"..."
'Could I have guessed wrong? Is Mom not at Ito's place? Or are they still asleep?'
After listening intently for a moment, Hazuki Takahara still did not hear a sound from inside the house. Frowning slightly, she began to speculate.
'Maybe I should go back first. If someone sees me sneaking around, there will be a lot of unnecessary trouble.'
Just as Hazuki was about to turn back home, a raspy groan suddenly drifted out from Ito Yoshito's small apartment.
'That's Ito's voice!' Hazuki froze for a moment, then quickly recognized the owner of that voice and quietly pressed herself back against the door.
....
"Mm"
"Cough, cough"
Kasumi Takahara covered her mouth and hastily emerged from the blankets. The voluptuous body of the mature woman was only draped in Ito Yoshito's oversized shirt, exposing a beautiful view in the bright sunlight, illuminating her fair and delicate skin with an alluring blush.
"Mm!"
Covering her mouth, Kasumi hurriedly dashed toward the bathroom.
Moments later, Kasumi arrived at the sink, turned on the faucet, and clear water rushed out. She cupped her hands to catch some cool water, brought it to her lips, and rinsed her mouth.
"Phew—"
The clear water mixed with sticky saliva flowed into the small basin, rippling slightly, before being swallowed back down the drain.
Kasumi took a gentle breath, raising her head to look at her reflection in the mirror; her enchanting face seemed rejuvenated, her already beautiful skin appearing even more delicate, almost like a young girl.
Her pale face was now flushed with a rosy hue, a few sparkling droplets of water clinging to the corners of her lips. Pressing her luscious lips together, she noticed a lingering strange taste in her mouth, which made her cheeks burn even more.
The cool running water completely awakened her dazed mind, making her realize she had been tricked by Ito Yoshito just moments ago.
"Mm~ Honestly! Yoshito-kun—always up to mischief."
Gently patting her flushed cheeks to dispel the lingering fantasies, she casually grabbed the toiletries Ito had prepared for her and began washing up.
After tidying herself and freshening up, Kasumi stepped out of the bathroom.
"Yoshito-kun?"
From her vantage point at the bathroom door, she could see into Ito's apartment, yet he was nowhere to be found, leaving only some blankets scattered carelessly around.
Kasumi softly called out, and a voice came from the kitchen.
"Kasumi, are you done washing up? Come have some warmed milk; it's at the perfect temperature!"
Kasumi turned her head to see Ito Yoshito approaching with a glass of milk, a radiant smile lighting up his face as he looked at her.
His gentle gaze was as warm as ever, and it made ripples dance in her eyes, her heart racing uncontrollably.
'But… the mischievous Yoshito-kun actually likes this!'
"Hey hey~ Kasumi, I knew you wouldn't like the milk from earlier, so I made you another glass.
Although it's not as nutritious as the first one... Hehe..."
Moving closer to Kasumi, Yoshito couldn't help but make mischief, winking at her.
Pouting her red lips, Kasumi shot him a fierce look, her beautiful eyes filled with extreme resentment.
'How embarrassing! I take back what I just said, you naughty Yoshito, hum!'
.....
'Mom is indeed at Ito's place' Hazuki Takahara silently smiled, her eyes sparkling with mischief, 'Hehe Ito really is two-faced! He acts so serious on Line, yet he's also being improper with my mom! Humph!'
Having received a satisfactory answer, Hazuki didn't intend to linger and prepared to stealthily sneak back home.
"Hazuki-chan, what are you doing here?"
A rough and loud voice interrupted Hazuki's secret return home and caught the attention of both Ito Yoshito and Kasumi Takahara, who were enjoying their sweet breakfast inside.
"..."
Hazuki stiffened and turned her head; the person before her was the messy uncle who had suggested this whole scheme to her.
Pinching her lips together, Hazuki grabbed the messy uncle's hand and quickly ran upstairs.
'Ito and Mom shouldn't have heard me…' Hazuki thought anxiously, knowing that at worst it would be okay if only Ito heard her. What she feared was that her mother, Kasumi Takahara, would find out.
If this sloppy uncle discovered that Kasumi was in another man's house and knew Hazuki planned to find someone else to replace him, he might expose her, and then her mother would know she had betrayed her… She didn't want that to happen…
Hazuki selfishly thought that by "betraying" her mother, she could find happiness with Otou-san, while Kasumi could also find happiness with Ito Yoshito.
If everything remained unsaid, and her mother believed it was her own choice, then everyone could find happiness!
She thought this way, believing she could bring happiness to everyone, not realizing that in Ito's eyes, she was just another deceitful woman. It was utterly disgusting!
"Hazuki-chan?"
"Tap tap tap..."
The sound gradually faded until it disappeared...
"Kasumi..."
Standing quietly at the entrance, Kasumi lowered her head, her brown hair shading her face. The light was blocked, leaving only shadows on her cheeks.
Reaching out, Ito gently wrapped his arms around her soft waist, resting his chin on the top of Kasumi's head, rubbing it affectionately.
"Kasumi, I'm here for you..."
"Ding!"
Tears streamed down her soft cheeks, hitting the ground; she might not care about anyone else, but Hazuki was still her daughter, her own flesh and blood, and she... couldn't bring herself to hate her.
Turning around, she buried her head in Ito's warm embrace, seeking a measure of solace.
Lifting her head, she gazed into Ito's handsome face, sunlight streaming in through the window, the hazy light wrapping him in a golden veil.
In this warm and beautiful scene, Ito's brows were tightly furrowed, and his affectionate danfeng eyes showed deep concern and care.
That tender gaze made Kasumi's heart flutter gently.
