Chapter 85: Quiet Surprises ( 85 )

Chapter 85: Quiet Surprises ( 85 ) "Now have a seat and drink with us," Kitayama said, patting the spot beside him. Before Haruki could reply, Ichiro chuckled and nudged his cousin. "Hey, he hasn’t even eaten yet—and you’re already trying to make him drink?" "Oh, right!" Kitayama laughed. "Keiko!!" "Y-Yes, Father?" Keiko called from across the yard, wiping her hands as she approached. As she got closer, Keiko slowed down, blinking in surprise. Oh my... He was tall. Sharp-featured. Calm presence. Too handsome... "Ah—hello," Haruki said politely, offering a slight bow. "H-Hello," Keiko replied, doing her best to act normal. Kitayama glanced at her. "Where’s your sister?" "Hmm?" "Call her here," he said casually. "She’s been gone long enough." Keiko nodded. "Alright... I’ll get her." Keiko weaved through the crowd, scanning the tables until she spotted her sister. Kyouko was seated a little farther out, chatting quietly with her old school friends at a low table, half-hidden behind a tree lantern. Still calm. Still composed. "Kyouko," Keiko called gently as she approached. "Father’s calling for you." Kyouko turned, her voice soft. "Hmm? Oh..." "Come on," Keiko said again. "He’s calling you." "Haaa... alright." She stood slowly, brushing off her sleeves and giving her friends a quick nod. "Be right back," she murmured. As they walked together through the garden, Keiko leaned in with a grin. "You know, Kyouko... the man sitting with Father? He’s handsome~" "Oh..." Kyouko replied softly, eyes still forward. "Eh? You’re not interested?" Keiko pouted. "I’m married, Keiko. And you’re married too." "Yeah, yeah, I know," Keiko said, waving a hand. "But this guy—tall, good face, and he’s got that quiet muscle thing going on." Kyouko gave her a gentle glance. "Yes, yes. Now, why did Father call for me?" Keiko shrugged. "How would I know? Maybe to pour him a drink. Or maybe to meet your future second husband~." Kyouko rolled her eyes behind her mask. Kyouko stepped quietly toward her father’s table, her expression as composed as ever beneath her mask. "Father, you called for me?" Kitayama looked up, grinning. "There you are. Where have you been?" "I was with my old classmates," she said gently. "We had a little drink and talked about the old days." As she spoke, Haruki, seated just to Kitayama’s side, turned slightly toward the voice, sake cup still in hand. He hadn’t fully registered it at first. But the tone. The way she spoke. That voice. He turned fully now, eyes lifting. And finally saw her. Haruki stared, his breath catching in his throat. "Kyouko..." he said softly Kyouko froze. Her eyes widened behind the mask as their gazes locked. "H...Haruki...?" Kitayama blinked, looking between the two of them. "Oh? You know this man?" Kyouko’s lips parted. Her heartbeat pounded. "He... He’s my..." she swallowed. "...my son-in-law." Silence. Even the nearby voices felt distant for a moment. Haruki slowly placed his sake cup down. Kitayama raised an eyebrow, eyes flicking between them again. "...Son-in-law?" "Satomi’s husband," Kyouko said softly, her voice barely holding steady. "Ohhh!!" Kitayama laughed, slapping his knee. "Now it makes sense! No wonder I felt so comfortable with you!" He raised his cup again, clearly pleased. "The world really is small, huh!?" Haruki managed a polite smile, but his eyes hadn’t left Kyouko’s. Kitayama, as cheerful as ever, waved his hand. "Now, Kyouko! This is your son-in-law—so go on, bring him his food! He hasn’t eaten yet!" "F-Father!!" Kyouko stammered. "And you!!" Kitayama pointed at Haruki, still grinning, "you’re staying here tonight! No excuses!" Haruki straightened slightly. "Eh...?" "No no, I insist! It’s a party, you drink, you eat, and you stay. That’s how it works here!" Kyouko stood frozen, her hands clenched beneath her sleeves. "What are you waiting for, Kyouko?" Kitayama called out, chuckling. "Right... Coming right up," Kyouko said, her voice a touch too calm. She turned quickly, bowing her head slightly, and walked toward the food table. Her hands reached for a plate. She began placing grilled meat onto it—still warm, still sizzling. But inside her mind— He’s here... He’s really here. My... Haruki. He’s here!! Her fingers trembled slightly as she picked up the tongs again. After everything... after all those nights... he’s here. Right in front of Father. "Here... Haruki-kun," Kyouko said softly, placing the plate in front of him. "Ah... thank you, Kyouko-san," Haruki replied, giving her a small smile. Kitayama watched the exchange and grinned. "Well, since you two know each other, Kyouko—sit there!" "Umm... okay..." she replied, hesitating for just a breath. She slipped off her facemask and gently sat down beside Haruki. "Now—Haruki, right?" Kitayama continued. "Yes." "Ah, just call me Grandfather! But if that’s too awkward, Mr. Kitayama is fine too!" Haruki chuckled. "Understood." "Kyouko!!" Kitayama laughed loudly. "You didn’t tell me your son-in-law was working down here!" "I... I didn’t know, Father," Kyouko replied, her voice quieter as her eyes flicked to Haruki’s sake cup. It was empty. Without a word, she reached for the bottle and gently poured. Kitayama raised an eyebrow. "Hm? Oh? I thought you said you wouldn’t pour drinks for anyone but your husband?" "Ah... umm... sorry..." Kyouko murmured, her hand pausing. "So, Haruki..." Kitayama said, lifting his cup. "You didn’t call her Mother?" Haruki paused, caught mid-sip, and gave a small, awkward smile. "Ah... well..." Before he could fumble further, Kyouko quickly spoke up. "Umm... I didn’t feel comfortable being called that," she said gently. "So I asked him to call me Kyouko-san instead." "Oh?" Kitayama blinked, then let out a booming laugh. "Well, fair enough!" He raised his cup high. "Let’s drink!" Haruki chuckled softly and lifted his cup. Kyouko lowered her eyes, cheeks faintly pink, as the clinking of glasses filled the space between them. "Drink more, Haruki!!" Kitayama laughed, lifting his own cup again. "Yes, Mr. Kitayama," Haruki replied with a polite smile. "And Kyouko!!" Kitayama added, grinning wide. "Pour him another!" "Yes, Father..." Kyouko said softly, smiling as she reached for the sake bottle again. Haruki watched her fingers, delicate and graceful, as she filled his cup. He couldn’t stop smiling. Kyouko... His Kyouko. Her hometown... was here. In Okinawa. She wore a light-colored kimono, simple but elegant. Her hair tied loosely, no makeup, just soft skin glowing in the garden lights. She was too beautiful. Too natural. Too perfect. Haruki accepted the cup she poured with both hands, bowing his head slightly. "Thank you... Kyouko-san." She gave him a brief glance, their eyes meeting for only a second. But in that moment, nothing else existed. ( End Of Chapter )