}}})- Back to the modern day - (The last chapter, the morning where I left off)
Hikaru paces back and forth in the kitchen, grabbing the chocolate and hot water he had just prepared to make hot chocolate. Taking four cups from the counter, he poured the chocolate powder he had opened a couple of minutes ago, while Ai and the twins went out to play in the snow, into them.
Pouring the hot water into the cups, Hikaru took a moment to indulge in the fragrant smells emanating from the boiling chocolate. The cocoa powder Miyako bought was definitely worth the money.
Hikaru settled on the couch after placing the cups of hot chocolate from the kitchen onto the living room glass table. As time passed slowly, he took out his phone to kill time, scrolling through social media. He checks up on Ai's social presence to see what she is doing at work.
He takes a sip of hot chocolate, savouring the warm, comforting taste as it spreads through his senses.
"Ai is going to South Korea!?" Hikaru's grip tightens around his cup, the news sending shockwaves through him. The prospect of Ai being away for several months grips his heart with worry.
The weight of parenting responsibilities looms large in his mind, the daunting challenge of raising the twins on his own for an extended period. The warmth of the hot chocolate seems to fade, replaced by a pang of anxiety.
He takes a moment to collect himself, his racing thoughts gradually calming.
"Phew... It's in 4 months, thank God," he breathes a sigh of relief, his tense shoulders relaxing as he realises the departure wasn't imminent.
Hikaru continues to scroll through her social media page, curiosity piqued to see how far she has come after his failed attempt to assassinate her.
…
The doorbell rings, startling Hikaru a bit. The door bursts open to a struggling Miyako holding several grocery bags.
"THAT ICHIGO! He's always making me do this!" Miyako exclaims, kicking the grocery bags through the door. Gritting her teeth, she forces the large bags in front of her. However, her attitude quickly changes as she spots Hikaru on the couch. They make eye contact, and she smiles gently at him, her hands still sore from carrying the bags.
The groceries are laid neatly on the kitchen counter, with Miyako unloading the various amenities from the grocery bags that Ai had instructed Ichigo to buy.
"Let me help you with that," Hikaru places his phone down, walking over to the kitchen counter to assist her with the process.
"Ah, thank you," Miyako says, scruffing his hair as if she's playing with him. However, Hikaru doesn't find it amusing.
Miyako soaks up the smell Hikaru has as they place the items together in the refrigerator, silently squealing to herself from her excitement as she fantasises about him. Wait a second, how old is Hikaru?
"Hikaru, how old are you?" Miyako asks, a hint of embarrassment colouring her cheeks.
"... 21?" Hikaru replies, slightly confused, his gut feeling telling him something's off.
"Wow, nearly the same age as Ai…" Miyako remarks, her surprise evident in her tone. She connects the dots, a faint look of puzzlement crossing her features, his age indicating that he dated Ai when he was 15?
Hikaru places the last piece of green celery into the refrigerator, taking a moment to compliment Miyako on her taste in cocoa powder; otherwise, the hot chocolate would be bland.
"Oh, it's nothing special. I just did my research, that's all," Miyako says, her modesty evident in her tone. She smiles warmly, appreciating Hikaru's acknowledgment of her efforts.
Now what?
Miyako has exhausted all avenues to maintain her appeal; she can't capture someone's heart by simply staying still.
"Cool," Hikaru replies nonchalantly, returning his attention to his phone and taking another sip of hot chocolate.
Miyako fakes a smile, sitting down at the living room table, randomly choosing a cup to drink from. As she takes her first sip, she feels the various textures of the crushed cocoa powder and the light foam that envelops her tongue.
"Woah, yeah, you're right!" Miyako exclaims, looking towards Hikaru, as if trying to catch his attention. She seems genuinely impressed by the taste. However, the response she receives is far from what she expected.
"Oi! That's Ai's cup! I haven't made one for you yet!" Hikaru, however, feels a surge of irritation. He had made that particular cup for Ai, his intent clear in his mind. What on earth is Miyako thinking, helping herself to Ai's drink?
Miyako's reaction surprises him; she retreats, offering a quick apology for her assumptions. Despite her polite demeanour, there's a forced quality to her laugh, a clear indication of her discomfort. She places the cup down, scooting away from Hikaru to give him space, and possibly repair the damage she had done.
Where did my charisma go!? I remember I could entice the hearts of the powerful with sweet nothings, how did I do it…?
Observing that Ai's cup was now slightly depleted, Hikaru refills it with his own hot chocolate, ensuring it matches the previous level. His attention wavers from Miyako, recognizing the growing distance between them, and he returns to his phone, disengaging from the situation.
