Chapter 36: More Than Pretend ( 36 )

Chapter 36 - More Than Pretend ( 36 ) Of course Satomi knew about me and Haruki Kyouko thought as she walked beside him, her stride as graceful as ever. She knows Haruki is my son-in-law, not my lover. And of course, it was Satomi herself who asked me to keep an eye on him... Well, Satomi... you were right. Girls really do flock to him like bees to honey. "Umm... Kyouko-san?" Haruki's voice pulled her out of her thoughts. "Hmm?" "You said we shouldn't hold hands or act intimate in public..." "You," she replied with a playful smile, "not me." "Err..." Haruki looked both confused and amused. "Just shut up and enjoy having your girlfriend in public today," she added, giving him a sly glance from the corner of her eyes. "But... if Satomi finds out..." Kyouko tilted her head slightly as if in deep thought before responding casually, "Hmm? I'll just tell her that a group of flirty girls were all over you, so I had no choice but to step in." Haruki blinked. "You... had no choice, huh?" She smiled slyly. "Of course. What else could I have done?" Haruki nodded, pretending to agree. "Yeah, that sounds believable." Then he smiled and wrapped his hand around Kyouko's waist, gently pulling her closer as they walked side by side. "You really look young and beautiful, Kyouko." "Oh~ how bold," she teased with a smirk, glancing at him. "Not adding san anymore?" "If I call you that," Haruki leaned toward her ear with a low chuckle, "they might think you're older than me." Kyouko scoffed playfully, flicking her hair over her shoulder. "Hmm? I am older than you." "Yes... on paper," Haruki replied, his voice soft, eyes admiring her. "But in reality? I think you look even younger than me." Kyouko paused for a second, caught off guard by the sincerity beneath his teasing tone. That warmth in his eyes... it wasn't just desire—it was affection, the kind that chipped away at her walls. She smiled, brushing her hand gently over his chest. "Keep saying things like that, and I might really act like your girlfriend for the rest of the day." Haruki's grin widened. "I'd be honored." Kyouko shook her head with a soft laugh. "Let's see how well you behave, boyfriend." "You know, Kyouko," Haruki said, leaning in just enough for his voice to brush against her ear, "girlfriends and boyfriends often do something a bit more intimate... other than just kissing." Kyouko's eyes widened slightly in mock offense as she playfully slapped his hand. "Not now, you naughty boy." "Oh?" Haruki raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "Then... someday I might have a chance?" She gave him a sly glance, her lips curling into a teasing smile. "Don't know~ Maybe... maybe not." Haruki let out a soft laugh, still keeping his arm around her waist as they walked. "I'll take that as a yes." "Take it however you like," Kyouko replied, flicking his nose gently with her finger. "Just don't get ahead of yourself." Once they arrived at the car, Haruki quickly moved to open the passenger door for her, offering his hand with a smile. "My, my... how romantic," Kyouko teased, slipping her fingers into his. Haruki chuckled. "Hmm? I always treat you like this. Remember the first time we went out grocery shopping?" Kyouko gave him a warm, amused look. "Now, now, stop charming me. Go inside and drive." "Yes ma'am," he said with a grin, giving her hand a light squeeze before walking around to the driver's side. As he started the engine, a comfortable silence settled between them—familiar, almost domestic. It was the kind of silence that slowly started to feel... natural. They spent the rest of the day together like a real couple—eating lunch at a cozy restaurant, catching a movie, and strolling through the mall while casually shopping. By the time the sun began to dip, casting a soft golden glow over the city, Kyouko gently wrapped her hand around Haruki's arm, her fingers lacing around him with ease. "Thank you for the necklace, Haruki," she said, smiling as the delicate chain rested gently against her collarbone. "But... why did you buy it for me? You were supposed to buy it for Satomi." Haruki looked at her, a quiet grin tugging at his lips. "Hmm? I did give her one before... but she said she didn't like it." Kyouko blinked in surprise. "Really?" "Yeah," Haruki shrugged lightly. "She said it was too fancy and not her type. So I thought... maybe it would suit you more." Kyouko smiled. "But you must've spent a lot of money on it, right? It's real gold and diamonds..." Haruki waved his hand dismissively. "It's fine. If Satomi doesn't like it, she doesn't. But you? I think it suits you perfectly, Kyouko-san." Kyouko blushed slightly, looking away for a moment as her cheeks flushed a light pink. "You shouldn't say such embarrassing things..." Haruki laughed softly, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. "I just speak what I see. You really look beautiful with it, Kyouko-san." Kyouko's heart skipped a beat. She looked away with a smile, hiding the warmth in her cheeks. "You're dangerous when you say things like that." Haruki laughed, leaning slightly toward her. "Why? Because it makes you fall for me more?" She smiled, avoiding his gaze. "Maybe." Her voice was quiet, almost a whisper, but it held a playful tone that matched the lightness of his own. Haruki smiled, his heart beating a little faster. "Is that a yes?" he asked teasingly. Kyouko laughed softly and leaned into him slightly, letting her head rest against his shoulder for a moment. "You tell me." The air between them felt different now, charged with something unspoken, something more than just casual closeness. It was the kind of moment that could change everything—if they let it. "Okay," Haruki finally said, breaking the silence with a soft, amused tone. "I think you're falling for me." Kyouko lifted her head and playfully shoved him. "Cheeky!" Haruki laughed, wrapping an arm around her waist as they continued their walk. "Am I wrong?" "We should head home now," Kyouko said with a gentle smile, her voice soft under the fading evening light. "Umm... yeah," Haruki replied, glancing around the quiet street. A small grin formed on his lips. "Besides, no one's home. Just the two of us." Kyouko shot him a playful glare. "That tone... sounds like you're planning something." Haruki lifted his hands innocently. "What? I just stated the truth." "Mhm. We'll see," Kyouko replied as she headed toward the car, her steps light, but her heart racing. The idea of being alone with him again—after everything that had happened—made her pulse quicken in ways she never expected at her age. Haruki walked a bit behind her, his eyes quietly admiring her figure under the soft streetlight. Just the two of them. The drive home was quiet. Comfortably so. They talked about nothing and everything, the kind of casual conversation that felt easy, natural. Like they'd been doing this for years. ( End Of Chapter )