𝟭. 𝙃𝙀𝙍 𝙎𝙄𝘿𝙀 𝙊𝙁 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙎𝙏𝙊𝙍𝙔 || 𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐤𝐲𝐮𝐮 [✔]

Chapter 2: Ball

𝖘𝖚𝖓𝖓𝖞𝖘𝖎𝖉𝖊𝖇𝖆𝖇𝖍𝖊'𝖘 𝖋𝖎𝖈𝖙𝖎𝖔𝖓𝖆𝖑 𝖘𝖙𝖔𝖗𝖞
#070622
•••

As usual, the Yoshida household was a whirlwind of morning chaos. The sound of children chattering and rushing around, combined with the clatter of dishes and the hum of hurried activity, filled every corner of the house.

Aeris had long grown accustomed to it—the kind of noise that made the house feel alive and almost comforting, even amidst the morning madness.

Yoshida Harumi, Aeris's maternal aunt, moved like a well-oiled machine through the kitchen. Her hands were swift and precise as she packed lunchboxes, all while glancing at her watch and mentally mapping out the day. Harumi was a nurse at Sakaguchi Hospital, and her schedule was grueling—four consecutive days of long shifts left her perpetually tired.

Yoshida Hide, her uncle, emerged from the hallway adjusting his tie, his calm athletic presence contrasting the morning frenzy. He was a pharmacist at the same hospital, his schedule unpredictable, swinging between mornings and nights.

The twins—Kanna and Kei—were twelve, full of energy, and already in mid-motion, getting ready for school and their respective club activities. Kanna, the older by a few minutes, was the captain of her middle school volleyball team, her focus already on drills and practice.

Kei, more reserved but no less energetic, spent his free time devoted to karate, practicing stances and punches as he spoke.

And then there was little Asahi, the four-year-old whirlwind who attended daycare part-time. He trailed after everyone like a tiny shadow, his tiny footsteps punctuating the hum of the morning.

"Aeris, we're leaving, or we'll be late," Hide called, slipping on his shoes and heading toward the door.

"Kids, listen to your Nana-chan, okay?" Harumi called, her voice calm despite the chaos.

"Sorry, Aeris-chan," Harumi said, grabbing her bag as she glanced back with a worried expression. "We won't be home until late. I hope that's okay with you."

"It's fine, Obasan," Aeris replied softly. "Don't worry about anything. Go on; I've got everything here under control."

Harumi bowed slightly, relief flickering across her face. "Thank you so much," she said before hurrying out the door.

Before the twins could leave for their clubs, Harumi called out one last reminder. "You'll be home before seven, okay? Your mom's going to kill me if you're not!"

The twins laughed together, shouting back in unison, "Okay, Nana-chan!" before disappearing out the front door, their laughter fading with distance.

Aeris smiled softly. She had earned the nickname "Nana-chan" when the twins were toddlers; they couldn't pronounce "Aeris" properly, so "Oneechan" stuck. Eventually, it became the family's affectionate shorthand for her.

With the house finally quieting down, Aeris turned to the youngest. "So, it's just me and you today, Asahi. What do you want to do?"

Without hesitation, the little boy pointed at the TV.

"You just want to watch TV?" she asked, raising an eyebrow with gentle amusement.

He nodded, eyes wide and gleaming.

"Alright, then. Watch here. I'll be cleaning, okay?" She ruffled his hair affectionately before heading to the kitchen. The cheerful sounds of cartoons filled the living room as Aeris moved about, sweeping, wiping counters, and folding laundry with rhythmic efficiency. Even in the mundane tasks, she found a quiet satisfaction in maintaining order and care.

Later in the afternoon, after picking Asahi up from daycare, they headed to their usual spot—a hidden, forested area tucked between two old apartment buildings. It wasn't a proper park, but to Aeris and Asahi, it had its own charm. A rusted slide leaned lazily in one corner, and open spaces offered room for children to play basketball, volleyball, or just run freely. The scent of grass and earth mingled with the distant city hum, creating a peaceful, almost secluded atmosphere.

Aeris settled onto a bench beneath the shade of a tall tree, opening her book, NASERIA, and diving into the pages she had left unfinished. The gentle rustle of leaves and the occasional chirping of birds provided a soothing backdrop as she lost herself in the story.

The calm, however, was short-lived.

When she looked up, Asahi was gone. Panic surged through her chest as her eyes scanned the small clearing. He was running toward a group of older kids playing volleyball, their laughter echoing through the space.

Her heart thudded. She leaped from the bench, adrenaline spiking. "Asahi! Ball!" she shouted, her voice sharp with urgency and panic.

The little boy didn't slow down, weaving between the older children, oblivious to the potential danger. Aeris sprinted after him, her mind racing with worry. The afternoon sun beat down on her back, and she felt the familiar sting in her legs as she pushed herself faster.

"Stop! Asahi! Wait!" she called again, desperation lacing her tone.

Her thoughts blurred with fear and relief simultaneously—fear for his safety, relief that he was still within sight.

« ֪ ׅ ֹ =͟͞ ♡ 𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗧𝗘𝗗.