Kazuya stood in the doorway of the Utsuro household as he entered and spotted Hikaru, Mei, Aoi, and Misaki in the living room.
"Mr. Utsuro," Hikaru said, bowing respectfully, with Aoi following suit.
"It's nice to see you again, Hikaru. Aoi," Kazuya greeted, before his eyes landed on Mei. "Oh? And who might this be?"
"Hello, Mr. Utsuro." Mei bowed politely. "My name is Mei. I'm a friend of Hikaru's. It's nice to meet you."
Kazuya narrowed his eyes, studying her face for a moment.
"Mei? As in Mei Tomita? The volleyball setter?"
"Yes," she nodded.
"Well," Kazuya smiled warmly, "it's an honour to meet you."
"Thank you, sir!" Mei responded with a smile.
Then–
Kazuya's eyes shifted toward Misaki. He set his bag down gently and stepped toward her, taking a seat beside his wife on the couch. Hikaru, Mei, and Aoi silently observed.
"Honey," Kazuya said gently. "I think it's time to let Hikaru and Aoi know the truth."
But…
Misaki remained silent. Her posture slumped slightly, and the cold expression she wore earlier was gone – replaced by something softer, sadder.
Kazuya sighed quietly, looking at her with concern.
"Is it because of Hana and Hinote?"
Misaki immediately flinched at the mention of those names – Hana and Hinote Kanashii.
Aoi and Mei looked at each other, eyebrows raised in confusion.
"Hana?" Aoi asked.
"Hinote?" Mei echoed.
Hikaru turned to them.
"Hana Kanashii was friends with my mom and Mrs. Utsuro back in high school," he explained. "Hinote Kanashii was Hana's son."
"I see," Aoi murmured.
Kazuya turned back to the trio, his expression soft and understanding.
"Ever since Hana passed away and Hinote disappeared, it's deeply affected Misaki. She stopped opening up to people… except for your mother, Hikaru."
"My mom?" Hikaru muttered. Then – his eyes widened.
That's right… just like Mrs. Utsuro, my mom always looks down when they are mentioned…
Aoi glanced at Misaki, who still wouldn't meet their eyes.
"Mrs. Utsuro," she whispered.
Kazuya turned to his wife again, still met with silence. He sighed once more and looked back at the group.
"It seems like Misaki won't be telling you the truth after all…" He turned to Aoi. "Aoi, you see–"
"No!"
Kazuya stopped mid-sentence and turned, surprised.
Misaki had straightened her posture, her eyes now locked on Aoi's with quiet resolve.
"I'll tell them the truth," Misaki said firmly.
Misaki let out a deep sigh and looked directly into Aoi's eyes.
"Aoi, you see…" Misaki began. "…your mother bullied Hana back in high school."
Aoi's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Wha?"
"Miyu bullied Hana every single day," Misaki continued. "I never really knew the reason why. But Sayaka and I… we stood up for Hana. We fought back against Miyu every time. It felt like Sayaka and I were protecting our little sister."
She paused for a moment, her voice tightening.
"Until–"
Misaki clasped her hands together, her grip trembling.
"Hana died."
The room fell completely silent.
Hikaru and Aoi stared at Misaki, their expressions softening with shock and sympathy.
"Her death… and Hinote's disappearance… it changed everything for Sayaka and me." Misaki's voice cracked. "And when Miyu found out that Hana had died… she came to us immediately. She apologized, begged us for forgiveness for everything she did."
Suddenly–
BUZZ!
Hikaru's phone vibrated in his pocket, but he ignored it. His eyes remained fixed on Misaki.
"Sayaka moved on. She forgave Miyu. The two of them eventually became close friends. But me…"
Misaki looked down, her voice quieter. "…I couldn't bring myself to forgive her for what she did to Hana."
Mei, who had been silently listening, gently spoke up.
"Can I ask why, Mrs. Utsuro?"
Misaki slowly turned to Mei, her gaze solemn.
