The late afternoon sun had already dipped behind the tall trees lining the long driveway when Renji pushed open the heavy wrought-iron gate of the Kamishiro estate. The grand mansion rose ahead of him — three stories of pristine white walls and dark wood accents, surrounded by meticulously kept gardens. He walked up the wide stone path, the faint crunch of gravel under his shoes the only sound breaking the quiet.
He entered through the main door on the ground floor, where the formal entrance hall gleamed with marble floors and a sweeping staircase. The family chef was probably still working in the large main kitchen downstairs, preparing ingredients for tomorrow. Renji didn't stop there. He headed straight up the grand staircase to the first floor — the private family space where they actually lived.
The moment he stepped onto the first-floor landing, the atmosphere changed. The space felt warmer, more lived-in. Soft natural light poured through floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the private garden. The living room opened up ahead of him: cream-colored sofas arranged around a low but elegant marble coffee table, a grand piano in the corner, and built-in bookshelves filled with both classic literature and the occasional light novel.
Renji loosened his tie as he walked deeper into the family area. The house was quiet, but not empty. He could hear the low hum of the refrigerator from the private family kitchen and the distant, off-key humming of a familiar voice.
He paused for a second in the wide hallway, letting the stillness settle over him. Recently, after gaining his past life memories, he had developed a habit of comparing his previous life with this one, just like he was doing now.
In his old life, coming home had meant an empty apartment and silence. Here, even the quiet felt full, the faint scent of jasmine tea someone had brewed earlier, the soft glow of the recessed lighting, the knowledge that two sisters were somewhere in these rooms waiting for him in their own ways. It still caught him off guard sometimes, how much he had missed something he never knew he could have.
He slipped into his room briefly to change out of his school uniform into comfortable loungewear, a simple black shirt and grey sweatpants, then headed toward the family living room.
Yume was in the open-plan kitchen-lounge area, surrounded by what looked like the aftermath of a small culinary experiment. Empty syrup bottles, half-melted ice cubes in a bowl, and a suspicious brown puddle spreading across the marble countertop. She wore an oversized pastel hoodie that swallowed her petite frame and simple shorts, her long black hair still in messy twin-tails from school.
She didn't notice him at first. She was too busy frowning at a tall glass that was currently overflowing with foam and an alarming amount of ice.
Renji leaned against the doorway, arms crossed, watching her for a few seconds. A small, genuine smile tugged at his lips.
"Are you trying to poison someone?" he asked lightly.
Yume jumped, nearly knocking the glass over. Her big brown eyes widened when she saw him. "Onii-chan! You're home already? I thought you'd be back later!"
She scrambled to her feet, trying, and failing, to hide the mess behind her back. "It's not poison! It's… it's supposed to be iced coffee! The fancy kind you see in cafés! I followed a video and did everything just like they showed in the video!"
Renji walked over and stopped at the edge of the kitchen island, looking at the disaster with open amusement. "I won't be so sure about the last part. The countertop looks like a crime scene."
Yume puffed her cheeks out, embarrassed but determined. "I wanted to surprise you. You always come home tired after school, so I thought… maybe something cold and sweet would be nice. But the syrup won't mix right, and the ice keeps floating and it looks stupid."
She poked the glass with a finger, sending another small foam avalanche down the side.
Renji chuckled lightly and pulled out one of the high stools at the kitchen island and sat down. "Let me see. What ratio did you use?"
Yume blinked, surprised he was actually sitting down instead of just shaking his head and telling her not to mess with food like he used to. 'It must be because of his recent change!'
Thinking of that, she quickly pushed the recipe on her phone toward him. "Two shots of espresso, lots of milk, and three pumps of vanilla syrup. But it tastes weird."
Renji picked up the glass, gave it a gentle swirl, and took a small sip. He paused, considering. "Too much syrup. And the ice is melting too fast because the coffee wasn't cooled enough first. Try again by chilling the glass in the freezer for five minutes next time. It keeps everything from watering down."
Yume's eyes lit up. "Wait, you're going to try it?"
Renji gave her a small, easy smile. "Of course, dear. I'm home now, so, might as well try it."
