Gypsophila • Izana Kurokawa

୨୧ 035

Meanwhile,
At home...

Y/n's eyes fluttered open, a pang of pain weighing on her body. She stretched her arms, pressing her shoulder as she let out a small wince. "I feel quite tired these days..." she murmured, sighing at the thought that perhaps she had been working too hard.

But all she ever did was stay home. Keeping the house tidy, making meals, fulfilling her duty as a housewife. Nothing exhausting in particular, yet fatigue seemed to cling to her bones.

Her gaze drifted to the clock on the wall. "Kana should be home by now. She took the bus today, right?" She rose from the bed. Walking out of her bedroom, she strolled down the hall toward the dining area.

"Ah, Mom, you're awake."

Relief warmed her chest at the familiar voice but before Y/n could smile and greet her Kana properly, her eyes caught on something else. Another figure was seated casually in the dining area.

Y/n's breath hitched in her throat. Her eyes widened in horror when she saw him sitting at the dining table, calmly eating beside Kana. The black-haired man lifted his chopsticks, pausing only when Kana leaned closer.

"You want that tamagoyaki?" she asked, eyeing his plate. Without a word, the man dragged the dish closer to himself, circling it protectively with his arms.

Kana's eyes twitched. "I was just asking! Jeez, acting like I would devour your food."

"You looked ready to do so," he replied before picking up another bite. Kana huffed and went back to her own food, irritated even though his guess was true.

"K-Kana, who...?" Y/n's voice broke, strained with confusion. Her daughter turned her head toward her, but Y/n's eyes were not on her. They were fixed on him.

The man shifted his attention to Y/n and their gazes locked, her heart hammering violently against her ribs. A wave of familiarity hit her all at once.

Those eyes.... They look like Shin-nii's. Could it be-

"Are you...Manjiro? Izana's little brother?"

Manjiro set his chopsticks down, his dark lashes lowering as his eyes softened. He inclined his head in a respectful bow. "I am. Forgive me," he apologized. "For dropping by unannounced...especially on our first meeting, and for-" his gaze flicked to Kana, "-picking up Kana without asking first."

Kana slapped her palm against the table. "Picking up? Don't twist it. You kidnapped me!"

Manjiro tilted his head at her, but Kana crossed her arms with a loud huff, grumbling, "Apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Old man is crazy, and looks like his little brother's the same."

Y/n approached the dining table. Manjiro's eyes followed her. "...Mind if I hang around?" he asked.

Y/n smiled softly upon calming down, her warmth filling the room. "Stay as long as you want."