CH#265

#265

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The voice I hadn’t heard in a long time came from somewhere deep within my subconscious.

After we concluded our school trip, including an extra day, we returned to our hometown of Kanagawa. We arranged for the Kirasaka family’s driver, Kuroi-san, to drive each of us to our respective homes.

 

First, it was Miyashita, followed by Yuuto and Shizuku, and lastly, it was my turn. We exchanged brief words and went our separate ways. With two days off due to the school trip, we’d be seeing our friends again at school soon.

We were all tired, so we didn’t engage in much conversation beyond a few random words.

 

As the Kirasaka family car disappeared from view and I confirmed that Shizuku had entered her home, I took out my keys to open the front door.

Just as I was about to unlock the door, a voice called out from behind.

 

“Welcome back, Minato.”

 

“…Isn’t ‘welcome back’ supposed to be my line, Mom?”

 

Standing behind me was my mother, Shinra Kotone, with a warm smile and a soft voice. I was surprised because she was supposed to be taking care of my father overseas.

I smiles slightly at the surprise I hadn’t expected.

 

I was relieved because I had just bought souvenirs for my parents, which I could now hand over directly. As I contemplated that, ready to open the front door, the conversation continued.

 

“Minato, have you been enjoying school lately?”

 

“Why this sudden question? Well, it’s been alright, I guess.”

 

I replied with a smile, slightly puzzled by the question. It seemed my mother was hesitating to enter her own house.

There was no need for us to continue the conversation outside the front door, so I smiled gently, understanding that her behaviour was a bit unusual.

 

However, just as there was no need to talk outside the front door, the conversation persisted.

There is no reason for her to return to Japan just for a chat, and I was also tired. So, I stepped inside the house, finding my little sister, my sweet angel, Kaede, standing there with a displeased expression.

 

“Welcome back, big brother… Do you know what I want to say?”

 

“You probably want to say that your big brother is incredibly cool, right?”

 

“Look in the mirror, put in some eye drops, and then talk. It’s not about that! It’s about you staying out extra for a night and coming home late!”

 

I couldn’t agree more. If I were in her shoes, I’d definitely have something to say.

Or rather, I’d definitely say something.

 

Knowing Kaede, she probably had everything planned out in her head, right down to the preparations for my return. However, all of her preparations had been thrown out the window in an instant.

It’s only natural for her to be angry, and I had no words to retort with. I expected her to continue with her complaints, but she stopped and redirected her gaze to the person behind me.

 

“Huh, Mom! Why are you in Japan?”

 

Kaede said in surprise.

Aside from me, I guess she didn’t even tell Kaede about her arrival…

She seemed genuinely taken aback, which would be absolutely out of character for Kaede in normal circumstances.

 

“I’m back because Minato is coming home from Okinawa, and I thought it would be nice to have some time off with the family for the first time in a while.”

 

Mother responded to Kaede’s question. Passing by me, Kaede ran up to her mother and took over her luggage in her place.

Seeing the two of them side by side in the living room, I tried to put my exhausted thoughts in order.

 

Well, it’s probably something important. Nine times out of ten, so there’s no doubt about it.

Now that I think about it, my mother had also called me the day before our class trip. The fact that I returned home today at the same time my mother arrived might seem coincidental, but in reality, my parents coming home was probably inevitable.

 

It wasn’t merely a casual desire for a change of pace or a sudden longing to see their children. That was the one thing I was certain of.

After I put my bags in my room and entered the living room, I found the two of them happily chatting.

 

“Listen, Mom. Can you believe big brother extended the class trip without permission and came home late?”

 

“Oh, how cruel of you, leaving behind such a cute sister alone.”

 

With a gentle smile, my mother patted Kaede’s head and playfully replied. Well, I have to agree with that, yes.

 

As I sat on the chair opposite to where they were seated, I couldn’t help but feel apologetic.

While they enjoyed their conversation, I watched over them and felt a sense of relief at being back home after a long time.

 

Home really is the best.

It’s not overly noisy, and there aren’t any prying eyes.

I couldn’t help but recognize once again that, in the future, working from home might be the most suitable for me.

 

After Kaede finished talking about whatever she wanted to discuss, there was a quiet moment in the living room.

At just the right moment, as if she had been waiting for it, my mother asked Kaede the same question she had asked me.

 

“Kaede, are you enjoying school?”

 

“School? Yes, it’s fun. Lately, I’ve become quite friendly with the student council members too.”

 

Kaede had helped out the student council from the Kikyo Jogakuin during the Joint Cultural Festival. Their relationship had developed from there, and they had become quite close.

With a smile, mother accepted Kaede’s words, nodding as she did. Kaede, encouraged by mother’s kindness, began to speak eloquently about the enjoyable events at school.

 

As just the two of us, Kaede and I don’t often discuss these kinds of topics. Kaede seems to be having fun, and her expression is bright. It’s clear that mom has a way of bringing out the happiness in children.

While the three of us were chatting, we heard a small noise from the entrance. It was the sound of my father placing his luggage on the floor and unlocking the door.

 

“Oh, it’s Dad.”

 

Kaede was the first to notice and got up.

She hurriedly left the room and headed towards the entrance to greet him. As I watched her go, my mother’s face briefly appeared in the corner of my eyes.

 

Her expression seemed sad and apologetic, as if she were worried about what was going to happen next. Ah… it seemed like father’s return wasn’t for a pleasant reason.

 

Despite that, she must have kept up appearances around us, the children, until my father returned. So, I decided to wait without saying anything for my father to step into the living room, regardless of what unexpected news might be waiting for both Kaede and me.

 

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