To You, Right Now, I'm a Stranger

The bedroom was so vast and the decoration was to her liking yet Shouko didn't have the time to appreciate it as she was dreading herself with the thought of her having to sleep with this man tonight.

Kyoya was her legal husband yet as she had forgotten about him, it was impossible for her to just accept it. Her heart wasn't ready!

She had reached 26 years old but, now her personality was back to when she was 21, her maturity over the five years was hidden due to her amnesia.

Even in the hospital he slept on the spare bed!

The man carefully put her down on the bed. Shouko pursed her lips, she didn't know how to ask him. Her eyes peered at his face. He was now placing her legs on the comfy bed before he covered her lower body with a throw blanket.

"I'll sleep in the room opposite the hallway," Kyoya looked up from what he was doing, his deep eyes had a hint of a smile as he continued, "Don't worry."

Shouko was stunned. She couldn't believe her ears. "You... Did you read my mind?"

Kyoya chuckled once, it sounded light and airy, in contrast with his usual deep baritone voice. It was the first time Shouko heard it. She felt her heart skipped a beat at the moment.

"But... this is your room, too! I could just sleep in any room."

Flustered, Shouko had almost grasped his hand without thinking. Luckily she stopped in time. She was surprised with her own action so to keep herself in check, Shouko grasped the blanket instead.

There was warmth seeping in his heart as he saw her looking so docile like at this moment. Kyoya pondered for a minute, he let himself savored the blushing face of hers for a little longer.

"To me, you're someone I've shared five years of marriage yet to you, I am a stranger right now. Stay here. This room is filled with your belongings. You might feel a bit familiar here instead of another room."

Shouko peered at his countenance. Despite his usually impassive face, at this moment his facial features softened while he was looking at her. One could easily misunderstand his intention from the way he carried himself if they didn't consider him properly.

He was trying to make her felt comfortable here, in a foreign place.

"Thank you," Shouko didn't know what to say instead of this.

Kyoya nodded once. "When you're better, I'll bring you to look around this house."

"Okay."

Silence fell in the room as the two of them quietly looked at each other. Kyoya restrained himself from doing something he would regret. His thin lips formed a straight line, his gaze swept to his clenched fists on the bed. He got off the bed, hiding his hands inside the pockets of the pants.

"The butler would bring up your meal soon. I have to go to the company," He muttered rigidly, he clenched and unclenched his fists a few times before his tensed nerves loosened. "Rest well."

He spun on his heels, turning around to walk to the door. Each step felt unbearably heavy but if he continued staying inside this room with her, he was afraid he would cross the line.

Right now, he was just a stranger to her. He needed to remember that.

"Kyoya."

His back stiffened once the soft voice lingered in the air. He stared straight at the open door before he slowly turned back to face her. She was still sitting on the bed. Her doe eyes were looking at him with a trace of worry.

It was like the first day they met each other.

"Do you need anything?" Kyoya asked, there was no impatience in his voice even though Shouko remained quiet after calling out his name.

"Oh... Aa..." Shouko blinked her eyes, unsure if she should say it or not. Eventually, the words came out of her mouth. "I just... En... Come home soon."

Kyoya's pupils dilated slightly. He didn't expect to hear her saying that words.

The last time he heard it...

"Okay," Kyoya regained his composure. The corners of his lips turned upward. "Stay safe."

"Oh... alright."

Shouko watched the man peered at her for a few more seconds before he left the room. Kyoya had even helped her closed the door. Right at the moment the door was closed, Shouko puffed up her cheeks and pinched them.

"Why did I become so bold?" She began self-loathing. Her cheeks were flushed red. "I didn't have to say that..."

It was like she's a wife waiting for her husband to come home!

Wait... she was indeed a wife of him.

"Ah! Forget it! My head hurts!"

Shouko slumped on the bed. She laid down and forced herself to sleep. She was still tired so she didn't want to burden her mind with heavy thoughts. It was better to rest well first. After that, she would reorganize her thoughts and decide her next course of action.

It was weird to sleep on an unfamiliar bed yet she felt comfortable here. In no time, she fell deeply in sleep.

The moment before her eyes closed, his last words echoed in her mind.

Stay safe? What did he mean by that? This is... our home...

So, there was no need to be too careful, right?

Outside the room, Kyoya was still standing with his back against the closed door. His long arms hung awkwardly by his side. A temptation to hug and kiss her rose in his heart yet he knew he would scare her away if he did that.

He was at a loss of how should he behave right now. It was like he was back to the time he realized he had started loving her.

Shouko slept until the horizon was tinged with blood orange color. She stirred in her sleep, her eyes were in a daze as she stared at the white ceiling carved with floral motives above her. It was a foreign sight, making her furrowed her brows. It wasn't after she felt a throbbing pain in her lower abdomen did she remember where was she.

Right... I'm here...

Shouko pressed her forehead, trying to register everything that had happened so far. After calming herself, she got up from the big bed with the intention of going to the washroom. Her steps were painfully slow, she grimaced in pain when she had almost stumbled on the floor.

