A Love I Shouldn't Feel
Chapter 154: Love and Restraint ( 154 )

Chapter 154: Love and Restraint ( 154 )

Yamashita burst out laughing again, wiping the corner of his eye with his finger.

"Damn! Don’t you dare take him to your company, Kitayama!"

"That kid’s one of my most valuable assets!"

He chuckled, clearly entertained.

"If you try to poach him, I’ll have to start sending spies into Takahashi Group!"

Then he paused, listening, and his expression shifted.

"Hmm? Drinking?"

"Oi! Why wasn’t I invited?"

There was mock outrage in his voice.

"That’s low, Kitayama. You throw a party and don’t even tell me?"

Another beat. Then a sheepish laugh.

"Ah—yeah, yeah... I know, I know. I’ve been too busy, huh?"

"Always on the move, always behind schedule. Hahaha!"

He exhaled with a grin.

"Still... you should’ve at least called earlier. I’d have flown in."

Yamashita leaned back against the cart roof, listening with mild interest.

"Hmm? Fujiwara?"

"Ah—that event?" He scoffed lightly.

"You attending?"

A pause.

"Oh, I’m not going myself."

He grinned.

"I’m sending my Haruki there."

Then his voice dipped slightly.

"Oi—let me warn you... don’t start getting ideas just because he’s related to you by marriage."

A chuckle followed.

"Of course I know. We’re related too, aren’t we?"

Kitayama’s reply was short.

"Yeah, yeah."

The teasing dropped into a pause, then Yamashita chuckled again.

"How about a drink like old times?"

"Mm... now that’s a good idea."

Meanwhile, at the Kitayama Residence...

Kitayama leaned back in his seat, phone still pressed to his ear, a rare smirk tugging at the edge of his lips.

"Hah! You’re always busy!"

Yamashita’s voice crackled through the line with a laugh.

"Yeah, yeah!"

Kitayama nodded, satisfied.

"Hmm... good idea."

"Yeah... I like it too."

He reached for his teacup, sipping slowly.

"New project, you said?"

He chuckled softly.

"Oh, I’m in."

A pause.

"We should discuss it over drinks!"

He looked up just as Hanako stepped into the room with a tray.

Kitayama’s eyes softened slightly.

"I’m sure Hanako would want to see your wife too," he added.

Hanako raised an eyebrow.

"Kuriko?" she mouthed.

Kitayama gave her a nod, then looked away, still smirking.

"Yeah... let’s arrange something. Just like the old days."

Kitayama leaned forward.

"At least come back to Okinawa once in a while, will you?"

He grunted.

"Hah. You and your damn golf."

A pause. Then, more firmly—

"Okinawa’s got golf too, you know."

Yamashita’s laugh echoed faintly on the other end of the line.

Kitayama’s smirk lingered.

"You keep saying you’re too busy—but next time, no excuses."

"Alright, alright." Yamashita laughed.

"Hey—don’t leave me out of your new project, got it?"

Kitayama chuckled, deep and smug.

"Yeah, that’s more like it."

He leaned back, pleased.

"Rich together... as it should be."

Then with a slow grin:

"Well, you’re still second."

Yamashita burst out laughing again.

Kitayama ended the call with a satisfied sigh and set the phone down and looked over at Hanako.

"Did you already call Kyouko?"

Hanako, already returning from the kitchen, nodded calmly.

"Yes. She said she’s coming this evening... and her son-in-law, Haruki, is coming too."

Kitayama grunted with approval, setting his cup down with a light thud.

"Good."

He raised his voice slightly.

"Call Kenji too! We’re drinking tonight!"

Then he turned to Kazuma with a sharp, satisfied look.

"Kazuma—you stay here. We drink like before."

Kazuma gave a respectful nod, his tone steady.

"Yes, Father."

He glanced toward Hanako, who offered him a small smile.

Kazuma didn’t say it aloud, but he was genuinely comfortable—Haruki had already shared drinks with them three times in the past month, each time fitting more naturally into the rhythm of the family.

This evening would be no different.

Just the family.

Just how Kitayama liked it.

In the soft light of the seaside house, Kyouko stood near the mirror, gently patting her face with a touch of serum. Her skin glowed, bare and radiant—flawless without a hint of makeup.

She turned slightly, her long black hair falling down her back like silk.

"Haruki?"

He looked up from where he was buttoning his shirt.

"Yes?"

Kyouko tilted her head slightly and lifted her arms, tying her hair into a high ponytail.

"How do I look? Do you think... a high ponytail is good?"

Haruki froze for a moment—staring.

Then he smiled, walked over, and wrapped his arms around her waist from behind.

"How about..." he whispered against her ear, "...another round before we go to your parents’ house?"

Kyouko giggled softly, leaning her back against his chest.

"Naughty~" she whispered, turning her head just enough to brush her lips against his cheek.

She rested her hands over his.

"Sorry, Haruki..."

She gave him a gentle, regretful smile.

"I want to... really. But I just got my period. After you..."

Her voice dropped, tender.

"...released everything inside me."

She kissed him softly, then met his eyes.

"So for now... just hold me, okay?"

Haruki smiled, brushing her hair back as he nodded.

"Okay."

"Kyouko?"

"Hmm?" she responded softly, adjusting the hem of her blouse as she stood by the doorway.

Before she could turn, Haruki stepped behind her and gently wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her back against his chest.

He leaned down slowly, burying his face against the curve of her neck, and inhaled deeply.

"Haruki!" Kyouko laughed, a quiet giggle escaping as her shoulders rose.

"That tickles!"

She tried to wriggle, but he only held her closer, savoring the soft, clean scent of her skin.

"You always smell so good," he murmured against her neck.

Kyouko blushed faintly, her voice playful.

"I didn’t even wear perfume today~"

"I know," Haruki whispered.

"That’s why I love it."

She smiled—soft, glowing—and reached back to touch his cheek gently.

Kyouko turned, brushing her fingers lightly over his chest.

"Now, naughty boy~ let’s go. I’m sure my father can’t wait for you."

Haruki raised an eyebrow, amused.

"Me? Not you?"

Kyouko pouted, then gave him a sideways glance as they walked toward the door.

"Hmmph... I don’t know what spell you cast on him," she muttered.

"He’s always talking about you. Asking when you’ll come over."

Haruki chuckled, grabbing the keys from the table.

"Isn’t that a good thing?"

He leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to her cheek—then, near her ear, he whispered:

"When I become your husband?"

Kyouko’s steps faltered.

She blinked, caught completely off guard.

"Heee~ don’t joke about things like that~"

She laughed it off, but her face was warm, her heart beating just a little too fast.

Haruki smiled softly, eyes never leaving her.

( End Of Chapter )

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