Kenji looked at Akiko, who was busy in the kitchen preparing breakfast. He didn't like the sight of Akiko in her Shingi Fusaya uniform.
"Are you leaving?"
At the same time, Kenji cursed silently. It seemed like Ryu was about to lose another life for failing to prevent Akiko from going to work, even though he clearly held the highest authority in Shingi Fusaya now. He should've been able to stop her easily.
"Yes, of course. I told you yesterday that I have to work, right? I've also prepared lunch," Akiko said, pointing to the fridge. She had stored the lunch there.
Kenji didn't respond, and he walked toward the chair.
"I was planning to bring breakfast to your room; you didn’t need to come here," Akiko said, having already placed Kenji’s breakfast on a tray.
Akiko didn’t want Kenji to move around too much. His injuries made him tire easily. He was still using a cane, walking slowly to reach the kitchen.
"No need. I wa
With anxiety still in her chest, Akiko carried the medical bag—filled with medicine and bandages—and slid Kenji’s room door open. The sight in front of her made Akiko want to turn around and run.But in the end, her feet stayed rooted. Kenji was sitting on the bed, unbuttoning his shirts one by one, in order.Akiko wished Kenji had done this earlier, so she only had to change the bandage without having to watch him take off his shirt. The outcome would be the same—Akiko would still see Kenji’s body—but the process made all the difference. Fatally so.Watching Kenji’s body being revealed little by little felt worse—or perhaps better, Akiko couldn’t decide—than seeing it fully exposed all at once.After a few seconds—after all the buttons were undone—Akiko sighed, turning her head and stepping inside.Akiko prepared the medicine and equipment, while Kenji took off his shirt.
"Shouldn't you be busy? Why are you bothering me?" Kyoko answered Akiko's phone, slightly annoyed.Akiko could imagine what caused that. Kyoko was most likely watching something or reading manga when Akiko interrupted her. Her attitude when working or reading manga was usually the same. She really hated being disturbed."Yeah, I was busy earlier. But I’m done now. I already cooked and did other stuff," Akiko said, sitting on the grass by the Koi Pond in the middle of the garden."So now you're bored and have decided to call me? Finally remembering me?" Kyoko’s irritation was still apparent, and Akiko knew the reason behind it."It's not that I didn't want to say goodbye to you, but the decision was really sudden. You can't be furious at me, Kyoko-chan," Akiko said, half-pleading.Kyoko was a bit upset when Akiko suddenly left the apartment without properly saying goodbye.Akiko had explained that her decision to go to Kenji
"I'll give it a try," Kenji said, releasing his cane and attempting to stand.Akiko, who was behind him, reached out, ready to catch him in case he fell. A silly thought, really. There was no way Akiko could catch Kenji's body, which weighed twice as much as hers, maybe even more."I can do it..." Kenji muttered, stepping forward and holding his breath as he felt a slight pull of pain in his chest.But it wasn't as awful as he had anticipated. It hurt, but was bearable. So, Kenji straightened his back and took quicker steps.Kenji was pleased. The attempt was a success. He raised both hands as if to lift a katana. But that was too much. The pain that followed made him lower his hands again. It would still take time to fully restore his arm movements."That's progress. I mean, you can walk without a cane," Akiko said, trying to cheer him up, as Kenji looked disappointed when he lowered his hands."Yeah, not bad," Kenji replied as he sat back
"The new office layout is really nice. I prefer the new one," Akiko said to Kyoko, who was walking ahead of her down the stairs at Ueno Station.The data processing division’s office has improved, thanks to the new wide windows, which make the atmosphere feel more open and fresh.They had just visited Shingi Fusaya and taken a quick look at how the office had been renovated. They were allowed to visit the office, though not for long.Akiko had accompanied Kyoko, who needed to retrieve some data from her computer that hadn’t been saved online yet. It was just a brief visit, and now they were heading home.The invitation to leave the house was welcome, even though Akiko had no business at the office. She didn’t want her thoughts to spiral out of control. Her imagination had grown increasingly troubling."It’s very nice. I’m surprised they care so much about us now."Kyoko responded to Akiko’s remark wi
TING TONG!Kenji jolted. He had forgotten his house even had a working doorbell, as there was no reason for anyone to visit. He set the laptop aside and stood up, confusion growing as he made his way to the front door.Upon reaching the gate, Kenji overheard an unhappy conversation outside. He pulled the gate open, ready to chase off whoever was there, but instead was met with a surprise."Hey! I'm so glad you're home. Look, I brought my parents. They wanted to meet you."Sakura began with a lie, knowing full well that Kenji was home. Not long ago, Kenji replied toSakura’s message asking about his whereabouts.He had given a simple response, unsure why she was asking. And when he questioned her reason, Sakura had offered no reply. Her purpose was now clear, but her reasoning was still confusing to Kenji.Sakura stepped aside from the gate, revealing a middle-aged couple who also looked surprised. They were taken aback
Akiko felt incredibly foolish.Even with her mind—clearly teetering on the edge of madness—Akiko easily admitted that Kenji was a man who couldn’t be ignored. He was someone who naturally drew attention, and it was impossible that he would remain single for long.There would come a time when Kenji would marry—have a family and children like any other normal person. His marriage with Karin may have failed, but that didn’t mean Kenji’s love life would stop there.Akiko chuckled softly, laughing at herself for subconsciously thinking that Kenji would act like she did.She might no longer want men around because of past heartbreak, and now she was confused. Of course, Kenji was different.It was very possible for Kenji to want another woman after divorcing Karin. Akiko had never thought that far ahead and now felt extremely naive, imagining that a handsome, wealthy man would choose to stay single.Akiko didn&r
