Chapter 51: Colors of Deception ( 51 )

Chapter 51 - Colors of Deception ( 51 ) The next day. The house buzzed with movement, tension thick in the air. "Ahhhh!! We're late!!" Satomi shouted from upstairs, the thump of her footsteps echoing down the hall. Kyouko stood calmly in the kitchen, already dressed with her hair neatly tied back. Breakfast was ready. Rice, miso soup, grilled fish, and tea. Everything warm and waiting for them. She glanced at the clock. 7:00 AM. Still early. "Dear, Satomi, at least eat something before you go," she said gently, turning toward the hallway as both of them rushed down the stairs. "Can't, no time!" Satomi called out as she slipped on her heels, one hand holding her tablet and the other still brushing her hair. "Where's my portfolio?" Satoshi shouted, patting his suit pockets as if expecting it to magically appear. "Mom! Have you seen my phone?" "Kyouko, my tablet's not in the bag!" They moved in opposite directions, bags flung open, papers half-tucked, phone cords dangling. A storm of panic swirling around the calm eye of the house. Kyouko sighed softly. "You two go have breakfast first. I'll find everything." Neither of them responded directly, already half-spinning, checking under cushions and flipping through folders. "Both of you, go eat." Her voice wasn't loud, but it was firm. Satomi and Satoshi froze mid-rush, their eyes flicking toward Kyouko as she stood there holding their things. His file folder in one hand and her phone in the other. There was a pause. Then they slowly shuffled to the dining table, sitting down like scolded schoolchildren. "It's still too early for you both to be rushing like this," she said gently, adjusting a plate with care. "Besides... you're already the owners of the company." Satoshi chuckled under his breath as he sipped the miso soup. Satomi looked down at her rice, mumbling, "Mom, you're scary when you're calm like that." Kyouko smiled faintly. She walked to the living room shelf, pulled open the small drawer near the corner, and took out Satomi's phone. Then she turned to the side table behind the couch. Satoshi's file folder lay there, right where he had left it last night. She knew. As always. "Eat properly," Kyouko reminded softly as she refilled Satomi's tea. Both of them were half-eating, half-scrolling through their phones. She turned to her husband, her voice still calm but with a hint of urgency. "And... darling, I need to discuss something." Satoshi didn't even look up. "Not now, okay?" Kyouko stood still for a second. Then she nodded slowly and turned away, a quiet sigh slipping past her lips. As usual. "Papa, we're going to be late!" Satomi rushed, stuffing the last bit of rice into her mouth. "I know, I know. Let's go." They both hurried through their last bites of breakfast, barely tasting it. Kyouko turned back toward them, still holding a teacup in her hand. Her voice was calm. Almost too casual. "By the way, Satomi. Dear." "Yes?" Satomi replied, slipping on her shoes at the entryway. "I'm having an affair." There was a pause. Both of them turned slightly, just enough to glance at her. Then Satomi rolled her eyes with a tired sigh. "Mom... don't joke like that this early. We're busy." Satoshi didn't even blink. "Your mom's crazy." He grabbed his briefcase. "We're going to work now." "See you later, Mom~" Satomi called quickly, already heading out the door. "Bye, dear." Kyouko smiled softly as she watched them leave, like nothing had happened. She sipped her tea, and the truth remained exactly where she wanted it. Hidden in plain sight. Kyouko slowly stepped toward the front door, her bare feet light against the wooden floor. She watched through the open doorway as Satoshi and Satomi walked toward the car, the morning sun just starting to warm the pavement. Satoshi opened the driver's side and glanced back once. "Kyouko, don't forget to close the gate." "And Mom!" Satomi called while fixing her hair in the passenger side mirror. "Tell Haruki to eat, okay?" Kyouko raised her hand in a soft wave. "Alright. Have a good day!" They both got in the car and shut the doors, the engine humming to life. Kyouko stood there a moment longer, the breeze gently brushing her sleeves. Then, as the gate slowly began to close behind the departing car, she whispered "He already did." With that, she turned back inside. Kyouko stood at the kitchen counter, pouring hot coffee into two cups when she heard soft footsteps coming down the stairs. She turned her head slightly. Haruki appeared, already dressed in his office shirt and slacks, his coat draped neatly over his shoulders, and his tie loosely hanging around his neck. "Morning, Haruki~" she said softly, her voice still touched with sleep but sweet as always. "Morning, Kyouko~" he replied, smiling gently as he stepped into the kitchen. Without a word, Kyouko set the teacup down, turned toward him, and slowly leaned up. Their lips met, soft at first, just a gentle press of affection. But Haruki's hands instinctively slid around her waist, pulling her closer. The kiss deepened, slow and romantic, the kind that said, I remember everything from last night... and I want it again. Kyouko let her hands rest against his chest for a moment, then slowly reached up and adjusted his tie, her fingers graceful and practiced. She smoothed down his collar and gently tugged the hem of his coat into place. "It's unusual for you to head to work this early," she said, brushing a wrinkle from his sleeve. Haruki smiled. "Oh... I have a meeting today. But don't worry. I won't be long." He tilted his head slightly. "If you want to come with me~" "Ah, no~" Kyouko interrupted softly, shaking her head with a gentle smile. "I want to rest." As Haruki reached for his briefcase, Kyouko stepped in front of him, holding a small plate in her hand. "Haruki~ eat first," she said gently, offering him a soft smile. He paused, raising an eyebrow with a playful grin. "Oh? Eat you? Come here~" Kyouko blushed, stepping back with a mock-scolding tone. "No, you naughty boy~ I mean the food." Haruki chuckled and set his things down again. "Can I eat you first? Just a little?" She narrowed her eyes, trying not to laugh. "You already had your fill last night." Haruki leaned down, kissed her cheek, and whispered, "It's never enough." Kyouko shook her head, flustered, and placed the plate gently on the table. "Eat before it gets cold." He smiled and sat down obediently, his eyes still on her like she was the real meal. Once Haruki finished eating, he stood up, carried his dish to the sink, and washed his hands. After drying them off, he grabbed his briefcase, adjusting the strap over his shoulder as he made his way toward the front door. "Haruki?" Kyouko called softly. He turned and looked back. "Yes, Kyouko?" She stepped closer and held out her car key. "Here." Haruki blinked. "Ah—I can go by train. It's fine." "No~" she said gently, shaking her head. He looked at the key in her hand, then back at her. "But if you give me your car, what will you use?" Kyouko gave a small shrug, her tone calm and honest. "Hmm? I didn't have any plans to go anywhere." Haruki smiled, touched more than he could express. He took the key from her hand, their fingers brushing briefly. "Thank you." Kyouko nodded, that faint smile still on her lips. "Drive safely." Haruki turned toward the door, ready to head out. But before he could open it, he leaned in and pressed a deep, passionate kiss to Kyouko's lips, his hand resting gently at her waist. The moment was charged with warmth and affection. Kyouko's eyes widened, surprised by the intensity. She returned the kiss, before quickly pulling back with a small, flustered gasp. "No, no~" she said, placing her hand gently against his chest, her eyes darting toward the door. "Not in front of the house." Haruki blinked. "Why?" "If the gossip ladies see us, we're doomed," she whispered, half-teasing, half-serious. Haruki chuckled, brushing her cheek with his thumb. Kyouko smirked, gently pushing at his chest. "Now go, before someone really sees." "Alright, alright." He gave her one last grin before stepping outside. As the door slowly closed behind him, he glanced back one more time, and Kyouko was still there, smiling softly at him. ( End Of Chapter )