Chapter 206: Silent Knowing ( 206 )

Words : 1117 Updated : Oct 3rd, 2025

Chapter 206: Silent Knowing ( 206 ) Morning. Takahashi Group Estate. The grand house sat quietly atop the hill, bathed in soft sunlight. Inside one of the bedrooms— Kyouko stirred. Her eyes blinked open slowly. White ceiling. Clean sheets. Warm light pouring through tall windows. This wasn’t the hospital. Her body jolted upright. She looked around, confusion turning quickly to panic. She threw the blanket off and rushed toward the door. As she opened it— "Where do you think you’re going!?" Kyouko froze. Hanako stood there in the hallway, arms crossed, waiting. "Mom! Please— I need to go to the hospital! Please!" "You are not driving in that condition," Hanako said firmly. "You couldn’t even walk straight last night." "But... but I have to be there! I don’t know what happened to Haruki!" Kyouko’s voice cracked, her hands trembling. From the living room below, Kitayama’s voice called out: "Kyouko!" She flinched at the tone—deep, commanding. Hanako stepped closer, her voice gentle, but firm. "Your father already arranged for the hospital director to check on Haruki this morning." She reached out and held Kyouko’s arms. "We’ll be updated the moment anything changes. Immediately." Kyouko’s lips trembled. "But..." "Go wash up first," Hanako said softly. "Get something to eat." Kyouko’s shoulders dropped slightly. Her chest still tight. Her heart still aching. But for now... She nodded. After washing herself in a rush, Kyouko stepped out of the bathroom, still lightly damp, her robe tied loosely around her. She was reaching for a towel when the door opened gently. Hanako stepped inside, carrying something in her hands. A fresh, unopened skincare set—luxurious, carefully selected. The same brand Kyouko had always used. Hanako held it out. "Here." Kyouko blinked. "Mom...?" "Go on. Make sure you do your daily routine." She placed the set on the counter and smiled faintly. "You don’t want Haruki to see you with tired eyes and dry skin when he wakes up, do you?" Kyouko’s eyes widened. Then softened. She reached out and gently touched the set with trembling fingers. Hanako turned to leave, her voice softer now. "Take your time, dear. I’ll have breakfast waiting." And then she left her alone again. With silence. With her own reflection. And a sudden, fragile hope that maybe... Maybe she still had time to be beautiful for him. After applying the last layer of her skincare, Kyouko stood before the mirror. Her skin glowed faintly. Her eyes were still tired, but steadier now. She changed into the dress her mother had prepared for her— simple, clean, and elegant. Then she stepped out quietly, her bare feet making no sound on the wooden floor. The scent of warm bread and brewed coffee drifted from the kitchen. Just beside it— the dining table near the garden window. There, Kitayama sat. His laptop open. A cup of black coffee beside him. He was already in the middle of a video call. On-screen: two men—the hospital director and the head doctor of Tokyo General. Kitayama’s voice was calm. Sharp. "Mm. Make sure you inform me of any update regarding my grandson-in-law. Haruki." "Yes, Mister Takahashi," the hospital director replied quickly. "Rest assured. You will be notified immediately, even of the smallest change." "Good." Kitayama didn’t glance up— But he knew Kyouko had arrived. He simply gestured slightly to the seat across from him, already prepared with a warm meal. "Eat." Kitayama’s voice was firm—low, but commanding. Kyouko paused, halfway into her seat. "Don’t you dare go to the hospital without eating," he added, eyes still on his laptop. "Kenji will drive you there." "...Yes, Father," Kyouko replied softly, sitting down properly. She lowered her gaze and picked up the chopsticks. From the kitchen, Hanako walked in gracefully, placing the rest of the breakfast on the table—miso soup, grilled fish, rice, and warm tea. Kitayama closed the laptop lid and glanced across the room. "Where’s Kazuma?" Kenji, already walking in and adjusting his sleeves, grinned faintly. "Ah, he’s still upstairs... with Keiko~ ehem." Kitayama shook his head. Hanako simply smiled, pretending not to hear the undertone, as she set down her own cup of tea. "And your wife?" Kenji sat down beside his sister. "Hitomi is still resting upstairs with Riko and Daichi. They stayed up pretty late comforting the kids." Kitayama gave a small nod. "Now—don’t you dare stay at the hospital," Kitayama said, his tone still calm but edged with steel. "If Haruki is still not moved to the ward. Understood, Kyouko?" "...Yes, Father." His eyes narrowed slightly. "I don’t want to see you forcing yourself like that again." Kyouko didn’t respond. She just lowered her gaze, her fingers gently tightening around her chopsticks. The table fell quiet for a moment. Then Hanako, seated just beside her, looked over with a faint, knowing smile. "...And, Kyouko?" Kyouko glanced at her. "Yes, Mother?" Hanako’s eyes softened. "You really care for him, huh?" Hanako sipped her tea gently, then glanced sideways at Kyouko—who was eating quietly, eyes still low. A small, playful glint appeared in Hanako’s eyes. She turned her head slightly toward her husband. "Hmm... I wonder how far they’ve gone, dear," she said lightly, her tone filled with innocent curiosity. Her eyes, however, were fixed directly on Kyouko. Kitayama didn’t even look up from his newspaper. Kyouko, mid-bite, froze. Then she coughed—hard. Nearly choking on her rice. Kenji, startled, reached to pat her back, while Hanako calmly passed her a napkin. "Careful now," Hanako said with a sweet, almost sing-song tone. "Don’t rush while eating." Kyouko took the napkin, face flushed, still trying to catch her breath. "...Mom..." Hanako just smiled, her voice innocent as ever. "I didn’t say anything strange, dear." "Y... yo... you... know...?" Kyouko stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. Hanako tilted her head, feigning innocence. "Hmm? What do you mean, Kyouko~?" Kyouko fell silent. Her fingers tightened slightly around her tea cup. Hanako leaned just a little closer, her tone still light and sing-song. "Ah~ you mean..." she tapped her chin with a fingertip, "you living together with him in Okinawa...?" Kyouko’s eyes widened slightly. "...Or was it before you went to Okinawa?" She sipped her tea. "Or after you got back to Tokyo~?" Across the table, Kenji choked quietly on his rice, turning his head away with a suppressed cough. Kitayama didn’t even glance up—though the subtle flick of his eyebrow said enough. Kyouko, trying to keep her composure, lifted her tea cup slowly. Took a sip. But her hand was trembling. Hanako smiled into her cup, not pressing further. The message was clear. They knew. They all knew. But none of them were angry. They were just... waiting for her to admit it. ( End Of Chapter )

Chapter 206: Silent Knowing ( 206 )

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