A Love I Shouldn't Feel
Chapter 168: Framed in Love ( 168 )

Chapter 168: Framed in Love ( 168 )

Ishigaki Island – Late Morning.

The skies were clear.

The scent of the sea carried on the wind.

The Takahashi family strolled down the sunlit beach, laughter rising above the sound of the waves.

Haruki couldn’t remember the last time he felt this free.

They played games on the beach—Kenji and Daichi building sand structures, Keiko teasing Kazuma as she waddled carefully through the shallow surf with her small belly, and Riko chasing seagulls.

Hanako wore a wide-brimmed hat and a soft smile, her skin still smooth, her expression glowing despite her age.

She looked like someone in her forties, not sixty-two.

And it was clear now, to anyone with eyes, where Kyouko and Keiko had inherited their beauty.

But when Haruki turned—and saw her—

His breath caught.

Kyouko stepped onto the beach slowly, brushing her hair behind her ear as the sea breeze lifted the hem of her light summer robe.

And underneath—

A soft, elegant white swimsuit.

Modest... but perfect.

It hugged her in all the right places—graceful lines across her hips, gentle curve of cleavage visible just enough to stir something deep inside him.

She didn’t look like someone in her forties.

She looked ageless.

Her skin—smooth, glowing.

And when she laughed gently at something Riko said—her voice carried on the wind, soft and sweet—

Haruki felt it.

The feeling.

That ache.

That overwhelming desire to walk up to her, hold her waist from behind.

But he can’t.

He stood still.

Swallowed hard.

Lowered his eyes.

Because he remembered—

They were in public.

They were mother-in-law and son-in-law.

Kyouko caught his gaze.

Her lips curved into a knowing smile.

Her eyes flicked toward him—just long enough for the air between them to shift.

She passed by him and whispered softly:

"Don’t stare too long... my family might notice~"

A gentle tease.

A quiet warning.

A subtle thrill.

Haruki swallowed, lips curling into a restrained smile.

God, she was beautiful.

Moments later, the women gathered under the palm trees for a photo.

Hanako stood in the center, beaming with a youthful glow.

Kyouko beside her—graceful as ever.

Keiko grinning playfully, making a peace sign.

And hitomi—smiling perfectly, holding the camera out for a selfie.

Haruki stood back, watching silently.

Just watching Kyouko laugh—her cheeks lit by sunlight, her figure perfect in her white swimsuit, the way her hair danced in the breeze.

Haruki stood a little distance away, watching them.

His eyes kept returning to Kyouko.

The way she brushed her hair back.

The way she angled her chin for the camera.

That quiet elegance in every gesture, even in something as simple as laughing with her younger sister and sister-in-law.

She wasn’t trying to be beautiful. She just was.

God, she was beautiful.

Hanako turned back suddenly, noticing his eyes lingering.

"Haruki-kun?" she called.

He blinked. "Y-Yes, Mrs. Hanako?"

She raised an eyebrow and smiled—playfully.

"Don’t stare too much at your mother-in-law," she teased.

"You might fall for her~"

Kyouko nearly choked on her laughter.

"Mother!"

Keiko giggled. "That’s so bad—Haruki-kun’s married to Satomi!"

Hanako just waved it off.

"It’s a joke. Besides—look at Kyouko. Who wouldn’t fall for her?"

Kyouko covered her face in mock embarrassment, cheeks flushed with a mix of sun and shy pride.

"Don’t say things like that~"

He smiled quietly.

His heart throbbed in his chest.

Because he already had.

He had fallen hard, for her.

Everyone had begun pairing off.

Kazuma and Keiko, standing close, his hand resting on her small baby bump as they smiled at the camera.

Kenji and Hitomi, with their arms loosely around each other, Daichi and Riko photobombing with playful grins.

Hanako and Kitayama, standing with ease.

The group laughed, the camera’s click blending with the sound of crashing waves and seagulls above.

Then Kitayama glanced around.

"Hmph... poor Haruki," he grumbled just loud enough for all to hear.

"If Satomi was here, he could’ve had a partner too..."

A moment of quiet.

Haruki smiled politely, bowing slightly.

"Ah, don’t worry about it, Mr. Kitayama. I’m just happy being here with everyone."

Kyouko looked away for a moment, trying not to show the sudden flutter in her chest.

Kitayama narrowed his eyes.

"Kyouko!!" he barked suddenly.

She jolted. "Y-Yes, father?"

"Go take a picture with Haruki."

Kyouko blinked.

"Eh?"

Hanako nodded calmly.

"That’s a good idea. Go on, you’re his mother-in-law after all."

Keiko giggled. "A beautiful mother-in-law, too~"

Hitomi chuckled softly, "Come on, one photo won’t hurt."

Kenji grinned. "We’ll call it ’in-law bonding time.’"

Kyouko glanced at Haruki.

He gave her a small, harmless smile.

But his eyes—they held something deeper.

She stepped forward slowly, brushing the sand off her dress, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

She stood beside him, leaned close enough for the camera.

Haruki’s hand gently hovered near her back, not touching.

The camera clicked.

Kyouko’s soft smile.

Haruki’s calm expression.

The warmth between them that no one else could see.

Then Kitayama clapped his hands.

"Alright! Everyone—pair up with your partner, we’re taking a full family photo!"

Kyouko began stepping away, but Hanako held her wrist gently.

"Stay there. You’re Haruki’s pair today."

"But—"

"Just for today," Hanako said with a smile. "Your daughter isn’t here, and we can’t leave him out, can we?"

Kyouko hesitated.

Then slowly... nodded.

And the camera clicked again.

Another frame.

Keiko narrowed her eyes.

"Nee-san... you two look so awkward."

She tilted her head, pointing at Haruki and Kyouko.

"Couple photo! Come on!"

"E-Eh!?" Kyouko blinked, clearly flustered.

She looked at Keiko, then at Haruki, then down at her feet.

"W-We already took one just now—"

"That was normal! Not couple-style!" Keiko pouted.

Kitayama folded his arms, nodding.

"Hmm... yeah. Try it."

Kazuma gave an easy grin.

"It’s just for fun, right?"

Kenji laughed, nudging Riko.

"Pose them, Riko-chan, pose them!"

Hanako smiled calmly.

"One photo won’t hurt."

Kyouko looked overwhelmed, but Riko had already pulled her back into position beside Haruki. He stood still, shoulders slightly stiff, his expression calm.

"Okay, okay—Haruki-kun, stand still," Keiko directed with sparkling eyes, lifting her phone.

"Nee-san, wrap your hand around his arm! Come on!"

"Keiko!!" Kyouko hissed, cheeks reddening.

"Do it or I’ll drag you myself."

Haruki gently raised his arm.

Kyouko, after a beat of hesitation, slid her hand around it.

"Closer!" Keiko insisted.

"Lean your face against his shoulder! Like this!" She mimed the gesture.

Kyouko exhaled, clearly flustered, then leaned her head carefully.

Her cheek grazed Haruki’s shoulder.

Click.

Keiko: "One more! Let’s do the cute one!"

"W-What cute one?"

"Haruki-kun stands behind you! Hug from the back! Chin on your head! It’ll look super sweet!"

"Wha—Keiko!"

"Come on! Pleaseee~"

Hanako chuckled quietly. "You can do it, Kyouko. Just once."

Haruki had already stepped behind her.

His arms came gently around her waist.

Kyouko froze for a moment.

Then slowly, she let herself relax into him.

His chin rested lightly atop her head.

Her hands touched his at her stomach.

Her heart pounded.

Keiko grinned. "Perfect—hold still—!"

Click.

( End Of Chapter )