Part 6 — The Letter Appears
The silence in the hall was suddenly broken by the soft sound of footsteps.
Ayame and Haruto both turned.
Kaito stood at the entrance.
His wet hair told them he had just finished bathing.
In his right hand...
Was a folded letter.
Neither sibling had noticed him arrive.
Haruto's eyes immediately widened.
"...Kaito."
Kaito didn't answer.
His expression was unlike anything either of them had seen that night.
No smile.
No teasing.
No jokes.
He slowly walked toward them.
Stopping a few steps away.
He lifted the letter.
"...You got anything to say about this?"
Haruto's face instantly turned pale.
"...Where did you—"
"I asked you a question."
Haruto stood up abruptly.
"Kaito... give that to me."
He reached for it.
Kaito stepped back and shoved Haruto's hand away.
"No."
Haruto froze.
"Kaito."
"Answer me."
Haruto took another step forward.
"I said give it back."
His breathing became uneven.
"Kaito."
"I'm not giving you anything until you explain."
Haruto reached for the letter again.
This time, Kaito forcefully pushed him back.
"Enough!"
Haruto stumbled a step before catching his balance.
For the first time that night...
The two brothers stood facing each other.
Neither willing to back down.
Haruto's hands trembled.
"Kaito..."
"I said answer me!"
His voice echoed through the hall.
Ayame immediately stepped between them.
"Enough!"
Her voice was sharp enough to stop them both.
The room fell silent.
Neither brother moved.
Ayame looked at Kaito first.
"...Give me the letter."
Kaito didn't move.
"...Kaito."
After a long moment...
He slowly handed it to her.
Ayame looked at it briefly.
Then...
Without unfolding it...
She placed it back into Haruto's trembling hands.
Haruto looked at her in surprise.
She met his eyes calmly.
"...I'm not going to read it without your permission."
A brief silence followed.
Then she asked softly,
"...Haruto..."
"...What's written in the letter?"
Haruto kept his gaze lowered.
The letter trembled slightly in his hands.
Silence filled the hall.
Neither Ayame nor Kaito spoke.
After a long moment...
Haruto finally whispered,
"...Can we..."
He struggled to get the words out.
"...Can we not talk about this?"
Ayame looked at him gently.
"...Haruto..."
He slowly shook his head.
"...Please."
Another silence followed.
Kaito closed his eyes for a brief moment.
"...Fine."
Haruto slowly looked up.