Chapter 253: Along the Tracks of Love ( 253 )

Words : 1161 Updated : Oct 7th, 2025

Chapter 253: Along the Tracks of Love ( 253 ) It had been a week. A full week since the official waiting period ended. Japanese law required a divorced woman to wait before remarrying—a formality from an older era. But now, it was over. Kyouko was free. Truly, legally, entirely. She sat quietly on the edge of their shared bed, brushing her long, dark hair behind one ear. Her eyes watched Haruki from behind as he adjusted his shirt in the mirror. The sunlight framed his back. Barefoot, relaxed, just as he always looked in the morning. She smiled softly to herself. Today, they were going on a date. Not just any date—a summer festival in Kyoto. Fireworks. Yukata. Laughter. Crowds. Smiles. And maybe... maybe something more. She gently touched the edge of the small bracelet on her wrist—the same hand where no ring sat yet. It’s been a week... since I could legally marry again. She glanced at the calendar. Seven days. She turned toward him casually, letting her voice remain light. "Haruki?" "Hmm?" He glanced over, tying his wristwatch. "Where are we going today?" He looked at her with a soft smile. "Hmm? We planned Kyoto, remember? Summer festival. Fireworks, lanterns, shaved ice... But if there’s any place you want to go, we’ll go there instead." His voice was calm. Natural. But... that was it? Kyouko tilted her head, voice quiet, lips curving just slightly. "You know... there is one place I’d like to visit." Haruki turned briefly, adjusting his collar again. "Okay. Just tell me where." He smiled at her. Warm. Easy. But... that was it. No hesitation. No flicker of awareness. No sign that he remembered what this week meant. Kyouko’s hand rested gently in her lap. Her smile didn’t change. But something fluttered in her chest—soft and strange. He really forgot? Or did he not care? You tease me like this and act like you don’t notice... Even though I’m sitting here wearing a new yukata, looking like I’m twenty again, waiting like a fool... But she said nothing. Because she was Kyouko—graceful, quiet, too shy to ever ask for something so bold. Proposals... were not for women like her to bring up first. "We’re going by shinkansen, right, Kyouko?" Haruki asked while adjusting his shirt collar in front of the hallway mirror. "Yes~" Kyouko responded softly from the bedroom, folding a light yukata and slipping it into the small travel bag. "We’ll take a taxi to the station," Haruki said, checking the train schedule on his phone. "If we drive, we’ll arrive too late in Kyoto. Too much highway traffic." "Mm..." Kyouko smiled, still kneeling at the side of the bed. Her fingers smoothed out the edge of his folded clothes, then zipped the bag slowly. Kyouko nodded, gently zipping up the small travel bag on the bed. One bag for both of them. Their clothes folded together inside. Simple. Private. Intimate. She adjusted the straps quietly, checking for the last time if she forgot anything. A fresh towel. A light cardigan. A change of yukata. Haruki’s spare shirt. Everything was ready. Inside her mind. Well... maybe it’s still too early to bring it up. Even though it’s been a full week since my waiting period ended. She rested her hand on her lower belly. Nearly three months now. Soon I won’t be able to hide it. But Haruki already knew. He never said anything. Never asked. But he looked at her belly sometimes when he thought she wasn’t watching. And when he held her... his hand always rested there. Gently. Protectively. He knew. "Kyouko?" "Hmm?" "Let me take the bag." She hesitated for a moment, then smiled softly. "Mm... okay." Haruki slung the bag over his shoulder, then turned back to her. "You ready?" Kyouko looked up at him, eyes warm. "Yes." He reached for her hand. Laced their fingers together. Held it firmly. "Let’s go." She smiled. Not the kind of smile she used to give when things were expected of her— But a real one. One filled with quiet happiness. Inside the Shinkansen. The train hummed quietly as it sped along the tracks, scenery rushing past in warm summer colors. Inside the cabin, the air was cool and calm. They sat side by side, close. Kyouko took the window seat. Haruki beside her, their fingers loosely intertwined. She leaned against his shoulder, cheek resting gently against his arm. Her eyes half-closed, peaceful. Haruki turned to her, smiling. She looked so calm like this. So serene. So young-looking that she could have passed for a university student out on a date. "Kyouko?" "Mm?" Her voice was quiet, eyes still on the passing view. "Once we arrive in Kyoto... is there anywhere you’d like to visit before we go see the fireworks tonight?" She blinked once, slowly. Then smiled softly. Inside her mind. He really doesn’t remember... Or is he just pretending not to know...? Today is one week since I could marry again. And yet... Her eyes drifted to their hands. His fingers were warm around hers. Firm, natural. She let her thumb trace the back of his palm slowly. "Hmm~ there might be one place I want to visit," she answered with a sweet tone, lips curved gently. Haruki chuckled. "Let me guess... somewhere with a view?" Kyouko smiled again. Somewhere with a future, maybe... But she didn’t say that aloud. She just leaned in a little closer, letting her shoulder press softly against his. As the scenery blurred past the window, Kyouko slowly reached into her bag and took out her phone. It was the same model as Haruki’s. Same color. Same minimalist case. Only hers had a soft charm attached — a small sakura flower, dangling gently at the edge. She held the phone up gently, angling it toward both of them. Click. A soft shutter sound. A simple, unfiltered photo. No filters. No effects. Just the two of them. Kyouko, serene and radiant. Haruki, calm with a small smile. Their cheeks close. Her head against his shoulder. A moment captured quietly. Haruki leaned in a little, glancing at the screen as she lowered the phone. His eyes lingered. The smoothness of her skin. The way her lips curved softly even without trying. Her eyes—warm and deep like dusk. She looked so young. So beautiful. Like a woman in her twenties, glowing in love. And the photo wasn’t edited. It was just... real. The real her. And him. "Kyouko?" "Hmm?" She turned her head slightly, her cheek brushing against his shoulder. "Send that photo to me on LINE." A pause. Then a soft smile. "I want to use it as my wallpaper." Kyouko blinked once. Then giggled softly, heart fluttering. "Okay~" She tapped her screen, thumbs moving gently. A second later, Haruki’s phone vibrated quietly in his pocket. He took it out, checked the message, and opened the image again. That smile on his face didn’t go away. ( End Of Chapter )

Chapter 253: Along the Tracks of Love ( 253 )

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