LOGINShare
#265 Strange Woman
Last Updated:
2025-01-01 07:02:51Akiko slowly adjusted the blanket covering Natsu’s body. She had wanted Natsu to get a little sunlight, but the spring morning sun wasn’t very bright, and the air had turned too cold.
So, Akiko decided to pull the blanket snugly around Natsu again.
Natsu squirmed in protest, feeling confined once more, but didn’t cry. The child was very calm.
Yui had mentioned there were still a few weeks left before Natsu would become a disturbance to their peaceful sleep. Yui advised Akiko to rest while she could before that time came.
Akiko smiled as she watched Natsu yawn, his little red lips puckering adorably.
“You’re so handsome,” Akiko said, gently tracing her fingers around Natsu’s lips to check if he was hungry. But Natsu closed his eyes again—Akiko had just fed him about half an hour ago.
Akiko felt grateful once more for her abundant breast milk. Yesterday, Akiko expressed concern when she obs
Related chapters
Do You Love Me, Uncle? #266 You Called Her Name
Kenji stood beside Akiko, watching as Karin slowly covered her mouth. Her eyes scanned Kenji from head to toe."Yes, it's me. We meet again. Finally," said Kenji.After a moment of reflection, Kenji suddenly realized that his last meeting with Karin had been a long time ago—ever since Karin had asked for a divorce.Although they hadn’t met in a long while, everything Karin had done made Kenji feel as though she had never left."You... Kuryugumi..." Karin muttered in disbelief."Yes, that's right," Kenji answered briefly, signaling Shibata, who immediately moved a wheelchair closer to Akiko. Natsu had calmed down since the shouting had stopped—Kenzo, too."Go inside," Kenji said calmly to Akiko, but she refused."No." Akiko remained intent on asking Karin a question, her gaze fixed on her."Don't. You don't need to hear anything from her." Kenji gently stroked Akiko’s head, trying to persuade her. He didn
Last Updated : 2025-01-02Do You Love Me, Uncle? #267 You'll Be Punished
Karin actually wanted to respond to Kenji's objection, but the words got stuck on her tongue when she saw Akiko's hand gesture calming Kenji.The gesture wasn't obvious, but Karin's eyes followed every detail of how Kenji closed his mouth because of that small touch. In truth, that small gesture hurt more than Kenji's words, making her realize even more that from the beginning, she had no chance to be with him.Karin accepted the marriage, believing Kenji would eventually turn to her, which made her act like the perfect wife at the start of their marriage.Kenji never spoke harshly or yelled at her, let alone insulted her outright, and Karin thought that behavior was a positive start. But now she realizes that Kenji wasn’t being kind back then. He just didn’t consider her important enough to pay attention to.It was the epitome of neglect, far worse than anger or harsh words. If he had become angry or uttered harsh words, Kenji would have at l
Last Updated : 2025-01-02Do You Love Me, Uncle? #268 I Want To Forget You
"We should have taken care of her first before dealing with Abe yesterday."Ryu commented after hearing Kenji's account of what transpired at the hospital. Ryu had just arrived in Osaka, arriving nearly simultaneously with Kenji and Akiko, who had recently returned from the hospital."Abe was more dangerous because he threatened Akiko's life. Once he began inquiring about Ishida, I couldn't wait any longer. It was too risky for Akiko." Kenji didn’t feel wrong for dealing with Abe first."Well, at least the damage wasn’t too severe," Ryu said, thinking of how Akiko remained unharmed."It’s not severe because I haven’t talked to Akiko since we got back. The severity will change once we talk." Kenji sighed. He knew Akiko would be angry when they finally talked."Just use the ‘I’m sick’ card to get some sympathy from her. Her anger won’t last long if she knows you’re not well."Ryu pointed to
Last Updated : 2025-01-02Do You Love Me, Uncle? #269 My Family
Akiko helped tighten the baby wrap around Shogo's shoulder and smiled contentedly.Natsu was now in a secure position. Shogo was the eldest woman in Kuryugumi at the moment, about seven years younger than Masaki.For the Omiyamairi ceremony—the baby's first visit to a shrine when they turn 100 days old—Natsu was supposed to be carried by his grandmother in front of the altar, but that was, of course, impossible.Therefore, Akiko asked Shogo to stand in for her. Shogo was overjoyed and had been playfully teasing Natsu, making his eyes widen with delight."His eyes are just like Nidaime’s. Sandaime doesn’t resemble him as much, but little Natsu-chan has Nidaime’s face too."Akiko could only smile at the comment and deliberately avoided letting Shogo get a closer look at his eyes. Akiko knew that Natsu’s eyes closely resembled her own, which would make explaining her relationship with Masaki a bit tricky
Last Updated : 2025-01-03Do You Love Me, Uncle? #270 Extra 1 - We Lost Is It?
