Part 1 — Dinner After the Silence War
The familiar warmth of the kitchen welcomed the three siblings as they stepped inside.
Ayame walked over to the stove and lifted the lid from the pot.
Steam immediately rose into the air, carrying the rich aroma throughout the room.
Kaito took a deep breath.
"...That smells amazing."
"I know," Ayame replied with a smile. "Now sit down before it gets cold."
"I'm already sitting."
"You haven't even reached the chair yet."
"I was sitting in my heart."
Haruto, who had been taking plates from the cupboard, paused for a moment.
"...That doesn't even make sense."
"It doesn't have to."
"It really does."
Ayame placed the bowls onto the table one by one.
"Enough, both of you."
The brothers exchanged a glance.
"...Yes, sis."
Within moments, the three were seated around the table.
For a while...
The only sounds in the room were the quiet clinking of chopsticks against bowls and the occasional puff of steam rising from the food.
Kaito suddenly looked toward Ayame.
"...Sis."
"Hm?"
"This is really good."
Ayame smiled softly.
"I'm glad."
Haruto nodded in agreement.
"It is."
Kaito looked between them before grinning.
"...See? Even Haruto admitted it."
"I admit it every time."
"No, you just eat."
"I don't have to announce it."
"You should."
"Why?"
"So she knows."
Ayame couldn't help but laugh.
"I already know."
Haruto looked at his sister for a brief moment.
"...Still."
He lowered his gaze to his bowl.
"...Thanks."
Ayame's smile grew just a little warmer.
"You're welcome."
For a moment...
The kitchen fell silent again.
Not because there was nothing to say.
But because none of them felt the need to fill the silence.
It was the kind of quiet only a family could understand.
They finished the food quietly.
For a moment, no one moved.