A Love I Shouldn't Feel-Chapter 31 : The Kiss That Changed Everything

"Haruki~" Kyouko raised an eyebrow, trying to sound casual as her eyes betrayed her—glancing down and quickly back up. "You should at least wash your face or take a shower first."

"Hmmm? Oh... I was just thirsty," he mumbled, his voice still thick with sleep.

She stood up, grabbing a glass and filling it with water. "Here," she said softly, handing it to him. Their fingers brushed for a second longer than necessary.

"Ah, thank you, Kyouko-san."

Haruki tilted the glass back, drinking slowly. Kyouko tried not to stare, but the way he stood there—the rise and fall of his chest, the way his messy hair framed his face—it was as if he didn't even realize how good he looked.

"And what's with the short pants?" she asked, folding her arms. "You really slept like that? What if you catch a cold?"

Haruki finished his drink, lowering the glass with a grin. "I'm used to it." He leaned against the counter, the morning light hitting him just right, his pose unintentionally model-like—one arm resting on the counter, his lean body relaxed but defined.

Kyouko looked away quickly, pressing her lips together.

She could still see him in the corner of her eye, though.

"Now, now, go shower~" Kyouko said with a teasing smile, giving Haruki a gentle push toward the stairs.

He groaned playfully, dragging his feet like a lazy cat. "Ugh... so bossy in the morning," he muttered with a grin.

"Finish your shower first. I'll prepare breakfast. You said you're going to the office today, right?"

"Hmmm? Oh yeah..." Haruki scratched his head, pretending to remember. "Almost forgot about that."

Kyouko let out a small sigh, hands on her hips. "Haa... what am I going to do with a big boy like you?"

Haruki turned halfway up the stairs, flashing her a cheeky smirk. "How about a morning kiss?" He puckered his lips dramatically, leaning slightly toward her.

Kyouko raised an eyebrow, biting back a laugh. "Oh? Naughty this early?"

"Just a friendly one," he winked. "You know—'friends,' right?"

Kyouko rolled her eyes but couldn't help the small smile tugging at her lips.

"Fine, fine. Go shower first, and I'll give you one later," Kyouko said, turning away with a small flick of her hand.

Haruki stopped mid-step, his eyes lighting up. "For real? Like... a real kiss?"

Kyouko glanced over her shoulder, her lips curved into a mysterious smile. "Who knows~"

Haruki grinned and practically sprinted up the stairs. "Fastest shower of my life, I swear!"

"Don't slip!" Kyouko called out with a soft laugh, already shaking her head. What was she doing, teasing him like this?

Kyouko tied her apron and began preparing breakfast, the soft sounds of eggs sizzling filling the quiet kitchen. Her fingers moved automatically, muscle memory from years of routine, but her thoughts were far from calm.

"Why did I say I was going to give him a kiss later?" she muttered under her breath, flipping the egg with a slight frown.

She let out a soft sigh, then shook her head, a small, amused smile tugging at her lips.

"Well... we'll see later," she whispered, a little warmth creeping to her cheeks.

Her heart wasn't pounding, but there was definitely a flutter. Something about Haruki—his silly grin, his sleepy voice, that shamelessly handsome body—made it way too easy to forget herself.

Still, it was just a kiss.

Right?

"Just a kiss..." she said again to herself, not entirely convinced.

Kyouko placed the plates on the table, her movements calm but her mind restless.

"The last kiss I had... was when Satomi was just born..."

She whispered the thought like a secret, her smile fading for a brief moment. That gentle kiss from her husband, full of promises and pride in their newborn... and after that—nothing.

Only work. Only distance.

Only silence.

"And now..." Her gaze drifted toward the stairs, where Haruki would soon come down.

She chuckled softly to herself.

"Should I really give him a kiss? A real one?"

Her fingers brushed her lips unconsciously, and she shook her head with a smile that trembled at the edges.

"No... if I do that, I know what'll happen next."

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Because a kiss wasn't just a kiss—not after the way Haruki looked at her.

Not when she remembered what it meant to be wanted.

Still... as she turned back to the stove, Kyouko's lips curved into a soft, playful smile.

"But maybe... just one wouldn't hurt."

Haruki headed downstairs, his hair still damp from the shower, and his shirt crisp and half-buttoned.

"Kyouko-san~ how do I look?" His voice was light and teasing, but there was something underneath—something bolder, more daring.

Kyouko looked up, and for a moment, her breath caught.

He looked so good. So young. Too handsome.

She barely had time to respond before Haruki stepped closer—his hand sliding gently to her waist, fingers resting there as if he was meant to hold her all along.

"Haruki..." she whispered, unsure if it was a warning or a plea.

He leaned down slowly, not rushing—not this time.

Their faces were only inches apart.

Kyouko's eyes half-closed without realizing it. Her lips, almost trembling, parted just enough.

Then, it happened.

His lips touched hers—soft, warm, and patient.

Not demanding.

Not aggressive.

Just a deep, slow kiss that lingered like a forgotten melody. His mouth molded to hers with aching tenderness, his breath mingling with hers. Kyouko's hand instinctively rose to his chest, her fingers clutching lightly at his shirt.

Her heart raced.

Haruki didn't push for more; he just stayed there, savoring the taste of her lips, as if she were something precious.

When the kiss finally broke, it was slow, their lips parting as if they didn't want to say goodbye.

Their eyes met.

And in that silence, so much was said without a word.

Without a word, her fingers reached for the back of his neck—gentle but firm.

"Kyouko-san...?"

She didn't answer. She pulled him in.

This time, it wasn't him who kissed her.

It was her.

Her lips found his again, but not like before. There was no hesitance. No teasing. This was deeper—hotter. Her mouth opened, and when their tongues met, a low sound escaped her throat, barely audible but full of yearning. Her hand slid upward into his damp hair, anchoring him to her as if afraid this might all be a dream.

Haruki let out a breath against her lips, his body reacting before his mind caught up.

His hands, which had politely stayed on her waist before, now moved—slowly, carefully. One slid up her back, pressing her closer, feeling the warmth of her body through the soft fabric of her blouse. The other, without thinking, lowered to her hip, pulling her into him until she was flush against him. Her warmth. Her scent. The taste of her mouth—everything rushed in, overwhelming his senses.

Their bodies pressed together, chest to chest, heat melting between them.

Their kiss deepened, tongues brushing against one another in a rhythm that seemed to steal away time. It wasn't rushed—it was indulgent, like tasting something they had both been starving for but were too afraid to admit.

Kyouko could feel it: the slight tremble under her touch, the way his hand now slipped down to her ass, squeezing and pulling her closer, as if trying to erase any space between them. She felt his breath hitch when she gently bit his lower lip, teasing him before swallowing his soft moan.

This wasn't just a kiss anymore.

This was desire.

But she didn't stop.

Not yet.

When their lips finally broke apart, just barely, they stayed close—foreheads touching, their breaths mingling.

"Kyouko-san..." he whispered, his voice low and hoarse.

She didn't speak. Her eyes remained closed, her lips slightly parted, catching her breath. Her chest rose and fell with quiet urgency, and her fingers still tangled in his hair, refusing to let go completely.

It was a kiss neither of them could undo now.

And both of them knew it.

( End Of Chapter )