The three of them began sipping the coffee that Saki had brought in elegant white and blue decorated cups, the rich aroma softly rising from within. After Saki finished her cup, she attempted to get up to guide Ryoma to his room, but as she rose from her chair, her legs trembled and she lost her balance. Ryoma quickly caught her by the shoulder, supporting her in a half-embrace before she could fall, while Hana jumped out of her chair in dismay.
Ryoma, clearly worried, a light sweat forming on his brow: "Are you okay, Saki-san?"
Hana rushed around the corner and took hold of Saki's other shoulder, equally concerned. Saki lifted her head slightly, managing a weak smile as she said: "I'm sorry for making you worry. It's just a tired leg and a bit of a headache… I want to rest now."
Ryoma, gently but firmly: "I'll help you to bed. You shouldn't push yourself."
Hana, softly, her voice laced with concern: "Her room's just across the hall from ours."
Ryoma gently lifted Saki into his arms — one arm under her knees, the other behind her back — and carried her to the door of her room, which stood opposite the kitchen. Hana opened the door for him, and he stepped in with Saki still resting quietly against his chest.
The room was simple, with a large closet and a spacious bed. Sunlight filtered gently through the curtains. Hana switched on the soft, warm lights.
Ryoma gently laid Saki down on the bed.
Hana quickly returned with medicine and a glass of water, offering both to Saki herself, while Ryoma stood nearby, watching with concern.
Saki, after taking the medicine, tried to sit up: "I'm sorry again for the trouble. I'm just a little tired, but I'm fine now. I can show you your room."
Ryoma, placing a hand on her shoulder and gently guiding her back: "You won't. You need to rest, Saki-san. I'm sorry, but I can't let you get up. You have to take care of yourself. I'll wait."
Saki, smiling weakly: "I said there's no need to—"
Ryoma, cutting her off with a serious tone: "No need for that, Saki-san. You're not moving until I'm sure you're feeling better."
Saki, playfully scoffing: "What a brat! You haven't changed a bit. At least pretend to be nice to your aunt!"
Hana watched in silence, taken aback by the contrast — his sternness, yet how gently he had held her earlier... Why did that warmth spread through her chest like that? He's... a better person than I imagined.
Saki, continuing without pause: "Alright then. But you should get your things settled. Tomorrow's your first day of school here, and Hana will help you."
Hana nodded politely, her cheeks softly flushed. But Ryoma steered the focus back: "There's no need for that. The only thing that matters now is your health, Auntie."
Saki, smiling: "You agreed to stay here, so you'll have to agree with my decisions too, right?"
Ryoma scratched his head, casting a sheepish glance at Hana: "Okay, but I don't want to be a burden to Yukigawa-san too—"
Before he could finish, Hana gave him a light smack on the head, responding in an adorably irritated voice: "It's Yukikawa, Yukikawa!"
Ryoma, bowing slightly in apology, murmured: "I'm sorry... even if it was just one letter."
Hana, to herself: But I don't mind it…
Saki, silently pondering: When did Hana become this expressive? She's adjusting so fast. She even blushed earlier when I thanked her in the kitchen. What's going on with her today? Why is she more sensitive than usual?
Saki straightened up with a wry smile: "Well, she'll show you your room. She doesn't mind, do you, Hana?"
Hana, softly: "Oh, no problem."
Ryoma, heading toward the door: "Alright. But you really should rest too."
Saki, pulling the blanket over herself with a sigh: "Okay, okay."
Hana followed him out, switching off the lights and quietly closing the door behind her. She turned to see him smacking his own face lightly, muttering in frustration: "Where? Where? I think it's in the kitchen..."
She grabbed him by the strap of his bag and pulled him toward her. He turned, nearly stumbling, their faces unexpectedly close. She said: "You've been wearing it the whole time!"
Ryoma, grinning with closed eyes: "Really? Thanks. I totally forgot."
Hana looked at the smile he gave her, and once again, her cheeks flushed pink. Is he an idiot? He hasn't taken it off since he arrived. But... he really needs to stop smiling like that. It makes my heart skip a beat. And still... she's so beautiful.
Ryoma, to himself: This girl is amazing. I don't know... but I think I like her.
The girl headed toward the stairs leading to the second floor, the soft sound of her footsteps blending into the warm, homey air. Ryoma followed her up the beautiful wooden staircase. Along the stairway hung small landscape paintings and old Japanese calligraphy about love, sparse but tastefully placed.
Ryoma, internally anxious again: God, it happened again. I forgot about Auntie's condition — just like when I first walked in. It's because of her... I've been absent-minded since the moment I saw her. Even just watching her walk...
Hana, quietly to herself: Why does every move he makes remind me of a tenderness I've never known? Just having him near makes the air feel heavier... like I'm breathing for the first time.
They reached the second floor, brighter thanks to the open windows. The hallway was narrower than the one below, with only three doors lining the left side. Hana walked to the last door and opened it.
Ryoma stepped inside and looked around…
> A wave of nostalgia brushed his chest before he could even name it.
Warm sunlight danced across the clean wooden floor. A small bed with a dark blue comforter sat neatly in the corner — functional, not cozy. The walls were adorned with posters of football and basketball teams, slightly faded... Had Saki really kept all of this for so long?
---
Ryoma smiled in amazement. "Wow... Did Saki-san really put all this effort into this room? What a woman... even though she's unwell."
