Chapter 207: Silent Plans ( 207 )

Words : 1134 Updated : Oct 3rd, 2025

Chapter 207: Silent Plans ( 207 ) "So..." Hanako said, her voice soft and lilting, eyes glinting with mischief. She set her cup down, leaning in. "Kyouko-chan~" Kyouko didn’t meet her gaze. Her cheeks flushed faintly as she adjusted her grip on the cup. "...I don’t know what you’re talking about, Mom." Hanako chuckled—low, knowing, and delighted. "Yes yes... we don’t know." Her voice practically sang with amusement. Across the table, Kenji was biting his lip to keep from laughing. Kitayama cleared his throat, still not looking up. Kyouko stared into her tea. Dignified. Graceful. Mortified. She lifted the cup again, slowly sipping as if she could disappear behind the steam. Hanako smiled and sat back, utterly satisfied. There was no need to press further. Kyouko’s silence said it all. After breakfast, Kyouko moved quickly. She grabbed her purse from the hallway drawer, slipped on her heels, and headed straight for the front door. She waited at the porch, glancing back toward the house. "Kenji... hurry." Her voice was tight, impatient. From inside, Kenji’s voice called back casually, "Jeez, chill, neesan. We just got an update from the hospital not even a minute ago. Haruki-kun’s still stable." Kyouko didn’t reply. She just stood there, hands clenched around her purse strap. "Still," she muttered. "I want to be there." Kenji finally appeared at the doorway, keys in hand. "Yeah yeah..." he rolled his shoulders. "Mom, I’m going." Hanako’s voice floated from the kitchen: "Be careful." "Yes, Mom." both siblings answered in unison. Kyouko was already halfway to the car before Kenji even locked the door. They arrived at the hospital. As soon as Kenji pulled into the drop-off lane, Kyouko had already unbuckled, hand on the door handle. "Nee-san—" Kenji called out as she stepped out quickly. "Don’t rush. If you do, I swear I’ll tell Father about this." "...Mm..." Kyouko paused, visibly holding herself back. Kenji sighed and parked properly, getting out to follow her to the entrance. "Nee-san. Call me when you need a lift, alright? Don’t you dare drive." "Mm... okay." He gave her a long look. Then crossed his arms. "...No. I don’t trust that answer." "Huh?" "Give me your car key." Kyouko blinked. "But—" "No is no." Kenji pulled out his phone. "I’ll call Father right now if you refuse." Kyouko flinched. "Mou~" she groaned softly, reluctantly reaching into her purse and pulling out the car key. She handed it to him with a pout. Kenji smirked, snatching it with a satisfied nod. "Good. Don’t forget to call if you need a lift. Or just use a taxi. Understood?" "...Mm. I will." Kenji relaxed a bit, watching her walk toward the entrance. Inside Kenji’s mind... Nee-san... Don’t worry. We all know already. Even if you didn’t say it, even if you never told us— We’re family. And in this family, no one suffers without someone noticing. Father’s not someone who talks much... But he’s not heartless. Even when you didn’t call for more than twenty years... Even when you stayed away... He never stopped checking on you. You don’t know it, but... That delivery guy who always dropped off the heavy boxes? He’s one of Father’s people. The grocery shop that delivered your weekly vegetables? Their supplier works under one of Father’s business chains. Even the online store you used to order toiletries before Haruki moved in... It’s one of Father’s holding companies. Kenji sighed quietly, watching Kyouko’s back disappear into the hospital entrance. He never said it, but... Father always made sure you were safe. Even if you didn’t want to come home. Even if you thought you were forgotten. And, Nee-san... Father was really happy when you came back to Okinawa before. He didn’t say it. He never does. But I saw it. The way he looked at you... his oldest daughter, finally in front of him again. You probably didn’t notice. But I did. Father may be strict—cold, even—but he cares. Deeply. Not just about you, Nee-san. About me. About Keiko. About all of us. He’s always watching. Always making sure we’re okay, even if it’s from a distance. Even when we don’t realize it. Kenji exhaled, eyes still on the hospital entrance. Kazuma told me once... "Your father never says things twice. So if he says something, listen." Kenji smiled faintly. So be strong, Nee-san. Father already said... "All the choices are yours." And that means—whatever you choose from here on... We’re behind you. Kenji walked back toward the car, hands in his pockets, the morning breeze brushing against his shirt. He didn’t rush. He just moved with quiet ease. At the edge of the hospital driveway, near a shaded corner by a vending machine, a man stood casually—leaning against the railing, dressed in plain clothes, sunglasses on, coffee in hand. To anyone else, he looked like just another passerby. But Kenji knew better. He approached the car door... then paused. Turned slightly. And gave a small nod toward the man. A silent gesture. The man returned it without expression. No words needed. Just acknowledgment. One of Takahashi’s people. Planted there quietly. Watching. Guarding. For Kyouko. For Haruki. Kenji got into the car, started the engine. And drove off. Leaving the silent protection exactly where it needed to be. Meanwhile, at the Takahashi estate. The house was quiet again. In the study, Kitayama sat at his desk, the morning sun casting long shadows across the polished wood. Ring. He picked up the phone. "Hello." A pause. His eyes narrowed slightly. "Mm." "...Yes, I know." He leaned back in his chair, gaze fixed on nothing in particular—his voice steady, deliberate. "Don’t worry, Yamashita." Another pause. "Yes... we’ll launch the plan." "...Yes." His tone didn’t change, but the air around him seemed to tighten. "Haruki is important to both me... and to you." He closed his eyes for a brief moment. Then opened them, voice sharp now. Cold. "Don’t worry." "We’re going to crush that bastard." "Together." He ended the call. The room settled into silence again, heavy and still. A soft voice from the doorway. "Dear?" Hanako. She stepped inside, graceful as always, a cup of tea in hand. Kitayama didn’t look at her right away. "Hmm?" Hanako approached slowly, placing the cup gently on his desk. Her voice was quiet, but there was something steady beneath it. "So... we move now?" Kitayama finally turned his eyes toward her. "Yes." He rested his hands together, fingers interlaced. "Yamashita men and our men already completed the investigation." He paused. "Got the recording... the traffic camera footage... and a video from a passerby." A shadow flickered in his gaze. "...Even one of our own people nearby caught it." Hanako gave a small, satisfied nod. "Good." Kitayama’s voice was low. "Now we know it wasn’t just an accident." ( End Of Chapter )

Chapter 207: Silent Plans ( 207 )

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