Kashino Corporation.
Kyoya headed out of the meeting room with two rows of high-ranking officials following behind him. Their weekly meeting ended late since their president only arrived at the company at half-past 10. By his right side, his personal assistant, Kuroda Hachirou was reciting his next schedule with a tab in his hands.
"Your dinner appointment with President Goro tonight would be held in S Restaurant. The place has been booked," Assistant Kuroda finished reporting with the last event in his boss' schedule. "Five other presidents would be joining too."
Kyoya frowned hearing his assistant's words. He had forgotten that he had a social gathering tonight. Displeasure was evident in his eyes as he thought of the possibility of returning late tonight. His mind immediately went to his little wife at home.
If he went to the social event, it would be already late by the time he arrived home.
I want to see her before she goes to sleep.
"Get the vice president attending in my stead," Without as much as glancing at Assistant Kuroda, Kyoya walked faster toward his office after giving him the instruction.
Assistant Kuroda was speechless. He knew he couldn't change his boss' mind.
"What's wrong, Assistant Kuroda? The president decides to not attend the gathering tonight?" One of the directors who walked with them heard the two's conversation. He rose his eyebrows in inquiry.
Assistant Kuroda sighed. "Our boss wants to go home as soon as possible, it seems like I need to redirect all of his upcoming social events to the VP."
He guessed he needed to change at the very least one month worth of social events that should be attended by his boss. All of them would go to their VP or some other directors.
"It is because of our lady boss?" Another director asked. "The president has taken almost two weeks' worth of days off since the accident. How's the young madam? Is she alright?"
"The young madam is alright. I'm the one who's going to get sick next."
With a forlorn expression on his face, Assistant Kuroda left the group of directors and went to the secretarial department.
All of the directors, "...??"
Kyoya returned to his desk. A tower of documents piled on top of them, waiting for him to inspect them. He glanced at the digital clock placed at one corner of his desk. Lunchtime had passed. He reached out for his fountain pen, uncapped it and began to pull out the document at the top. Before he could read the words, his fingers paused.
Pursing his lips, he put the cap back on the pen.
What is she doing right now? Has she eaten?
He had instructed Old Toshio to take care of her carefully, making sure she didn't skip her meal and medicine as well as her resting time. Even with the capable butler's ability, he couldn't help but worry.
Kyoya took out his phone, planning to call the mansion. But, before he could place a call, the black screen suddenly lit up.
His Grandpa's name appeared on the screen.
His thumb swiped on the screen, accepting the call. Kyoya brought the phone to his ear.
"Grandpa," His low voice greeted the old man on the other side of the phone.
"Kyoya! You have to hear this! You have to!"
As usual, the old man didn't have the decency to speak softly. His loud voice was booming, prompting Kyoya to move the phone away from his ear.
"Yes, Grandpa. What is it?" He asked lazily.
"Hehehe~ Shouko said she remembers me! My granddaughter-in-law remembers me! Humph! She didn't even remember you! It seems my place in her heart is way~ higher than yours!"
Kyoya stiffened.
What nonsense this old man started spouting now?
"What are you talking about?" Kyoya rubbed his temple, feeling a headache coming. He didn't understand his grandfather's words. "You mean, she didn't forget you?"
Shouko remembered him? Really?
A nasty feeling crept in his heart.
"Yes! Yes! She remembered the day we first met five years ago~ Aigoo! She really deserves to be my precious granddaughter-in-law!"
A vein popped under his temple. Without saying anything, Kyoya hung up the call. He threw his phone crossed the desk. The phone circled on the smooth surface before it stopped at the edge of the desk.
Dark waves circled in his eyes while his expression remained impassive. The bright autumn sun penetrated the floor-to-ceiling glass windows behind him, illuminating his profile from behind. His emotion was deeply concealed by the shadows that fell on his face.
The air inside the office turned icy cold.
Rosy Mansion.
"Grandpa, what are you doing?"
Shouko walked slowly toward the old man who was sitting in the living room. They had lunch together and were now enjoying tea without Ono. Her sister had to return to her workplace soon so she immediately left after lunch.
"I wanted to gloat to your husband but this brat has the guts to hang up on me! What a silly child!"
Shouko chuckled softly. Instead of Kyoya, she thought Grandpa Kashino was the child one. By interacting with him today, she found that he was indeed childish.
"What did you say to him?" Shouko sat next to the old man.
"I said that you remembered me and then he hung up," Grandpa Kashino put his phone down on the coffee table. He leaned back lazily against the couch. "He must be jealous, right? I bet he is."
"What? Grandpa mentioned that?" Shouko wasn't sure how she should react.
She was still troubled by the fact that her memory ended exactly at the moment Kyoya got off of the car but she felt bad listening to Grandpa brag to her husband like that.
I'm afraid he would be hurt hearing that.
Somehow, she felt bad.
Grandpa left shortly after finishing the tea, saying he had a plan to meet with his friends. After sending him off, Shouko called for Mai. She had made up her mind.
"Yes, Young Madam?" Mai came immediately. This young girl was as attentive as ever.
"En... I want to call my husband. Could you dial his number?"
Since she didn't know Kyoya's number, there was nothing she could do instead of asking for help. Mai bowed once, left to get the phone and returned within a minute. There was a small white box in her hands.
"Actually, Young Master has prepared a new phone for you, Young Madam. Your old phone was totally destroyed in the car accident, we couldn't retrieve any files. But, Young Master has replaced your SIM card to your old number."
"Oh," Shouko took the white box from Mai. There was a photo of a smartphone and its logo printed on the box. Judging from its look, Shouko knew it could be the latest edition one. "Thank you, you may go now."
