At Cafe Yui, dressed in her waitress uniform, took orders as the clock struck 7:00 p.m. "Someone take my order, please!" a customer called out. Yui rushed over, welcoming him with a smile. "What may I get for you, sir?" She took his order, then hurried to another table to take more orders. After a flurry of activity, she finally rushed to the kitchen, handing her notepad to her coworker, Safe. By 9:00 p.m., Yui had changed into her normal outfit - a T-shirt and skirt - and walked out of the cafe.
Her brother, Jin, stood outside, smiling as he waited for her. "So, how was your first day at school?" he asked, falling into step beside her as they walked home.
"It was fine," Yui replied, her eyes fixed on the ground.
Jin's expression turned serious. "The school has special rules, doesn't it? You have to pass those extra-curricular activities or repeat the year."
Yui nodded, looking up at Jin. "Yeah, I know. That high school is really different. I must work hard."
Jin walked a little ahead of her before turning back. "Leave the cafe and focus on your schoolwork."
Yui quickened her pace to catch up to him. "I will, but first, you have to quit the library job."
Jin's eyes narrowed. "I'm serious, Yui. There's no need for a part-time job."
Yui stopped walking and looked up at him. "I'm serious too, Jin. You were doing part-time jobs even in middle school. I don't want to be a burden."
Jin's expression softened, and he smiled, thinking about how responsible Yui had become.
At the Watabane mansion, Ryu entered the dining room with Akira in his arms. They approached the head of the table, where Kenji Watabane, their father, sat. Ryu gently placed Akira on the left side of Kenji and took a seat beside her.
"Good evening," Kenji said, his low, firm voice filling the room.
"Good evening," Ryu replied, avoiding eye contact.
"Good evening, Daddy!" Akira exclaimed, her face radiant with joy.
Tanaka stood behind Kenji as they ate in silence, the only sounds being the clinking of utensils and the soft hum of the air conditioning.
Breaking the silence, Kenji asked, "So, how was your first day?"
Ryu's eyes flashed with hatred and anger. "It was fine," he said curtly.
Kenji's expression remained unreadable. "Oh, I see," he replied.
As dinner concluded, Kenji stood up. "I'll be in my study."
Ryu's gaze drifted back to his plate, his mind elsewhere. Akira's voice snapped him back to reality.
"Oni-chan!" she shouted.
Ryu looked at her, a faint smile on his face. "Please read me a story before bed."
"What story do you want me to read?" Ryu asked, his eyes crinkling at the corners.
"Dragon and Hero!" Akira exclaimed, raising her hands in excitement.
Ryu scooped her up in his arms and headed towards her bedroom. As they walked, Akira wrapped her arms around his neck and looked up at his face.
"Oni-chan, are you sad?" Ryu's gaze faltered, and he returned to the present.
"No, just thinking about school stuff," he replied softly.
"How's school? Did you make any friends?" Akira asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.
"We'll talk tomorrow. Now, get into bed," Ryu said, gently placing her in bed. He walked over to the bookshelf, retrieved a book, and began reading.
********
"Yui!" Jin yelled, chasing after his sister, who was running downstairs wearing an oversized hoodie.
"Yui, stop!" Jin called out, but she kept running until she reached the kitchen. She hid behind their mother, Mrs. Nakahara, who was standing with her back to the counter. Jin stood in front of them.
"Mom, move aside," Jin said, trying to reach Yui.
But Yui held onto their mother's apron strings. "Mom, don't, please."
Their mother, slightly irritated and angry, turned to face them. "Why are you two chasing each other like cat and mouse? Can't you both just calm down?"
"Mom, she's wearing my hoodie again," Jin complained.
Yui's mother turned to her, pulling her ear gently. "Yui, how many times have I told you to ask before taking your brother's clothes?"
"Ow, mom!" Yui protested.
Her mother sighed. "Jin, let her wear it tonight."
"But, mom, she always-" Jin started to say, but their mother cut him off.
"Yui will return it after washing it herself," she said firmly, her arms crossed.
"Mom!" Yui exclaimed.
"Okay, I don't have a problem with that," Jin said with a smirk.
Their mother handed Yui a plate and bowl. "Now, let's not have any more drama."
"What about dad?" Yui asked.
Their mother looked at Jin, whose face fell slightly. "He's working overtime," she said, her face pale.
"Again," Yui said.
"What do you expect from him?" Jin muttered, taking the bowls and plates from Yui and walking to the dining table.
At the Watabane mansion, Ryu finished reading the story
"...and then the hero killed the dragon and lived happily with the princess." He closed the book and gazed at Akira, who was sleeping peacefully. He pulled the blanket up to her chin and gently brushed a strand of hair behind her ear.
Ryu walked to the door, turned back for a last look at Akira, and left the room, closing the door behind him. He entered his own room, walked to his bed, and noticed two framed photos on his nightstand.
One photo showed a woman sitting in a chair with a three-year-old Ryu on her lap. His father stood beside them, his hand on the back of the chair. Ryu's eyes shone brightly, filled with cheerfulness and a big smile.
The second photo was similar, but Ryu was older, and a different woman sat in the chair, her belly swollen with another pregnancy. Ryu stood beside her, his father behind the chair, but Ryu's face was expressionless.
Ryu picked up the first photo and lay down on his bed, his eyes fixed on the woman. "Mom," he whispered, his voice barely audible, filled with sadness and pain.
Meanwhile, Yui was fast asleep in her room, hugging a pillow tightly. Jin stood at the doorway, smiling at her before closing the door. He walked to his own room, but his expression changed as he heard his mother's voice from downstairs.
Downstairs, Mrs. Nakahara greeted her husband at the entrance. "Welcome back, dear."
He removed his shoes and asked, "Did they have dinner?"
"Yes," she replied.
"It was Yui's first day at Tokyo High. How was it?" he asked.
"It was nice. She said everything went well," Mrs. Nakahara said, walking with him towards the dining table.
He sighed. "I'm glad to hear that. She's really grown up fast."
Mrs. Nakahara nodded and noticed a package. "What's this?"
He smiled. "It's for Jin - his favorite ramen. He'll definitely love it... at least, I hope so."
She put a hand on his shoulder. "Everything will get better."
He smiled, looking at her. "I hope so."
"Go give it to him. I'll heat up dinner," she said.
He walked to Jin's room and knocked softly on the door. "Jin, I know you're still awake. I brought you ramen."
He waited for a response, but none came.
"Jin, okay, I'm leaving it here," he whispered and turned to walk away.
Jin opened the door a crack, took the bowl of ramen, and shut the door. His father turned back and smiled.
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