yes, sir," the assistant replied immediately, already stepping aside to make the call. The assistant held the phone to his ear for a moment, then spoke politely. "Hello? Yes, we’re from Yamashita Corporation. May we ask where Haruki is?" A pause. "...Oh. ICU?" "Understood. Thank you." He ended the call and turned back. "Mister Yamashita. She said Haruki is in the ICU wing." Yamashita nodded once. "We go there." Without another word, he turned—his group falling in step behind him. The sound of their footsteps echoed down the sterile hallway, sharp and steady, as they moved toward the restricted floor. When they reached the ICU floor, the group came to a slow stop. There, seated quietly on the bench outside the unit, was a woman. Composed. Beautiful. Younger than expected. Her posture was graceful, her expression calm—but her eyes... her eyes were tired. Yamashita stepped forward, stopping a short distance in front of her. "...You... Harusawa Kyouko?" She looked up and gave a small nod. "Yes." "I’m Yamashita," he said, voice steady. "Haruki’s employer." "...Mm. I know." He studied her for a brief moment, then asked quietly, "So... how is he?" Kyouko drew a quiet breath, her hands folded in her lap. "He’s still unconscious. The doctor said... they’ll inform me if anything happens." Yamashita nodded slightly. "I see." There was a pause. "...How did this happen?" Kyouko straightened her posture. She made sure her voice remained calm. Even as her chest tightened again, even as her throat threatened to close. "I’m sorry," she said softly. "I don’t know what truly happened. The police came earlier and asked me the same." She looked down for a second, then back up. "All I know... is that it was an accident." Yamashita turned slightly toward his personal assistant. "Ensure everything is smooth," he said quietly. The assistant gave a firm nod and moved away to handle the rest. Yamashita stood still for a moment, but his fingers subtly trembled. He lowered himself onto the bench, exhaling slowly. His eyes stared forward—but his mind wasn’t here. Haruki. Of all the people under his company, Haruki was one of the few he considered irreplaceable. A sharp mind. Loyal. Clean. Relentless. He clenched his hands quietly... then stood again. He walked toward the ICU viewing panel. Still sealed. Still silent. "...So we still can’t visit him?" he asked, voice steady. "No," Kyouko answered softly, her tone composed. "Not yet." Yamashita glanced at her. Something in her voice. "...May I ask?" he said, lowering his voice. Kyouko looked up. Their eyes met. "What is your relationship with Haruki?" She held his gaze. "I’m his mother-in-law." A beat of silence. Yamashita blinked. "...Hmm? Then... where is his wife?" "I told them to go back home," Kyouko replied gently. "I’ll update them if anything happens." Her tone remained calm, respectful. Inside Yamashita’s mind, the questions stirred quietly. Who exactly is this beautiful young woman to Haruki? She said she was his mother-in-law. But something didn’t sit right. Why was she listed as his emergency contact... and not his wife? That wasn’t something done lightly. And more curiously. The shareholder inheritance transfer... It had been changed to her name. Not Satomi’s. He hadn’t asked questions at the time—Haruki was discreet and precise. But now... everything seemed too intentional. Yamashita remained silent. He turned his gaze back to Kyouko, seated there with perfect poise, her hands resting on her lap, eyes fixed on the ICU door like nothing else in the world existed. Just then, one of his staff approached quietly with a tray. "Sir," the assistant said softly. "Coffee." Yamashita took one and turned toward Kyouko. "Here," he said, offering it to her. She blinked once, surprised, then gave a small nod. "...Thanks." They sat quietly for a moment, the silence filled only with the faint hum of hospital machinery. Yamashita exhaled slowly. "...Let’s hope Haruki will be fine." Kyouko didn’t respond right away. She simply held the cup gently in her hands. Yamashita narrowed his eyes. His gaze studied her more carefully now. "...It seems we’ve met before," he murmured. "But... where?" Kyouko looked at him calmly. Her lips curved into a soft, graceful smile. "Yes," she said gently. "We have." "Where?" She tilted her head slightly. "You might not remember... uncle." Yamashita froze for a moment. ...Uncle? The word echoed in his mind. His eyes narrowed further. Do you know me? Kyouko nodded slowly, still smiling. "Yes. I am. We met when I was a child... and again, just before I graduated high school." Yamashita stared at her, trying to place the face. The voice. The tone. Who is she? He frowned slightly. That name—Harusawa... that wasn’t her name back then, was it? "...Your real name?" Yamashita asked, voice low. "Kyouko." "No, I mean—your family name." Kyouko’s expression stayed calm now. No smile this time. Only stillness. "...Harusawa.." Yamashita shook his head slowly. "No. Your name before marriage." A beat passed. Then she answered quietly. "Takahashi Kyouko." Yamashita’s eyes widened, just slightly. "Ah—!" The pieces clicked into place. The girl from Okinawa. The daughter of that family. The one with eyes just like Hanako... and the same quiet air of grace Kitayama carried. He looked at her again—and now he saw it. Not just Haruki’s mother-in-law. Takahashi Kitayama’s daughter. And suddenly, so much made sense. Yamashita let out a quiet breath. "...No wonder you look like Hanako." Kyouko glanced at him, her expression soft but unreadable. Her voice remained steady. "Yes, uncle." Yamashita let out a quiet sigh. "...What a small world." Kyouko gave a faint smile—just enough to be polite. But her eyes never lost their focus. They still carried the weight of waiting. "You don’t need to worry about Haruki’s bill," Yamashita said after a moment. "I’ve already arranged everything." Kyouko nodded slowly. "...Mm." Yamashita stood from the bench once again and walked to the glass window outside the ICU doors. He looked inside. At the still form on the hospital bed. At the faint rhythm of machines keeping one of his brightest alive. "...Let’s hope everything turns out fine." ( End Of Chapter )

Chapter 203: A Small World ( 203 )

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