"Yes, Young Madam."
Shouko opened the box. A sleek smartphone in rosy-pink color was displayed in her eyes. The design was suitable for young ladies. She took the phone out of the box. This one was indeed new. After checking it, it was really her old number from five years ago. Which meant, she hadn't change it even after all these years.
Shouko opened the list labeled Contact. In the list, there was only one number with a name.
Kyoya.
Shouko couldn't help but feel a bit off. She called him Kyoya, his given name but when she saw how his name was saved on the phone, it brought an uncomfortable feeling. As if they were distanced from each other.
Shaking her head, Shouko pressed on the dial button. It was no use thinking of such a trivial matter. Her heart was beating loudly as she was waiting for her call to be answered.
It was only the second ring but the line had been connected.
Shouko was a bit stunned. Wasn't a big boss like him busy? How could he answer her call immediately?
"...Shouko?"
His deep voice resounded lowly from the end of the line. Even with a word, she caught the uncertainty in his voice.
Somehow, at this moment, she could imagine Kyoya was holding the phone with a tensed face.
"It's me," Shouko spoke softly, her lips curled up into a smile. "Am I interrupting your work?"
"No! No..." Kyoya was obviously caught off guard with her call. He coughed twice before he continued, "Are you in trouble? Did something happen?"
The concern from his voice was so crystal clear, how could she miss hearing it? A sour feeling seeped into her heart and bones, slowly reddening her eyes. Shouko chewed her lower lip. As she was thinking of what should she reply, he spoke again.
"It's okay if you don't want to talk," Without Shouko knowing, a faint smile appeared on Kyoya's face. The light in his eyes dimmed and his voice went slower. "I'm actually happy to receive your call."
Silence ensued in between them. Shouko was at a loss of what to say and Kyoya just comforted himself with the sound of her faint breathing. The terrible feeling from when his grandfather called before had faded away with just one phone call from her.
In the end, Shouko was the one who spoke first.
"Kyoya, Grandpa has told you, right?"
"... En."
Shouko held her breath. Her eyes wandered around, she found it hard to speak.
"Actually, I..."
"You don't have to feel sorry," Kyoya gently interjected. "I'm okay."
"How did you know?" Surprised, Shouko blurted out the words. "How... did you know that I'm worried about it?"
She had been thinking if what Grandpa had relayed to him could hurt him. If she was him, to be told that her own husband didn't remember her, she didn't dare to say that she felt nothing of it. That was why she was adamant in making this call, trying to see if he was alright.
Her feelings for him might not have grown as before yet but she didn't have the heart to downplay the matter. Especially when she knew that Kyoya treasured her.
A low chuckle echoed in her ears. Then, he spoke again. This time, his voice was laced with indulgence. "How could I not? You're my wife."
Hearing his words, a lone tear escaped from the rim of her eyes.
"You're so nice, Kyoya," She said helplessly. "Even when I'm like this, you didn't leave me alone."
Kyoya went in silence. Without replying to her words, he changed the subject.
"I heard Grandpa came as soon as I left. Have you taken your afternoon nap? What about your medicine?"
"Oh... I've eaten them."
"Good," Kyoya smiled. "Go and take a nap. Your body still needs to recuperate."
"Alright," Shouko agreed, faintly sensing the change in his emotion. "Then, I'll see you at home later."
His eyes twinkled yet his smile was half-hearted "En."
The call was hung up.
In the mansion, Shouko stopped herself from overthinking and started taking a nap. She slept so peacefully, the air around her was a stark contrast to the one in the president's office.
Kyoya stared at his phone for a long time. He had forgone his work at the moment.
A photo of Shouko was displayed as the wallpaper. In it, she was wearing a beige chiffon dress with a flower field surrounding her. Her long hair was let loose, falling freely behind her back.
A pair of clear eyes were staring back at him with her plump lips curling up into a sweet smile. She was standing straight with both of her hands hooked behind her back. A crown of peony flowers was adorned on her head.
In the sea of flowers, she was the most radiant one.
At the time this photo was taken, it was during spring last year.
"Honey! My honey bunny! Quick! Take my picture!"
She was so eager to have her photo taken. She danced jovially in front of him, the hem of her skirt fluttered beautifully akin to the blossoming of the flower petals.
Looking at her being so energetic, he chuckled softly.
"Calm down, love. Or your flower crown would fall down."
"Alright! Alright! Quick~"
She took her position. He raised the camera, focusing the lense on her.
She was smiling so brightly, it almost blinded him.
Ka-cha.
The photo was taken.
"Let me see! Let me see!"
Shouko swiftly left the place she was standing. Her entire body was leaning on his tall figure as she was trying to see the photo.
He remembered pressing a kiss on her forehead. The sweet smell of her hair was so relaxing and intoxicating at the same time. She replied with a peck on his cheek.
While they were engulfed in their own pink bubbles, a third voice echoed with dissatisfaction.
"Not fair! I want my photo taken too! I want kisses and hugs too!"
Hearing that, both of them looked down at the owner of the voice before they laughed happily.
It was indeed one of the happiest moments in his life.
Kyoya closed his eyes, suppressing his tumultuous thought. Her words lingered in his mind.
You're so nice, Kyoya.
"Shouko..."
He sighed deeply. His forehead was creasing, his parting right fringe fell over his eyes, obscuring the emotions in them from being seen. He leaned back against the swivel chair, the back of his hand laid over his eyes.
"I'm not a nice person. I'm not..." His voice filled with anguish sounded hoarse from his mouth, "I failed... to protect you."
His words echoed gravely in the quiet office.
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The author has something to say:
At the first ring, Kyoya was dumbfounded to see his wife's name on the screen XD