Evening had settled in, draping the village in a deep stillness. After dinner, I cleared the plates from the table and let out a quiet sigh.
“…He really came by today.”
My fingers brushed absently over the bare skin of my thigh, peeking out from the hem of my shorts. The sound of my neighbor Kato’s calm voice still lingered in my ears.
White polo shirt, gray slacks… a straight-backed posture that defied his age, eyes that held a quiet warmth, yet hinted at something deeper, unfathomable.
Though we had met for the first time, I couldn’t shake the strange feeling of familiarity.
Kato-san… he seemed so kind.
My chest lifted just slightly, a faint flutter I tried to push aside as I washed the dishes and returned to unpacking. I reached into a box, sorting books onto a shelf—when it hit.
“…Ah—”
The dull ache made me freeze. I searched frantically for a first-aid kit, but my new home still held no medicine. I tried steadying my breath, but the wave of pain rolled again, curling low into my waist.
…What should I do?
Kato’s face came to mind immediately.
His clinic… it’s just nearby.
At home, I usually dressed loosely, without underwear. Tonight was no different—but there was no time to change. Still in my shorts and short-sleeved shirt, I rushed out into the night.
Under the moonlight, I walked five minutes down the gravel road until I stood before the small sign that read “Clinic.” Relief washed over me—too quickly—and the pain struck again.
Light spilled from the entryway. I pressed the doorbell, and after a moment, the door slid open.
“Miura-san?”
The same voice from earlier in the day. Kato now wore a navy jinbei, his eyes widening with surprise.
“I… I’m sorry… my stomach… it hurts…”
My words came in a strained whisper.
“I see. Come in, let me take a look.”
He ushered me inside without hesitation.
The clinic was a world apart from the rural view outside—immaculately tidy.
Vinyl flooring in the examination room, a white medical cabinet along one wall, a cushioned examination table against the other. A compact desk with a monitor, keyboard, and a few medical texts. Two chairs—one with armrests for the doctor, and a round stool for patients. The paper sheet atop the exam table caught the light.
“Don’t strain yourself—sit there.”
I lowered myself onto the stool he indicated. Kato sat in his chair and reached toward my stomach. His hand was unexpectedly warm, firm yet gentle.
“How about here?”
“…Ah—it’s… a bit…”
Each press sent a ripple of sweet pain through me. Even as I tried to focus on my breathing, the heat of his palm seeped into my skin, quickening my heartbeat. His fingers traced across my abdomen as though sketching invisible lines. Even through the fabric, my body stirred quietly in response.
“It’s nothing serious—just a light stomach spasm.”
His voice was calm, but it resonated in my ears in an oddly intimate way.
“Wait here, I’ll get you some water and medicine.”
He disappeared into the back, returning with a glass of water and a pill bottle retrieved from the cabinet. I swallowed the medicine, cool water soothing my throat. Perhaps it was only in my head, but the ache began to ease.
“…I’m sorry, barging in like this.”
“It’s fine. That’s what the clinic’s here for.”
He leaned back in his chair, speaking in an unhurried tone meant to reassure. That same gentle warmth from earlier was there, between each word.
“You said you’re an illustrator, right?”
“Yes, I work on a computer. Since my work is all at home, I decided to move here from the city. But I’m not quite used to country life yet…”
“It’s different from the city. At first, it might feel too quiet. But it’s a good place.”
His gaze rested on me. It was only a look, yet it felt as though my entire being was wrapped within it.
“Have you lived here long, Kato-san?”
“No… I moved here from the city as well. My wife fell ill, and I wanted her to live somewhere with cleaner air. It’s been five years now… since she passed.”
He looked toward the window, his expression carrying a quiet sorrow.
“…I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to bring back painful memories.”
“No, it’s alright. I’ve made my peace.”
As we spoke, the pain in my stomach ebbed little by little. My chest, too, seemed to unclench, eased simply by the sound of his voice.
“Wait here, I’ll put this glass away.”
He stood and walked toward the back. That’s when I noticed—the lowest drawer of his desk was open just a crack. I shouldn’t look. And yet, my eyes were drawn to it.
Inside were neatly arranged DVD cases. The titles left no doubt—they were adult films. Beneath them, magazines with women in provocative poses on the covers.
He owns… things like that.
Surprise mixed with an odd sense of closeness… and something warmer, rising deep in my chest.
He must have been lonely since his wife passed…
That thought made me aware of my own state—no underwear beneath my clothes. A pulse of heat throbbed low inside me. I hadn’t been touched by a man since breaking up with my boyfriend… and surely, it had been long since Kato touched a young woman. It was only an examination, yet…
I wonder… what it would be like if he touched somewhere else…
His footsteps drew nearer.
“…Kato-san.”
By the time he returned, I had already stood up.
“What is it?”
“…Um, I…”
Words faltered. I couldn’t mask the warmth spreading through me.
I want him… to touch me more…
“My chest… it feels… tight.”
I wasn’t even sure what I meant, but the words slipped out before I could stop them.
His eyes narrowed slightly, the gaze turning intent. My heart pounded faster.
“…Would you… examine me?”
By the time I found the courage to ask, my cheeks were already burning.
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