Chapter 88: First Light Feelings ( 88 )

Chapter 88: First Light Feelings ( 88 ) The next morning. Hanako stirred first, as always. She quietly washed her face, freshened up, and changed into her morning clothes, pulling on her pants with practiced ease. The house was still quiet. She made her way down the hallway and gently slid open the door to the guest room. The futons were still laid out. Kyouko was curled neatly on hers, blanket pulled up to her shoulders. And beside her, in the second futon, the handsome young man.Haruki, slept soundly. Still, peaceful. His breathing calm. Hanako smiled faintly at the sight. Then she tiptoed over and knelt beside her daughter. "Kyouko," she whispered gently. "Hmm...?" Kyouko’s lashes fluttered as she stirred. "Oh... Mother..." Her voice was soft, still hazy with sleep. "Isn’t it still early...?" "No, it’s already nearly six," Hanako said. "Ah... okay..." Kyouko slowly sat up. She brought one hand gracefully to her mouth as she yawned—small, delicate, silent. Hanako stood and brushed her daughter’s hair lightly off her shoulder. "Wake up and go shower. After that, wake your son-in-law and tell him to shower too. You’re helping me prepare breakfast today." "Mm... okay~" Kyouko replied softly. Once Hanako stepped out and the sliding door quietly closed behind her, Kyouko let out a soft breath. A smile touched her lips. She looked over at Haruki, still asleep in his futon.peaceful, unmoving, unaware. She had been in his arms all night. She remembered it clearly. How warm he felt. How steady his heartbeat was against her cheek. She had woken up early, just before dawn. When she heard soft footsteps coming down the hall. Her heart had skipped. Careful not to wake him, she had quietly slipped out of his futon, smoothed down the sheets, and tucked his arm gently back in place. Then she returned to her own futon, adjusted her blanket, and closed her eyes. Just in time. Now, sitting up, she gazed at him again. Kyouko stood up quietly and walked toward the small wardrobe in the corner of the guest room. She opened it gently, careful not to make a sound. From the neatly folded shelf, she took out her towel, then her small skincare pouch. With everything in hand, she stepped softly out of the room and walked toward the bathroom. As she passed the hallway window, she paused briefly. The sky outside was still a soft shade of indigo. Faint traces of dawn peeked over the horizon. Kyouko smiled faintly to herself. Then she entered the bathroom and quietly closed the door behind her. The soft sound of water followed soon after. She washed herself with practiced grace. And once she dried off, she stood before the small mirror, patting her face gently with a towel. She opened her skincare pouch and began her routine—toner, essence, soft moisturizing cream. Once Kyouko finished her routine and dried her hair with a soft towel, she stepped out of the bathroom. Wrapped neatly in her towel, she padded softly into the hallway. Hanako happened to be passing by, a dish towel over her shoulder. She stopped, raising an eyebrow. "You didn’t wear your clothes inside?" "Ah... Mother..." Kyouko lowered her gaze, cheeks faintly pink. "I... forgot to bring them." Hanako crossed her arms, half amused, half scolding. "You do realize your son-in-law is still sleeping in that room, don’t you?" Kyouko hesitated, biting her lower lip. "...Are you planning to change in there?" Kyouko’s hands tightened slightly on the towel. "I’ll be quick," she said softly. Hanako sighed with a small smile. "Don’t come crying to me if he wakes up and sees something." "Mom... it’s not like he’s going to do anything if he sees," Kyouko said softly, adjusting the towel around her body. "I’m already old, and besides... I’m his mother-in-law." Hanako didn’t stop walking. "Still, you’re a girl. That’s reason enough." "Yes, yes... I’m going now," Kyouko mumbled with a small smile, turning toward the guest room. But inside her mind. He already saw everything, Mom... And he didn’t just see... he touched... kissed... devoured. She took a breath, straightened her posture, and walked softly down the hallway. She slid the door shut gently behind her and stepped into the quiet of the guest room. Haruki was still lying on the futon, his face turned slightly to the side, blanket rising and falling with each calm breath. Kyouko walked softly to the wardrobe, opened it with care, and retrieved the simple but elegant dress she had folded there the night before. She turned slightly, holding it against her chest, and glanced over her shoulder. Her eyes fell on Haruki. Still asleep. Inside her mind— Haruki... Wake up. Your "breakfast" is here~ Her smile was subtle, soft. Just a quiet teasing thought... For the only man who had ever truly made her feel like a woman. "Ugh... my head..." Haruki stirred, voice low and raspy from sleep. He shifted slightly, turning his head. And froze. Kyouko stood at the foot of the room, wrapped in her towel, her back turned as she prepared to dress. She heard the movement behind her and glanced over her shoulder. "Morning~" she whispered, her voice soft and light as a breeze. Haruki blinked, dazed—then swallowed hard. In an instant, his hangover vanished. Kyouko slowly opened the front of her towel, letting it open just enough for him to see. Smooth skin. Soft curves. A glimpse of perfection. Then she giggled—quietly. She heard footsteps approaching the room. Her eyes widened. She leaned down toward Haruki and whispered fast. "Pretend to sleep. Now!" Then she spun around, clutching her towel again, and knelt in front of the wardrobe, pretending to sift through her clothes. Just as the sliding door eased open behind her. "Kyouko?" Hanako’s voice came softly as she slid open the door. Kyouko turned just slightly, still kneeling near the wardrobe, towel held modestly in place.freeωebnovēl.c૦m "Yes, Mother?" Hanako narrowed her eyes and stepped in. "Change faster!" she whispered, glancing toward Haruki still lying on the futon. "What if your son-in-law wakes up and sees you like that?" "I will," Kyouko replied gently. "I just need to choose the dress." Hanako crossed her arms. "Now. No more dawdling. I’ll keep watch." "...Okay." Hanako stood just inside the doorway, her back partly turned, arms still folded. Kyouko stood slowly, quiet as ever. "Alright, Mom. I’m done," Kyouko said softly, smoothing down the hem of her dress. Hanako gave her a brief nod. "Good. Now fix your hair—and make sure it’s dry." "I will." Hanako turned halfway to leave, then paused. "After you finish, wake him up and give him a towel." Kyouko blinked. "But... Mom, he doesn’t have any clothes to change into." "Oh... right," Hanako muttered, frowning slightly. "Well... then just tell him to use what he wore yesterday." "Mm... okay." Hanako gave one final glance toward Haruki, still "asleep," then stepped out of the room, sliding the door closed behind her. The room fell silent again. Kyouko exhaled slowly, her fingers brushing down the side of her skirt. She looked toward Haruki. Still lying there. Still pretending. And she smiled. ( End Of Chapter )