"Yoshito-kun"
Kasumi pressed herself more firmly into Ito's embrace, tiptoeing, her sweet lips pressing more forcefully against his, daringly initiating the kiss.
She was not at all like her usual self, meekly allowing Ito to dominate; this intense passion caught Ito off guard, leaving him momentarily dazed, unsure how to respond to Kasumi's fervent advances.
It wasn't until her delicate hands glided through the gap in his large shirt, caressing his hard abdomen, that the icy sensation brought Ito back to reality.
Looking down, he met the gaze of the beautiful woman, her long eyelashes fluttering gently. Her eyes were full of tears, not just out of shyness but more so reflecting boundless grievance.
Her thoughts were clearly written on her face; she sought to heal her internal wounds with affection and love, wishing to forget her sadness and pain.
Ito understood, leaning in slightly, responding to the rare aggression from the neighboring wife, wrapping his hands around her soft, curvy waist.
"Mm!"
The faint sunlight streaming in through the small entryway made the space feel even dimmer.
Yet in this shadowy space, it felt as if a tangible, blush-pink aura enveloped the air.
It was the thick, almost visible atmosphere of intimacy, representing the entangled affections of the two who longed to hold each other closely.
"Chuu♥"
"Phew—"
"Phew—"
"Phew—"
As they shared a lingering kiss, Ito gently released Kasumi, who was gasping slightly for air, her body slumped softly into his embrace.
Ito rested his chin on Kasumi's smooth, fragrant shoulder, inhaling the faint, mature scent that wafted from her.
Leaning closer to her ear, he exhaled warm breath, their bodies brushing against each other.
Before long, Kasumi seemed unable to tolerate it any longer. Her fingertips danced over the firm expanse of Ito's chest, circling around, her head tilting back slightly. Her eyes, once filled with grievance, now sparkled with affection.
"Yoshito-kun"
Her cherry-red lips slightly parted, exhaling fragrant whispers, the soft scent enveloping him, carrying with it the sweet, tantalizing airs of a beautiful woman.
"Love me, okay"
Kasumi used her gently seductive voice, directly inviting him in a wanton request. Ito felt his blood surging, heat flooding through him as he gazed at her with respect.
"Phew—"
With a slight exertion, Ito swept Kasumi into his arms, his gaze fixated on the alluring look in her eyes, urgently striding toward the untidy tatami mat.
...
"Uncle! Why were you shouting so loudly just now?!"
On the upper floor by the railing, Kasumi furrowed her brows, glaring sternly at the messy uncle before her.
"Hey Hazuki-chan, what's wrong? I was just calling out to you."
"Tsk, if I got caught… never mind." With a look of disgust directed at the messy uncle, Hazuki turned to open the door and leave.
"Wait..." The messy uncle narrowed his eyes, his rough face shadowed with menace. 'Damn girl, daring to treat me this way! I was going to be nice to your mom, but now, hum! Once I have her, all the resentment you've caused will be directed at you!'
"Hazuki-chan, your mother..."
Glancing at him with disdain, Hazuki shot back, "Do whatever you want."
"Bang!"
The door was slammed shut, a strong gust of wind whipped up, lifting the messy uncle's damp hair and revealing his fierce eyes.
"Damn girl..."
"Thump, thump..."
Leaning against the door, Hazuki suddenly recalled that the first person to collaborate with her hadn't been Ito, but this disgusting sloppy uncle.
"What should I do..."
Hazuki realized her thoughts had been somewhat naive; switching partners was an absolute taboo in this game. Just as she had directly abandoned the messy uncle for Ito, if that messy uncle found out...
What should she do now? Hazuki furrowed her brows, feeling increasingly restless.
...
Time does not stop for anyone's will; noon arrived, with the sun hanging at its highest point in the sky, blazing down and emitting waves of heat. The trees swayed in the scorching wind, casting dappled shadows that flickered continually.
The warmth of May quickly evaporated the residual moisture left from last night's rain, drying even Kasumi's damp dress from the evening before.
"Pfft—"
With sweat glistening on her voluptuous and radiant form, Kasumi stood in the sunny corner of the room, sunlight sparkling on the droplets like glimmering pearls that sparkled enticingly.
Touching the dress hanging on a thin line, it had already dried. Kasumi took it down and headed toward the bathroom with the dress in hand.
"Yoshito-kun is such a tease—thankfully the dress from last night is dry, or I wouldn't know if he had anything else to wear..."
Kasumi complained, yet her enchanting face, along with the large expanse of her bare fair skin, was suffused with tempting redness.
The delight in her heart was impossible to suppress, and with the water from the showerhead flowing, her luscious body gracefully danced as if she were an enchanting sprite in the water—beautiful and vibrant.
After coming out and having lunch with Ito, Kasumi planned to return to that so-called home. Her future plan was to stay at Yoshito's small apartment during the day when she didn't have work, and at night, that small apartment would truly be her home.
She had resolved to maintain her paper marriage with Mr. Takahara while becoming Ito's lover, living their own lives without interfering with one another.
In truth, she had dreamt of divorcing and being with Ito completely, but she was growing older, a twice-divorced woman—a match for a bright, handsome youth like him? How could she dare to fantasize about marrying him...
Wearing her high-heeled shoes, Kasumi ascended the stairs, her legs feeling somewhat weak and soft, holding onto the railing for support.
"Tap, tap..."
The sound of her heels finally came to a stop at the front of the Takahara family's apartment.
"..."
Standing quietly, Kasumi gazed at the familiar door before her, her eyes filled with complexity. She finally sighed and pulled out her key, preparing to step inside this 'home.'
"Ah, Mrs. Takahara, hello! Good afternoon."
A voice came from nearby...
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