Part 4 — Empty Room
The door closed with a soft click behind her.
Ayame quietly slid the terrace door shut behind her.
The warmth of the house replaced the cold winter air as she slipped off her sandals.
For a moment, she stood still.
The house had grown quiet.
A faint smile crossed her face.
"They're probably getting ready to sleep by now..."
She walked softly down the hallway and gently slid open the bedroom door.
Moonlight filtered through the window, giving the room a pale glow.
The futons had already been laid out neatly across the floor.
Kaito's blanket was tossed carelessly onto his futon.
Haruto's blanket was folded back.
Both futons...
Were empty.
Ayame blinked.
"...Hm?"
Just then...
The faint sound of running water echoed from down the hallway.
The bathroom.
A small smile returned.
"Kaito..."
She could already picture him taking forever before going to bed.
That only left one person.
Her eyes drifted back toward Haruto's empty futon.
"...Where did you go?"
She quietly slid the door closed again and stepped back into the hallway.
The house was still.
Only the ticking of the clock could be heard.
As she passed the living room...
She noticed someone sitting on the sofa.
The moonlight streaming through the window outlined his figure.
Haruto.
His elbows rested on his knees.
His head was lowered.
He hadn't noticed her.
Ayame quietly walked over.
She stopped beside the sofa for a brief moment.
Then slowly sat down next to him.
The cushion sank softly.
Haruto flinched slightly and quickly lifted a hand to wipe his eyes.
"...Ayame."
His voice was quiet.
She didn't answer.
Instead...
She gently slipped an arm around his shoulders and pulled him into a warm embrace.
For a moment, Haruto remained completely still.
Then...
Without saying a single word...
He leaned against her.
The silence between the siblings spoke louder than anything either of them could have said.
For a while...
Neither of them spoke.
The only sound in the room was the quiet ticking of the clock and the gentle winter wind brushing against the windows.
Haruto's breathing slowly steadied.
Yet he didn't pull away.
He simply remained there, resting against his sister's shoulder.