A Love I Shouldn't Feel-Chapter 122: Quiet Conflicts ( )

"Kyouko?" Hanako called as her daughter returned to the kitchen.

"Hmm?"

"Where’s your daughter?"

Kyouko paused slightly.

"...Ah..." she murmured, her voice calm but uncertain.

Hanako narrowed her eyes at the hesitation.

Without another word, she wiped her hands on her apron and stepped out of the kitchen, her slippers gently tapping against the floor as she made her way down the hallway.

She stopped outside the second guest room.

And before her hand could touch the sliding door.

She heard it.

Satomi’s voice. Frustrated. Sharp.

"...You just don’t think about me, do you? You always act like it’s fine because you feel good."

Inside the room, Haruki’s voice was lower.

Just Quiet.

Maybe apologetic.

Maybe resigned.

Hanako didn’t open the door.

She simply stood there,

Listening.

Wondering.

Then slowly, she turned and walked away,

Back to the kitchen.

Her face was calm,

But inside her mind.

A faint worry began to bloom.

Not even a full day...

And already Satomi’s fighting with her husband?

She returned to the kitchen, her expression calm, but her thoughts refused to settle.

"Kyouko?" she said gently as she resumed chopping vegetables.

"Hmm?" Kyouko responded.

"Is this... how she treats Haruki every day?"

Kyouko paused for the briefest moment.

"...Ah... no, Mother..."

But the hesitation in her voice, soft as it was, didn’t escape Hanako.

Hanako looked at her daughter’s face.

Still and composed, as always.

But behind those calm eyes, she saw it.

A quiet burden.

A truth untold.

Hanako glanced down at the knife in her hand.

Haruki’s a good boy, she thought. Not just tall and handsome, but polite. Respectful.

She turned to Kyouko again.

"...Kyouko."

"Yes, Mother?"

"It feels like... you’re hiding something from me."

Kyouko smiled softly, not looking up.

"There’s nothing, Mother."

But Hanako didn’t believe it.

She knew her daughter.

She knew that kind of silence.

It was the silence of someone who’d carried too much—

For too long.

"Haruki seems well-mannered," Hanako said, watching her daughter arrange the dishes. "I believe his parents must be proud of him."

Kyouko’s hand paused for a moment.

Then she looked up.

"Ah... Mother..."

"Hmm?"

"Haruki... he doesn’t have any parents left."

Hanako blinked, surprised. "What do you mean? Did he lose them recently?"

Just then, Kitayama stepped into the kitchen, stretching his arms and scratching the back of his head. Then caught the tail end of their conversation.

Kyouko glanced at him briefly, then spoke softly.

"No... he grew up in an orphanage."

Hanako turned fully toward her now, brows raised.

"I believe Satomi mentioned it once. She said... he lost his parents when he was still a child."

Kitayama stopped beside the table, his expression shifting.

Hanako was quiet for a moment, then slowly sat down, her hands folded in her lap.

"...No wonder," she said quietly.

Kyouko tilted her head gently.

"No wonder he’s so polite," Hanako continued. "So careful. So quiet... like someone who had to grow up without being spoiled."

Kitayama let out a small breath and nodded. "Explains why he pours sake before I ask."

Kyouko smiled faintly.

But inside her chest.

Something ached.

For the boy who grew up alone.

And still smiled like he owed the world kindness.

"Dear... that poor boy," Hanako said softly, her eyes lingering on the tray she was preparing.

Kitayama stood silently beside her for a moment, arms crossed.

Then he gave a quiet grunt, nodded once, and turned away.

He stepped out of the kitchen and walked toward the hallway, voice rising in his usual blunt tone.

"Haruki! Wake up. Breakfast is ready!!"

His voice echoed through the house.

Inside the second guest room, Satomi ho had still been stewing in her frustration, froze at the sound of her grandfather’s voice.

She clicked her tongue quietly and turned to Haruki, who had just finished changing into clean clothes.

"...Go. They’re calling."

Haruki looked at her, still unsure. "Satomi—"

She didn’t meet his eyes.

Just waved her hand dismissively. "Just go. Don’t make him shout again."

Haruki hesitated.

Then he nodded slowly.

"...Okay."

He stepped toward the sliding door, and just before he opened it.

Satomi, still lying on the futon, looked away.

Haruki stepped out quietly.

And the door slid shut behind him.

Kitayama was already seated in the living room, reading the newspaper with his reading glasses perched low on his nose.

As Haruki stepped in, he glanced up briefly.

"Haruki. Sit. Breakfast soon."

"Yes, sir." Haruki bowed slightly and sat quietly at the low table.

"You have work today?"

"Ah... no, sir. I still have today off."

"Good." Kitayama grunted in approval, flipping to the next page. "Men shouldn’t work themselves to death."

Just then, Kyouko walked in gracefully, carrying a tray with Haruki’s breakfast. She placed it gently in front of him, the miso soup still steaming.

"Thank you," Haruki said softly, his eyes lifting to hers.

Kyouko sat beside him, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

"Where’s Satomi?" she asked casually, though her voice remained gentle.

Haruki hesitated..

"Ah... she’s in her room. She said she’s not feeling well."

Kyouko nodded slowly. "Oh... okay~"

"Kyouko?" Kitayama said without lifting his eyes from the newspaper. "Where’s Satoshi?"

Kyouko glanced up from her bowl, her voice composed. "He still has a hangover, Father. He said he can’t sit up yet."

"Hmph. Weakling," Kitayama grunted, shaking the paper. "Five cups and already out."

He flipped a page, then looked toward Haruki without missing a beat.

"Oh, Haruki?"

"Yes, Mr. Kitayama?" Haruki straightened.

"If you don’t mind, please accompany your mother-in-law here.." he nodded toward Kyouko "to buy some groceries later."

Haruki blinked, surprised. "Yes, sir. Of course."

Kyouko opened her mouth slightly. "But... F-Father—"

"No," Kitayama cut her off firmly. "I said you go, you go. If Satoshi asks—tell him I’m the one who told you to."

Kyouko went quiet, lips pressing softly together.

Hanako smiled from the kitchen doorway, drying her hands on her apron. "Just go, Kyouko. It’s okay. Have some time for yourself too."

Kyouko looked down, then up at Haruki.

He smiled at her gently.

And she returned it.

( End Of Chapter )