Chapter 292: A Family, A Flame ( 292 )

Words : 1168 Updated : Oct 11th, 2025

Chapter 292: A Family, A Flame ( 292 ) Haruki’s eyes shifted toward the others. Hanako, Kitayama, Kenji, and Hitomi were gathered close, each taking turns to cradle the tiny baby with quiet awe and gentle hands. Their voices mingled in soft laughter, the sound of a family celebrating new life. Then, his gaze returned to Kyouko. Her smile was beautiful. Serene. Her eyes shimmered faintly, tired yet full of warmth, as though the light within her had only grown brighter. Despite just recently giving birth, she radiated a grace that took his breath away. Still beautiful. Still radiant. A real beauty, not one painted or false. He studied her face, her gentle features, the way her lips curved faintly as she watched her family. Even now, even in this moment, she was the most captivating woman he had ever known. And her body... Haruki’s chest stirred with silent wonder. She hadn’t gained any weight through the long months of pregnancy. Her figure, her elegance, all of it remained untouched, as if time itself had no claim over her. My Kyouko... still as perfect as the day I first saw her. "Haruki?" Kyouko tilted her head, catching his gaze fixed so intently on her face. Her brows lifted softly. "What’s wrong?" Before she could say more, Haruki leaned closer. His lips brushed against hers, gentle, trembling with love. Kyouko’s eyes widened, surprise flashing through them. For a heartbeat, she froze... then her heart melted, and she returned the kiss softly. But as the warmth lingered, she became aware of the quiet around them. She pulled back just slightly, her cheeks flushing as her eyes darted toward the others. Hanako’s smile had turned playful, Hitomi hid a chuckle behind her hand, Kenji smirked, and even Kitayama raised a brow. Kyouko hissed softly, leaning closer to whisper against Haruki’s ear. "Not in front of them..." Her voice was faint, embarrassed , but her lips curved in a smile that betrayed how much she had truly wanted that kiss. "My, my~ how bold..." Hanako’s voice carried across the room, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Are you two already planning another grandchild for me~?" Kyouko’s face went crimson. "M-Mother..." Hanako chuckled, tilting her head with exaggerated playfulness. "Haruki~ she just gave birth, and you’re already planning on another child? How bold." "A... ah... no... Mother," Haruki stammered, scratching his cheek, his face as red as Kyouko’s. Kyouko lowered her head, lips pressing together as if to hide her embarrassment, though the warmth of her smile still showed. Kenji let out a low laugh, while Hitomi covered her mouth politely to stifle her own. Kitayama only grunted, though there was the faintest twitch at the corner of his mouth. Kyouko smiled softly, her gaze lingering on Haruki, the way he looked at her, the way he treated her with such care even now. Inside, her heart whispered. I really hope... this isn’t temporary. Her thoughts drifted, unbidden, to the past, to her marriage with Satoshi. In the beginning, there had been warmth. Smiles. Promises. And yet, in time, all of it had faded, leaving only distance and silence. I really hope Haruki’s love won’t fade like that. She knew well how life was. How the longer a marriage stretched, the more the warmth dimmed, little by little, until routine and emptiness remained. But as she looked at him now, her chest ached with a fragile wish. At least... not to be abandoned. Not again. Her fingers brushed against Haruki’s hand, holding onto him just a little tighter, as though anchoring herself to the quiet promise in his eyes. Kyouko felt it then, the way his grip on her hand tightened slightly. Not forceful, not urgent... but enough that she could sense the hidden tremor beneath it. Ah... I know what he wants now. Her lips curved into the faintest smile, warmth fluttering through her chest. She could feel it clearly. Haruki’s struggle, his effort to contain himself, to push down the desire that always seemed to burn whenever they were together. Don’t worry, Haruki, she whispered inside her heart. Just give me a moment to rest. I know I’ve just given birth. My body still needs time to recover. She remembered well. Tradition and doctors alike saying a hundred days. A hundred days before husband and wife could truly return to one another. But her smile deepened, a secret warmth spreading within her. Don’t worry. Normal closeness may have to wait... but there are still ways. Memories flickered. Gentle, quiet moments they had shared before, ways Haruki’s devotion had left her trembling, fulfilled, even without what others might call "normal." Intimate, yes, but elegant, unspoken, theirs alone. Her gaze softened as she looked at him. Don’t worry, Haruki. I won’t let you suffer. Just wait a little... and leave the rest to me. Because she knew. A man like Haruki was easy to understand. Just satisfy his hunger. Cook for him, care for him, love him. Be faithful. Give him an heir. Do that, and this young, handsome man .. The one who had chosen her, who looked at her as though she were the only woman in the world, would never stray. Kyouko’s smile lingered as her fingers tightened softly over his hand. That’s all I need to do. And he will always be mine. Kyouko glanced around the room. Her parents were busy fussing over the baby, Hanako cooing softly while Kitayama hovered nearby, pretending not to be as smitten as he was. Kenji and Hitomi stood close, smiling quietly at the sight. Seeing them all absorbed, Kyouko leaned slightly toward Haruki. Haruki noticed. Without a word, he rose from the chair, closing the small space between them. He bent down, his hand still holding hers, and pressed his lips to hers. It wasn’t a fleeting kiss this time. It lingered, warm and unrestrained, carrying all the love and relief of the day. Kyouko returned it softly, her heart swelling, until she felt the depth of his passion. For a moment, the world beyond the two of them disappeared. Only their breaths, their warmth, their bond. When they finally pulled back from the kiss, Kyouko’s lips lingered in a smile, her chest rising softly with each breath. Happiness welled quietly within her, spilling into every corner of her heart. Before... when she had married Satoshi... there had never been kisses like this. During pregnancy. After giving birth. Not even once in the long years that followed. Two decades, and not a single kiss that carried such heat, such tenderness, such hunger. But now... with Haruki... His kiss had been filled with need, with love so fierce it made her body tremble. It was the kind of kiss that made her feel as if he wanted to devour her whole, to keep her forever, right there and then. Her cheeks flushed, her smile refusing to fade. For the first time in her life, she felt what it truly meant to be desired. ( End Of Chapter )

Chapter 292: A Family, A Flame ( 292 )

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