Chapter 103: Chapter 103 – The Kiss That Should Never Have Happened
POV - (Runo)
I stood by the large panoramic window of our hotel room on the 28th floor and couldn’t take my eyes off Tokyo.
(It’s just... incredible.)
Japan welcomed us just as I had imagined in my wildest dreams — and even better.
...
When the plane door opened and I took my first step onto Japanese soil, a strange feeling washed over me.
It was as if I had stepped into another world... clean, well-designed, slightly surreal.
The air at Narita Airport was fresh, with a light scent of greenery and something sweet.
Even here, in this huge international hub, there was an amazing sense of calm and order.
People moved quickly, but without any hustle and bustle.
No one was pushing, shouting, or waving their arms around.
Everything seemed to operate according to some invisible, perfect rules.
I walked through the terminal and couldn’t stop looking around.
(Everything is so... beautiful.)
Minimalist signs, perfectly clean floors — even the trash cans looked aesthetically pleasing.
Food vending machines were literally everywhere... so bright, modern, with perfect photos of the dishes.
Phoebe had already managed to photograph three different vending machines and was enthusiastically commenting on each one.
- (Phoebe). "Grandma, look, even the coffee in cans looks like a work of art here!
- (Me). "Yes, my dear."
I smiled and nodded.
I liked Japan... very much.
When we got into the taxi, I pressed my face against the window.
(How unusual it is here...)
Tokyo was impressive.
Skyscrapers reaching toward the sky stood side by side with small traditional houses, and neon signs lit up even in broad daylight.
The roads were perfectly clean, the cars were neat, and people on the sidewalks moved with a certain grace.
I loved literally everything: the look of the road signs, the way the driver in white gloves bowed to us before we got in, the way the hybrid taxi’s engine ran so smoothly and quietly.
Everything was just like in those stories about Japan that I read when I was younger, yet, despite all this beauty, a heavy, unpleasant feeling lingered inside me.
(Sohen, my dear...)
There was a certain unpleasant feeling.
(He was left alone with... Karin.)
Even though Sohen was in a difficult state, I knew that my daughter was capable of coming up with the most absurd ways to cheer him up... even offering herself.
(Like mother, like daughter...)
That thought wouldn’t leave me alone the entire flight and the whole way to the hotel.
(When he first picked up the phone, it seemed like something was... off at that moment.)
- (Phoebe). "Grandma, are you lost in thought again? You’ve been quiet the whole time. Don’t you like Japan?"
- (Me). "I do... I’m just... tired from the flight."
We arrived at the hotel in the evening.
The room was wonderful, very spacious, modern, with a huge window offering a stunning view of the city twinkling with lights.
Phoebe immediately rushed to unpack our things and take pictures of the interior, while I stood by the window and just looked at Tokyo.
(Beautiful. So beautiful.)
Even though I was quite happy, still... I couldn’t stop thinking about what might be happening in our house right now.
I pictured Sohen sitting there looking sad, while Karin tried to "cheer him up" in every way she could, and that image made me feel truly sick.
(Damn it!... Damn it all!!)
Phoebe and I took a shower, ordered a light dinner to our room, and went to bed.
Phoebe fell asleep quickly, but I lay awake for a long time, staring at the ceiling.
Japan was wonderful, but my heart was back home.
(Karin... You’ll pay dearly if you make my sweet little boy fall in love with you!)
...
8 a.m.
Morning in Tokyo greeted us with soft, golden light that gently seeped through the thin white curtains of our hotel room.
I woke up first.
My body still felt tired after the long flight, a slight pain throbbed in my temples, and a heavy, unpleasant feeling of anxiety sat in my chest, one that hadn’t let me go the entire flight and all night long.
Phoebe woke up half an hour later.
She stretched, smiled, and immediately walked over to the window.
- (Phoebe). "Incredible view, isn’t it?"
- (Me). "Yeah..."
We went to have breakfast at the hotel restaurant.
The Japanese breakfast was light and very tasty: rice, miso soup, grilled fish, pickled vegetables, fresh tofu, and green tea.
Phoebe kept taking pictures of the dishes and enthusiastically commented on every bite.
I ate mechanically, trying to enjoy the moment.
After breakfast, I said:
- (Me). "We still have plenty of time before the charity event, so we can take a walk around downtown. What do you say?"
- (Phoebe). "Great!"
We got ready quickly — we were wearing light clothes, comfortable shoes, and small backpacks, and then left the hotel.
Our first walk through Tokyo was a real revelation.
We strolled through the Shibuya district, admiring the passersby in their stylish clothes and peeking into small shops and cafes.
I loved literally everything.
(The cleanliness of the streets, the neatness of the people... perfect order.)
Even the ordinary street food vending machines looked aesthetically pleasing.
We tried the local cuisine — we had takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and fresh sushi rolls at a small street café.
(The taste... very unusual, but very pleasant...)
Then we went into souvenir shops, bought magnets, traditional fans, little kimono-style key chains, and cute figurines.
