[Editor's note: This chapter has been edited to remove content that breaks our content rules.]
Morning sunlight filtered through the sheer curtains, scattering patches of light across the bed. It mingled with the warm glow of the wall lamp that had been left on overnight.
Fukuji Mihoko’s eyelashes fluttered as she slowly opened her eyes, her mismatched eyes still heavy with sleep.
“Good morning, Mihoko,” Kageyama Sora said, his low voice slightly hoarse.
“G-good morning.” Her voice was barely audible. She nervously clutched the edge of the blanket, unsure how to face him.
Sora chuckled softly.
The morning light edged his features in gold. His dark eyes were filled with tenderness.
“Why won’t you look at me?”
Mihoko lowered her gaze. “I-it’s not like that…”
When she finally gathered the courage to look up, she met his smiling eyes.
For a moment, she felt that perhaps fate had its own reasons. The confusion and uncertainty of the past seemed to have found an answer when she met him.
Just then, the insistent ringing of a phone broke the quiet.
Sora frowned and reached for it. Seeing the caller’s name on the screen, he sighed helplessly.
“It’s something for work. I need to take care of it.”
Mihoko nodded, a little disappointed.
“I had room service send your clothes out to be cleaned last night. They’re on the cabinet now. Wait here for me. Once I’m finished, we’ll have breakfast together.”
Watching him walk toward the sofa in the hotel suite’s living room, Mihoko lay back down and gazed at the ceiling.
The corners of her mouth lifted without her realizing it.
The happiness filling her heart made her look forward to the future.
After lying there for a while, she realized it was time to get up.
Chapter 74
After changing into her freshly cleaned school uniform, Fukuji Mihoko entered the living room and found breakfast already laid out on the dining table.
Plate after plate of delicately prepared food sat before her, looking as delicious as it was beautiful.
“You’re up?” Hearing her footsteps, Kageyama Sora glanced back. “Come sit down. Room service just brought breakfast.”
As Mihoko watched him working at his computer, warmth welled up inside her.
He really was thoughtful.
Seeing that she was still standing there, Sora turned around with a smile.
“Why aren’t you coming over?”
Mihoko joined him at the table, and they began eating breakfast together.
“I’ll take you back to Kazekoshi Girls’ High School afterward,” Sora said with a smile. “If that coach of yours gives you trouble again, I’ll protect you.”
“Actually, the coach isn’t that bad,” Mihoko replied gently. “That’s just how she’s always taught us…”
They chatted on and off over breakfast, the atmosphere relaxed and comfortable.
Sora carefully cut up her hot dog for her and wiped a little sauce from the corner of her mouth. His small gestures were full of affection.
Mihoko felt that perhaps this ordinary, comforting daily life was the happiness she had always longed for.
Morning sunlight spread gently across the cutlery on the table.
“You’ve got some sauce here,” Sora said, picking up a napkin.
The utensils clinked softly against the plates.
Chapter 75: Ikeda Kana Issues a Challenge