"Because…" she whispered, "…she was apologizing to the wrong person. Miyu should've apologized to Hana. But she was too late."
She clenched her fists.
"And I… I just couldn't forget about the past."
Then–
Misaki suddenly stood up and stepped toward Aoi.
"Mrs. Utsuro?" Aoi muttered, confused.
To Aoi's surprise, Misaki sank to her knees and bowed deeply.
"Mrs. Utsuro, what are you doing?"
"I'm so sorry, Aoi," Misaki said, her voice full of remorse. "Because of my past with your mother, I gave you the cold shoulder. I projected my pain onto you – someone who had nothing to do with that happened back then. I took it out on you, and I was wrong for that. I'm truly sorry."
Aoi stood up from the couch and quickly kneeled down beside her.
"Mrs. Utsuro, please raise your head."
Misaki lifted her head, eyes glistening.
"It's okay," Aoi said gently. "I accept your apology. I understand now why you acted that way."
"Aoi…" Misaki whispered.
"When my mom comes home later," Aoi said with determination, "I'll talk to her. I'll convince her to speak to you again."
Misaki's eyes widened. A small, heartfelt smile formed on her lips.
"Thank you, Aoi."
Then, after a short pause, she added, "But… can you do me a favour?"
"What is it, Mrs. Utsuro?" Aoi asked curiously.
Misaki looked her in the eyes, a serious expression returning to her face.
"Please… take care of Yami."
Her voice trembled with sincerity.
"I'm sure you'll do it better than I ever did."
Aoi's eyes glistened with emotion as she realized what Misaki's words meant. She had finally gained her approval.
"Mrs. Utsuro…" she whispered, smiling through the tears.
Hikaru and Mei glanced at each other, smiling, happy that Aoi and Misaki had resolved their issues.
Then–
Misaki turned her head toward them.
"Hikaru." Misaki called out.
Hikaru looked up at her.
"Hmm? What is it, Mrs. Utsuro?"
"To answer your question from earlier – Yami has been in his room for the last few weeks, locked in." Misaki explained.
Hikaru's eyes widened as he suddenly stood up from the couch.
"Hikaru?" Mei muttered, standing up as well.
"Is Yami still in his room?" Hikaru asked.
Misaki shook her head.
"No. He left yesterday and hasn't come back since."
"O-Oh…" Hikaru muttered. "By any chance, do you two know where he went?"
He directed the question to both Misaki and Kazuya.
Kazuya, still seated with his arms crossed, shook his head.
"Unfortunately, Hikaru… we don't."
Hikaru's shoulders dropped, his expression dimming with concern.
"Is… that so?"
"But–"
Hikaru looked up at Kazuya quickly.
"Huh?"
"Just before Yami left the house, he muttered something," Kazuya said. "I can't remember it exactly, but… it was something like 'Te…shii.'"
"Teshii?" Hikaru, Mei, and Aoi all said at once, their eyes widening.
"Yes! Teshii. That was the name. Whatever that means."
Misaki turned to her husband, her brows furrowed in thought.
"Teshii?" she murmured, placing a finger to her chin. "I remember Sayaka mentioning that exact name. She said he was one of your friends, Hikaru."
"I see." Kazuya nodded, then turned to Hikaru.
"Hikaru, what does this Teshii guy have to do with our idiot of a son?"
But…
Hikaru just stood frozen, eyes widened, lips parted.
Teshii?
What does Teshii have to do with Yami?
They barely talked to each other.
10 Minute Later…
The shining moon had risen in the dark blue sky, stars glimmering softly above.
Hikaru, Mei, and Aoi now stood outside the Utsuro household, finishing their conversation with Kazuya and Misaki.
Aoi faced both Hikaru and Mei, then bowed respectfully.
"Thank you so much, Karu. Mei. I'm truly grateful."
Hikaru smiled, waving it off with a hand.
