Kyouko picked up her phone and quietly tapped Haruki's number, the screen glowing faintly against her palm.
She held it to her ear as she sat beside her father, posture straight, expression calm.
It rang only once.
Then—
"You missed me?" Haruki's low voice came through, warm and teasing.
Kyouko's lips twitched faintly.
But she didn't smile.
Not here.
Not now.
Instead, her voice came out light and polite, the tone of a well-mannered daughter and proper mother-in-law.
"Ah… Haruki-kun," she said, just loud enough for the room to hear. "Satomi is here… with your father-in-law. My father would like you to come over."
On the other end, Haruki paused just slightly.
Then replied in a softer voice, "Oh… okay. Tell Mr. Kitayama I'll be there."
"Alright. I'll let my father know. Thank you," Kyouko replied smoothly.
Then she ended the call, placing the phone gently on the tray beside the sake bottle.
"He's coming," she said simply.