Both sit in silence.
Miyako couldn't help but admire Hikaru's natural beauty; his facial features seem to align perfectly with the golden ratio. His face exhibits a harmonious blend of geometry and organic textures, creating an enchanting allure.
Gosh, Ai is so lucky to have him… He can cook, do house chores, take care of children… And darn he's beautiful.
"Why are you looking at me?" Hikaru questions, feeling uncomfortable with the intrusion into his personal space.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I was just daydreaming," Miyako stammered, her pride and self-esteem crumbling, especially her hopes of being liked by him.
He keeps his guard up like no one else…
Miyako, in an attempt to soften the blow, left the couch to respect his personal space. She pretended to do something else, giving herself time to think of a new way to approach him.
Miyako clenches her fist, her breathing heavy. She can't help but feel a pang of jealousy; Ai is so incredibly lucky—she gets Ichigo, while Ai gets the love of her life. Miyako worked so hard to achieve her dreams, yet Ai can somehow get it from an accident she caused!? It's just unfair.
Her inner ambitions probed at her every thought, taunting her, begging her to do something for herself. But she couldn't decide; she was stuck in a dilemma. Should she probe him for affection, possibly ruining her already weak relationship with him, or should she leave him be and risk being forgotten?
"I have to at least try something! I only have one chance to leave an impression on him," Miyako muttered, her desperation evident.
She covered her mouth, trying to suppress the disgusting thought that had invaded her mind: Make Hikaru leave Ai.
Miyako smacked her head, her boundaries firm. There was no way in hell or heaven she would stoop so low for her own personal gain. Her morals were solid and clear; she wouldn't even dare entertain such a thought.
Finally coming to terms with herself, she just decides that the furthest she's willing to go is to be a friend to him, at least an acquaintance… Anything at this point is going to be better than her situation now.
Miyako walks back to the couch, sitting far away enough from him to not seem intrusive. She turns on the television, trying to distract herself from the overwhelming thoughts in her mind. Her gaze keeps drifting back to his face, tempting her further with every glance. Regret floods her as she realises marrying Ichigo was the worst mistake of her life.
Miyako hesitates, her mouth refusing to cooperate. The idea of risking her entire image with a single wrong word feels unbearable. She stays silent, internal struggles playing out on her face. However, her arms had a different plan, now impulsively wrapping itself around Hikaru's shoulders.
AAAAAAAA. WHY DID I DO THAT!?
Hikaru doesn't seem to mind.
Miyako is baffled; her heart pounds in her chest. What happened to the defensive and shrewd Hikaru she saw before?
Hikaru places his phone down, now interested in the television programmes that Miyako is watching.
Miyako's expectations crumble, and confusion reigns. She can't believe herself, nor him. The situation is baffling, shaking the very foundation of her moral ground. Her repressed thoughts are now running wild within her brain, conflicting with the values she holds. She feels torn between her desires and her principles, lost in the whirlwind of emotions.
Hikaru can sense Miyako's hidden adoration for him, it was written all over her plush red face. He's a bit disappointed in her, a person who has a hidden agenda trying to manipulate him into liking him. Disgusting. How could Ai let this person slip by?
Questions propped up in his head about Miyako's suitability for Aqua and Ruby's care, pondering if she was sincere or driven by shallow motives. Trust, he believed, relied on openness, and doubts arose when transparency was lacking.
Hikaru can still vividly remember the trauma, a manipulative, disgusting, pitiful figure: Airi.
Drugged, exploited, left to rot. Hikaru could vividly recall the emotions he experienced, sensations he clung to. A memory etched into his mind, refusing to diminish with time.
Hikaru's eyes twitch slightly.
He's fed up with witnessing people being exploited and discarded, a bitter taste of regret lingers for the times he was guilty of it too.
With a steady gaze, he peers into Miyako's anxious eyes, gently probing her heart and coaxing her innermost thoughts to the surface; his smile remains kind and reassuring.
Internally screaming, Miyako couldn't maintain her composure due to her confusion. She found it impossible to think straight; her actions started to veer toward impulsiveness as she became completely disoriented.
She lifts her hand and…
— Ai, in the snow —
"Ai, hurry up! We're already done with the base!" Ruby yelled, rolling a large snowball with Aqua toward her. They appeared to be building something.
"Wait a moment!" Ai yelled back, rummaging through the bushes to find the perfect stick she had spotted earlier; it had exactly three fingers and was ideal for the snowman's arms.
