Part 10 — An Ordinary Evening
Kaito finally returned from the bathroom, his hair still damp as he walked into the hall.
"There," he said proudly. "Happy?"
Ayame looked him over for a moment before nodding.
"Much better."
Kaito folded his arms with a dramatic sigh.
"I suffer so much in this family."
"You took a bath."
"Exactly."
Haruto shook his head.
"You really are something."
"I know."
Kaito dropped onto the sofa between them, letting out a long yawn.
The room fell quiet once more.
Outside, the last traces of sunlight had disappeared, leaving only the soft glow of the lights inside the house.
For a while, none of them spoke.
They didn't need to.
After a long day at the academy, arguing over homework, declaring war across the living room, and listening to Kaito complain about bathing, the quiet felt... nice.
Ayame looked at both of her brothers.
Haruto sat with his eyes half-closed, resting against the sofa.
Kaito was already struggling to stay awake, despite insisting only moments ago that he still had enough energy to conquer another nation.
A small smile found its way onto Ayame's face.
"...I'm glad."
Haruto opened one eye.
"Hm?"
She shook her head.
"Nothing."
Kaito looked between the two.
"...You two have weird conversations."
Haruto chuckled softly.
"We're used to you saying weirder things."
"I'll take that as a compliment."
"It wasn't."
"I know."
The three shared a quiet laugh.
For just a little while, there were no worries.
No academy.
No missions.
No responsibilities.
Just three siblings enjoying the comfort of being home together.
Eventually, Ayame stood up and stretched.
"It's getting late."
Haruto nodded.
"Yeah."
Kaito let out another yawn.
"I'm suddenly sleepy."
"You've been sleepy for the last ten minutes," Haruto replied.
"I was hiding it."
"You weren't."
Ayame smiled.
"Come on," Ayame said as she stood up from the sofa. "Let's eat, then get some sleep."
Kaito immediately shot to his feet.
"I knew there was more food!"
Haruto sighed.
"You only heard the word 'eat,' didn't you?"
"I stopped listening after that."
"I can tell."
Ayame shook her head with a small smile.
"Come on."
The three siblings walked toward the kitchen together, their familiar bickering echoing softly through the house once again.
Outside, the winter night slowly settled over the village.
Inside, the warmth of home remained unchanged.
For tonight...
They were simply three siblings sharing another ordinary evening.
And for now—
That was enough.