Akiko snapped out of her daydream as a cold drop of water landed on the back of her hand. She raised her hand and looked up; more drops followed. The spring rain had begun to fall.“He... is so perfect.” Akiko smiled and closed her eyes. She leaned back, letting the rain wash over her face. The teenagers who had been playing basketball earlier ran home to seek shelter, but Akiko remained seated.The rain was only a drizzle, but it was enough to cool her face and, of course, conceal how disheveled she looked.Akiko’s desire to hold back her tears and act normal was merely wishful thinking, because in the end, it took a long time before she could stop the tears.Her face was now swollen and red. For a while, the rain could hide that. She might have to clarify later why she opted to get wet instead of seeking shelter.“KIKO-CHAN!”Akiko flinched and opened her eyes, spotting Kenji running down the steps, coming tow
But as Kenji's warm lips touched hers, Akiko still felt wrong. Akiko knew her silence was wrong. Akiko knew accepting it was wrong, but she didn’t know how to reject that warmth. Akiko didn’t know how to resist the lips she desired.Akiko had once felt those lips touch her roughly and demandingly, but now it was far from that. Akiko didn’t feel any coercion.Even when Kenji's hand, which was on the back of her neck, slipped up through her hair and gripped her more firmly, Akiko didn’t mind. Akiko didn’t resist.The chill she felt from the rain no longer mattered. The warmth that those lips brought was enough to melt her.The touch of those lips could cause Akiko to feel so many unspoken emotions. And Akiko could feel how the principles she had been trying to hold onto were growing thin, fading away with each ragged breath.Kenji only released Akiko after hearing that, but he still lowered his head, looking
"You are too calm for a pregnant woman."Kenji didn’t scold her; he was simply amazed by how easily Akiko went about her usual activities.Akiko did not experience any nausea, dizziness, or vomiting. Akiko ate all her meals well, slept peacefully, and hadn’t requested anything strange so far.Kenji had prepared all the foods Akiko once liked, but none received any special reaction. She ate them, but never excessively. She followed her usual eating habits, not consuming boxes of mochi in one sitting. Her normal state surprised Kenji."She’s---or he calm because she’s very smart." Akiko placed the book she had been reading on the table and moved her hand to her belly, which had finally shown significant change. It appeared as though it had been hidden, and once Akiko became aware of it, it began to grow rapidly."Smart? How?" Kenji, who had been sitting cross-legged near the window, scooted closer and placed his hand on Akiko&
“What happened?!”Yuto shouted as he approached Karin, who was pacing in front of the ER—holding Kenzo, who was fast asleep in her arms. She was alone. There was no sign of Kaname nearby, not even in the distance.“Okaa-san, she suddenly collapsed. I don’t understand why. She... she was scolding me about the bad food I made, and then she just collapsed.”Karin spoke while tears streamed down her face. She sobbed and rushed into Yuto’s arms, but he held her shoulders and pushed her back slightly. With just two fingers—his index and thumb—as if brushing off something disgusting.“What are you doing? There’s no one here.” Yuto looked around. The area in front of the ER was quiet. They didn’t need to put on a show for anyone. Yuto wouldn’t touch her if he could help it.“I...,” Karin wanted to pretend she needed comfort, but Yuto would never give it. So she
"Ken, don't eat that!"Kaede turned when she heard the shout. She saw Karin rushing toward Kenzo, who was crawling across the tatami mat, trying to put a red Lego piece into his mouth. Karin lifted him from the floor, snatching the Lego, now wet with drool, from his hand."He's so clever. I just left him for a moment, and he's already off on an adventure." Kaede smiled happily as she approached her assistant to collect the letter."Ken will choke if this keeps up." Karin's tone was neutral, but it was clearly a complaint.Kaede had said she'd look after Ken while cooking but had easily left him on the floor, as though abandoning her responsibility."Are you scolding me?" Kaede looked at Karin, who was now placing her grandson beside the dozens of toys scattered across the floor."No, Okaa-san." Karin bowed before starting to remove the numerous toys that could pose a risk to Kenzo's safety.Kaede didn't consider whether the toys were su
Kenji gazed at the paper he was holding, pondering over its potential use. He remained deep in thought until Ryu suddenly burst into the room.“It’s out! The results are in!” Ryu exclaimed, waving a white envelope.“You could have sent it to me. Why did you come all the way back to Osaka?” Kenji asked, surprised.“I had some business here, so I figured I’d drop it off. Hurry! Open it!” Ryu urged him, gesturing toward the envelope he handed Kenji.“You didn’t open it?” Kenji reached for a letter opener and tore through the sealed flap. He had assumed Ryu would have peeked at the results.“No, I wanted to see it with you. Hurry up!” Ryu said, growing impatient.“I told you, I was right,” Kenji said as he unfolded the paper inside and smiled after reading it.His confidence was fully justified—the envelope’s contents confirmed his suspicio
The sound of the choir on stage echoed melodiously through the spacious room at the Nakamura Foundation’s event hall.It was a special event to celebrate the retirement of the foundation's chairman. He was retiring early to assume his new role as the Minister of Education, so it was a well-earned celebration.No one in the room or on stage wore a gloomy face. Everyone was filled with joy because the chairman’s achievement represented a new level of success. Kaname Nakamura had successfully brought the Nakamura family and the foundation to greater heights.This achievement garnered widespread praise and brightened the future of the foundation, especially with Kaname’s successor, Yuto, who was expected to surpass his father, bringing fresh ideas to the field of education.Yuto had already made the school the most prestigious, with more than two-thirds of its students excelling academically. No dark clouds loomed in their future.
