Chapter 226: Leaving the Past Behind ( 226 )

Words : 1172 Updated : Oct 5th, 2025

Chapter 226: Leaving the Past Behind ( 226 ) The man touched the discreet device in his ear and spoke calmly. "Target has cleared the Fujiwara encounter. She’s heading toward the hospital entrance." A quiet response came through. He nodded once and fell back. At the hospital’s main exit, two suited men were already waiting near a parked black sedan. As Kyouko approached, one of them stepped forward with a polite bow. "Ma’am," he said softly. "We received orders from Mister Kenji to drive you to your destination." Kyouko blinked. "Eh... I can go by taxi, it’s fine—" The other man gently cut in, smiling respectfully. "Please, ma’am. We’re only doing our job." Kyouko exhaled lightly, amused. Inside her mind: Haa... Kenji... you really don’t let me breathe. She offered a small nod. "Alright then." The door was already opened for her. Gracefully, she stepped inside. The Takahashi men returned to their positions with quiet precision. Kyouko leaned gently against the car seat, hands folded neatly on her lap as the city passed by beyond the tinted window. She sighed softly. Inside her mind: Haruki... If you knew about all this... You’d pout like a child. You’d furrow your brow and look at me with those sulky eyes... "Why didn’t you tell me?" "I’m your man, right?" "I’m supposed to be the first to know!" She smiled to herself. That image was so clear. He’d probably pull her into a hug, nuzzle into her shoulder, and demand she "make it up to him" later. And if he was truly in the mood... He might even punish her a little— with soft bites, slow kisses, and whispered claims that she belonged only to him. Kyouko sighed again, eyes softening. "...He really would do that." But she also knew— When she returned to the hospital as Takahashi Kyouko... He’d be proud. He’d kiss her hand. And maybe— Ask her to marry him for real. She gazed out the car window, the sunlight catching gently on her hair. The city passed by in soft blurs, but her thoughts were clear. She didn’t feel the need to hide anymore. There was nothing left to protect. Satoshi was history. Even if—somehow—he discovered the truth now... That she was the eldest daughter of the powerful Takahashi Group... It wouldn’t matter. The divorce was already in motion. The evidence. The shame. His silence. He had no power over her anymore. Kyouko rested her head lightly against the window, a soft smile tugging at her lips. "Maybe I should tell Haruki later." Let him know the truth. Inside Kyouko’s mind: They’re disgusting. Father and daughter... Doing that? Incest. She clenched her fists softly on her lap. She hated them. Not just because they crossed a line so forbidden— Not just because it was perverse, shameful, and unnatural— But because Satomi had the audacity to admit she’d been doing it since before marrying Haruki. All this time— Everything that happened. The lies. The manipulation. The coldness Satomi gave to Haruki. The way Satoshi never once cared for her. It all made sense now. All of this... Wouldn’t have happened if they hadn’t crossed that line as father and daughter. A line no decent human should ever cross. And now? Now that she knew— Now that she saw them for what they truly were— "I won’t ever give my life to Satoshi again." "And I’ll never let Haruki go back to Satomi. Ever." Never. No more pretending. No more silence. Kyouko’s lips tightened, but her eyes remained clear. She would protect Haruki. And reclaim everything those two tried to corrupt. And if Satomi ever tried again— If she dared to come crawling back to Haruki, to pretend to care, to steal what she had long thrown away... Kyouko would not allow it. She would expose everything. Every lie. Every secret Satomi had ever hidden from Haruki. All the filth behind that pretty, polished mask. No hesitation. No mercy. Kyouko’s fingers brushed the edge of her purse, where her phone rested— the one with the recording. The one she hadn’t used yet. But if they tried to ruin what she had with Haruki— what they fought to build— what they suffered to keep— She would crush them. Both of them. Without mercy. Without second thought. She smiled. A soft, elegant smile. But behind it— fire. "If either of them dares to touch my love for Haruki..." "I will crush them both." "Completely." Once the car came to a gentle stop in front of the ward office, one of the men stepped out and opened the door for her. Kyouko nodded politely, then stepped out—heels clicking softly against the pavement. The sun was high, the light filtering between the glass of the government building. It wasn’t glamorous. But to her— this place was sacred. Because this was the place where she would let go of the name Harusawa once and for all. She walked calmly into the lobby of the public office. The air was quiet, papers shuffled, staff spoke in hushed tones. A few people looked her way—drawn to her poised demeanor and polished beauty—but she ignored the stares. Slowly, gracefully, she made her way toward the family registration counter. She stopped in front of the sign-in desk. The clerk, a woman in her 50s, looked up. "Yes ma’am?" Kyouko smiled politely. "I’d like to file a change of legal name and update my koseki." "Of course. May I see your ID and divorce certificate?" Kyouko reached into her purse, produced the documents—already organized. The woman glanced through them, then nodded. "So you’d like to revert to your maiden name?" Kyouko’s eyes were steady. Her voice, soft. "Yes." "Please change it back to—Takahashi Kyouko." After a short while, Kyouko stepped out of the ward office. The sunlight had shifted slightly. A soft breeze swept past her, brushing her hair gently across her cheek. She paused on the steps for a moment—eyes closed—just feeling it. A Chapter had closed. And she didn’t feel sad. She felt... light. The car was still waiting by the curb. One of the men opened the door as she approached. "Ma’am," the driver said respectfully. "Is there anywhere you’d like to go next?" Kyouko didn’t hesitate. "Hospital, please." "Yes, ma’am." The door closed behind her with a soft click. And as the car pulled away, Kyouko sat back in her seat, a small, satisfied smile forming on her lips. She couldn’t wait to tell Haruki. Haruki... I’m happy. We no longer need to hide. No more secret touches in the dark. No more stolen glances, whispered excuses. No longer need to pretend. She looked down at her hands, folded gently over her purse. So much had changed. But inside... it all felt natural. Right. It would be just us. Just the two of them. Their future. Their child. A home built from love—not obligation. Kyouko smiled softly as the hospital drew closer through the window. "I’m coming back to you, Haruki..." "This time, as myself." "Takahashi Kyouko." ( End Of Chapter )

Chapter 226: Leaving the Past Behind ( 226 )

Comments (0)