The twins pushed the snowball with all their might, their small 6-year-old bodies struggling with the construction work.
"Aqua, are you even trying!? It feels like I'm doing all the work here..." Ruby exclaimed, clenching her fists, exerting all her energy to push the growing snowball.
"I AM! It's just that... I think we might have overestimated the weight of this thing!" Aqua replied, frantically adjusting his feet for better traction.
"Oi~! Do you need help with that?" Ai ran over, finally holding the stick she had dug for. Gently shoving her twins aside, she demonstrates how it was done. Placing her palms neatly on the snowball, she braces her legs for the surge of power she needed to move it.
"Here... I... GO!" Ai pressed her body against the heavy ball, attempting to leverage all her strength.
"AH!" Ai lost her footing, planting her head into the ball instead of moving it, creating an indentation of her face on the snow.
Ruby bursts into laughter, leaning on her brother to catch her breath. Aqua gently pushes her off his shoulder, walking towards his mother to pull her out of the snowball, with Ruby to join in shortly after.
…
Ai takes a moment to step back from the building and gestures her hands to form a "frame" of the snowman. It appears rather amateurish and not entirely proportionate, resembling more of a hobbit with arms for ears and a face for a chest. They hadn't had enough time to build the third snowball to stack on top of it.
But, they wouldn't change it for anything else.
"Ai, help me with the carrot, I can't reach it!" Ruby sprinted towards Ai, clutching the carrot tightly in her hands.
…
As the snowman nears completion, Ai, Aqua, and Ruby gather around their creation, their faces glowing with pride.
Ai, always the loving mother, takes out her phone and snaps several pictures, capturing the moment of triumph. She makes sure to include shots with the twins, their rosy cheeks and brightly coloured eyes reflecting their joy.
After the impromptu photoshoot, Ai pats both Aqua and Ruby on the head, her gloved hand gentle yet firm, a gesture of approval for their hard work.
She then bends down and plants light kisses on their cold, little foreheads, her love for them evident in her eyes.
Despite the chilly weather, Ai didn't mind. Her body is bundled up in layers of coats and insulating clothing, protecting her from the biting cold. The cold doesn't bother her anyway, especially not when she was having such a wonderful time with her children.
Just as they were about to take a final picture together, a sudden impact against Ai's cheek startled her. She touches the reddening spot where the snowball had hit her, her eyes narrowing playfully. She turns her gaze toward the direction from which the snowball had come, only to find a group of children from their apartment building, their faces mischievous yet filled with laughter.
Amused, Ai can't help but chuckle at the unexpected snowball attack. She didn't take offence; instead, she found the children's antics endearing. In response, she playfully stuck her tongue out at them, embracing the playful atmosphere.
Aqua, always protective of his mother, decides to retaliate. With a swift motion, he crafts a snowball and hurls it back at the group of children, hitting one of them square in the chest. The surprised yelp from the boy was drowned out by the laughter of his friends.
Not one to be left out, Ruby joined in the fun, hastily moulding a snowball and throwing it with all her might. However, her aim fell short, the snowball landing harmlessly in the snow a few feet away.
The children, buoyed by Aqua's and Ruby's spirited retaliation, gathers more snowballs, gearing up for a playful snowball fight. Ai, Aqua, and Ruby, their laughter filling the winter air, prepare themselves for the friendly battle, their faces glowing with excitement and joy.
"Yo! Want to join us?" A child from the group dashes over, suggesting a game: destroying the other team's snowman in an epic snowball fight.
Ruby shakes her head vigorously; their snowman, carefully crafted over the past 30 minutes, shouldn't be used as a target for destruction. However, Aqua embraces the challenge, eager for some extra fun with the older children.
Feeling betrayed, Ruby panics, shaking Aqua to make him stop his uncaring attitude.
"It's not like the snowman is our mom or anything; we can always make another."
Aqua pushed her hands away, casually moving aside to start preparing the snow fort they would need to protect themselves.
It became apparent that both sides were determined to win. Ai quickly positions herself behind their wall of snow, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
Aqua, her valiant defender, stands by her side, his face etched with determination. On the opposing side, the group of 7-year-olds huddles together, their faces surprisingly focused and strategic for their age.
Ruby, with her tiny hands full of snowballs, rejoins her mother and brother, ready to unleash their snowy ammunition. The atmosphere crackled with anticipation, each side devising their plans of attack.
In the midst of it all, Ai finds herself lost in memories, reminiscing about her own childhood days spent in snowball fights. The nostalgia washes over her, the echoes of laughter and the thrill of the game filling her mind.