Phoebe was absolutely thrilled, constantly taking photos and laughing.
A few hours later, we returned to the hotel, rested a bit, lay down, watched the news, and then started getting ready for a charity event to which my very close friend... Sister Olivia had invited us.
We dressed elegantly but modestly and headed to the venue.
Sister Olivia greeted us with a warm hug, but I immediately noticed that something was off with her.
(Olivia?... She’s acting... differently.)
Her smile was a little forced, and I could see hidden discontent in her eyes.
I... didn’t say anything, I just hugged her back.
(Olivia...)
The event started very late.
The main organizer, the well-known activist B Mimmy, couldn’t arrive on time because she was... in court for her own case.
(B Mimmy... A prominent African American woman who has been fighting for women’s rights around the world for years. I’m a huge fan of hers! She has an impeccable reputation and is a living symbol of what a truly independent woman should look like. Although in recent years she’s been in court a lot because someone "supposedly" found evidence that she’s guilty of trafficking people for sexual exploitation, but... I’m sure it’s all a lie and she was framed.)
There are many videos where it looks like the police were conducting searches at her estate in Alabama, during which they seized items intended for... orgies known as "shy offs," including drugs and over 500 bottles of baby oil; however, all of this seems like... a fake created by AI programs.
(Someone is deliberately trying to smear her reputation... probably some man. Damn it, why are all men, except for Sohen, such horrible creatures? It disgusts me to even breathe the same air as them... It’s awful.)
A few minutes later, the event finally began.
There were many speeches, religious references, and a mix of charity and women’s rights advocacy from around the world.
The atmosphere was serious and inspiring at the same time.
(We’ll fight for women’s rights until the very end!... And we won’t forget about charity, of course.)
...
Four hours passed.
The charity event ended — it seemed to go by too quickly.
Phibi and I performed perfectly, though my little granddaughter felt a bit uncomfortable — but it was only momentary.
(I’m proud of you, Phibi.)
After almost all the guests had left, we stayed in a small VIP lounge.
Phoebe stepped aside to talk on the phone with her friend Maria, while Sister Olivia and I sat down at a small table by the window.
Olivia looked tired but satisfied.
- (Olivia). "How did you like the event?"
- (Me). "Very powerful. Especially the part about religious support for women in countries where their rights are restricted. You prepared well."
Olivia smiled faintly.
- (Olivia). "Thank you, but I noticed you were a little ’distracted.’ Did something happen to you, Runo?"
I shrugged.
- (Me). "Just tired from the flight and... thinking about home."
- (Olivia). "About Sohen?"
I nodded.
- (Me). "Yes... He’s been in a rough spot lately. He’s been dealing with... depression from... never mind. I’m worried about him."
Olivia took a sip of tea and looked at me intently.
- (Olivia). "Runo... you’ve always cared about him so much... almost more than necessary."
- (Me). "He’s my relative... my grandson. Of course I’m worried."
- (Olivia). "Grandson..."
She repeated it with a slight undertone I couldn’t quite grasp.
- (Olivia). "And what about Karin? Is she ’worried’ too, just like you?"
I felt a tightness in my chest.
- (Me). "Mom is always caring, especially when someone isn’t feeling well."
- (Olivia). "Ha-ha..."
Olivia set her cup down on the table and looked me straight in the eye.
- (Olivia). "Caring, huh?... You know, Runo, your family has always surprised me. You, Phoebe, Karin... and Sohen. Especially Sohen. You pay him too much attention. Almost like..."
She didn’t finish her sentence.
I could feel the tension in the air rising.
- (Me). "Like what?"
- (Olivia). "Like a woman who’s afraid someone else will take his attention away."
- (Me). "???"
I leaned back in my chair.
- (Me). "Olivia, this is too much. He’s my relative. I’m just worried."
- (Olivia). "Relative..."
She smiled bitterly.
- (Olivia). "Don’t you use the word ’family’ a little too often when it comes to Sohen? It’s strange. I understand he’s your grandson, but... your ’concern’ sometimes crosses the line."
- (Me). "You’re the one crossing the line right now."
- (Olivia). "And the most interesting thing... he’s not your biological grandson. No blood relation. That changes a lot, doesn’t it? For you, anyway."
- (Me). "..."
The air between us grew heavy and thick.
(Olivia, I won’t let you...)
I wanted to say something, but Olivia suddenly stood up, took a step toward me, leaned in, and firmly, almost painfully... kissed me on the lips.
- (Me). "???"
The kiss lasted only a couple of seconds, but it was full of tension, anger, and something else I couldn’t quite understand.
Then she pulled away, looked into my eyes with a long, heavy gaze, and said quietly:
- (Olivia). "I’m sorry..."
After that, she turned and walked away, leaving me standing there in complete astonishment.
I touched my lips with my fingers... they felt strangely hot.
I didn’t understand a thing.
(What the hell just happened?)
