"Hah! If Haruki and Kyouko were both single, I'd have already arranged their marriage."
The words hit the table like a dropped stone.
Haruki froze mid-reach for his glass. Kyouko stiffened.
Across from them, Hanako chuckled softly, gently nudging her husband with her hand on his arm.
"Dear… don't tease them too much."
But Kitayama shrugged without remorse. "What? I'm just telling the truth."
"F-Father!!" Kyouko's voice wavered, her cheeks flushing pink. "Don't joke about that!"
Kitayama raised an eyebrow, unfazed. His tone turned slightly firmer.
"What? I'm just saying what I want to say. And what's true."
He looked from his daughter to Haruki.
"Your husband doesn't care for you. If Haruki weren't already married to my granddaughter, and if he were single…"
He set down his cup with a quiet, final clink.
"…I'd already have forced you to divorce that ungrateful son of a bitch."
Haruki kept his posture steady, but his heart was pounding.