Aqua, noticing the distant look in his mother's eyes, tugs at her sleeve, trying to get her attention.
"Ai, we need a plan!" he exclaims, his voice barely audible over the excited chatter of the opposing team.
Ai snaps back to the present, her focus returning to the battlefield.
"Right, right," she says, shaking off the memories and listening to Aqua's strategy. However, her mind keeps drifting back to those carefree days, the innocence of childhood etched in every snowflake that falls around her.
Aqua signals the start of the game, and immediately, a barrage of snowballs fills the air. The battlefield became a flurry of white, with snowballs zipping through the sky like miniature comets. Ai and Aqua retreat behind their hastily built snow-fort, the walls offering them some protection from the onslaught.
Ai can't help but laugh hysterically as some snowballs found their mark, hitting her back where a small gap in their defence allowed the 7-year-olds' accurate shots. Her laughter echoes in the crisp winter air, the joy of the moment contagious.
Despite the cold and the chaos, Ai is thoroughly enjoying herself, relishing the simple pleasure of a snowball fight.
In stark contrast, Aqua is dead serious, his eyes sharp and focused. He is determined to defend his family's honour against the neighbourhood kids, who, despite their young age, are proving to be formidable opponents.
The Hoshino family finds themselves outnumbered, facing twice as many opponents, but Aqua's determination burns bright. He strategizes their defence, encouraging his mother and sister to retaliate strategically, using the limited cover to their advantage.
"We can't even stand up to see what's happening! They're firing too frequently...! Ruby, help us get more snowballs!" Aqua flails his arms to visibly instruct her as his voice is almost drowned out by the zipping snowballs and the hysterical laughter from both the opposing team and Ai.
"Eek! On it!" A snowball crashes beside her, startling Ruby. It kickstarts her run to the nearest pile of snow, determined to gather more ammunition.
Aqua can't help but feel his imagination being a little too vivid. As if it is a real battleground, where stakes are high and lives are on the line. A children's imagination is something Gorou never thought to experience twice in his life.
Ruby dashes back, her hands laden with freshly gathered snow, resembling a makeshift snow-basket. Seeing her daughter's return with ammunition, Ai eagerly grabs a handful of snow, her eyes alight with playful mischief. She prepares herself to launch a retaliatory attack against their youthful opponents.
But just as she stands up, ready to fire, disaster strikes! Before she can even react, a well-aimed snowball collides with her face, leaving her momentarily stunned. The impact sent her tumbling backward, and she landed on the ground, her laughter mingling with the soft thud of her fall.
She lays there for a moment, sprawled out on her back in the snow, her face dusted with snowflakes.
Despite the unexpected attack, her eyes twinkle with unbridled joy, finding immense delight in this shared family moment. Her laughter bubbles up, a melodic sound against the backdrop of the snowy battlefield.
Aqua, ever the protective son, dashes to Ai's side, concern etched on his face. He kneels beside her, his hands hovering above her as if unsure how to help. But Ai, far from injured, seizes the opportunity to tease her son. With a mischievous glint in her eyes, she plays dead, her body utterly limp, her tongue lolling out playfully.
Aqua didn't like it. His imagination runs wild, vivid imagery of her being Lifeless weaving its way into his vision. His blood boiled, his eyes sparkling darkly like a black hole.
For a fleeting moment, the sight of his mother sprawled in the snow triggers a surge of adrenaline, his heart racing with fear. The playful snowball fight transforms in his mind, his mother's laughter drowned out by imagined tragedy.
Driven by an unexpected rush of protectiveness, Aqua's small body moves with surprising agility and determination. Ignoring the snowballs that graze his skin, he swiftly reaches for the sled they had planned to use.
With sheer determination, he uses the sled as a shield, holding it in front of him as he charges through the masses of snowballs being hurled their way. Each impact against the sled sends vibrations through his arms, but he presses on, his focus unyielding.
As he nears the front lines, Aqua's reflexes kick in. With swift movements, he deflects the snowballs coming at him from the sides, his small form moving gracefully, avoiding each onslaught. His determination blazes in his eyes, turning fear into fierce resolve.
Then, with a sudden skid that sprays snow around him, Aqua halts his run. His eyes lock onto the snowman at the enemy base. Ignoring the chaos around him, he darts forward, his path unyielding. With an impressive burst of energy, he crashes into the snowman, obliterating it in a flurry of snow and laughter.
