A Senju's Family

Chapter 28 🌟

Author warning: Nepo baby runa trying to beat the allegations and failing...LMAO

Haru's POV

With Runa, Haruki, and Daisuke all at school, the house grows eerily silent, the kind of silence that amplifies every creak of the wooden floors and the faint hum of the breeze outside. I busy myself with meaningless tasks—folding laundry, scrubbing dishes, straightening up the kids' rooms—but I find myself hesitating when it comes to Katsuro's. His door remains closed, and im not too sure why I feel like there's an invisible force stopping me from going in.

The dull ache in my chest deepens as I move on, carrying a basket of freshly washed clothes into my own bedroom. It's a quiet sanctuary now, sunlight streaming in through the curtains, casting soft patterns on the walls. The rhythm of folding Sasuke's clothes offers me a strange comfort, my hands moving automatically as I tuck each neatly folded piece into the closet.

Sasuke acts as my silent company, sitting on the edge of the bed with his shirt discarded, his dark eyes following me as I move about. His presence is grounding, though neither of us feels the need to fill the silence. Years together have taught us the beauty of wordless companionship, the quiet understanding that doesn't need embellishment.

Still, something nags at me. The question has been circling in my mind all morning, and I know I won't find peace until I ask. Breaking the silence feels almost sacrilegious, but I do it anyway.

"So... you're going to train Runa, huh?" My voice comes out quieter than I intended, almost tentative.

Sasuke's gaze sharpens, his face unreadable as he processes my words. He takes a moment before answering, his voice calm but firm. "Of course. I'm the only one who can now."

I nod, folding one of his shirts slowly, letting his words sink in. "Does that mean..." I falter, my throat tightening. I focus on smoothing the fabric in my hands as though it might steady me. "Does that mean you'll be around more? Or... are you planning to take her with you?"

The hitch in my breath betrays me, and I can only hope he doesn't notice. My heart clenches as I wait for his answer, every second stretching unbearably long. Please... please tell me you'll stay. Tell me you'll help me raise her here. Don't take her away.

"I'm taking a break from missions," he says finally, his voice steady. "My priority is here now."

I freeze, my hands pausing mid-fold. Relief washes over me, so overwhelming that I feel it in my very bones. My shoulders lower, the tension easing as I glance back at him, a small, involuntary smile tugging at my lips. "That makes me happy," I say softly, my voice carrying an unspoken weight of gratitude. "I miss having you around, and I think... I think it'll be good for you and Runa to bond more. Haruki and Daisuke will be thrilled too."

As I look down to resume folding, a smile lingers on my face. It's not forced this time—just genuine, born of relief. Sasuke's gaze lingers on me, his dark eyes softening as they fall to the dimple that forms on my cheek. Something stirs in him, a warmth tinged with regret.

How long had it been since he'd seen me smile like this? So fully, so naturally, that even my dimples showed? The thought weighs on him heavily, a reminder of all the moments he's missed.

But he doesn't have the heart to tell me the full truth. He doesn't mention that his break is temporary, that in weeks—or maybe months—he'll have to leave again. He doesn't tell me that his plans include taking Runa with him, to train her away from here.

No, he keeps that to himself. The pretty smile on my face is a sight too rare, too precious to steal away with harsh truths. He'll deal with it later, he tells himself.