Kyouko slid into the driver’s seat, setting her purse down neatly.
She turned the key.
Click. Click.
Nothing.
She tried again.
Still nothing.
She sighed, her shoulders relaxing rather than tensing.
"Figures..."
She glanced at the dashboard, then stepped out of the car with quiet grace.
Maybe I should just take a taxi.
She reached for her phone and called the one person who would answer imdiately.
Ring. Ring.
"Hello?"
"Kenji..."
"Yes, Nee-san?"
"My car broke down."
"Where?"
"At the hospital parking."
"Ah." A beat of silence, then his voice softened. "Don’t worry. I’ll send soone right away."
"Thank you."
"Where are you going, by the way?"
Kyouko paused a mont before answering gently.
"I just want to go ho a bit."
"I want to drive you," Kenji said quickly, voice firm, "but Father sent to check the company branch here. If you can wait a bit, I’ll call him first—"
Kyouko smiled softly, interrupting before he could continue.
"Don’t worry, Kenji."
"I’ll take a taxi. It’s just for a while."
There was a pause on the other end.
Then a quiet sigh. "Alright, Nee-san... but be careful."
"Mm... I will."
Kenji’s voice grew gentle again. "If anything happens, just call. Mother, Father... or . Anyti."
Kyouko’s heart ward slightly.
"Okay. Thank you."
She ended the call, holding the phone in her hand a mont longer before slipping it into her purse.
Then she turned toward the road and calmly walked.
Just a short visit.
That’s all.
Kyouko slowly walked toward the pickup area just outside the hospital lobby—
a quiet space where taxis and private cars ca and went throughout the day.
She stood near the edge, beneath the shaded awning, her purse resting on her arm.
With a soft motion, she took out her phone and opened the taxi app.
Arrival: 15 minutes.
She sighed lightly and slipped the phone back into her bag, folding her arms gently.
Her eyes drifted across the passing cars, nurses on break, and quiet benches nearby.
Just a quick stop...
I’ll wash myself... cook sothing simple.
Take a few of Haruki’s clothes.
And then go straight back.
Her thoughts were calm. Focused.
I don’t want to be away too long.
He might wake up when I’m not there.
A few minutes later, the taxi arrived, rolling smoothly to a stop near the curb.
Kyouko stepped in quietly, settling into the passenger seat, her posture straight and graceful as always.
The driver confird the address, and the taxi began to move, pulling out of the hospital grounds.
As the city slowly passed by outside her window, Kyouko drifted into her thoughts, fingers resting lightly on her lap.
Then—
Her eyes flicked to the side mirror.
A black sedan.
Following. Not too close. But not too far either.
Her lips curled into a faint smile.
Another one of Father’s n...
I’m sure Kenji already inford them I was taking a taxi.
She let out a soft sigh.
Haa... Father...
You’ve really started watching too closely these days.
Her smile deepened with quiet amusent.
I’m not a child anymore.
Her gaze remained on the side mirror for a few more seconds, watching the black sedan keep its gentle distance behind them.
If you keep doing this...
At this rate, everyone’s going to find out I’m Takahashi Group’s eldest daughter.
She exhaled softly, tilting her head against the window.
Subtlety was never your strongest point, Father...
She imagined him in his usual seat at the estate—reading glasses on, newspaper in one hand, giving orders with the other like a general in a quiet war.
Really, Father?
You’re going to tell the world, aren’t you?
Her lips curled into a faint, helpless smile.
Not with words... but with action. With how tightly you guard now. With how much you care...
It’s loud enough.
And sohow...
It makes feel safe.
Even if it’s "annoying."
anwhile, in the Takahashi estate...
Kitayama sat in the sunlit living room, a cup of tea in hand, the low hum of a business report playing from the laptop on the table.
"Hanako?" he called without raising his voice.
"Yes, dear~" Hanako replied from the dining space, stepping out gently with a soft cloth in her hand.
"Hitomi and the kids... Riko and Daichi. Have they arrived in Okinawa yet?"
"Yes~ they called earlier. Just landed." She smiled. "They really wanted to stay longer, but both Riko-chan and Daichi-chan have school."
"Mm. Yes, of course." Kitayama nodded, taking a slow sip of tea.
There was a short silence, then his voice ca again.
"When everything settles, we’ll return to Okinawa too."
Hanako raised an eyebrow slightly. "So soon?"
He nodded once.
"Kenji already finished checking the new branch for ... no issues there."
"And Kazuma can’t stay too long with Keiko’s pregnancy progressing."
"That’s true..." Hanako said softly, her smile tender. "She needs rest. And soone to scold her if she tries lifting laundry again."
Kitayama smirked behind his teacup.
"That’s your job."
Hanako gave him a playful glance. "It’s always my job."
Hanako set the cloth aside, her expression softening into sothing more serious.
"Dear... about Kyouko?"
Kitayama didn’t look up right away.
"What about her?"
Hanako stepped closer, folding her hands gently in front of her.
"You know Fujiwara won’t stop trying..." she said quietly. "And from what Junichi-san reported, he really wants Kyouko."
Her voice grew colder.
"And Satoshi... that man had the nerve to offer her—his own wife—just to secure so stupid contract."
Kitayama finally looked up from his tea, eyes sharp.
"Mm. I know."
"Don’t worry." His tone was calm. Steady.
"Yamashita and I already made our move."
His voice lowered slightly, firm.
"Soon, Fujiwara won’t be able to move. He won’t rise again. Not after this."
Hanako studied him for a mont, then slowly nodded.
Kitayama continued.
"And I’ve already sent more n to safeguard Kyouko. Quietly. From all sides."
Hanako exhaled, relieved.
"Good. Because if they lay a single hand on her..."
Kitayama glanced up again, the corner of his lip curling faintly.
"Then they’ll lose more than just their hands."
"Don’t worry too much, Hanako," Kitayama said gently, setting his cup down.
"Kyouko will be fine."
Hanako looked at him, her lips pressing together slightly.
"I know... but you know how she is."
Kitayama raised a hand slightly.
"Shh..."
His voice was calm but firm.
"Don’t say it."
She paused, then lowered her gaze with a quiet sigh.
He continued.
"All we need to do now... is wait."
"Wait for Kyouko to find out about it herself."
"And when she does—when the truth becos clear in her own eyes—"
His fingers tapped the side of his teacup once, softly.
"That’s when she’ll make her choice."
( End Of Chapter )
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