"Where are we?!" Kyoko huffed in frustration, pushing aside a tree branch blocking the narrow path they were walking on."I don't know. You've lived here longer. I thought you'd know better."Ryu, walking behind her, responded calmly. He didn't seem angry or troubled, which was in stark contrast to Kyoko."Don't try to blame me! You were the one who turned onto this path! You brought me here!" Kyoko snapped, turning to point accusingly at Ryu. It was clear she wouldn't accept any blame."Brought you? Did I force you to follow me? You came willingly. Don't make it sound like I kidnapped you."Ryu wasn’t about to take the blame either. When Ryu spotted a small hill not far from Kenji's house, he decided to turn down the path, hoping for a closer view of the green landscape.But, of course, he didn't force Kyoko to come along. In fact, he had suggested she turn back halfway, but it was too late. They had already wandered too far from the
Last Updated : 2025-01-03Do You Love Me, Uncle? #271 Extra 2 - Let's Get Married
“You shouldn’t drink this much.” Ryu complained, lifting the box away from Kyoko.“Eh? Don’t! I still want some!” Kyoko held onto the bottom of the box, frowning angrily.“This is a drink to warm you up. Not to get drunk. You’ve already had enough, so no more.” Ryu released Kyoko's grip from the box while pulling it away.“Don’t… I still want it... You’re so mean!” Kyoko, who had earlier snapped, was now whining and tugging at Ryu's hand, mimicking a child requesting a toy.“Alright… just one more. But that’s it.” Ryu gave in and handed her a sealed bottle, which Kyoko excitedly grabbed.“Yay!” Kyoko cheered and ran towards the fire, sitting beside it.“Ah… this is warm.” Kyoko stretched her hands toward the flames.“Don’t! Oh my gosh!” Ryu hurriedly set the box down and ran to
Last Updated : 2025-01-03Do You Love Me, Uncle? #272 Extra 3 - My Father
"Don't throw the water away. It's challenging to reheat the water.Ryu regretted that Kyoko had just spat out the warm water. With limited resources, Ryu had to heat it using a bottle, being cautious not to break it.But Kyoko didn't care about the water. Wiping her lips, she looked at Ryu, who had already sat back down. His face was calm, showing no sign of the madness Kyoko had initially assumed when he mentioned marriage."Has the cold air shrunk your brain?" Kyoko asked with a puzzled look."It's cold this morning, but my brain is fine. This fire kept me warm last night."Ryu pointed to the fireplace, which smelled even more delicious as the rabbit meat was nearly cooked."If your brain is still functioning normally, why do you talk like you're drunk? What is the connection between marriage and murder?" Kyoko was on the verge of losing her temper, but her curiosity outweighed everything else.Ryu laughed at the irony of Kyoko thin
Last Updated : 2025-01-04Do You Love Me, Uncle? #273 Extra 4 - We're Gonna Be Married
“He was sentenced to twenty-five years for attempted murder.”Ryu sat in front of Kenji, reporting the results of Karin's trial to Kenji, who was holding Natsu. He brushed away a cherry blossom petal caught in Natsu's hair.“I told you not to discuss bad things while I'm with Natsu,” Kenji hissed.He had a new rule: forbidding anyone from discussing anything related to violence or negative matters while he was with Natsu.Not that the baby, who was less than five months old, would understand, but that didn't make Kenji care any less. He still asked everyone to be cautious.“But I’m sharing positive news. This is about Karin being sentenced. It’s not a negative thing,” Ryu countered.“Anything related to that snake woman is rotten, and... Just make sure that twenty-five turns into a lot longer—regardless of whether she behaves well or not. You just arrange it,” Kenji said.
