53 Wife, I Love You

While Kyoya was dealing with his job in the study, Shouko was busy writing on a book within the comfort of her bed. She had changed into her favorite sweater and long skirt. Her feet were wrapped comfortably by a pair of soft socks with the pictures of red strawberries. All of her concentration was directed toward the book.

Since she had planned to meet her editor, she wanted to prepare herself first. She had lots of questions to be answered by Editor Minagawa.

She just knew that the woman was the first one who reached out to her, extending her hands to help her achieve her dream. Other than that, she didn't remember anything.

Shouko retracted the tip of the pen from the book once she was done writing. Her eyes scanned what she had written.

"En, did I forget something?"

Some of her questions could easily be answered by Kyoya but she still wanted to direct them to Editor Minagawa first. After all, her editor had been a close companion of hers throughout her writing journey all these years.

Shouko closed the book, placed it on the bed and threw her body on the bed. As she wasn't sure what to do right now, she let her eyes wandered on the intricate carvings of the high ceiling.

This room is so beautiful, ah. It's a waste if we actually didn't come here often.

Even though this villa appeared simpler than the luxurious Rosy Mansion but Shouko understood its price was far from simple. With a vast yard surrounding this two-story villa and a beautiful lake in front of it, it was safe to say she couldn't afford this place if not for him.

Somehow, Shouko could see his face smiling at her.

Shouko pursed her lips tight, trying to contain the sudden giddiness that tickling her heart. She couldn't forget how bold she was when she asked Kyoya the embarrassing question last night.

"Do you want to kiss me?"

He was so surprised by her question. She could clearly see how her own face reflected in his eyes before he slowly leaned down and answered her by using his action.

Right at the moment their lips met did Shouko realize what she had done.

"Ah!"

Shouko shook herself awake from the memory, flipped herself hard and lying face down. She hugged the pillow tightly, both of her cheeks were stained with red color which gradually spreading to her entire face.

"Why did I become so brave? Shouko, you idiot! Idiot!" Shouko wanted to cry but lacked tears. Her face was as red as the cute little strawberries print on her socks.

She rolled on the bed a few times, trying to vent out her frustration. Her long hair turned into a mess as she tossed and turns repeatedly.

If Kyoya saw how his wife was behaving right now, he would surely laugh out loud.

In the end, Shouko forced herself to sleep, refused to remember the embarrassing moment any longer.

Time continued to flow. The sun soared up high in the sky, basking the Earth with its warmth.

In the state of drowsiness, Shouko faintly heard the footsteps of someone entering the room. She wanted to open her eyes, trying to see who was right now lying beside her as the soft mattress sunk under the additional weight but her lids felt so heavy.

Then, a pair of strong arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her toward a new source of heat. Shouko unconsciously patted the source, only to feel a sturdy surface under her palm.

A chuckle echoed by her ears. It sounded helpless yet she could hear the tenderness in the voice.

"Silly," The voice said.

Shouko gave up to open her eyes. She was so sleepy. Since she felt so warm and secure right now, why didn't she just continue sleeping?

Kyoya softened his gaze when he saw how sweet she was smiling in her sleep. His wife appeared so contented with a small smile curled up on her face. It was funny to see her patting on his chest before she hugged him back.

"What are you dreaming right now?" Kyoya laughed in a low voice. He couldn't resist stroking her face. "Looking so happy like this?"

The sleeping Shouko snuggled closer to the source of heat, ignorant to her husband's question.

Kyoya wrapped his arms tighter around his wife. He wanted to feel everything about her.

He had been living in the darkness for a long time before she came and gradually lighting up his life.

"Wife," Kyoya whispered slowly, his lips brushed against her forehead as his warm breath fell on her face. "I love you."

Those three words weren't actually enough for him to convey all of his feelings to her but, at the same time, he wanted to say them to his dear wife.

Kyoya smiled softly. He raised his hand from her waist to her shoulders and closed his eyes, tried getting every opportunity to sleep by her side. His long legs intertwined with hers under the quilt.

The cool breeze drifted inside the room, gently passing by the two people snuggling on the bed.

Shouko was the first one to wake up.

She blinked her eyes a few times and stared dumbly at the sleeping man. At this time, the groggy her was thinking of something.

When did this man sneakily come to hug me to sleep?

Then, she silently looked at her husband's attractive face.

This man is so handsome, ah. Hasn't he heard it is a crime to seduce someone by using his beauty? En, forget it. He's mine anyway. He could only seduce me.

Shouko covered her mouth with her hands, trying to suppress a giggle from escaping. She was actually amused by herself for thinking like that.

As far as she remembered, she never had thought of someone as to how she did to the man sleeping beside her. It was surprisingly quite easy for her to adapt once both of them began opening up their insecurities.

She didn't overrule the fact that she behaved this way because, deep within her, this man remained occupying the highest spot in her heart even though right now his existence was still in her forgotten memory.

"Have you done admiring me?"

Shouko was scared silly hearing those words. Her mouth froze open, her eyes blinked confusedly.

The man who was supposed to be sleeping had already opened his eyes. His lips curved up into a smirk as he landed his lazy gaze on her. A pair of eyes as calm as the lake outside the villa was staring back at her.

"Does my beauty has bewitched you, my dear wife?"

Shouko had yet to respond when the man suddenly leaned in and pecked her lips a few times. Realizing that she had been taken advantage of, she quickly grabbed his turtleneck and raised it up until the cloth finally covered the lower part of his face.

Kyoya squinted his eyes, slight displeasure filled them as Shouko began to laugh.

"It's time to eat! Don't play around anymore!"

Shouko quickly got off the bed and ran out of the room without even wearing her bunny slippers, leaving the man dumbfounded on the bed.

Kyoya watched his wife running away like a rabbit escaping from a wolf. Laughter bubbled up in his throat until he laughed openly. He pulled down the turtleneck from his face, his head shook a few times as he was still amused by Shouko's action.

He smiled foolishly for a few minutes longer before he slid off of the bed to get to his wife. Kyoya bent down, taking her slippers from the floor and left the bedroom.

"Wife, you forgot your bunnies!" Kyoya shouted, his voice was so loud until it reached downstairs.

Then, her voice echoed back, answering him. "Ah! Please bring them to me!"

Kyoya laughed again. As he walked leisurely toward the stairs with his lips curled up, the golden light penetrating through the windows sprinkled on his broad shoulders, outlining his figure with a soft glow.

He was happy.