Aqua feels the adrenaline surge through his young body, heightening his senses beyond the realm of the snowball fight. The rush of excitement, the taste of victory—emotions he had never truly experienced before.
In this moment, he comprehends the sheer joy of overcoming a challenge, a sensation so foreign yet exhilarating. It's a triumph he might never have savoured if he hadn't reincarnated, if fate hadn't given him this chance to revel in the simple pleasures of childhood.
This newfound thrill courses through him, mingling with the chilly air and the sounds of laughter around him.
Every snowball thrown, every burst of laughter from his family, becomes a testament to his resilience, a stark contrast to the sterile hospital complex he used to know.
In this snowy battlefield, he finds a taste of life's vibrancy, a vivid contrast to the monochrome existence he once endured.
Aqua's heart pounds not just from the physical exertion but from the exhilaration of living, of truly being alive in this moment. The snow, the laughter, the sheer delight of childhood—it all becomes a symphony of sensations, reminding him of the beauty in the world and the preciousness of every moment. With each snowball he dodges and every triumphant laugh that echoes through the courtyard, Aqua embraces the essence of life, relishing the chance to experience the world anew.
Ai had stealthily recorded Aqua's heroic feat, her heart swelling with maternal pride. With a swift turn, she directs the camera toward her face, capturing her own beaming expression, a testament to her immense pride in her children's abilities.
Meanwhile, Aqua, the pint-sized strategist, handles the squad of 7-year-olds with remarkable finesse, earning their respect and admiration. Their cheers of approval echo through the snowy battlefield, acknowledging his sheer brilliance.
In the midst of the excitement, Ruby seeks out Ai, her eyes seeking the warmth of her mother's embrace as her eyes grow tired. Ai, ever indulgent, scoops Ruby into her arms, enveloping her in a cocoon of love and warmth amid the chilly winter air.
"Bzzz!"
The phone's sudden ringing disrupted Ai's playful moment. With a quick glance, she notices Hikaru's name flashing on the screen. His calls were rare and usually signalled something important.
Before Ai can utter a word, Hikaru's voice, unusually serious, pierced through the line.
"Ai, I need you to come home. Now."
"Huh? Wait wha-" (Call Ended)
"Hikaru! Urgh! Why is he so mysterious sometimes…"
"Hmm?" Ruby wakes up from the sleepy daze whilst in her mother's arms, puzzled.
"It's your dad, he needs me home."
Ai summons Aqua, interrupting his play with the other children, and swiftly explains the situation to him.
As Aqua navigates through the crowd of intrigued 7-year-olds, he manages to leave them with an impression beyond his years. His mannerisms displayed professionalism that defies his tender age, leaving the kids utterly fascinated.
— Back home —
Timidly, Ai tugs the sled and snow equipment up to their top-floor apartment. She carefully hangsher coats on the designated hooks outside their home and assists the twins in shedding their heavy insulating jackets.
Ai's stops dead in her tracks as she opens the door. There, standing with a serious expression, was Hikaru. His eyes, usually warm and kind, bore a stern intensity that sends a shiver down her spine. Something is amiss.
"Hikaru?" Ai says, her voice tinged with surprise.
Hikaru wastes no time, cutting straight to the heart of the matter.
"Why did Ichigo choose Miyako to take care of Aqua and Ruby?" His words is sharp, his gaze unwavering.
Ai blinks, caught off guard by the sudden question.
"Oh, that's simple," she replies, attempting to play it off with a light laugh.
"We trust her. She's been a good friend."
But Hikaru, undeterred, leaning closer, his eyes searching hers.
"Is that the real reason, Ai?"
Ai hesitates, uncertainty flickering in her eyes.
"Well, yes," she says finally, her voice quieter. "What else could it be?"
Hikaru sighs, disappointment etched on his face. He steps back, running a hand through his hair before turning away.
"I hoped there was more to it than that," he murmurs, almost to himself.
Then, he looks directly at Ai and apologises, his words heavy with regret. "I'm sorry, Ai, for the mental torment I placed Miyako through."
Ai's eyes widen in confusion. "Mental torment? What are you on about, Hikaru?"
Hikaru takes a deep breath, his gaze steady. "Miyako had feelings for me, Ai," he says calmly, as if stating a simple fact.
"She might have even wished for something more, something secret, something... like cheating."
The revelation hangs heavy in the air, Ai's mind struggling to process the words.
"But that's not true," she protests, her voice rising in defence of her friend.
"Miyako would never—"
Hikaru interrupts, his tone cutting through her protests. "She almost lost herself when I feigned interest, Ai," he says, his voice low and steady. "I saw it in her eyes."
