Morning sunlight bathed the back courtyard in soft warmth, casting golden lines through the trees and over the tiled stones.
Haruki stood by the garden wall, phone pressed to his ear.
"Yes, Mister Yamashita. The project file you asked for is already finished."
"I'll send it to the office later this afternoon."
A pause. Then a polite chuckle.
"No, it's nothing. I just woke early today. Everything's going well."
A soft hum of agreement, then he nodded.
"Understood, sir. I'll be on standby if anything else comes up."
He ended the call and slipped the phone into his pocket.
Behind him, Kyouko was doing her morning stretches, dressed in a soft, light workout outfit. Her movements were slow and deliberate, graceful in that effortless way that only she could carry.
She smiled over her shoulder, her long hair catching the morning light.
"Still working, even when you're home?"
Haruki walked over and sat on the porch steps.
"Just a quick check-in," he said, watching her.