They spent the next ten minutes fixing the drink together. Yume chattered nonstop about her day — a pop quiz she barely passed, a friend who borrowed her favourite mechanical pencil and never returned it, how the school cafeteria ran out of melon bread again. Renji listened, offering small comments and even laughing when she dramatically reenacted her teacher's shocked face.
When the new, much better-looking iced coffee was finally ready, Yume pushed the glass toward him with both hands like it was a sacred offering.
"You try first," she insisted. "If it's bad, I'll drink it all by myself as punishment."
Renji took a slow sip. The flavour was simple, a little sweet, but surprisingly balanced. He nodded once. "Not bad at all. You did good, Yume."
Yume beamed so brightly it was almost blinding. She immediately grabbed her own glass and took a huge gulp, then let out a satisfied sigh. "See? I'm getting better at this stuff! One day I'll make you breakfast in bed like a real little sister."
Renji chuckled softly. "I'll hold you to that."
They sat there for a few more minutes at the kitchen island, the late afternoon light turning golden as it filtered through the large windows. Yume swung her legs under the stool, while Renji simply enjoyed the quiet company and the cold drink in his hand. It was nothing special. Just an ordinary evening moment. But to the new him, it felt like something very precious.
Eventually, Yume hopped up to start cleaning the mess. Renji, too, helped without being asked, wiping down the marble countertop while she rinsed the bowls.
From the hallway came the soft sound of footsteps.
Akari appeared in the doorway. She had changed out of her school uniform into a loose, cream-colored cardigan and comfortable lounge pants, simple but still elegant in that effortless way of hers. Her sleek bob was slightly tousled from running her fingers through it, and there were faint shadows under her eyes, the kind that came from trying to look perfect all day.
She stopped when she saw both of them at the kitchen island.
"…You're both home," she said, voice calm but with a hint of surprise. "I didn't hear you come in, nii-san."
Renji glanced up. "Just got back a little while ago. You were reading?"
Akari's cheeks tinted the faintest pink. She adjusted her grip on the thick paperback she was holding like she was trying to hide the cover. "Just… reviewing some material. Nothing important."
Yume immediately perked up. "What book is it? Let me see!"
Akari stepped back slightly, holding the book tighter. "It's not for middle schoolers, Yume."
Renji stood up, brushing his hands on his pants. He caught a glimpse of the cover — a light novel with a stylish title he recognized. He didn't call her out on it. Instead, he tilted his head slightly.
"Is that the new volume of The Silent Library series?" he asked casually. "I read the first three last year while waiting between shoots. The way the author handles the mystery for volume four is pretty clever."
Akari's eyes widened a fraction. For a second she looked genuinely caught off guard. "You… read it?"
Renji nodded, keeping his tone light. "Yeah. The protagonist's internal monologue in the third book was my favourite part. It felt very real."
Akari stared at him for a long moment, then slowly lowered the book, no longer trying to hide it. A small, almost shy smile touched her lips. "I'm only on volume two. I keep rereading the good parts instead of moving on."
Yume looked between them, clearly lost. "Can I read it after you're done, nee-chan?"
"Only after you finish your own homework," Akari replied automatically, but there was no real scolding in her voice.
Renji walked over to the sleek built-in fridge and took out the pitcher of cold barley tea. He poured three glasses without being asked and handed one to each of his sisters.
The three of them ended up sitting together at the large kitchen island for a few minutes — Yume chattering about her failed coffee experiment, Akari quietly sipping her tea while occasionally adding a dry comment, and Renji simply listening. The late afternoon light stretched long across the marble floors and the wide windows.
Yume eventually bounced up, declaring she was going to help the staff to set the table for dinner. Akari followed more slowly, still holding her book but looking noticeably more relaxed than when she first walked in.
Renji stayed behind for a second, finishing his tea. He looked around the sunlit first-floor family wing and felt something settle warmly in his chest.
This was the kind of ordinary evening he had never known in his previous life. And now that he had it, he wasn't going to take it for granted anymore.
He stood up and headed towards the kitchen counter to join his sisters.
The smell of dinner would start soon, but for now, the quiet moments before it were more than enough.