Yuto was startled when he suddenly felt a hand on his waist. He opened his eyes but quickly closed them again as his head felt heavy and dizzy. Yuto frowned and pinched the bridge of his nose, thinking he must be dreaming because no one should be sleeping beside him. It had been a while since Akiko left home.But then Yuto forced himself to open his eyes, realizing the weight on his waist was real. He also noticed that his body was lying on a bed—on a soft mattress, not on a futon. Yuto turned to the side and widened his eyes. "What are you doing here?"Yuto moved away, grabbing the blanket to cover himself. He realized he was naked. Karin—who was next to him—stirred. Yuto cursed inwardly, noticing that Karin was also naked, just like him.Karin slowly opened her eyes and stared at Yuto—silent for a few seconds before screaming. "AGHH!" Karin yelled as she quickly arranged the blanket to cover her exposed body."How…." Yuto was confused, looking around. Their hotel room was where th
Akiko turned her blushing face away, embarrassed, like a thief caught in the act."Where exactly are we?" Akiko finally found the right question to ask, clearly wanting to avoid discussing why they were in the same bed."A hotel. I couldn't drive all the way to Tokyo last night, so I stopped here," Kenji explained as he pushed aside the blanket, rubbed his head, yawned, and stood up, heading to the bathroom.Akiko just nodded. She wouldn't be upset because Kenji made the right decision. Driving while sleepy is extremely dangerous. Now Akiko remembered what she did before falling asleep.They had stopped for food, and after they set off again, her stomach felt nauseous. Akiko took the last anti-nausea pill prescribed by her doctor a few days ago, and then she fell asleep. Kenji had carried Akiko into this room, and she hadn't noticed at all."We'll have breakfast, then head back to Tokyo," Kenji said after coming out of the bathroom."Okay." Akiko pushed aside all the thoughts she had
Guilt can easily affect courage and self-confidence. That’s what happened to Akiko. She hadn't been able to lift her head, and her whole body felt fragile. Akiko was trembling with guilt.If she counted from the day she tried to meet Yuto, went to the beach, and had to stay overnight for two nights—because her nausea was still quite severe—it added up to a total of eight days Akiko had been absent without a clear reason.Today, Akiko came to the office, preparing herself emotionally. She was ready to be fired and had even planned to start job hunting right away.But Akiko also planned to plead with Watanabe to give her a recommendation letter, which would give her some experience, even if just for a few weeks, hoping it would make finding a new job easier.Akiko placed her bag on the table and sat down, waiting for her fate. Waiting for Watanabe to call her.“Nakamura-san?”Akiko was startled and turned around to see Mori, who had just arrived, looking at her.“Come here.” Mori opened
Kenji realized that Akiko hadn't come home yet, causing his anger, which had slightly subsided over the past few days, to flare up again because Akiko had disobeyed his orders once more.Kenji had clearly stated that Akiko was not allowed to work overtime. He had allowed her to work, but not to stay late. Yet on her very first day, Akiko had easily violated his orders."You sure show up quickly when it comes to Akiko," Ryu greeted him in front of the second-floor elevator. He knew about Kenji's arrival from the security who recognized him."Don't make unnecessary comments; I'm not in the mood to hear them," Kenji hissed, ignoring the jab and heading straight to Akiko's office."She's still inside, right?" Kenji asked."Yes," Ryu replied. As soon as the security informed him of Kenji's arrival, Ryu made sure that Akiko hadn't left the office yet."I've already asked Mori not to burden his team with overtime. It's strange, but Mori—oh no
"Are you sobber?" Akiko asked.But Kyoko just stood there, swaying while pointing at Akiko, who was confused. Then Kyoko burst into laughter—a kind of laughter Akiko had never heard before. When drunk, Kyoko became a completely different person."Calm down a bit. I can't get you into a taxi like this." Akiko tried to snap Kyoko out of it by patting her arm, but Kyoko was already completely intoxicated.They had dinner together earlier—Mori and his two team members, ending with drinks. Akiko, of course, hadn't had any alcohol. Her feelings about her pregnancy were still indescribable, but Akiko wouldn't do anything dangerous like drinking alcohol.A few weeks ago, Akiko had gotten drunk without realizing she was pregnant. She shuddered slightly at the thought of drinking while pregnant. Akiko certainly wouldn't repeat that foolishness.Akiko had managed to avoid drinking with various excuses—the last one being that she lied about n
Yuto stared at Akiko, who was gently stroking her belly. The gesture held no significance for him.But Akiko's thoughts returned to her pregnancy. If only Yuto's offer had come before she knew about her pregnancy, Akiko might have accepted it immediately.But it was too late, and nothing could be fixed anymore. Akiko could never return to Yuto's house while pregnant—it was impossible. One thing was certain: Kaede would not greet her willingly or with a beaming smile."Does your mother know what you're doing right now?" Akiko asked.She held onto a sliver of hope, but the dull look in Yuto's eyes was enough to tell Akiko that what she hoped for was impossible.While many aspects of her life had changed, Yuto remained the same. He was still the sweet Yuto, who wanted to please his mother by always being polite and never contradicting her."It hurts. I feel so much pain," Akiko muttered, putting the empty paper cup she had been holding in