Her leg was healing yet the reason why she couldn't walk properly was due to the aching of her tummy.

"Young Madam!"

Shouko lifted her eyes, a young lady wearing a maid outfit rushing toward her with a frightened look on her face. She immediately supported Shouko.

"Why you didn't call for us? It's dangerous for you to move around now," The maid said in a distressed tone. It didn't sound like she was reprimanding Shouko instead she was truly concerned about her.

"I'm sorry... You are?" Shouko slowly got up, one of her hands went to her lower abdomen. The maid brought her back to bed.

"I'm Mai, your personal maid. Young Master has told us about your current situation, Young Madam," Mai went to the bedside table. She poured Shouko a glass of water before she turned around and went to the windows to close them shut. "It's cold, Young Madam. You shouldn't stay too close to the windows."

"Oh... thank you," Shouko could only nod her head. Her parched throat was instantly moistened by the plain water.

Shouko watched as Mai was busying herself tidying what should be tidied in the room. After being satisfied, Mai went back to her young madam's side.

"You slept so I didn't wake you up for the tea and snacks but you should eat something, Young Madam. You could have an early dinner if you want," Mai spoke in a gentle voice. She looked almost at the same age as Shouko.

"Well... Would Kyoya come back for dinner?" Shouko asked with her cheeks tinged red. She had been used with his company. He would always dine with her so she couldn't help but ask.

In a place that felt so foreign to her, it was better to have a familiar company.

"Young Master didn't leave any message about dinner but..."

"I'll dine with you."

Both Shouko and Mai were flustered with the sudden interruption. Their eyes went to the tall man who had walked through the door.

Kyoya calmly walked inside the master's bedroom. He lazily unbuttoned his sleeves and folded them neatly until they reached his elbows. The black suit that he wore earlier was nowhere to be seen. He glanced at Mai once.

"Tell the chefs to serve dinner within an hour."

"Understood, Young Master," Mai quickly retreated from the room, she headed downstairs to relay the message.

Shouko looked at Mai's disappearing figure before she slowly looked up to meet the man's eyes that were looking at her. She clenched her small fists inadvertently when a sense of nervousness hit her.

Kyoya was just silently staring at her awkward face. It was the same expression she showed him during the early days when she had just regained her consciousness after the accident.

Even though she said she would brace this new life, it was totally justified for her to have a few moments of helplessness.

"They are all good people," Kyoya said quietly, he pulled out a chair from a table and sat opposite Shouko. "I want you to know that you could rest assured even when I'm not here. All of them love you, not just because you're their hostess."

He left his words hanging but Shouko understood what he was trying to say.

These people, all of them viewed her as something more than the mistress of the household.

Imagining such a scene made her felt tearful. She didn't dare to believe him for fear it was all lies.

"It is true?" Shouko held back a sob. She blankly stared at Kyoya.

Kyoya saw her redden eyes. The five years they were together, he understood what could have been bothering her.

"This is not the Yuasa household. This is your home. Regardless you remember us or not, this fact won't change."

Kyoya was speaking in a firm tone yet Shouko wasn't feeling repulsive over it. He appeared as calm as ever. His eyes were as deep as the ocean, they seemed to penetrate through her soul.

"Oh... sorry," Shouko quickly rubbed the hot tears that were threatening to trickle down her face. She pursed her lips tight, afraid of making noise yet her efforts were futile when warm droplets flowed from her eyes.

When she thought of her bleak childhood and youth spent in that cold mansion, she couldn't help but broke down in tears. People saw her as an optimistic person yet no one knew the struggle in her heart. If not for Ono and Aunt Masako, she knew she couldn't even put on a tough mask in front of other people.

Kyoya froze, he was at a loss of what he should do. He didn't expect to see her suddenly crying badly like this. He slowly got up from the chair, his hands dangling awkwardly on both sides before with a resolute gaze, he gently brought her in his arms.

Shouko was startled. She lifted her eyes, the face of this man was suddenly magnified in front of her. There were concern and helplessness in those dark eyes, stolen words from her lips. She could clearly feel the warmth of his touch seeping slowly under her skin before it made way to her heart.

This man was unfamiliar to her yet the calm and security that he brought with his embrace made her unconsciously leaning against his shoulder. Her tears began to dissipate.

Kyoya lifted up one of his hands, his wide palm brushed her long hair in gentleness. There was a sense of pride surging in his heart when he recalled even in this state, she didn't push him away.

Ever since she woke up and said she didn't remember him, he had been picturing this moment countless times in his mind. He wanted to hold her yet he was afraid of making her scared of him. He thought it would take him a long time before he could finally hold her again but who could predict his chance would arrive soon?

"You could take your time," He spoke lowly by her ears, he suppressed the helplessness in his voice as he continued embracing her. "You don't have to fear anyone, much less me. Those people couldn't hurt you anymore. Live here in happiness, that's what I hope for you."

Shouko was caught in a daze. By seeing him in such a close view, she could see everything in his eyes. Her crying face was reflected clearly on his dark orbs. His brows were furrowed as he was trying to appease her.

At this moment, she knew she made the right choice to trust him.