Chapter 2045: Apologize?

Half an hour later, I left the house after finishing what I was doing and informing Akane where I was going.

I arrived at the train station and got myself a seat before the rush hour fully settled in. The call with her barely took a minute. Her mood immediately became uplifted when I said I was coming and from the noises I heard on her end, she's already rushing out to close up her shop and go home to prepare that dinner.

Am I anxious? Probably not. I didn't think twice when accepting her invitation. But at some corner of my mind, I'm already weighing my choice of whether to tell her everything about our complex relationship or continue with my original plan to slowly reveal it to her.

I know it will be the moral choice to just drop everything to her. That way, she can make an informed choice on whether to continue our relationship or not... In a way, I was still being selfish about keeping it from her as opposed to my promise to take care of her.

It took her a few years to trust a man again. One ended up trying to scheme by having her kidnapped and then there was me who was like a convenient hero who saved her from it.

Granted, she shouldn't have developed feelings for me because I'm dating her daughter but it's still wrong to accept her knowing I still have a bag of secrets I am keeping from her.

She became an exemption to my own rule of telling her the truth about my past before getting to deepen my bond with her. I guess my head became too mushy from all the steam in that bath we shared.

I may have tried to dissuade her but I still accepted her in the end...

"Alright. Stop overthinking. She'll just be worried if I show up at their door with a creased forehead." I silently muttered under my breath as I shook my head to clear it up.

Ignoring the other passengers, I took out my phone again and messaged Yayoi-san that I was on the way.

In less than a minute, her reply arrived.

"That's quick. Didn't you say you still have something to do?"

"I did. I finished it already. I thought of helping out too, can I?"

"Of course. Mi-chan isn't home yet. I heard you're also experienced in the kitchen."

"Not that experienced but I'll do my best."

"Ruki-dear, I look forward to it."

Even though it's all in the form of text, I could imagine her giggling softly when saying that...

Alright. I really should stop overthinking and just go over there to spend time with her again.

Mina should still be at school along with Haruko and the others, the club hours have yet to end after all.

Counting the time I needed to travel to their house, Mina might just walk on us when we were about to finish preparing everything.

Mhm... That will be good too. I can serve both of them together.

I mean, the last time I visited, they were the ones who served me...

"Ruki-dear, your hair is disheveled. Did you run all the way here? I could've picked you up at the station if you told me."

Upon opening the door at my first knock, Yayoi-san who's still wearing an apron stared at me with a complicated gaze. She reached for my hair and combed it with her fingers until it returned to its natural style.

On one hand, she's a little upset that I didn't even tell her I was already near and on the other hand, she's happy to see me here.

Just looking at that genuine smile stretching from her lips, I was already close to losing it but I held on.

We're still by the door.

There were eyes that might bring trouble to her and Mina.

"I don't want to trouble you, Yayoi-san... Besides, this is better."

As I said that, I stepped forward, entering the house. Yayoi-san instinctively stepped to the side, allowing me in.

As the door closed behind me, I immediately made my move, putting the woman in my embrace.

"Yayoi-san... can I apologize?"

"Huh? What are you apologizing for?"

"I apologize for missing you a lot."

"Oh. You~"

At first, she was confused but upon hearing my reason, her beautiful eyelashes flickered as she clicked her tongue. Then little by little, her arms also wrapped around me, reciprocating my embrace.

Our warmth transferred to each other and our heartbeat became in sync as they throbbed quicker just from the feeling of excitement of being in each other's arms.

I lifted my head and held her cheek. With our eyes locking onto each other, Yayoi-san lightly shook her head.

"I know what you're thinking. Stop with your compliments. I can only take so much."

"I didn't know you became a mind reader, Yayoi-san."

"No. Not really, you're just being too obvious, Ruki-dear. Come on. If you're going to kiss me, do it quickly. We have the kitchen waiting for us."

"Right... Then don't mind me if I do..."

"There you go again. I also missed you. No wonder Mi-chan kept on scolding you. Don't make it too complicated, hmm?"

As always, I'm getting beaten by her maturity. But this is just how the way it is, right? Despite our relationship, it's not going to change that she has more to teach me regarding the cycle of life.

She already endured a lot all these years before meeting me. Now that she could finally be happy, she's not just going to squander it.

I could really sense how dear I am to her.

And yet... I was still keeping things from her.

"Oh come on, you're overthinking again."

Bringing me back to reality, Yayoi-san pushed her head in, claiming my lips. It was a simple kiss and yet, it fully conveyed her feelings for me.

There's nothing complicated with it. Instead, she's more straightforward in showing it.

Little by little, I responded to her kiss until slowly we moved from near the door and passed by the living room, arriving at the kitchen.

With her back eventually leaning on the countertop, I pushed in more, answering to her feelings for me.

"I love you, Yayoi-san."

"I know. I can feel it clearly even without you voicing it out. And I do love you too, dear."

With her sweet admittance tickling my senses, I couldn't help but feel a prick on my chest.

Right. I should really stop keeping her in the dark. This time... No matter the outcome, I'll come clean to her.

"Then... Can I apologize again?"

"About what this time?" With her interest piqued, Yayoi-san raised an eyebrow.

I don't know if she's already expecting me to do this but from how she seemed ready to hear a confession from me as well as that sudden invitation earlier, she must at least have an idea.

"About things that I'm keeping from you."

Upon saying that, I readied myself for her response. But with unwavering eyes, I faced her directly.

Yayoi-san sized me up and pinched my chin a bit before shaking her head again.

"Is this about your trip?"

"Yes." I swiftly nodded.

"So, you're apologizing because?"

Although I could feel some sort of pressure from her voice, her tone was still as gentle as the calm sea. Due to that, I steeled myself and never blinked.

Then, after clearing out my throat by gulping down, I opened my mouth.

"... I said I went there to escort my close friends. But in truth-"

"Those close friends. They're the same as me, am I correct?"

Before I could finish, Yayoi-san cut me off by putting a finger to my lips and continuing it herself.

At this point, my unwavering eyes shook as I stared at her.

Yayoi-san's smile remained on her face as though everything was already within her expectations.