Chapter 26: Treading on Tenderness ( 26 )

Chapter 26 - Treading on Tenderness ( 26 ) "Haruki?" He looked down at her, his head still gently leaning against hers. "Hmm? Yes, Kyouko-san?" She hesitated. "Nothing..." Her voice was soft, almost a whisper. Kyouko didn't know what she really wanted to say. Or maybe she did—but just couldn't bring herself to say it. If Haruki asked for a kiss right now... she might actually give it to him. Right here, in the stillness of the night. Under the stars. With no one else watching. But she knew better. She knew Haruki loved Satomi. And despite everything she was feeling—the warmth of his arms, the calm he brought her, the way her body responded so easily to his presence—she didn't want to be the reason anything fell apart. Still, deep down, a quiet ache lingered in her chest. She knew that if her husband... or Satomi... saw them like this, in this moment—saw how Haruki hugged her so tenderly, how she leaned into him like she belonged there—they would never believe this was just an innocent embrace. Because it wasn't. Haruki glanced down when he felt a soft tremble against him. Kyouko's shoulders were shaking. "Kyouko-san...?" She didn't answer right away. Tears slipped down her cheeks, glistening under the faint moonlight. "Haruki..." Her voice cracked as she pressed her face against his chest. "Why... why does it always turn out like this?" She wasn't sobbing, but the weight in her voice—those quiet, broken words—hit deeper than any scream. "When you love someone... when you're loyal... when you give everything... why does it still end up like this?" Haruki froze. He wanted to speak—something, anything—but the words never came. Kyouko continued, her voice barely above a whisper. "I've always held back... always been patient... always careful. I gave him everything I could. My youth. My body. My heart..." She leaned against his shoulder, crying quietly, heartbreakingly. "Is it because I'm not beautiful anymore? Is it because I'm no longer young...?" Her hands gripped the fabric of his shirt. "Do men only love when it's fresh... when we're still glowing...?" Haruki slowly wrapped both arms around her, holding her tighter. One hand gently caressed her back while the other brushed through her hair. He still didn't speak, because he didn't know what to say. He knew loneliness. He knew rejection. His wife had been cold for years. She turned away from his touch, dismissing his affection. They barely even talked anymore. But Kyouko... Kyouko had it harder. Her pain ran deeper. He could feel it in the way she clung to him. So he didn't speak. He just held her. Haruki held her gently, feeling her trembling slowly settle in his arms. He didn't need to ask—he could sense it. The ache. The emptiness that no words could fix. Arching... yearning... It wasn't just about the need for sex. Not for someone like Kyouko. He understood that kind of longing well—the kind that kept you awake at night. The kind that made your own body feel like a stranger when the one you loved no longer touched you. For men, desire could be simple, physical, straightforward. But for women... for Kyouko... it was layered. Yes, she needed intimacy. She needed to be touched. To feel wanted. But more than that—what she needed was care. Not just to be seen, but to be felt. He understood now. She wasn't just a woman missing her husband's body. She was a woman missing herself—the way she used to feel in someone's arms, the warmth of a kiss, the way being desired made her feel alive. Haruki didn't say anything. He just tightened his arms around her, letting her know he was here—truly here. And in that quiet, stolen moment beneath the stars... Kyouko let herself breathe. Haruki smiled as he gently wiped away Kyouko's tears with his thumb. His expression was pure—warm, with no hidden intent. A smile that wasn't trying to charm, just a quiet reassurance. Kyouko looked up at him. She didn't say anything, but her heart, which moments ago felt so heavy, began to settle, as if his presence were the calm after a long, emotional storm. "You're still beautiful, Kyouko-san," Haruki said softly. "Honestly... I think you're even more beautiful than any woman i met. So please... don't talk like you're no longer worth anything. Don't think that being older makes you any less radiant." Kyouko blinked, then slowly nodded, her lips curving into a faint, genuine smile—a smile that didn't need words to explain it. She felt seen. And that—more than anything—was what she needed. "Thank you, Haruki," Kyouko said softly, wiping away the last traces of her tears. She let out a small laugh—light but laced with embarrassment. "We should go inside. If anyone saw us like this... they'd probably think we're having an affair." Haruki chuckled, his hand still gently on her back. "Yeah... if they saw us hugging like this, they'd probably think worse." Their eyes met again—neither of them rushed to move, but the spell between them was slowly lifting, giving way to reality. A quiet understanding passed between them. Moments like this weren't supposed to happen. And yet... they did. As they both stood up, Kyouko quietly brushed off her pajama pants while Haruki stretched his arms with a soft yawn. Without a word, he followed her toward the house. But just before reaching the door, Haruki suddenly stopped. Kyouko turned back, her expression curious. "Haruki?" Haruki stood there, his eyes fixed on her—not just lust, but something softer. Something that felt like longing... and gratitude. Then, without warning, he stepped forward and gently wrapped his arms around her from the front, pulling her into a quiet, firm embrace. "Can I... at least hug you like this?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. "I'm sorry if this bothers you, Kyouko-san. Really... I'm sorry." Kyouko was a little surprised—but only for a moment. She looked up at him, her expression calm, and placed her hands gently on his back. "Don't worry, Haruki," she whispered, her voice just as soft. "You're not bothering me at all." And she let him hug her close, resting her cheek against his chest. Kyouko looked up at Haruki, still nestled in his arms. Haruki met her gaze, then his eyes drifted down, lingering on her lips. She noticed. Of course, she did. And she smiled. She knew that look. She knew what it meant. When a man looked at a woman like that, there was only one thing on his mind: a kiss. Slowly, Haruki leaned in—his face closing the distance, breath brushing her skin. Just a little more and... Kyouko giggled softly, lifting a finger to gently press against his lips before they could touch hers. "No, no~" she teased, her eyes sparkling with mischief. Haruki paused, blinking, then let out a small laugh as he stepped back, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. "Can't blame a guy for trying," he mumbled, still smiling. Kyouko leaned in and gently planted a quick kiss on Haruki's cheek. "Nothing too serious now, okay?" she said softly, her tone light and teasing. "Besides... kissing an old woman like me?" Haruki smiled and returned the gesture, pressing a warm kiss to her cheek in return. "You're not old, Kyouko-san. Not even close." Kyouko laughed lightly, brushing her hair behind her ear. "Come on, let's go inside. Before they both wake up and think we're really having an affair out here." Haruki chuckled under his breath, following her in without another word—but his heart felt oddly full. ( End of Chapter )