A Love I Shouldn't Feel-Chapter 19 : Chemistry in Motion

Several days later...

Haruki sat at the dining table, sipping his coffee. Next to him, Satomi scrolled through documents on her phone, while Mr. Satoshi sat across the table, his eyes glued to his tablet, busy checking work updates.

From the kitchen, cheerful humming drifted in.

Kyouko was preparing breakfast, her mood noticeably lighter than it had been in days.

"Mom?" Satomi called out.

"Hmm?"

"You're in a good mood today."

"Yes," Kyouko replied, smiling as she placed a plate on the table. "It's been a while since we've all had breakfast together. I'm sorry for not preparing anything when I was sick."

"Oh, no problem, honey," Mr. Satoshi said without looking up from the screen. "Besides, your daughter and I can always eat at the office. You should take care of yourself."

"Thank you, dear," Kyouko replied gently, pouring coffee into everyone's cups with a graceful touch.

Haruki accepted his cup with a polite nod. "Thank you, Kyouko-san."

"Haruki?" Satomi asked suddenly.

"Hmm?" He looked up from his cup. "Yes?"

"You're not going to the office today?"

"No," he said, relaxing slightly in his seat. "I already sent the finished project to my boss. So I have some free time—maybe tomorrow or the day after, I'll swing by the office to see what's next. Why?"

"Nothing really," Satomi replied, swiping through her phone. "I just got movie tickets from a client. They were supposed to be for Mom and Dad."

Mr. Satoshi glanced up for a moment. "But since we're loaded with new projects from the merger, I won't have the time."

Haruki leaned in slightly to look. The tickets were for a VIP screening of a horror film at a luxury cinema.

"Since you're free," Satomi said casually, "why don't you take Mom instead?"

"Yes, that's a good idea," Mr. Satoshi said, still tapping on his tablet. "It'd be a waste if the tickets went unused. So Haruki, if you don't mind, could you take my wife to the movie later?"

"Huh?" Haruki blinked.

"Yeah, Haruki," Satomi chimed in without looking up from her phone. "It's a waste if nobody uses them. So if you're free, take Mom to watch it, okay?"

Haruki glanced between them, uncertain. "Are you both sure?"

"Of course," Mr. Satoshi said, raising an eyebrow. "What's wrong? You don't like horror movies?"

"Ah, no, it's not that... it's just—"

Satomi looked up at him with a small frown. "Haruki? You still feel awkward around my mom? She's your in-law too, y'know. We're all family."

Haruki forced a smile. "No, no, it's not that. Just caught me by surprise, that's all."

Mr. Satoshi nodded and poured himself more coffee. "Well, your mother-in-law mentioned wanting to see that movie. I wish I could take her, but I've been swamped with meetings. So if you can, Haruki... accompany her, please?"

Haruki glanced at Kyouko.

She was quietly sipping her coffee, but when their eyes met, she smiled softly—almost shyly.

"...Alright," Haruki said with a small nod. "If Kyouko-san doesn't mind, I'd be happy to go."

"Oh, by the way, honey?" Mr. Satoshi added while glancing at his watch.

"Hmm?" Kyouko looked up.

"Satomi and I will be home late again tonight. Meetings, as usual."

"Yes, Mom," Satomi chimed in. "So don't wait up for us, okay? And don't worry about dinner—we'll grab something on the way back."

"Alright," Kyouko replied with a gentle nod.

Satomi suddenly glanced at the clock and widened her eyes. "Dad! We're going to be late if we keep chatting!"

"Ah! That's true!" Mr. Satoshi stood up abruptly. "Honey, I'm heading out!"

"Take care," Kyouko said as she waved.

Satomi rushed to her feet and quickly grabbed her bag. On her way out, she leaned in and gave Haruki a quick peck on the cheek. "I'm going! And don't forget your phone again like last time!"

"Okay, okay," Haruki replied, a bit flustered.

Kyouko smiled softly as the front door closed behind them.

Haruki scratched the back of his neck, feeling a little awkward. "Are you sure you want to go to the movie with me, Kyouko-san?"

She glanced at him with a soft smile. "Well... since my husband already gave the okay, I don't mind at all."

"Oh... okay then."

There was a brief pause before Kyouko tilted her head slightly. "Haruki?"

"Yeah?"

"You're not exercising today?"

"I was planning to."

"Then let's do it together. Like last time."

Haruki blinked. "Really?"

She nodded with a grin. "Why not? You helped me break a sweat last time."

Haruki smiled back, trying to keep his thoughts in check—but inside, he was definitely excited.

(Yes! I get to see sexy Kyouko again...)

In the courtyard, Kyouko stepped in wearing her form-fitting workout outfit—sleek black leggings and a cropped top that hugged her curves just right.

Haruki was already stretching, wearing a pair of loose shorts and nothing else. His toned, muscular body glistened slightly from the warm-up. Kyouko paused for a moment, her eyes tracing the lines of his back before she joined him.

"Let's start with stretching," she said casually, though her heart raced unexpectedly.

They began with slow, steady movements side by side. When it came time to assist each other, they moved without hesitation.

Haruki knelt behind her, gently placing his hands on her waist to guide her posture. "Like this?"

Kyouko nodded, her voice soft. "Mm-hmm. A little lower... yes, there."

Her fingers soon found his arms as she turned to help with his stretch. She was surprised by the firmness of his biceps, lingering a moment too long, pretending to adjust his pose.

Neither of them mentioned it; their silence was filled with unspoken tension.

They continued with light touches, guiding movements, and correcting posture. Every contact lingered just a bit longer than necessary, but it didn't feel awkward; it felt... familiar. Natural.

"You've gotten good at this," he murmured, allowing his gaze to linger on Kyouko's figure, her cropped top revealing a hint of cleavage.

She chuckled, noticing how he looked at her. "Well, I've had a good teacher." There was a playful spark in her eyes, as if she enjoyed his attention.

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He grinned, appreciating the sight before him. "I'll take that compliment." His tone was light, but there was a smoldering look in his eyes.

Kyouko felt a flutter of excitement at his interest but kept her focus on the exercise. Leaning slightly to make herself more comfortable, she gave him a bold glimpse of her curves. She could tell he appreciated it, and the thrill of that made her heart race.

( End of Chapter )