Bravery and anger surged within Akiko, as she was genuinely irritated by what Kenji had done. Yuto had disappointed her, but, in her opinion, Kenji had gone too far by threatening Yuto earlier.“How can I not get involved? Right now, you're carrying my child, and you're going to take him to that cursed house. Now you see, don’t you? Your beloved man is nothing more than a coward pretending to be a real man.” With a mocking grin, Kenji sneered.“I've already promised to protect this child, and I will. I won't foolishly take him to the Nakamura family! But what I do after that is up to me! It’s up to me to decide who I want to live with and how…”"You are contemplating reuniting with that scumbag following the birth of my child?" When he realized Akiko's hidden desires, Kenji hissed in a low voice.“Yes!” Akiko replied, but she turned her gaze away, pretending to brush her hair aside. Akiko wasn’t sure about the plan, but she still thought that Yuto was the best option for now.“Kiko-ch
Akiko couldn't help but smile as she gazed at the item she had longed for. She had been delaying purchasing this item since yesterday, but Kyoko's persistent encouragement made her feel compelled to make the purchase. So, Kyoko would be the first person to see it—besides herself.Akiko stepped out of the elevator and her smile grew wider when she saw Kyoko already there, waiting for her computer to boot up."Kyoko-chan..." Akiko called out sweetly, and Kyoko immediately looked wary, bracing herself for Akiko's sweet and clingy attack."What’s making you so happy today? You've been gloomy for a while now."Kyoko eyed her suspiciously, but Akiko just chuckled. Though the question sounded like a insult, Akiko knew it was Kyoko's way of showing concern, paying attention to her emotions every day.Of course, with all the problems Akiko had been facing, it wasn't surprising that she didn't always appear cheerful."I bought this, and you'll be the first to add your contact!" Akiko exclaimed,
“Has she arrived?” Ryu inquired as he observed Inoue preparing to welcome him.“Yes. She was perfectly on time. Not a minute late,” Inoue replied, with a hint of sarcasm.Ryu could only offer a wry smile, knowing he was in the wrong. Ryu was late. He had to take care of something at Shingi Fusaya and couldn’t leave his office until half an hour past his meeting time with Kyoko.His lateness was serious, and there was no time for small talk with Inoue. Ryu quickly opened the door to Kenji’s office.Ryu had asked Inoue to arrange the meeting in Kenji’s office, which would clearly be empty for the next few weeks.Kyoko, who had been waiting inside, quickly stood up, looking surprised to see Ryu.“You…”“Yes, I’m the one who will formalize your work contract. Kenji… is busy.” Ryu removed the folder he had prepared and sat in Kenji's chair.&
"What's wrong?" Akiko grew more curious as she watched Kenji lower his head and cover his face with his hands."Sorry, just a moment." Kenji needed to calm himself. The fear he felt earlier was real. He had braced himself for Akiko's complaining of pain, clearly worried about her post-surgery scars.But Akiko was completely calm. A small ray of hope emerged amidst all the darkness that enveloped him."Are you okay?" Akiko asked again, gently touching Kenji's hand, which slowly loosened its grip."Yes, I'm fine. Everything is fine." Kenji smiled, causing Akiko's heart to race again. She reflexively covered Kenji's mouth."Don't smile like that," Akiko complained. Kenji raised his eyebrows in question."Just don't."Kenji found the request odd, but he nodded. Only then did Akiko release her hand, exhaling with a sense of relief."What's wrong with my smile? Is it scary?" Kenji didn’t think he had made a scary face, but Ryu
Akiko stared at Kenji as he walked in, once again placing a hand on her chest. She felt abnormal, her heart racing with excitement.Or maybe it was the man who wasn’t normal. Akiko couldn't imagine how she had married someone so... handsome.Akiko admitted it. Ryu, who had been with her earlier, was handsome, sweet, and had a clean face. Kenji’s face was the complete opposite.Kenji was handsome, but not sweet, and he looked rugged with stubble that seemed a few days old. But that wild side of him was driving her crazy. Akiko felt her stomach suddenly warm as those dark eyes looked at her.She wanted to look away—unable to withstand the excessive charm—but decided to keep looking. It would be strange to turn away so suddenly. After all, they were husband and wife. Akiko wanted to get used to looking at that face quickly.“Are you feeling dizzy?” As he sat beside Akiko, he naturally reached out to touch her
