Chapter 229: Recognition of Truth ( 229 )

Words : 1273 Updated : Oct 5th, 2025

Chapter 229: Recognition of Truth ( 229 ) Once they stepped out from the hospital doors, the sun greeted them with a soft warmth. Haruki reached out and gently took her hand. Kyouko smiled at him. She looked up slightly, voice light. "Where now, Haruki? We don’t have a house~" Her smile didn’t fade, but her tone carried a little truth beneath the teasing. "We can’t go back to that house anymore." Haruki smiled. "Don’t worry about the house, Kyouko. And no..." He shook his head slightly. "I never wanted to go back there." He looked at her fully now. "Because I got what I wanted." Inside his mind... I got what I want. You, Kyouko. I got the perfect woman... the one I used to think only existed in dreams. If it’s a house you’re worried about... I’ve already prepared it. If it’s a home you need... it’ll be ready soon. Once your waiting period is over... That’s when our real life begins. "Haruki?" "Hmm?" "What’s with the silence?" "Nothing, Kyouko." He gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "Let’s wait for the taxi." She tilted her head, looking up at him with a soft smile—so real, so innocent it made his heart race. "Where to?" she asked. Haruki looked down at her. The way she smiled. The way her bangs shifted when she moved. The softness in her eyes—she wasn’t trying to be cute. She just was. So serene. So hers. His chest tightened. He couldn’t believe she was really his now. He swallowed lightly. "...Just follow me, Kyouko." Once they stepped into the taxi, Haruki quietly told the driver the address. Kyouko tilted her head slightly, curious. She didn’t recognize where they were going—but she didn’t ask. She simply leaned against Haruki’s shoulder, her body relaxing with a soft exhale. Her smile was small, but full of warmth. She didn’t need to know. Where Haruki went... she would follow. Because she knew—deep in her heart—there was no stopping her from loving this man. The one who made her understand what happiness really was. The one who made her feel... alive again. He taught her what it meant to want someone. What it meant to be wanted. Not just touched—but held. Not just seen—but loved. Through him, she discovered what she never knew she was missing. Pleasure. Real pleasure. Climaxing for the first time in her life—body trembling, voice breaking. The sound of her own moan finally escaping after years of silence. And beyond that— He made her feel... Happy. Smiling like a woman in love. Needed... like she was the only one who mattered. She closed her eyes, still leaning into him. Haruki glanced down and noticed— Kyouko had fallen asleep. Her head rested gently against his shoulder, her breathing slow and steady, lips slightly parted in peaceful exhaustion. He smiled faintly. She must be tired. Too tired. Her body had been holding up so gracefully, as always—but he could see it now. The weight under her eyes. The way her hand had trembled slightly when she passed him his folded shirt. She hadn’t been sleeping properly. He remembered what the nurse told him... And what the doctor confirmed. She was the first to arrive— The one who rushed in when he was brought to the hospital after the accident. She’d waited in the emergency area all night. Sat through the surgery. Stayed through the uncertainty. She was the one who remained when they transferred him to ICU. The one who pressed her forehead to the glass just to catch a glimpse of him. She was the one who held his hand when he was moved to Room 324. Even when he couldn’t speak. Even when he couldn’t open his eyes. She never left. She waited. She whispered his name. She slept in the chair beside his bed. She called the doctor once—panicked—when his vitals dropped. She stayed calm... but only on the outside. She never went far. Not even once. Haruki looked at her now, sleeping so softly against him. Her scent lingered faintly in the space between them. His fingers gently brushed hers. This woman... She’s everything. And now that he was awake— Now that he could walk again, speak again— He’d never let her carry everything alone again. The taxi rocked gently as it turned a corner. Kyouko still slept quietly against his shoulder, her breath soft and warm. Haruki looked out the window, his thoughts drifting again. He remembered what the nurse had said—how Satomi only visited once, during the emergency... then left with a tired excuse. Didn’t even stay through the first night. Didn’t return during ICU. Didn’t call. Didn’t ask. Just disappeared. That was all. One visit. One excuse. Haruki didn’t feel shocked. He didn’t feel angry. Because deep down... He had known. From the beginning. Satomi never loved him. Not on their wedding day. Not when they signed the papers. Not even when they kissed in front of their parents. He was the one holding on. Trying. Hoping. Maybe... if he gave it time, something would spark. Maybe they’d learn to care for each other. Maybe they’d find comfort. But nothing ever grew. And maybe Kyouko didn’t know. Maybe Satomi never suspected that he’d figured it out. But Haruki knew. Satomi had been cheating on him. He found out long ago—back when he was still adjusting to life in the Harusawa household. Just a week after moving in. That first week, he and Kyouko had barely spoken— Still strangers, still polite, still locked behind walls of formality. Why does Satomi always insist on following her father to work? Even though she had her own car. Even though they weren’t going to the same office. At the time... He didn’t question it. He was too polite. Too awkward in his new home. Still learning when to speak and when to stay quiet. But as days passed— And her patterns never changed— The truth began to take shape. Haruki never had much interest in following them anyway. It was just coincidence— That day, he had been summoned to Yamashita Corporation’s main building for an official meeting. A formal discussion with Mister Yamashita himself. He took his scooter, like always. The meeting ended late in the afternoon. Not urgent, but important. And afterward... On impulse, he thought to swing by Harusawa Corporation. It wasn’t strange. That company belonged to his father-in-law. And Satomi had recently become a shareholder. He thought maybe he could check in... Greet them. Show support. He didn’t expect much. Just something small. A husband’s role, even if the marriage felt hollow. When he arrived, he parked outside the building and adjusted his collar. A few minutes later, he saw them. Satomi. And Satoshi. Both walking out of the building together—heading toward Satoshi’s car. They didn’t notice him. At that moment, he smiled faintly to himself. He didn’t suspect anything. He thought... maybe he’d follow them quietly. Surprise them. And if they stopped by a restaurant—maybe he’d walk in, pretend it was a chance encounter, and offer to treat them. So he followed. Keeping his distance. Scooter humming softly behind them. It wasn’t far. But when they turned off the main road and pulled into the hotel driveway... He recognized the building. One of Yamashita Corporation’s premium hotels. There had been a promotion going on there lately. Dinner packages. Business suites. Maybe they’re just here for that. Maybe they’re holding a private meeting. He stopped and parked by the side entrance. Nodded politely at the valet staff—they knew who he was. He straightened his sleeves and walked calmly toward the front desk. ( End Of Chapter )

Chapter 229: Recognition of Truth ( 229 )

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