Last Updated : 2025-01-04
Latest chapter
Do You Love Me, Uncle? #288 Extra 19 - My Perfect Family
“Himawari! Natsu!”A ten-year-old boy let out a loud shout when he discovered two other children hiding behind the bushes beneath the tree.“Kenzo—big brother!”Natsu was startled to see Kenzo suddenly appear. He pulled the girl, Himawari, beside him to stand, intending to run away, but Kenzo stopped him.“No! You’re making Okaa-san worried. You have to go back.” Kenzo grabbed Natsu's arm.“But Himawari is scared. She doesn’t want to go to school,” Natsu pointed at Himawari, who was now sobbing.“Hima-chan.” Kenzo knelt down and gently stroked Himawari's head, which was bowed down.“School isn’t scary. You’ll meet many new people and make new friends,” Kenzo coaxed softly until Himawari looked up to meet Kenzo's gaze.“But… but… I want to be with Natsu. I don’t want to go to school…”
Do You Love Me, Uncle? #287 Extra 18 - OK
“This place isn’t bad.” Kenji didn’t outright refuse, but his reluctance was evident.“Indeed, I will make sure this place will never be bad for those children. However, Kenzo stands apart from these children. They are kids who truly have no family and are forced to live here. Kenzo has me. I am his family. I am the only family Kenzo has."Akiko didn’t want to acknowledge this while remembering Kenzo's mother’s actions, but Kenzo was still the child of her mother’s younger sibling—her family. No one else was her blood relative as of now.“I can’t forget that fact and pretend Kenzo is someone else. It will haunt me in my sleep,” Akiko urged again.Kenji fiddled with the car keys beneath him while staring at the back of Kenzo's head, who was now trying to draw something with crayons on a new piece of paper.“I know you hate his mother—I do too. But you don’t hav
Do You Love Me, Uncle? #286 Extra 17 - He's My Family
“I still don’t want to do this,” Kenji grumbled.“I know, but I’m sure you also know that this is the right thing to do,” Akiko replied, looking at her husband, who was now unbuckling his seatbelt. Although they arrived two minutes earlier, neither of them got out of the car.The decision they—Akiko—made was indeed a significant one. Akiko needed to calm herself. Kenji had left the choice to her, but he was still going through it with a heavy heart.“Come on, let’s go.” Akiko finally opened the door and stepped out.Children playing in the yard rushed over when they spotted her.“Tanaka-san! What did you bring today? Candy? A storybook?”A chorus of voices greeted Akiko. She often visited the orphanage with gifts, so the children expected her to bring something.“I brought something in the car for you, but it’s a secret. You can…”
Do You Love Me, Uncle? #285 Extra 16 - The Hand That Won't Hurt Me
“I don’t want to sleep with you.” Ryu repeated the question in disbelief because it seemed too absurd. He shook his head while rubbing his face.“I think your ability to draw conclusions isn’t very sharp right now,” Ryu said.“No!” Kyoko was obviously offended. Although it wasn't a direct insult, Ryu had implied that Kyoko was stupid.“Don’t be angry; I understand. I would be disappointed if your mind was entirely calm at the moment.” Ryu smiled with satisfaction.“I’m calm!” Kyoko retorted.“You just asked about my desire to sleep with you. I think that’s quite a disturbance that’s keeping you from being calm.” Ryu left his suitcase and approached Kyoko, who suddenly panicked and stepped back.“Don’t deny it. You won’t succeed in making me think otherwise.” Ryu chuckled softly at her panic.“I don&
Do You Love Me, Uncle? #284 Extra 15 - The Distance
“Don’t open it now. You’ll get wet.” Ryu raised the hood of Kyoko's raincoat just in time as a large amount of water splashed toward where they were sitting. It was as if someone had poured a giant bucket of water on them.The orca whale show they were watching involved jumping out of the water. Of course, when they fell back, they splashed a lot of water toward the audience.Ryu clapped like everyone else, appreciating the hard work of the giant mammals, but Kyoko didn’t clap at all—not even when the show ended.“Didn’t you like it?” Ryu inquired as they exited, discarding their soaked raincoats.Ryu grabbed a small towel handed out by the staff, then used it to dry Kyoko’s hair and neck. Although Ryu had covered her hoodie just in time, some parts of Kyoko’s hair and neck were still wet.“You don’t like aquariums. I’ll note all of that.” After waiting for a
