A Love I Shouldn't Feel
Chapter 160: Little Secrets, Big Love ( 160 )

Chapter 160: Little Secrets, Big Love ( 160 )

Hanako’s voice was calm, gentle.

"So if Haruki finds out..." she said,

"...then he finds out."

She turned to face Kyouko fully, eyes soft but steady.

"If your father decides to tell him, then it’s up to him."

She reached out and lightly brushed Kyouko’s arm.

"All he ever wanted—was to have a family trip. All of us. Together."

"No secrets. No drama. Just... laughter, food, memories."

"A real moment. A real family."

Kyouko looked at her mother and gave the faintest nod, her chest still full.

Then she turned to look at the cars again and smile.

"So don’t blame your father... when he gets angry with you."

Kyouko looked at her, quietly.

"For not calling."

"For not visiting home."

"For disappearing for over twenty years."

There was no scolding in Hanako’s tone—only truth.

Only love.

"Because your father, he’s a family man."

"He’s rough. Loud. Sometimes stubborn."

"But every piece of him was built for the people he loves."

She gave a small smile, glancing toward the house.

"That’s why Kenji still lives with us."

"Not because he needs to."

"But because your father wants his children close."

Kyouko lowered her gaze.

Her throat tightened.

She never meant to be distant. But time... life... everything had made her quietly drift.

And now, here she was—home again.

Standing beside her mother.

Waiting for a family trip.

With the man she loved still asleep inside.

And a father she hadn’t truly looked at in a long, long time.

"KYOUKO!!"

The sudden shout shattered the quiet morning air.

Kyouko jumped slightly, her heart skipping.

She turned around instantly.

"Y-Yes!?"

Kitayama’s voice bellowed from the front door, gruff, impatient.

"Help your son-in-law pack his clothes!!"

A pause. Kyouko blinked.

"...R-Right away!" she called back.

Hanako covered her smile with her hand again.

"Still your father," she murmured gently.

Kyouko gave her mother a quick glance, then turned and hurried toward the house.

"Kenji!!" Kitayama barked from the front steps.

"Yes, yes, Father—!" Kenji replied, jogging over with a half-limping grin.

He was still a bit unsteady, hair slightly messy, face a little flushed.

Hanako raised an eyebrow but said nothing.

"And where’s Keiko!?"

Kenji scratched the back of his head sheepishly.

"Hmm? Probably still upstairs... helping Kazuma pack?"

Kitayama grunted, turning toward the vans.

"Ugh! Why is everything last-minute!?"

He paced a few steps back and forth, his hands on his hips.

Not angry. Just... too excited.

"We said morning! It’s morning!"

Hanako peeked out of the doorway, smiling calmly.

"Dear, it’s only 8:30."

"Exactly! Half the day is gone already!"

Hanako stepped lightly onto the porch, adjusting her shawl as the morning breeze danced past.

She looked toward her husband—arms crossed, pacing like a general, eyebrows furrowed.

"Dear," she said softly, with just the slightest tilt of her head,

"This whole trip was your last-minute idea."

Kitayama paused, mid-step.

Hanako smiled, warm and composed.

"So don’t blame them for scrambling a little~"

She let out a gentle laugh.

Kitayama stared at her for a long second.

Then huffed.

"And where’s that daughter of mine—KYOUKO!!"

His voice echoed through the house again.

From inside, Kyouko’s voice floated back, composed and light:

"Yes! I’m helping my son-in-law pack his clothes!"

"Just bring whatever’s important!" Kitayama barked.

"We’ll buy the rest at Ishigaki!"

"Yes, yes, I got it~" Kyouko replied with a soft laugh as she continued folding a shirt into Haruki’s overnight bag.

Kitayama waved a hand toward the vans.

"We’re not going to another country!! Don’t pack like you’re leaving for Europe!"

Hanako chuckled gently behind him.

"Then maybe you should tell them we’re not staying a month~"

Kitayama snorted, but didn’t reply.

Footsteps echoed from the staircase.

Hitomi descended gracefully, holding Riko’s hand while Daichi followed behind, yawning as he adjusted his hoodie.

Riko was already beaming.

"Are we going to the beach right after we arrive?" she chirped.

"Probably after lunch," Hitomi said gently.

They reached the bottom just as more noise followed from above.

"Kazuma!! Hurry up!!" Keiko called out, tugging her husband’s arm as he stumbled slightly behind her, still trying to zip his bag.

"I am hurrying," Kazuma mumbled, clearly still half-asleep.

Keiko was all energy, cheeks flushed and lips puffed as she muttered,

"I told you not to take so long in the shower..."

Hanako, standing near the genkan, simply smiled—her eyes soft as she watched her children and grandchildren slowly come together.

Outside, Kitayama stood with arms folded, already next to the Vellfires.

Meanwhile, in the quiet of the living room...

While the house buzzed with footsteps and chatter elsewhere, Kyouko was pressed against Haruki, her hands resting lightly on his shoulders.

Their lips were locked in a deep, urgent kiss—the kind that said "just one more before we go."

Haruki’s hand slid up her waist, fingertips grazing the curve of her side, the other resting against her chest.

She melted into it, just for a moment.

Then she pulled back, cheeks slightly flushed.

"Haruki!" she whispered in a hushed hiss, gently pushing his chest.

"We need to go—before my parents start wondering what’s taking us so long."

But she smiled . Soft. Breathless.

He grinned.

"Can I say I got distracted?"

"No," she whispered, stepping away and smoothing her hair.

"You can say you were helping me pack."

Haruki grinned.

Then, with no warning, his hand gave Kyouko’s butt a playful smack.

"Ah—!"

Kyouko gasped, spinning around with wide eyes.

She bit her lower lip instinctively, cheeks flushing pink.

"Harukiii!" she hissed in a sharp whisper, both scolding and flustered.

Hanako’s voice called out from down the hall:

"Kyouko? What was that sound just now? A slap?"

Kyouko froze for a breath.

Then quickly replied with practiced calm:

"Ah! Nothing, Mother. Just... a mosquito."

"Oh. Alright. Hurry, dear. Your father’s waiting outside."

Kyouko let out a breath and shot Haruki a glare—but her lips curved into a soft, amused smile as she turned toward the door.

"You’ll pay for that later..." she whispered.

Haruki chuckled.

"Looking forward to it."

( End Of Chapter )