Chapter 22: Side by Side ( 22 )
"So the movie's around 2:00 PM, right?" Haruki asked, glancing at the wall clock.
"Yes," Kyouko replied, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear. "I think we still have time."
She paused, her eyes softening as she looked at him—shirtless and slightly sweaty from their workout. "My husband already gave us permission... and Satomi too. So..."
"Yeah..." Haruki nodded, his voice trailing off, unsure of what else to say.
"Okay, let's get ready then," Kyouko said with a warm smile.
Without much thought, she reached out and casually wrapped her hand around Haruki's bare arm, her fingers grazing the firm lines of his bicep. Her touch was light but lingered, as if she'd done this before. And maybe it wouldn't be the last.
She gently tugged him toward the hallway, not forcefully—just naturally—like it was the most ordinary thing in the world to pull a shirtless young man by the arm.
Haruki looked at her hand and then at her face. "Kyouko-san..."
"Hmm?" She looked back, her tone playful.
He chuckled. "Nothing."
But inside, his heart beat faster. She was smiling, close, warm, and that casual touch made it hard not to think of her as more than just family.