CHAPTER 276: LOST IN THE PAST ( 276 )

Two days before the wedding.

The morning sun filtered softly through the trees, casting a gentle glow over the Kitayama residence’s backyard.

Kyouko was out in the courtyard, wearing a simple white cotton T-shirt and loose-fitting exercise pants. Her long hair was tied up neatly, her movements slow and graceful as she moved through her routine.

Light stretches.

Steady breathing.

She never skipped it.

Even now, with a child quietly growing inside her.

From the wooden veranda, Hanako watched in silence.

Her daughter... so calm. So composed. Even with everything happening around her.

A faint smile curved her lips.

Without saying anything, she turned and stepped quietly back into the house.

That’s when she noticed something on the low table near the living room.

Kyouko’s phone vibrated.

Hanako glanced over.

The screen lit up, Haruki’s name.

And another notification below it.

An unknown number.

Hanako hesitated for a moment.

Then slowly picked up the phone.

She stepped outside again, barefoot on the smooth wooden deck, and called gently.

"Kyouko-chan."

Kyouko turned from the backyard, wiping her brow with a soft towel. "Yes, Mother?"

Hanako walked over, holding out the phone. "There’s a message. From Haruki."

Kyouko’s eyes softened instantly as she took the phone.

"Thank you, Mother."

Hanako said nothing more.

She simply smiled and stepped back inside.

Letting her daughter read in peace.

Kyouko opened the LINE app as she wiped the sweat from her forehead with the edge of her towel.

The sunlight was warm on her shoulders. The breeze gentle.

She tapped on Haruki’s message first, sent about an hour ago.

Me, the kids, and the caretakers are about to board the plane now. I’ll contact you later once we arrive at the airport.

Kyouko smiled softly.

She imagined him at the boarding gate, surrounded by eager children, probably trying to keep them from scattering in every direction.

A small chuckle escaped her lips.

The flight from Tokyo to Okinawa should be around two hours and fifteen minutes... or maybe longer depending on the weather.

She was just about to close the app when she noticed another notification.

A message.

From an unknown number.

Her fingers hesitated.

Then tapped.

Kyouko... how are you doing?

Her smile vanished.

The warmth in her chest dulled like a cloud passing in front of the sun.

A quiet sigh escaped her lips.

She stared at the message for a few seconds, then began typing.

Firm and clear.

Don’t contact me ever again, Satoshi. I’m blocking your number. Go enjoy your life with your "girlfriend."

Her fingers paused only briefly before typing the final line.

Move on from the past already. I’m not going to run to you after you abandoned me for over twenty years. I have my own life now. And my own happiness.

She hit send.

Then without hesitation.

Blocked the number.

The screen dimmed.

And in the stillness of the courtyard, Kyouko lowered the phone slowly.

Meanwhile, in Tokyo.

The city buzzed outside, but inside the Harusawa residence, it was quiet.

Satomi had already left earlier that morning to meet with her girls’ group, dressed in designer brands and laughing into her phone before the door clicked shut.

Satoshi was in his study.

The soft hum of the air conditioner, the faint scent of floor polish, and the occasional sound of the maids cleaning downstairs filled the silence.

He sat behind his desk, staring at his phone.

The screen was still lit.

The message thread was empty—except for one final line.

Kyouko’s reply.

Don’t contact me ever again, Satoshi. I’m blocking your number...

That was hours ago.

He sighed and leaned back, the leather chair creaking under his weight.

He had changed numbers.

Tried again.

And again.

Still, the result was always the same.

Blocked.

He tossed the phone onto the desk with a dull clack and stared up at the ceiling.

The past felt strangely close today.

He remembered.

Back when they were still living together.

In that same house.

Before everything began to fall apart.

She used to wait at the front door for him every evening.

Dinner always warm.

Table always clean.

Kyouko never raised her voice.

Never demanded anything.

Always smiling.

Always calm.

And yet—he couldn’t remember the last time he had really looked at her.

He only noticed her silence when it became permanent.

He stood up.

The chair pushed back with a slow creak against the wooden floor.

He walked through the house.

Down the hallway.

Past the living room.

And toward the kitchen.

The morning light filtered through the lace curtains.

The kitchen was spotless. Cleaned just hours ago by the maids.

But to him... it looked empty.

Too empty.

He paused at the entrance.

This was where she used to stand.

Kyouko.

Always there before he even stepped in.

The soft clatter of utensils.

The quiet scent of miso soup. Grilled fish. Hot tea.

And that smile.

The one she always gave him when he entered the room.

He saw it.

Every morning.

But he never smiled back.

Because he was blind then.

Blinded by his own pride.

By a foolish desire he shouldn’t have fed.

By the twisted thrill of an affair that destroyed the very warmth he had at home.

At that time, Kyouko didn’t even know.

She thought he was just cold.

Tired from work.

Busy.

And still, she never stopped.

Even after Satomi moved out and married Haruki...

Kyouko stayed.

Still woke up before him.

Still prepared breakfast.

Still washed and folded his shirts, ironed his suits, polished his shoes.

Made sure the right folder was in his briefcase.

Selected the best necktie for the day.

Always calm.

Always precise.

He didn’t remember saying thank you.

Not even once.

And then, he remembered the day Satomi brought her husband to move in.

Haruki.

They’d already been married for over four years.

Back then, the Harusawa Corporation had just begun its steep rise, deals, expansions, recognition. Satoshi’s name was everywhere. Investors lined up.

When Satoshi offered satomi a shareholder position.

She left her old job behind... and came back to work alongside him.

At first, it seemed perfect.

Then he suggested satomi moving back into the main house.

And she agree.

Kyouko... left in the house to keep things warm. Keep things running.

She never asked questions.

She simply agreed.

To keep an eye on Haruki, Satomi said. "So he won’t stray. So he stays obedient."

And Kyouko agree to watched over him.

She cooked for him.

She still cared for Satoshi.

Still cared for Satomi.

Made tea for everyone.

Folded towels neatly in the cabinet.

Ensured there was rice in the cooker and soup on the stove.

That house... was kept alive because of her.

The air was always warm.

The lights always gentle.

The silence never cold.

Even though he and Satomi barely touched the food she made.

Even though they spent most nights behind closed doors, whispering sins that they had long stopped disguising.

( End Of Chapter )