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Many years ago

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Many years ago...

The hallway echoed with laughter as a twin brother darted past the kitchen doorway, socks skidding across the polished floor. The other twin chased right after, barely catching the corner of his brother's shirt before it slipped away.

"Boys!" their mother called sternly from the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron. "I said stay put! You'll slip and crack your heads open!"

The boys froze in place mid-giggle, eyes wide like startled cats. Then, like a switch flipped, they both burst out laughing again.

"We're sorry, Mom!" the first twin chirped, still giggling as he held onto the wall for balance.

"We'll behave now, promise!" the other added, a grin spreading from ear to ear.

Their mother sighed, her expression softening as she peeked around the corner. She couldn't help but smile at her twin sons.

"Yuto, Minato, dinner is ready." Ayame called gently. The sound of quick footsteps followed as the two six-year-olds hurried into the dining area, cheeks flushed from playing. They clambered into their usual spots, eyes lighting up at the sight of curry rice and miso soup.

"Thanks for the food!" they chirped in unison before digging in, spoons clinking against plates.

Ayame placed the final dish down, then took her seat across from them, her fingers lightly brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. She rested her chin in her hand, just watching them eat-Yuto carefully separating his carrots, Minato trying to sneak a second helping before finishing his first.

The doorbell rang through the house. Ayame paused mid-bite, eyes flicking to the door. "Keep eating. I'll get it," she said as she wiped her hands on her apron, stepping away from the table.

Yuto and Minato continued eating, distracted by their own conversation about who was faster during tag. Neither of them paid much attention until they heard the sudden shift in their mother's voice.

"Y-You... What are you..."

SLAM.

Yuto and Minato flinched.

"Boys, go to your room. Now!" Ayame's voice cracked, more panicked than they'd ever heard before.

"But I haven't finished-" Yuto began to whine, but Ayame grabbed both their wrists and practically shoved them down the hallway. "Now, Yuto!"

Startled by her seriousness, they obeyed, retreating into their shared room. But as soon as the door closed, they crept to it, opening it just enough to peek through the narrow crack.

In the living room stood a man they had never seen before, but his features were startlingly familiar. His eyes, his jawline... he looked like them.

"You had no right," the man snarled. "You kept my sons from me. You lied."

Convivial • S62 GenerationWhere stories live. Discover now