Miyako, still processing on the couch, her face a mix of shock and hurt, speaks up, her voice strong despite the emotions that churns within her. "I have boundaries, Hikaru. I wouldn't cross that line!"
Hikaru fixes his gaze on her, a silent challenge in his eyes. "Wouldn't you?" he questions, his words hanging in the air, heavy with unspoken implications.
Ai's frustration bubbles inside her like a pot left too long on the stove. She believed, perhaps naively, that Hikaru had moved beyond the trauma of his past, Airi. But his words now are a stark reminder that some scars run deeper than they seem.
"Hikaru, you and I talked about this." Ai's voice, usually warm and gentle, crackles with the heat of her emotions.
In response, Hikaru throws a question back at her, his eyes steady and piercing.
"Would you trust someone who secretly harbours ulterior motives to tear you apart?" His words hang in the air, heavy with meaning.
Ai's mind races, flickering back to the tension she feels with her fellow B Komachi members. Moments of doubt and suspicion creep in, casting shadows over her trust.
She stands there, frozen in thought, unable to formulate a response to the point he made. Hikaru steps closer, his hands on her shoulders, offering both comfort and a challenge.
"Ai, you need to make a decision. Are you surrounding yourself with the right kind of people?"
The weight of his words presses down on her, and Ai takes a step back, her mind churning with uncertainty.
In that moment, Miyako, ever the voice of reason, interjects.
"It's okay to be open, Ai. You need to express your feelings and confide in someone," she said, her eyes encouraging.
But Hikaru, unyielding in his stance, adds his perspective.
"Opening up might make you vulnerable, especially if they have hidden motives. Just like you," he says, his arms crossed, his gaze unwavering.
The room falls silent, each person left to wrestle with their thoughts. Ai, caught in the middle of conflicting advice, ponders her choices.
Hikaru, not content with leaving it there, turns to his own children. Ruby stares at him nervously, uncertainty etched on her face. Aqua, the thinker of the family, furrows his brow, searching for a solution where everyone can benefit. The air hung heavy with unspoken tension, the room a battlefield of emotions and conflicting opinions.
…
The room falls into an uneasy silence, the weight of Hikaru's words hanging in the air like a dense fog. His abrupt honesty had disrupted the flow of the day, leaving an uncomfortable tension that no one knew quite how to dispel.
Hikaru, recognizing the discomfort he caused, regrets his own habits—the manipulative tendencies he once possessed but had been working to overcome. Now is not the time to dwell on his past, he reminds himself, shaking off the lingering thoughts.
Before he can find the right words to ease the atmosphere, Ai, in her characteristic directness, interrupts. Surprisingly, she agrees with Hikaru's advice, her words overlapping with his, creating an awkward cacophony of voices cutting each other off.
Attempting to diffuse the tension, Hikaru shifts gears, suggesting…
"How about some hot chocolate?" It is a feeble attempt to lighten the mood, to bring a sense of normalcy back to the room.
Miyako, sensing the growing discomfort and feeling like an intruder in the family dynamics, gracefully steps aside, allowing the Hoshino family to take their place on the couch.
The once-warm hot chocolate had now turned lukewarm, a metaphor for the current atmosphere in the room.
Miyako can't shake off the feeling of being out of place, a peculiar blend of fondness and awkwardness settling in her chest. She had grown attached to the twins, a sentiment that left her in a peculiar position—like a distant aunt who cared deeply but was never truly part of the family.
With a quick, almost imperceptible excuse, Miyako excuses herself from the situation. She doesn't want to cause any more disruptions or intrude where she feels unwelcome. Ai, sensing her discomfort, attempted to persuade her to stay.
"Where are you going?" Ai asked, her tone soft but concerned.
"I'm heading home, I don't want to impose or make things more complicated." Miyako replies , her voice equally soft.
With a polite smile, she bids them farewell, slipping out of the room like a ghost, leaving behind an atmosphere heavy with unsaid words and unspoken emotions.
Ai's hand comes down on Hikaru's head, not in anger but in exasperation. It is the second time that day she had resorted to physicality, a gesture expressing frustration that words alone couldn't capture.
Hikaru, while understanding her frustration, can't help but remind her that physical confrontation isn't always the solution.
"What was it you agreed on earlier?" he asks gently, his eyes seeking understanding.
Releasing some of the tension in her legs, Ai poses her question, her voice thoughtful yet tinged with uncertainty.
"What are the right people?"