Ryu grabbed Kyoko's neck and kissed her passionately, without hesitation, feeling immensely happy. Kyoko didn't resist at all. Ryu kept pulling her body closer."You better let go of my hand right now. Before you lose your nose and lips."Ryu's eyes flew open at once, as the voice he heard was deep—not Kyoko's voice. What he saw was not Kyoko. It was Kenji, lying beside Ryu, staring at him in disgust.Meanwhile, Kenji's arm was in Ryu's grasp, slightly wet. It was clear what had fallen victim to Ryu's dream and lips—Kenji's arm."WHAA!" Ryu screamed in horror, pushing Kenji's face away and rolling away from him."What... Why are you..."Ryu sat up and looked around. They were in his room—not some strange place like a hotel or motel. Kenji was still fully dressed, whereas Ryu wasn't."Where are my clothes? Why are you here?!" Ryu asked, panicked, pointing at Kenji while looking for and finally finding his t-shirt lying not f
Kenji glanced around, squinting in the dim surroundings. A few people stared at him—understandably so, as he towered over the others. Those who recognized him bowed immediately, pausing their movements, ignoring the pulsating music.The club wasn't far from Kuryugumi's main house, so it was no surprise some people knew him. However, Kenji did not reciprocate their gestures or show any concern. His focus was on one person he had been looking for.That person stood surrounded by at least three women, laughing as they offered him drinks."I haven't seen you like this in a long time," Kenji said."Hey! You came! Look!" Ryu shouted excitedly, raising his glass—likely filled with brandy judging by its color. Ryu, walking unsteadily, rushed toward Kenji and clung to his shoulder."Look who's here, everyone! Isn't he handsome? This is one of my friends."Ryu proudly introduced Kenji to the women who quickly gathered around him. Some of t
"What's going on with them?" Kyoko asked Akiko, glancing at Kenji and Ryu, who hadn't spoken to each other during breakfast.Now that the breakfast table had been cleared, Kenji still hadn’t said a word to Ryu—or vice versa.Usually, even if it was just a question about work or plans for the afternoon, they would talk. They never stayed silent like this. Akiko noticed it too. Yui was as quiet as usual, but Kenji and Ryu seemed odd."Did you two have a fight?" Akiko asked, sipping her tea and looking back and forth between Kenji and Ryu."Yes.""No."Kenji said yes, while Ryu said no. The two contradictory responses only made it clearer that something was going on between them.Ryu angrily glared at Kenji, to which Kenji responded with a defiant look."What? I'm just being honest," Kenji shrugged."Since when have you cared about being honest?! Choose the right time to be honest!" Ryu snapped."I was ju
"Are you leaving?" Akiko inquired, observing that Kenji was still wearing his shirt, even though his jacket had been removed. He clearly wasn't ready to sleep yet.Akiko herself was already under the covers. Today had been exhausting for her, especially after experiencing such extreme emotional shifts from fear to joy."Yes, I need to talk to Ryu. There are some work adjustments I need to discuss with him," Kenji said, sitting beside Akiko."Should I stay with you until you fall asleep? I can postpone it," Kenji offered, noticing the disappointment in her eyes.Akiko thought for a moment, then nodded. She did want that."But are you sure it's okay? Whatever you need to discuss with Ryu, can it wait?" Akiko asked.Kenji nodded. "Of course it can. If it was something urgent that couldn’t wait, I'd ask Kyoko or Yui to come stay with you. But this can wait."Kenji grabbed a pillow and placed it beside Akiko, who was lying down