A Love I Shouldn't Feel
Chapter 267: Home in Their Hearts ( 267 )

Chapter 267: Home in Their Hearts ( 267 )

Hanako leaned closer and whispered softly to her husband.

"Dear?"

"Hmm?" Kitayama replied, still sipping his sake, eyes watching his gathered family.

"You look... happy."

He grunted in reply, not needing to say more.

Hanako just smiled, and kissed his cheek.

A small, simple gesture.

But enough to make both Keiko and Kyouko gasp softly, exchanging excited looks like little girls watching a love story unfold.

Kenji blinked and scratched his cheek. Not embarrassed, just quietly stunned. When had he last seen their parents this affectionate?

Hitomi chuckled behind her glass. Kazuma gave Keiko’s hand a squeeze, leaning toward her with a gentle smile.

Daichi and Riko giggled softly, nudging each other like children hiding a secret.

And Haruki?

Haruki smiled.

Warm.

Quiet.

Full.

Inside his mind, a single thought settled like soft light:

This... this is what a family is supposed to be.

Not cold. Not distant. Not full of silence and duty.

The warmth... the teasing... the unspoken love. Not just polite smiles or forced gatherings. But a home filled with connection. Generations together. Laughing. Loving. Simple.

I never had this.

But now... I do.

Kitayama looked across the table, his sharp eyes resting on Haruki and Kyouko.

Kyouko was pouring wine into Haruki’s glass, her hand graceful, her expression serene.

Not rushed. Not loud.

Just like a proper wife.

Just like Hanako, who sat quietly beside him, gently pouring his sake without needing a single word.

A tradition.

A gesture of love.

Of respect.

Of silent devotion.

A real Japanese wife.

Dressed in a simple kimono, or summer yukata, gentle in manner, strong in spirit.

Kitayama smiled, faint but full. His eyes crinkled.

Then he cleared his throat.

"Haruki."

"Yes, Mr. Kitayama?"

"Is there anything you’d like to say, before the marriage? You know..." His voice was firm but not unkind. Just the weight of a father who needed to hear the truth one last time.

Haruki smiled, nodding once, then bowed respectfully.

"Yes, Mr. Kitayama. My name is Nakagawa Haruki. I work at Yamashita Corporation."

Kitayama raised an eyebrow. "That, I already know."

Haruki gave a sheepish smile. "Yes, sir. I’m also... a minor shareholder in Yamashita Corporation."

A soft grunt from Kitayama. "Good. Now you’re being honest."

He leaned forward slightly, placing his sake cup down. "You do know Kazuma here is one of the representatives at Takahashi Group, right?"

"Yes, Mr. Kitayama."

"And you also know that Kenji will eventually inherit the company when I’m gone."

Haruki’s eyes widened slightly from realization.

He looked at Kyouko.

Kitayama turned toward his eldest daughter, his voice quieter now. "Kyouko?"

Kyouko blinked. She looked down, then slowly raised her gaze toward Haruki.

"I... I am the eldest daughter of Takahashi Group," she said softly.

Her voice wasn’t boastful.

Not proud.

Just calm.

Plain truth.

Haruki’s chest rose slightly as he took that in.

So that was it.

Everything made sense now.

The grace.

The posture.

The subtle confidence.

She was born into a family of power, but she never used it to stand above anyone.

And now, he was going to marry her.

Kitayama studied his expression.

"You still want to marry her?" the old man asked with a small smirk. "Even knowing that?"

Haruki didn’t hesitate.

"I didn’t fall in love with her name. Or the company. I fell in love with Kyouko."

Kitayama grunted.

Then smiled.

Hanako covered her mouth softly, holding back the emotion in her eyes.

Kazuma raised his glass quietly.

Kenji nodded, proud.

And Kyouko... just looked at Haruki.

Eyes warm.

Smile gentle.

Like a woman who knew: She had finally chosen right.

"Good," Kitayama said with a satisfied nod—then suddenly turned his phone toward Haruki, revealing a video call already in progress.

On screen: Yamashita Yosuke, Haruki’s employer... and Kitayama’s cousin.

"Look like your golden boy is about to marry into my family, Yosuke," Kitayama smirked proudly.

Yosuke’s eyes sparkled behind his glasses, leaning closer to the screen with a grin.

"This means our groups can get even richer together, Kitayama!"

"You too, Yosuke!" Kitayama barked a laugh.

Haruki stood politely, bowing slightly at the image of his boss. "Mr. Yamashita."

"Still as proper as ever," Yosuke chuckled. Then he added with a playful shake of his head, "Can’t believe Takahashi Kitayama is actually welcoming a son-in-law again."

Kitayama folded his arms, triumphant. "Heh! I snagged your golden boy, Yamashita Yosuke. He’s mine now."

Yosuke laughed. "Say what you want, old man, Kyouko is still my niece. And Haruki still works for me, remember that."

"Hah! Yeah, yeah," Kitayama waved it off with a grunt. "Just make sure you’re coming to their wedding, cousin."

"I will. Don’t worry," Yosuke said with a wink toward Haruki. "Wouldn’t miss it."

The call ended, and Kitayama lowered his phone, still grinning wide.

"Now that’s how you seal a proper family alliance," he said with satisfaction.

Haruki could only smile, quietly overwhelmed.

Not just by the pressure.

Not just by the power behind these names.

But by the realization.

He was no longer just a man who came from nothing.

He was about to marry into a family that not only accepted him... but chose him.

That midnight.

The house was quiet, apart from the faint sounds of cicadas outside and the occasional creak of the old wooden floorboards. Everyone had already gone to their rooms. The laughter and lively stories from earlier, fueled by sake, were just happy memories floating in the warm summer night air.

Haruki was a little tipsy, his cheeks still flushed, his eyes a bit unfocused, but shining with gentle affection.

Gently, Kyouko helped him into their guest room. She quietly closed and locked the door behind her. She guided him to the futon, carefully loosened his yukata, and helped him lie down.

She lay beside him.

Her long hair spilled behind her like silk as she turned her head toward him, watching his face.

Haruki looked back at her.

And smiled.

"Kyouko?"

"Hmm?" her voice soft and warm in the quiet darkness.

"I love you," he said.

Her eyes blinked in surprise, then she smiled gently. "I love you too."

Haruki shifted a little closer and ran his fingers over her hip.

"And Kyouko?"

"Hmm?"

He leaned in just enough, whispering playfully against her cheek.

"My big boy... wants his nest."

She laughed softly, blushing, and playfully tapped his chest.

"You’re drunk."

"But I’m being honest," he replied.

Her heart fluttered.

Even now, tipsy, warm, sleepy, he still wanted her.

She looked into his eyes and whispered, "Then be gentle, darling... and don’t wake up the whole house."

( End Of Chapter )