Inside Kyouko's mind, a flicker of surprise bloomed gently beneath her composed smile.
If I go out with Haruki today…
No one will question it.
Not her mother.
Not her father.
Not even Satomi or Satoshi—if they bothered to ask.
It wouldn't be called a date.
It would be grocery shopping.
A simple errand.
Yet her heart beat a little faster.
Because it meant time.
Time alone with him.
Time to walk beside him under the sun.
To speak freely—smile without caution.
To be near the one person who made her feel...
Seen.
Cherished.
Kyouko lowered her gaze and picked up her cup, sipping quietly to calm the warmth rising in her chest.
But her fingers trembled just slightly against the porcelain.
And her smile lingered, A soft, secret glow that no one at the table noticed.
Except Haruki.
Who never took his eyes off her.
Kyouko's smile lingered as she set her cup down gently.
I don't know what reason Satomi had to be mad at Haruki…
Maybe I'll ask him later.
