Gozo Kuraso had left, utterly defeated. After witnessing the intimate display between that brat and Mrs. Haruhi, he departed feeling suffocated and resentful. That couple had deliberately acted affectionate in front of him, but despite the rage boiling in his heart, Gozo Kuraso ultimately held back.
To be a company president, he couldn't be so reckless. That kid... gave him an extremely dangerous feeling.
"Whew..."
"Honestly, I thought he'd be unwilling to leave and would try to make a move right away," Alex said with a soft laugh, playing with the delicate hand of the wife beside him, kneading her soft, boneless fingers. "I can't believe he chickened out?"
"Yes, I thought so too... Thank you so much, Alex."
Mrs. Haruhi, breathing heavily, nodded in agreement, her gaze full of gratitude toward Alex. In the next second, however, her expression quickly turned shy and awkward. She glanced at her grasped hand, pursed her lips, wanting to say something but holding back, her eyes growing complicated.
She rationalized that it was to make Gozo Kuraso retreat, but as a married woman, such flirtation with another man... left Mrs. Haruhi feeling deeply conflicted.
Worse, she wasn't actually resisting. She didn't dislike the contact with Alex at all, which was her true source of distress.
Why am I like this...?
Even though that repulsive man had left, why was Alex still holding her hand? Feeling the continuous sensation on her palm, the pressure of his kneading fingers, Mrs. Haruhi gently bit her beautiful, thin lips.
"Alex, aren't you going home?"
"...Mrs. Haruhi, I just helped you drive away that creep, and now you're chasing me off? That's too much, isn't it? It's like pulling down the bridge after you've crossed the river," he complained, feigning injury.
Seeing the boy's pitifully wronged expression, Mrs. Haruhi's heart immediately fluttered, and she quickly explained, "No, I didn't mean that. I was just thinking about the girls at your house... If you want to stay, I would certainly be... willing."
The more she spoke, the redder her cheeks became. The words sounded as if she were the one hoping Alex would stay, which felt strange.
"Then I won't stand on ceremony. After all, Mrs. Haruhi, you must be very lonely staying home alone, even after that disgusting man was chased away, right? How about I stay to have lunch with you?"
He blinked and leaned in close.
Thump-thump—
Hearing his concerned tone and gentle words, the young wife's heartbeat suddenly quickened. A blush slowly spread all the way to her earlobes. Why would Alex say something like that...? Is he worried about me?
"Um... okay."
The young wife whispered her agreement.
He was right, actually. With Kinin away and a terrifying person harassing her, aside from fear, she truly felt lonely. Having Alex by her side felt very comforting...
No, no, no, how can I think like this? I am a married woman! How can I...?
Even though Mrs. Haruhi kept warning herself internally, she couldn't control the acceleration of her heartbeat, the tremor in her heart caused by Alex's words, or the subtle softness spreading through her body.
She could feel the boy next to her drawing closer. His scent constantly enveloped her. By the time Mrs. Haruhi reacted, Alex was already flush against her delicate body, his arm wrapped around her slender waist.
Her entire body was practically nestled in his embrace.
The two were intimately pressed together.
"Alex~"
"No~"
Mrs. Haruhi's eyes widened, but she lacked the strength to push away the young man holding her. A tingling, numbing sensation spread to her limbs, and her voice sounded weak and breathless. "You can't..."
"My dear wife?"
"Alex, we can't do this..." Mrs. Haruhi's eyes were glistening with moisture, containing a blend of anger and resentment. Her soft, voluptuous body was fragrant, and her weak struggle only made her seem more seductive and tempting, provoking a desire to thoroughly ravage her.
But Alex did not. He merely held her, making no move to release her.
Mrs. Haruhi bit her silver teeth, blinking her long lashes. She said mournfully, "Alex, are you just like that disgusting man, coveting my body?"
"That's right," Alex breathed into her ear. "Mrs. Haruhi is so beautiful. Of course, I can't help but be moved and desire your body."
The wife instantly shivered, her ear turning bright red.
His breath made her slightly sensitive.
Her eyes were complex. Even though he said such a thing, she realized she didn't hate it...
"However, more than your body, I covet your heart, my dear wife," the young man's rush of words turned into a long sigh. Then, he slowly released the woman in his arms, the wife of another man. "If I cause Mrs. Haruhi pain and sorrow, I will also be sad."
"Alex..."
The released wife stared blankly at the boy's face, that comparatively youthful face. The realization that he was still just a student inexplicably caused a pang in her heart, coupled with a subtle sense of loss.
Her heart was in chaos, conflicted.
"Alex, I—I already have a husband..." Mrs. Haruhi, now free, felt no joy, only a deeper melancholy. She wasn't sure if the statement was a reminder or an expression of helplessness.
"I know, but Mr. Kinin is being manipulated by that Gozo Kuraso, and you're the one suffering because of it," Alex sighed again. "You're not happy at all, are you, my dear wife?"
Tsk tsk, I'm starting to resemble the man next door.
These words seemed to strike the wife's soul. Mrs. Haruhi opened her mouth, her eyes growing increasingly soft. "Yes, I wasn't... but Alex, you're here now. With you, I am very happy."
What am I saying?!
Mrs. Haruhi only realized the inappropriateness after she spoke, and quickly added:
"But Alex, you have so many beautiful girlfriends at home, why are you doing this to me...?"
"Chi and the others are indeed beautiful, but Mrs. Haruhi is equally lovely. You are all unique," Alex said, his face flushing slightly—sweet words were something he rarely uttered. "To me."
"Alex..."
Don't say things like that anymore! If you keep talking, I won't be able to bear it.
Flustered and heart racing, the young wife abruptly stood up. Even her delicate, tempting neck turned scarlet as shyness and panic spread through her.
"Alex, you wanted to stay for lunch, right? I—I'll go cook for you..."
With that, she bolted as if running away.
"Cooking for me... It seems Mrs. Haruhi is slowly falling for it."
He hadn't expected the psychological manipulation to be so effective. Alex rested his chin on his hand, his smile subtly shifting.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Haruhi, having fled to the kitchen, patted her chest. It took her a good while to calm the unrest in her body. She cupped her burning face with both hands; even without a mirror, she knew her cheeks were completely flushed.
This is all Alex's fault.
After Mrs. Haruhi calmed down, she pondered what had happened while preparing the meal. She hadn't expected Alex to feel this way about her...
To be honest, she didn't dislike the young man, but...
"I am married, after all..."
"That's right, Mrs. Haruhi," a pair of arms reached out from behind and wrapped around her waist. "If only I had met you before you were married."
"Alex?!"
Hearing his sigh and feeling the sensation of his embrace from behind, the wife's hand, holding the kitchen knife, trembled. His presence and his words lowered her defenses once again.
Her heart was in complete turmoil.
She softly pleaded, "Alex, we can't do this..."
"Mrs. Haruhi, I won't do anything. Just a hug, is that okay?"
"..."
After all, he had chased away that detestable Gozo Kuraso and helped her so much. It wouldn't be right to refuse again; he would be hurt.
Sigh, this rascal...