"Is this going to be permanent?" As soon as Kenji and Hayashi left the room, he asked his question.Hayashi ran a hand through his white hair, and the lines on his forehead deepened."The answer is, I don't know." Hayashi gave his honest reply with a long sigh.If not for the fact that Hayashi had done so much to help Akiko recover, Kenji might have snapped at him for his unhelpful response.It was Hayashi's job to diagnose Akiko's condition, not to be unsure. It was Kenji's responsibility not to be in the dark."Maybe this answer won't satisfy you," Hayashi said, noticing how Kenji was struggling to contain his emotions."However, I am unable to provide a definitive response. The neurologist who worked with me on Akiko's case before diagnosed her as unable to function normally, but after therapy restored her motor skills, her ability to remember and understand things slowly returned. When it comes to Akiko's condition, nothing is set in sto
Akiko followed Hayashi's flashlight beam, moving left and right with ease. There was no problem at all."What do you feel?" Hayashi asked with a friendly smile. Akiko looked at him. He was a kind and gentle doctor."Dizzy." Akiko had felt a sharp pain in her head when she tried to sit up earlier, but now it had eased significantly. That was her only physical complaint. As for her thoughts—Akiko couldn’t explain them."Of course you feel dizzy. You have a head injury."Akiko appreciated the doctor's warmth as he gently explained. She then touched the bandage on her head with a confused expression."What happened to me? Did I fall?" Akiko inquired, hoping for a quick explanation.But the doctor didn’t answer immediately. Akiko caught him glancing at one of the men standing on the opposite side of the bed. The man nodded.Akiko understood instantly that Hayashi had just sought permission. The doctor was seeking permissi
Kenji's thoughts immediately pointed to her. Only Karin could have come up with such a cunning plan, with the intent to hurt Akiko.After all, who else knew about the relationship between him and Akiko besides Karin? Kenji doubted his father would resort to such cowardly methods. His father had already shown his way yesterday—an attack from the front, forceful if necessary."I think we were wrong. Karin isn't interested in the Nakamura fortune. She's doing everything she can to hurt Akiko." Kenji corrected his earlier assumption that Karin was merely being materialistic when she tricked him. "Everything she's done since the beginning has hurt Akiko.""Why though? Why would she hate her own niece?" Ryu scratched his head, looking confused.It wasn't a question that Kenji needed to answer. Aside from not knowing the reason, Kenji didn’t care. What mattered was that Karin had hurt Akiko.Before this, Kenji could still forgive everything Kari
But Kenji's burden gradually lessened as he saw a smile spread across Hayashi's lips.“It worked. Everything was successfully retrieved. And Akiko's condition is very stable,” Hayashi said, giving a thumbs-up.Kenji let out a sigh of relief, but he knew his relief was premature.“How…”“I’ve requested that the biopsy be done as soon as possible, but it will still take at least a day. Be patient. Stay with Akiko when she wakes up. Huh, what happened to your face?” Hayashi inquired, noting Kenji's bruised and battered face.“Something happened, but it's over now,” Kenji responded vaguely. He might hear the full story later about the earlier commotion, but Kenji wasn’t too concerned. Kuryugumi usually had a team to clean up any public disturbances.Hayashi squinted at Kenji's face before patting his shoulder. “Take care of those wounds. But I must go. I’m not as youn
"Then obey. I've allowed you to do as you please all this time."Masaki looked at Kenji, who was bowing before him, shaking his head. He had watched Kenji grow, and of course, he knew that Kenji rarely begged anyone for anything.Seeing Kenji bowing always surprised him. This was the second time Masaki had seen Kenji in such a position. And for the same reason—that weak girl."I will obey and follow your orders—whatever you want. But not with Akiko," Kenji said, pressing his forehead to the ground. Masaki sighed and shook his head. He couldn’t understand why Kenji was so stubborn."Get up," Masaki ordered. Kenji raised himself, but he remained kneeling."You make me seem like a villain when everything I've done has been to protect you, not to be cruel to you," Masaki said, resting his head on his hand while watching Kenji, who was now staring at the grass."Can't you want something else? She’s just a woman. There are
"Do you really want to commit a massacre out in the open?" Masaki shouted, and Kenji finally lowered the katana in his hand.He was a little disappointed that no blood had been spilled. He could kill, but not in front of so many witnesses. A rule that Kenji found bothersome.As Masaki was pushed closer to him, Kenji bowed and glanced at the unfamiliar face behind his father. He might be significantly older than Masaki. However, he appeared more robust and healthy.Kenji was a bit puzzled. If his father wanted to replace Matsuda, he should have picked someone younger, not someone as old as this. Kenji wasn't convinced that this man could lift his father in an emergency.But now wasn’t the time to question Masaki's decision. The veins around Masaki’s neck bulged as he held back his anger."Are you trying to fight me again?! Do you care more about that boy than my words?!" Masaki snapped."I've followed your words," Kenji replied po