48 He Was So Dumbstruck By Her Unexpected Action

Once both of them were done with their drink, they returned inside the mansion. Kyoya took the mug from her hands, intending to wash it together with his. He quietly bid her good night before they separated at the staircase. He wanted to go to the kitchen while she went upstairs to her room.

"Kyoya."

His step paused, his body froze once he heard her sweet voice gently calling his name from behind. He didn't turn around to face her. Kyoya himself didn't understand why.

"Do you mind if I continue making hot chocolate for you?"

Even though she sounded a bit nervous, he could still hear a smile in her voice.

He remembered a sudden surge of warmth in his heart, slowly enveloping his entire being. The cold and aloof eyes flickered a rare hint of tenderness.

"En."

His answer was short yet it was received by a chuckle from her. Her light footsteps echoed in the hall before they faded as she returned to her room. Even he himself walked with spring in each of his steps.

While Kyoya was washing the two empty mugs, he realized he had been smiling since the time she asked the question from him. For the first time, he was eagerly anticipating to spend his time with someone.

Even without speaking to each other, he started longing for it.

"Kyoya?"

The same soft voice pulled him back from his reverie. The images from five years ago faded in his mind as he looked at the same clear eyes from that night staring at him.

Kyoya smiled, "En?"

"You were daydreaming," Shouko returned his smile. She didn't know how radiant she appeared right now in front of the man's eyes. "What were you thinking about?"

"I was thinking about..."

Kyoya rose his brows. As the light in his eyes softened, he slowly leaned down. He brought her closer to him.

His next words sounded so quiet next to her ears, so gentle and personal.

"How precious you are to me."

In a moment, his thin lips pressed on her forehead, diffusing his warmth to her.

Before he closed his eyes, he saw her lashes fluttered like a butterfly's wings as she saw him coming so close to her. Instead of pushing him away, he felt the softness of her hands grasping on his sweater around his waist.

Her acceptance calmed his heart.

The light of the sun fell over the two of them, casting their silhouettes on the ground.

From afar, one could see a lovely view of a pair of lovers embracing each other, lost in their own world.

Klik!

Both of them were startled by the sound of the shutter clicking. Kyoya and Shouko looked at one side. They saw a young woman holding a polaroid camera in her hands standing a few feet away from them.

The young woman moved her camera away from her face. She smiled, showing her teeth when she realized her action had been noticed by the couple.

"Ah! I'm sorry for taking your photo but you two look so good together. I can't help but taking photos," The young woman laughed happily. She looked like she had just graduated from college.

"Photos?" Although annoyed with the sudden interference, Kyoya still caught the keyword in her sentences. Did it mean...

"I've taken a few photos of you," The young woman walked closer to them, she handed a stack of photos to Kyoya. "I first saw you guys when you were building the fire ring. So, I have shot quite a lot of photos."

The young woman grinned, she didn't look a little bit guilty of suddenly prying over a couple's affairs.

Kyoya looked at each of the photos. All of them showing him and Shouko being playful with one another.

The first one was when she was dispiritedly disassembling the rocks of the fire ring. He stood behind her while trying hard to suppress his laugh.

The next one photographed them bickering and laughing while rubbing their cheeks.

Then, he looked at the photo showing him tickling her.

But, the most impressive one was the photo of them embracing each other while he silently kissing her forehead.

With the setting sun as their backdrop, the photos appeared majestic and exquisite as the light outlining their figures. Seeing all these photos triggered something within the man. His hands trembled slightly as he tried to keep his composure.

His gaze was firm as he lifted up her eyes and looked at the young woman.

"How much are these?"

"Eh?"

Kyoya's question caught the young woman off guard. She blinked dumbly, confused with the question.

"Is one grand enough?" Kyoya took out his phone, his finger pressed on the online banking application. It appeared as if he was ready to wire the money into the woman's account as soon as possible. "Or, it is two grand? I don't mind if you want to increase the price."

"What? What?"

The woman was scared silly. She didn't expect to encounter some sort of a filthy rich man who was willing to throw money at her for the sake of a few photos!

"Give me your account number," Kyoya insisted, not giving the woman any chance to refuse him. "Or I could even write you a check. Even though you have to wait since I didn't bring it with me. Just leave me your contact information."

Shouko mentally slapped her forehead. She quickly went to the woman's rescue.

"Kyoya, calm down," Shouko held one of his hands, she took all of the photos from him. "What are you doing? You want to buy these?"

"Uhuh," Kyoya nodded. "These photos are good. Can't you sell them to us?"

"Err... well," The young woman was at a loss of what to do next. She was still baffled by the man's determination to purchase the photos from her. "Actually..."

"Akari."

Three heads turned toward the unfamiliar gruff voice. A young man came walking toward them. His face was smiling as he approached the young woman. He then stood close to her. He looked at the young woman first, his eyes exuded gentleness before he smiled at the husband and wife.

"I'm sorry if my fiancee has disturbed you guys. She really loves taking photos of couples," The man's manner was gentlemanly as he spoke about the young women beside him. With a few words, he introduced their identities.

Kyoya shook his head, he smiled faintly at the couple. "No. Her photos are great. I wonder if she would be willing to sell them to me."

The young man laughed heartily. His fiancee pouted while nudging his arm. Shouko smiled seeing their intimate gesture.

They were a lovely and happy couple.

"Have you started cooking?" Shouko suddenly asked an unrelated question. She glanced at her husband with a soft smile. Then, her eyes went to the couple standing before her. "It's getting dark soon. Why don't we cook and have dinner together?"

"Sounds good," The young woman named Akari nodded in agreement. She was totally happy with Shouko's suggestion. "It's just the two of us coming here. The more, the merrier."

The two men could only agree as their two ladies were already in a union. After talking for a bit, they decided to cook in Kyoya and Shouko's area since the place was nearer to the lake. The couple went back to their tent to get their things.

"Wife."

Shouko looked up as she heard a dispirited voice coming beside her. She laughed softly seeing his sulking face.

"Why? What's wrong?"

"En," Kyoya pursed his lips. He narrowed his eyes, looking at the smiling woman. In the end, he could only sigh before he rested his forehead on her right shoulder. "Why did you invite them? I want to spend time alone with you."

Shouko blinked once. The next second she laughed heartily. This man was sulking because of this trivial matter?

"I'm sorry but I just thought it's better to have dinner with them," She lightly patted the man's back. She was still giggling happily. Her heart was tickled seeing this seemingly formidable man showing his cute side to her. "Alright, why don't I do something to appease you?"

Kyoya's eyes lit up. He raised his head from her shoulder. With an expectant look, he smiled at his wife. "What is it?"

Shouko smiled. This time, her smile was tinged with a hint of shyness yet her eyes were resolute. She moved closer to him, her feet slightly tiptoed as she lightly pressed her lips on a corner of his.

Kyoya's eyes widened in surprise. He was so dumbstruck by her unexpected action.

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The author has something to say:

Two more chapters for tonight! Are you happy with the small bit of their past?

Forgive me if their interaction at the beginning seems monotonous. Our couple is so awkward to each other lol they need time to adapt to each other.

How I hope to have a mug of hot chocolate, sitting in a garden at night with a dreamy man like Kyoya~