A Love I Shouldn't Feel
Chapter 138: Masks of Grace ( 138 )

Chapter 138: Masks of Grace ( 138 )

Sayako took another slow sip of her drink, eyes thoughtful.

I really want to know how Haruki looks right now...

Is he still that tall, handsome guy I remember?

That calm voice... that charming, effortless smile...

She tilted her head slightly, lips curling in a quiet grin.

Hmm... maybe I should visit Okinawa sometime.

"Satomi?" Sayako said, keeping her tone casual.

"Hmm?" Satomi looked up from her phone.

"Your husband... what company does he work for again?"

"Oh. Yamashita Corporation."

Sayako’s brow lifted slightly. "That big one? They opened a new branch down south?"

"Yeah, he’s outstationed there. If I’m not mistaken, they’re expanding operations in Okinawa."

"Huh..." Sayako twirled her straw again. "Impressive. Sounds like he’s doing well."

Satomi nodded with a smile, but didn’t offer much else.

Sayako leaned back, eyes half-lidded.

Haruki-senpai... working alone in Okinawa, far from his wife.

I wonder what kind of life he’s living there now...

She smiled politely, shifting the conversation away—but in her heart, the curiosity had already bloomed.

"By the way, congratulations, Satomi."

Satomi blinked. "For what?"

"I heard from my father—your company landed a big project with the Takahashi Group."

"Oh... that," Satomi smiled proudly. "Yes. Mister Kazuma and his wife, I think her name is Keiko, came to Tokyo. They flew in with a private jet."

"Wow." Sayako widened her eyes. "Sounds like a really big deal."

"It is. My father was quite pleased. He said this project will elevate our name even more in the industry."

Sayako leaned her cheek on her palm, smiling. "Must be a pretty powerful company then, this Takahashi Group."

Satomi nodded confidently. "From what I saw, yes. But to be honest, I don’t know much about their internal structure."

Sayako sipped her drink and leaned back with a grin.

"Your father’s company really hit it big this year, huh?"

Satomi gave a modest shrug, but her smile said everything.

"Yeah... Yamashita Corporation especially. And I think your father’s company is one of the partnered firms, right?"

"Yes, I know~" Sayako twirled her straw. "Dad keeps mentioning Yamashita whenever we talk about large-scale infrastructure projects. Apparently, it’s like the crown jewel of corporate collaboration lately."

Satomi flipped her hair lightly.

"Well, what can I say? I am married to one of their top assets." She smirked, half-joking, half-boasting.

Sayako giggled. "Haruki-senpai really climbed up high. So... does he get all the special treatment now?"

Satomi chuckled.

"Let’s just say... it’s one of the perks of being married to someone talented."

Sayako nodded, then playfully pouted.

" And here I am still single. I guess I should’ve fought harder back then, huh?"

Satomi waved her off.

"He wasn’t even interested in dating during high school. You wouldn’t have had a chance."

"Still, worth a shot," Sayako laughed, then gave a teasing smirk. "Now you just have to make sure he doesn’t get swept up by Okinawa sunshine and island beauties while he’s out there."

"Please," Satomi rolled her eyes. "My mother is with him. You think he’ll even dare?"

Sayako blinked. "Wait... what!? Your mother is there?"

Satomi nodded casually, sipping her drink. "Hmm? Yes. Mother was born in Okinawa. It’s her hometown."

Sayako tilted her head. "So... Haruki is staying at your grandparents’ place with her?"

Satomi shook her head. "No, no. I asked her to check on him... She’s living with him. In his house there."

Sayako froze mid-sip. "Huh? Wait—what? You had your mother move in with your husband?"

Satomi looked unbothered, even a little smug. "It’s not a big deal. Besides, the house has two rooms. Haruki wouldn’t do anything inappropriate. And Mama’s there to make sure he doesn’t slack off or fool around."

Sayako raised her brows, unsure if she’d heard that right. "Uhh... I mean, isn’t that a little... awkward for him?"

Satomi chuckled softly, twirling her straw. "Oh please. Haruki knows better. He respects my mother."

Sayako tilted her head again, still confused. "Wait, your mom... I don’t think I’ve ever really met her. I think maybe once, a long time ago?"

"Mama rarely shows up at school or public events," Satomi said with a shrug. "She’s not the flashy type."

Sayako nodded slowly, her thoughts spinning.

Live-in mother-in-law? While the husband’s away from his wife for months? In a beachside house?

She tapped her lip, suddenly curious.

"...So, your mom must be... like... older, right?"

Satomi gave a light laugh. "Well, of course. But everyone says she looks way younger than her age."

"Ohh..." Sayako nodded, trying to picture it—but she couldn’t. She’d barely seen Satomi’s mother even during school festivals or graduation. The face wouldn’t come to her.

But for some reason, now... she really wanted to know what kind of woman Satomi’s mother actually was.

"Do you have your mom’s picture?" Sayako asked, leaning in curiously.

"Hmm? Yeah, wait a sec..." Satomi unlocked her phone, swiping casually. "Let me find one... ah, here—this one."

Sayako leaned closer.

"Satomi!!" she pouted, crossing her arms. "I said I didn’t want to see your mom’s picture from her younger days! I meant now!"

Satomi blinked. "Huh? This is from last week. We took it in front of Grandpa’s house in Okinawa."

Sayako’s eyes widened.

"What!? Seriously!?"

"Yes." Satomi nodded calmly, showing her the screen.

Sayako stared.

The woman standing beside Satomi in the picture wore a soft floral dress, her hair loosely styled, her skin glowing with no sign of age. She was graceful, serene—and stunningly beautiful.

"...She looks younger than you," Sayako whispered, stunned.

Satomi chuckled, unbothered. "I told you. People say that a lot."

Sayako couldn’t take her eyes off the screen.

That face.

That figure.

That smile.

No wrinkles. No sagging. Not even any heavy makeup. Just pure, radiant beauty.

That’s... her mother? That’s Haruki’s mother-in-law!? Sayako’s heart skipped a beat.

"She doesn’t even look like she’s in her forties..." Sayako muttered under her breath. "...She looks twenty-five at most."

Satomi laughed, taking her phone back. "Told you. Good genes, I guess."

Sayako leaned back, now silent.

But inside?

Something stirred.

And for the first time that afternoon...

She felt deeply curious about Haruki’s life in Okinawa.

And about the impossibly beautiful woman living with him.

( End Of Chapter )

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