A Love I Shouldn't Feel-Chapter 246: The Family Ties ( )

Haruki stepped out of the taxi and straightened his blazer.

The sunlight reflected off the sleek glass panels of the towering Yamashita Corporation building.

He walked steadily toward the main entrance, passing through the automatic doors.

"Ah... Mr. Nakagawa," one of the senior security staff greeted him immediately, bowing politely.

A few others followed suit.

Haruki lifted his palm slightly in return, smiling.

"Good morning," he said warmly.

Then gave a polite bow.

"It’s been a while."

"Glad to see you back, Mr. Nakagawa,"

Haruki nodded. "Same here."

He stepped up to the front desk.

The receptionist stood at once and bowed politely.

"Welcome back, Mr. Nakagawa. Do you need a temporary access card for the executive floors?"

"Yes, please," Haruki said with a light smile.

"Understood. Please wait a moment."

As the receptionist prepared the access card, Haruki waited patiently near the marble counter.

From across the lobby, quiet murmurs started to rise.

Several female staff—interns, assistants, even a couple of junior managers—stole glances from behind the open café kiosk.

His gaze was calm. His posture straight.

A quiet presence that stood out effortlessly.

The receptionist handed him the card.

"Here, Mr. Nakagawa."

"Thank you."

Haruki bowed gently.

Then turned and made his way to the lift—

Passing through whispers and stares as if walking through wind.

The elevator doors closed behind him.

Moments later, they opened again onto the executive floor.

Haruki stepped out.

The moment he entered the main office area, the atmosphere shifted.

Heads turned.

Conversations paused.

Several female staff blinked in surprise—then nudged one another discreetly.

Haruki walked forward calmly, offering a polite nod to each staff member who greeted him.

"Mr. Nakagawa! Glad to see you back."

"It’s been too long, sir."

"Welcome back, Nakagawa-san."

"Thank you," Haruki replied with his familiar warm smile. freeweɓnovēl.coɱ

"It’s good to be back."

He took a moment, allowing the greetings to flow in naturally.

The project team stepped forward to greet him as well, clearly relieved to have him back on-site.

A few shook his hand. Others simply bowed.

Once the pleasantries were done, he offered a small nod.

"Please excuse me for now," he said.

"I need to check in with Mr. Yamashita."

With that, he turned and made his way down the corridor—toward the chairman’s office.

He knocked twice.

"Come in," came the deep, familiar voice from within.

Haruki opened the door and stepped inside.

"Mr. Yamashita."

"Ah—Haruki-kun!"

The older man stood from his seat with a grin.

"Come in, come in. Sit down."

Haruki gave a respectful bow, then stepped forward and took the seat across the desk.

Yamashita, already half-smiling, pressed the intercom on his desk.

"Bring Haruki his new laptop and the current project files."

"Yes, Mr. Yamashita," came the quick response.

Yamashita leaned back in his chair, arms folding over his chest as he studied Haruki for a moment.

"You look good," he said with a low chuckle. "Better than expected."

Haruki smiled faintly.

"Two months of enforced rest will do that."

Yamashita laughed. "Enforced, huh? Somehow I doubt you were resting much in that last week."

Haruki’s smile didn’t fade, but he said nothing.

The older man chuckled again and waved his hand.

"...Just happy to see you back."

There was a knock at the door.

"Come in."

A staff member entered, bowing politely, and placed a brand-new laptop and several neatly bound folders on the desk.

"Thank you," Yamashita nodded.

Once the assistant left, he slid the items across the table toward Haruki.

"There. Your new tools. The main Osaka project and the branch restructuring are waiting."

Haruki nodded, already flipping open the folders.

"And, Haruki..."

"Hmm?"

"Tell her I said hello."

Haruki blinked.

Yamashita just grinned and opened his own drawer.

"...You know who I mean."

Yamashita leaned back in his chair, sipping from his ceramic tea cup.

"Make sure you take good care of my nephew, alright?"

Haruki blinked.

"...Nephew?"

Yamashita raised a brow, a slow grin spreading across his face.

"Hmm? Kyouko-chan didn’t tell you?"

"...Tell me what, sir?"

The older man chuckled, setting down his cup with a gentle clink.

"She’s my nephew. Well—more accurately, my cousin’s daughter. Her father and I were like brothers growing up."

Haruki’s expression didn’t change much on the surface.

But his fingers briefly paused, resting on the folder.

Yamashita noticed. And smiled wider.

"You didn’t know?" he teased.

"...No, sir," Haruki said quietly. "She never mentioned it."

"Well, that’s just like her."

Yamashita exhaled fondly.

"Never flaunts it. Never used the connection."

Yamashita sipped his tea, watching him with calm eyes.

"You can ask her about it later," he said simply, setting the cup down.

"Anyway—the files for the Osaka and Kanazawa restructuring are there."

He nodded toward the folders neatly stacked on the table.

"As usual, I expect completion within the timeframe... but I know you can do it."

"Yes, sir," Haruki said smoothly, his tone steady. "I’ll handle it."

Yamashita gave a small nod, then added.

"And your schedule is like before. Flexible. You’re free to work remotely or drop by whenever needed."

"Thank you, Mr. Yamashita."

Haruki stood slightly and gave a polite bow of appreciation.

But just as he turned to collect the laptop, Yamashita spoke again.

"And, Haruki-kun?"

He paused. "Yes?"

The older man smiled faintly, voice quiet.

"Don’t think too much about what I said earlier."

His eyes softened.

"But if you do ever plan to marry her for real someday..."

A pause.

"...I’d be proud to have you in the family."

Haruki froze for half a second.

Then bowed deeply.

"...Understood, sir."

Haruki gave one final nod before turning to leave Yamashita’s office.

He stepped out into the quiet corridor, the soft thud of the door clicking shut behind him.

His footsteps echoed faintly against the polished floor as he made his way back toward the lift.

The executive floor had returned to its usual hum of activity—staff moving between cubicles, printers humming, quiet conversation rising in waves.

He entered the elevator.

As the doors closed and the numbers descended, Haruki exhaled lightly.

Yamashita... her uncle, huh?

He never expected that.

But somehow... it made sense.

Kyouko had always carried herself with that quiet grace—gentle, but born from a background deeper than she ever let on.

She really never wanted anyone to know.

He smiled faintly.

Even me.

The elevator chimed as it reached the lobby.

Haruki stepped out, walking back toward the main desk.

He approached the front counter and held out the temporary access card.

"Here," he said politely.

"Thank you."

The receptionist bowed with a warm smile.

"You’re welcome, Mr. Nakagawa. It was good to see you again."

Haruki nodded and turned. Walk calmly out of the building—

Leaving behind quiet whispers, long stares, and the faint scent of office air.

Time to go home.

She’s waiting.

( End Of Chapter )