"Don't worry about it, Aoi. I'm just glad me and Mei were able to help you."
Aoi stood up straight, her eyes still on Hikaru.
"Still… if it weren't for you and Mei, I wouldn't have known what to do."
Then – she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him in a hug.
"Thank you, Karu! I'm so glad that I became friends with you and Yam when we were children."
Hikaru smiled and hugged her back.
Mei watched the hug quietly, her arms crossed and cheeks puffed slightly – clearly pouting in jealousy.
Aoi finally let go of Hikaru and stepped back.
"Well then, I must go home now." She turned and started walking away but looked back over her shoulder with a playful wave.
"Goodbye, Karu! Goodbye, Mei!"
Both Hikaru and Mei waved back.
"Yeah. I'll see you later, Aoi!"
"And good luck to both of you!" Aoi shouted, teasingly.
Hikaru and Mei both blushed as Aoi disappeared down the street.
After a beat, Hikaru turned to Mei.
"So, Mei, what do you want to do now?"
Mei smiled softly, eyes drifting up to the stars.
"I'm not really sure, Hikaru."
A peaceful silence fell – until–
BUZZ!
Hikaru's phone vibrated in his pocket.
"Huh?"
He pulled it out and raising it to his face to check the screen. Mei leaned in slightly, curious.
"Eh?" both of them blurted in unison.
To their shock, Hikaru had 14 notifications.
From Teshii.
Hikaru opened the messaging app to read what Teshii had sent.
Teshii: Hey!!!
Teshii: Hey!!!
Teshii: Hey!!!
Teshii: You there, bro?
Teshii: Sunshine?
Teshii: Hello?
Teshii: It's me, Teshii!!!
Teshii: Are you ignoring me? ☹
Teshii: My baby brother!!!
Teshii: Sunshine!!!
Teshii: Hello!!!
Teshii: Seriously? Are you there?
Teshii: Hello!!!!!!!!!!
Teshii:Sunshine!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hikaru narrowed his eyes and quickly tapped his screen.
Hikaru: What?!
A few seconds had passed.
Teshii: Oh!
Teshii: You are alive!
Teshii: Just to let you know, me and the others are at the safehouse with Zephyr!
Hikaru raised an eyebrow and typed again..
Hikaru: Was that it?
Another pause–
Teshii: Yep! 😊
Hikaru groaned and facepalmed.
This guy…
Mei peeked at the screen and giggled.
"Awwww! Teshii is using emojis. So cute."
Hikaru blinked, realizing how close Mei was to him.
"Y-Yeah…"
Then–
"By the way, Hikaru…" Mei began shyly. "If it's okay with you, can I come to the safehouse with you?"
Hikaru blinked in surprise.
"Huh?"
Mei looked away, flustered.
"I'm… just curious about the people you're working with."
Hikaru stared at her, unsure.
What should I do?
I mean… Mei already knows about the Elements and the Order.
It wouldn't really hurt if she comes with. If Satoshi and Reina get angry… I'll just blame it on Teshii.
Then–
Hikaru looked at Mei and smiled.
"Sure, Mei. You can come to the safehouse with me."
Mei's eyes lit up.
"Really?"
Hikaru immediately looked away, blushing.
Too cute!
He nodded shyly.
"Yay! Okay, let's go!" Mei beamed.
Hikaru smiled and stepped forward – but his shoelace had come undone. He stepped on it and lost his balance.
"W-Woah!!!"
"Hikaru?" Mei turned toward him.
CRASH!!!
They both toppled to the ground.
Hikaru opened his eyes to find Mei's face directly in front of his.
And…
…they kissed.
Accidentally.
Hikaru immediately pulled back and scrambled to his feet, blushing furiously.
"I-I'm so sorry, Mei!"
Mei sat upright, fingers on her lips, face as red as a tomato.
"I-It's okay, Hikaru."
Silence fell again.
A very awkward silence.
TO BE CONTINUED!!!