Do You Love Me, Uncle? #283 Extra 14 - The Wedding
"I want to go home."Kyoko suddenly spoke up just as Akiko finished applying pink lipstick to her lips.“Huh? Why? Did you forget something?” Akiko straightened up, confused, as she glanced at the kimono Kyoko would be wearing.Kyoko's kimono was simpler, with only a hair ornament as an accessory. It wasn’t as elaborate as the one Akiko had worn when she got married in Utoro.Ryu had planned for their wedding to be similar to Akiko’s, but they had compromised for a more modest ceremony at the city hall. Ryu knew Kyoko's feelings about temple buildings, so he wouldn't dare force anything. Besides, the reception would still happen; just the ceremony would be different.Nobody objected to the decision. Everyone agreed as long as the wedding took place, including Akiko. Even though her expensive kimono was a bit much for a city hall wedding, she was still happily helping Kyoko.“Everything's ready. I just need to pu
Do You Love Me, Uncle? #282 Extra 13 - Yes, I'll Marry You
“You must be crazy!” Kyoko stood up and paced back and forth in the living room, trying to recall if there was any sign that Ryu wasn’t serious.But everything was serious. Ryu had even sent her a photo of the kimono he would wear on their wedding day. When Kyoko saw the photo, she thought Ryu was insane, as discussing kimono patterns would escalate their deception.In the end, Kyoko made her choice, wanting to end the pointless discussion. But it turned out that the discussion was important.“Are you just going to sit there?!” Kyoko yelled angrily, glaring at Ryu, who was calmly sipping beer and munching on peanuts he had brought earlier.“What do you want me to do?” Ryu frowned.“Cancel everything! Call them all! Cancel it!” Kyoko sat back down next to Ryu and then attacked him, reaching for his waist.“Hey, wait! Don’t get aggressive all of a sudden,” Ryu was, of cour
Do You Love Me, Uncle? #281 Extra 12 - We're Getting Married Tomorrow
Ryu shook his head, while effortlessly unlocking Kyoko's apartment door once more by simply inputting her birthday—the day after tomorrow.He had repeatedly reminded Kyoko to change the password, which was extremely easy to guess. Not just once—like when he first broke in to find the listening device—but several times since.Now, Kyoko no longer lives in Tokyo. Since becoming actively involved in Kuryugumi and assisting Kenji and Ryu, Kyoko had relocated to Osaka, where she now primarily worked.However, Kyoko hadn't been working regularly since visiting her parents, and no one was pressuring her to do so either. Kenji didn’t give any orders, leaving everything up to Ryu.The apartment’s security was truly weak, especially since there was still no sound, despite Ryu walking into the room for several moments. It was evident that Kyoko had fallen asleep due to the late hour. Ryu had come straight to the apartment after returnin
Do You Love Me, Uncle? #280 Extra 11 - It's Your Fault
Akiko adjusted herself in front of the mirror, gazing at the new kimono she would wear the day after tomorrow.The kimono was custom-made for her, so naturally, it fit perfectly. But Akiko wanted to see if the color matched her expectations. And indeed, everything was perfect. It fit her body beautifully and didn't feel heavy or hot, which was crucial considering it was still summer.The modern kimono, with a white base, was adorned with pink cherry blossoms. Akiko had even prepared hair accessories filled with cherry blossom designs to complete the look.She wasn’t wearing the hairpiece yet, but when she tried placing it on her head, the pink color matched perfectly with her black hair. Everything was set. She had also prepared clothes for Natsu and Kenji.BANG!Akiko flinched and dropped the hair accessory she was holding. The loud noise from the sliding door startled her.Luckily, Natsu was in the next room, so he wouldn’t be
