Chapter 87: Soft Whispers ( 87 )

Chapter 87: Soft Whispers ( 87 ) "Dear... who is this young man?" Hanako asked Kitayama, settling beside him. Keiko and Kenji both turned slightly, waiting for the answer. Kitayama grinned. "He’s Kyouko’s son-in-law. What a small world, huh?" "Oh?" Hanako blinked, surprised. "Really now?" Haruki stood slightly and bowed politely. "Hello. My name is Nakagawa Haruki. It’s a pleasure to meet you." Hanako gave a warm nod. "Well-mannered. You’re welcome here anytime." As Haruki straightened, his eyes briefly took in the woman before him—Kyouko’s mother. She looked like she was in her early forties at most. Graceful. Composed. Her skin still smooth, her posture elegant. And her figure... well, now he understood. So this is where Kyouko inherited it... No wonder. Kyouko reached again for the sake bottle and gently poured another round into Haruki’s cup. She was quiet. Focused. Careful with her movements. "Kyouko?" her mother’s voice cut in gently. "Hmm? Yes, Mother?" Hanako raised an eyebrow with a slight smirk. "Are you trying to make him drunk?" "Ah..." Kyouko blinked, hand pausing mid-pour. She turned to glance at Haruki—and finally noticed. His face was already red. Too red. Yet he was still smiling, holding his cup with both hands, posture straight, eyes a little glazed. Kyouko’s cheeks flushed slightly. "I... I didn’t notice," she whispered. But inside— She knew exactly why she kept pouring. "Ah... sorry, Haruki-kun," Kyouko said softly, finally pulling the bottle back. "I didn’t notice..." "Hey!!" Kitayama burst out, red-faced and cheerful. "Why worry? He’s staying here tonight anyway!" Already well into his drinks, Kitayama laughed loud and wide. "Hanako!! Pour me a drink too!" "Yes, yes," Hanako replied with a patient smile, reaching for the bottle. "Kenji!!" Kitayama called out. "Call your wife—Hitomi! She should be done changing by now!" "Alright!" Kenji stood up and jogged toward the house. "She just finished wearing her kimono!" "And Keiko!!" Kitayama continued. "Serve your husband, Kazuma! Where is that guy!?" "Yes, yes..." Keiko sighed playfully, getting to her feet and heading off to find Kazuma, who was waiting inside. Then Kitayama turned back toward Kyouko. "Kyouko!! Since Satomi isn’t here—you’re in charge of pouring him a drink!" He pointed squarely at Haruki. "...Yes, Father," she said quietly. Her hands moved with grace, but her heart was loud. As she lifted the bottle again, Haruki met her eyes. They all sat together, drinking to their hearts’ content. Laughter flowed with the sake. Everyone had a cup in hand—except Keiko, who was pregnant. She only poured drinks for her husband, Kazuma, who sat beside her with a proud grin. Hitomi sat close to Kenji, carefully filling his cup. Hanako kept her eyes on Kitayama, pouring slowly as he raised his glass with another booming laugh. And Kyouko— Sat beside Haruki. Quietly. Gracefully. Pouring for him. The staff Kyouko had hired moved smoothly around the property, handling the other guests, replenishing food and drinks with practiced speed. The celebration was in full swing. But inside Kyouko’s heart— There was only him. Haruki... He’s here. She felt it like a dream. A gift she hadn’t dared to hope for.fгeewebɳoveɭ.cøm And though his cheeks were already flushed, and his gaze slightly unfocused— She kept pouring. She didn’t even know why. She just wanted to keep doing something for him. Even as Haruki sat silently beside her, his smile never fading, his words few. She poured. And smiled. The drinking continued late into the night. By midnight, most of the guests had already gone home. The lights around the garden dimmed slightly, and the air grew cooler, quieter. Haruki lay on his back near the low table, cheeks flushed, lips curled into a soft, vacant smile. Completely drunk—but still calm. Silent. Beside him, Kitayama sat slouched, waving his cup lazily in the air. "Stupid... Satoshi... that guy’s a damn idiot..." Hanako tried to hush him, but he wouldn’t stop. "Ungrateful son-in-law... always about money money money... no heart... no soul... always work work work... Can’t even come visit... hmph." He muttered on, voice slurred, words spilling without filter. "And Satomi... Satomi doesn’t even come home. My own granddaughter..." He clicked his tongue, shaking his head with a bitter sigh. Kyouko just smiled gently. None of it affected her anymore. Kenji was sprawled beside a passed-out Kazuma, both red-faced, both snoring lightly. The staff had finished most of the cleanup. Only a few remained, clearing dishes and folding up mats. Kyouko sat upright beside Haruki, the last one still composed. And still quietly watching him. Keiko gently shook her husband. "Kazuma... wake up..." But he didn’t budge—completely knocked out. Meanwhile, Hitomi was struggling with Kenji, her son and daughter helping to drag him back toward their room. "Dad, come on," his son grunted. "Move faster!" his daughter huffed. In the background, Hanako stood and guided her own drunk husband, Kitayama, carefully toward their bedroom, mumbling the whole way. Kyouko stood by, still seated, until she hesitantly called out. "Umm... Mother?" "Hmm?" Hanako paused mid-step. "Where will my son-in-law sleep?" Hanako blinked. "Ah... the guest room, of course." "Eh? But I’m using it..." Hanako sighed. "Just bear it for today. It’s not like he’s going to do anything. Besides, you’re his mother-in-law, right? Just lay down an extra futon." Kyouko hesitated. "But the guest room is small..." "Haaa... don’t question everything. Just wake him up and bring him there." "...Alright." She turned slowly, eyes drifting to Haruki’s sleeping form. "Haruki-kun... wake up," Kyouko whispered softly, crouching beside him. "Mmm... mm..." Still drunk. Still smiling faintly. With gentle effort, she helped him sit up. His arm draped loosely around her shoulder as she guided him down the hallway. He was heavy—but she didn’t complain. Reaching the guest room, she slowly lowered him to the floor. She pulled out two futons, placing them apart—not too far, but not close either. Then she turned to Haruki again, gently helping him shift onto his own futon. His breathing was slow and even. Completely out. Once he was settled, she quietly left the room. At the table, she grabbed Haruki’s phone—just in case—and walked over to help Keiko, who was struggling to move Kazuma. Together, they managed to drag him into the couple’s room. Finally, the house was still. The laughter and noise had faded. Everyone was behind closed doors. Kyouko walked back to the guest room in silence. She stepped in, slid the door shut behind her, and knelt on her futon. The soft fabric rustled as she lay down. Haruki was lying on his back, already fast asleep. His arm had fallen slightly off the futon, his face flushed a gentle red, lips parted just a little. He looked peaceful. Kyouko knelt beside her own futon, then gently lay down, facing him. For a while, she simply watched him—her gaze soft, full of warmth. Then, slowly, without hesitation, she reached out. She shifted closer, her movements calm and silent, not hurried. Her arm slid gently across his chest. And she leaned in. Her face settled softly against the side of his neck, just beneath his jaw. She closed her eyes. And breathed. Haruki... The quiet scent of his skin. "I missed you..." she whispered, barely audible. She held him gently, her body resting against his side. Kyouko remained like that, her cheek resting in the hollow of his neck, her heart finally quiet. Even if he didn’t know she was hugging him. Even if he wouldn’t remember this in the morning. For tonight—this was enough. ( End Of Chapter )