Chapter 1040: Embarrassed Oka-San

"Jack..." My name on her lips was a prayer and a warning. Her back arched slightly, pressing her breasts forward, making the damp fabric cling even tighter.

I could see the individual pores on her skin, the way her sweat made her glow like polished marble. The scent of her - jasmine and something darker, muskier - filled my senses, making my head swim.

The spoon clattered against the bowl as I set it down, my hands no longer steady. "Oka-san, you’re..." My voice cracked.

The kimono left absolutely nothing to the imagination now. The once-elegant indigo silk clung to Kasumi’s fevered skin like a second layer, every contour of her body outlined in shocking detail.

I could see the faint outline of her navel through the damp fabric, the way her hips flared out sensually before narrowing at her waist. The fabric between her thighs was noticeably darker, damp with something more than just sweat, clinging obscenely to the curve of her mound.

Kasumi’s cheeks flushed pink as she noticed my gaze lingering on her body. With a small gasp, she quickly covered her hardened nipples with her hands, her fingers trembling slightly. "J-Jack..." she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.

I stood up abruptly, my face flushed as I pretended to be shy. "I-I’ll ask the maids to help you change your clothes," I said, my voice cracking slightly as I turned away, giving her some privacy.

Kasumi nodded slightly, a soft "Hmm..." escaping her lips as she pulled the damp fabric closer to her body, trying to cover herself.

As I walked out of the room, I used

Telepathy

to catch Kasumi’s thoughts:

[Oh my god... In front of my son-in-law... I’m so embarrassed... What must he think of me? Looking like this... So indecent...]

Her thoughts were a flurry of embarrassment and something else—something warmer that she quickly pushed aside.

I found one of the maids in the hallway and asked her to attend to Kasumi. The maid nodded respectfully and made her way to Kasumi’s room.

I waited outside, leaning against the wall, trying to calm my racing thoughts. Just as I was collecting myself, I heard the familiar sound of laughter and chatter approaching. Yuko, Tomiko, and Haruna came into view, all of them smiling and carrying shopping bags.

"We got such a nice spot!" Yuko exclaimed, her eyes bright with excitement. "Oka-san will really like it—right under the cherry blossom tree."

Tomiko nodded in agreement, a wide grin on her face. "It’s perfect for the picnic. Plenty of shade and a great view of the blossoms."

Haruna, noticing me, broke away from the group and came over, a bright smile on her face. She took my hand, her fingers warm and soft. "Jack! You won’t believe how beautiful the spot is. Oka-san is going to love it!" she said, her voice bubbling with excitement.

I smiled back at her, squeezing her hand gently. "I’m sure she will. She was just resting, but I think she’ll feel better soon."

Haruna tilted her head slightly, her eyes filled with curiosity. "Is Oka-san okay? She didn’t look well this morning."

I nodded reassuringly to Haruna, my voice calm but warm. "She’s fine. Just a little fever, but she’s resting now. The maids are taking good care of her."

No sooner had I finished speaking than the door to Kasumi’s room slid open. The maid stepped out with a respectful bow, giving me a small nod to indicate that Kasumi was presentable again. Before I could even take a step, Haruna, Yuko, and Tomiko burst into the room in a flurry of concern and rustling fabric.

I followed them inside. As the door to Kasumi’s room slid open, my breath caught in my throat. She sat propped up on the futon, her freshly changed yukata clinging to her curves in all the right places.

Her dark hair was tied up in an elegant bun at the nape of her neck, a few deliberate tendrils framing her face. The style accentuated her high cheekbones and the graceful line of her neck, making her look both sophisticated and temptingly vulnerable.

The dampness from her earlier fever had left her skin with a healthy glow, her lips slightly parted as she breathed.

The yukata’s fabric, though dry now, still hinted at the curves beneath - the swell of her breasts pressing against the thin cotton, the fabric straining slightly over her hips as she shifted position. I could see the faint outline of her nipples through the material, still hardened from the chill of the cold towels.

Haruna, Yuko, and Tomiko rushed in, but I found myself frozen in the doorway, my eyes tracing the way Kasumi’s yukata dipped at her collarbone, revealing the tempting hollow of her throat. The scent of her - jasmine and something muskier, more intimate - filled my senses as I stepped closer.

"Oka-san, you’re really okay now?" Haruna asked, pressing her palm to Kasumi’s forehead. The movement made Kasumi’s breasts shift slightly beneath the fabric, drawing my gaze like a magnet.

Kasumi’s lips curved into a warm smile, her dark eyes flicking to me with knowing amusement. "I’m fine now, dear," she purred, her voice like warm honey.

"Your Jack took such good care of me." Her tongue darted out to wet her lower lip as she continued, "He was so gentle, putting cold towels on my forehead, feeding me soup..." Her fingers traced idle patterns on the futon, drawing my attention to her long, elegant hands. "I almost wish I could have a fever more often."

A shiver ran down my spine at her words. I could picture it all too clearly - her fevered skin, the way her body had responded to my touch, the damp fabric clinging to her curves. My voice came out rougher than intended. "Oka-san, you can’t say things like that. If you want my attention, just ask for it. No need to make yourself sick."

Haruna crossed her arms, giving me a playful glare. "Yeah, Oka-san. Just tell Jack what you need. And if he doesn’t listen..." She cracked her knuckles dramatically, "I’ll make sure he understands."

Kasumi’s laughter was a rich, melodic sound that made my stomach tighten. She reached out and tugged Haruna’s ear playfully, but the movement caused her yukata to gape slightly at the neckline, giving me a tantalizing glimpse of the cleavage beneath.

"Haruna, is this how you speak to my precious son?" she chided, though her eyes sparkled with mischief.

I swallowed hard, my gaze flicking between Kasumi’s exposed skin and her knowing smile.

The way she sat, with one leg slightly bent beneath her, made the yukata ride up just enough to tease at the smooth skin of her thigh.

Yuko noticed my distraction and cleared her throat pointedly. "We’re all glad you’re feeling better, Oka-san," she said, her voice carrying that quiet authority that always made me pay attention. "But you must promise to take better care of yourself."

Kasumi’s fingers traced the neckline of her yukata, her touch lingering near the spot where the fabric dipped between her breasts. "I promise," she murmured, her dark eyes never leaving mine.

"Especially now that I have such a devoted son to look after me."