> He never realized how much her quiet care had stayed with him over the years.
Hana gave him a small, playful glare, remembering how she'd done most of the cleaning herself. Before she could say anything, Ryoma added, "I'm guessing you helped her too. Thank you so much. Honestly, I don't even know how to repay you. You've always been there for Saki-san... It must be exhausting. So really, thank you. I hope I can return the favor someday."
> Her heart trembled slightly. No one had ever acknowledged her efforts like that.
She lifted her hands slightly, gesturing as if to say, There's no need to thank me.
But Ryoma gently interrupted her, "No — you deserve more than just thanks. There's no need to be so modest. You're a really kind person, Yukikawa-san."
She wished he wouldn't say things like that — not because she hated them, but because they stayed in her chest far too long.
Her head lowered instantly, cheeks flushed bright red. Her heart thudded like a quiet drum, and the words "You're a kind person" echoed endlessly in her mind.
In a soft, nervous voice, she mumbled, "Y-you should... put your bag down. It looks heavy. Take your time."
She closed the door behind her and hurried downstairs. Ryoma stared at the door, puzzled.
"Why'd she run off like that? Did I overdo it again... just by thanking her?"
He turned back to the room, his mind drifting toward Hana's reaction as he slowly began to inspect the space around him.
---
Downstairs, Hana took off her apron, draped it over a chair, and collapsed onto another, resting her head on her clasped hands atop the table.
What a day...
Her phone buzzed suddenly, the screen flashing 11:00 PM.
She blinked and jumped up. Okay, time to go home. Saki-san's probably asleep already — I'll just slip out quietly.
She changed her shoes at the door and stepped outside, murmuring to herself, "Thank goodness... that's done. That boy... he really makes me act weird."
---
She quickly closed the door behind her. Her steps quickened without her meaning to — like she was running from something she didn't understand.
Not long after, Ryoma had finished unpacking and organizing his belongings. He let out a long, audible sigh. "Huff… Alright, I'm done. I should rest a bit now… I'll call Mom later."
He lay down on the bed, thoughts of the girl's strange behavior still lingering in his mind… until he drifted off to sleep without realizing it.
---
A long time passed before Ryoma stirred awake. He grabbed his phone, and his eyes widened. "What? It's already six in the evening? Dinner time's close—and I completely forgot about Saki-san! I'd better head downstairs right away."
He quickly left his room and made his way down. As he peeked into the kitchen, he found Saki preparing dinner, assisted by a tall man with reddish-brown hair and glasses.
"Shuuji-san?" Ryoma blinked in surprise.
Shuuji turned to him with a bright, cheerful smile. "Looks like you're finally awake, Ryoma-kun!"
Ryoma walked over and gave a polite greeting. "Hello, Shuuji-san. Sorry… I ended up sleeping a lot."
Shuuji chuckled warmly. "No need to apologize. You must be exhausted after that long trip—especially right in the middle of the semester. Come on, have a seat. Dinner's almost ready."
Ryoma smiled. "Thanks. I'll just wash my face and hands first. Where's the bathroom?"
"It's right next to the stairs," Saki answered.
A short while later, Ryoma returned to find the dining table covered with delicious dishes, the savory aroma filling the room.
Shuuji stood and motioned to him kindly. "Welcome, Ryoma-kun. Make yourself at home."
Ryoma bowed slightly, full of gratitude. "Thank you for taking such good care of me."
He sat down, and together, everyone said in unison, "Thank you for the meal."
---
After the warm, homey dinner, Saki called out to Ryoma as he was washing up.
"Ryoma-kun, no need to call your mother tonight. I already let her know you're doing well here. Just focus on your studies, alright? And… thank you for worrying about me this morning."
Ryoma smiled, his expression full of sincere appreciation. "Got it. And you don't have to thank me, Saki-san. You know how much you mean to me."
After that, he returned to his room, laid out his uniform and bag, and fell asleep almost instantly.Early in the morning, Ryoma woke up to the sound of his alarm. He got ready, slipped into his school uniform, and headed downstairs. The kitchen lights were on. When he stepped inside, he found Saki already there, sipping her coffee.
With a small smile, he greeted, "Good morning."
Saki, as bright and warm as ever, replied, "Good morning, Ryoma-kun. The coffee's ready, of course."
"Thank you, Saki-san, but… you didn't have to wake up so early," he said, a little concerned.
"I've been up for a while already—Shuichi left for work earlier. Drink your coffee and head out too."
Ryoma grabbed his cup, drank the hot coffee a bit too fast, and dashed off. Saki blinked in mild surprise, watching him go, then chuckled to herself: "Some habits never change… One day he's really going to burn his tongue, haha."
On his way from Saki's house to his new high school, Ryoma walked briskly, checking his phone as it guided him toward the campus. He hadn't realized how quickly time passed until he suddenly found himself standing in front of the school gate. It looked like any normal high school, with students streaming past him through the entrance. But Ryoma just stood there, frozen, staring at the sign on the building:
"Himari High School."
Then came a voice from behind him—soft, pure, and faintly familiar. It made his heart skip a beat the moment he heard it:
"Are you going to study here, Ryoma-kun?"
He turned around… and there she was. The girl he'd met at his aunt's house the night before—
Hana Yukikawa.
—The End.