The journey was enveloped in silence, broken only by the soft hum of the minivan's engine as it navigated the road. Yuuto gazed out the window, lost in thought as landscapes blurred past, a silent observer to the world's constant change.
"Uh..." Shiyon began, casting a glance towards Yuuto, who was seated nearby. He pondered the quiet tension that filled the space between them since they'd dropped Sakura off at her home, and how Yuuto's silence seemed to deepen after their departure.
"Rejection's tough, Saku-chun... But it's how you handle it that really defines you—"
"Harvester." Yuuto's voice cut in, gentle yet firm, his attention still fixed on the world outside the window.
"Yes?" Shiyon responded, taken aback by the interruption.
"I... need to make a call. You have a phone I could use?" Yuuto asked, his voice low and unusually polite.
"Oh...~?" Shiyon couldn't hide his surprise at Yuuto's sudden courtesy.
Meanwhile, back at Sakura's place...
The girl, with a mix of frustration and haste, made her way swiftly up the stairs, barely acknowledging her mother's concerned gaze.
"My, Sakura? What's happening? Is everything okay?" her mother asked, pausing in the midst of preparing dinner in the kitchen.
"It's nothing. I'm fine," Sakura replied, her tone brisk and tinged with irritation as she continued her march upstairs, soon out of sight.
"It's probably about a boy again," her father remarked from his position on the couch, glancing up from his newspaper while the TV hummed in the background.
"Even I noticed that... She had that same look as when Yahiko-kun broke things off... I'm worried it's something to do with him again," her mother voiced her concern, her brow furrowed.
"That boy was nothing but a young fool," the father dismissed, a note of disdain in his voice. "Too self-centered to notice when a girl's in pain. It's for the best they ended things. He was never worthy of her."
The mother let out a weary sigh. "In your eyes, dear, no one ever seems to be..."
"It's just how it is. The boys at that school are nothing but troublemakers or cowards."
"Another one...? Is she going to become one of those girls who change boyfriends like they're changing clothes?" The silver-haired brother yawned, just waking up on the second couch, his words sharp and unforgiving.
The father's gaze shifted from his newspaper to his son, a stern look quickly replacing any hint of amusement. "Watch how you speak about your sister. Show some respect, or we'll have a problem," he cautioned, his tone leaving no room for argument.
"Yes, sir..." Minoru conceded with a slight nod, recognizing the gravity in his father's voice. "But, it might be true, especially if it's that guy again. Sticking with him after what he did seems more tragic than anything," he added thoughtfully, showing he took his father's warning seriously, yet couldn't shake off his concern.
"What are you talking about, Minoru-nii! Big sis was... Attacked," she began, the words causing both parents to visibly flinch, "Yahiko-san was just as lost as anyone would be!" His younger sister interjected, her voice tinged with passion and a hint of frustration at her brother's judgment.
"I just think she'd be better off with the person who helped her out of that mess. Then we wouldn't have to hear you justify every mistake she or anyone around her makes by bringing up that incident. Too bad he kept his anonymity like some anime character," Minoru retorted, turning his attention to his little sister.
"Now, now, you two... Quiet down," the mother interjected, her voice weary as she let out a sigh.
"Minoru," the father called out, his attention shifting from the newspaper to his son, commanding Minoru's focus. "Go upstairs and check on your sister," he instructed firmly.
"Eh...? But sir, you just said it's just about a boy..."
"Go. Now," he reiterated, his tone leaving no room for further discussion.
"Yeah, yeah..." Minoru huffed, dragging his feet as he made his way upstairs, albeit reluctantly.
"Why are you so tough on him?" the mother asked softly, her question hanging in the air like a delicate whisper.
The father remained silent, choosing not to respond.
"You need to forgive and forget. It wasn't his fault. Since that incident, he's been diligent, not missing a single day at the dojo to maintain his discipline... Nor has he skipped any cram school classes," she continued, her voice steady and reassuring.
"Daddy... I'm okay! Look! See, no scars!" the little sister chimed in, eager to prove her point, lifting her shirt slightly to show her belly, free of any marks.
The father, wordless, simply reached out to gently stroke her head, acknowledging her in his quiet way. "Go start on your homework after dinner, okay, Shiori?" he suggested softly, offering a small smile as he patted her head.
As Minoru made his way upstairs, intent on checking on Sakura at their father's behest, he prepared to announce his presence.
"Hey, Saku—" he began, his tone casual, bordering on disinterested. But before his hand could rap against the door, the muted sound of conversation reached his ears, halting him mid-motion.
"Yeah. It was cancelled... Now I can actually make it to that karaoke night! When's it starting?" Sakura's voice, full of anticipation, floated through the door.
"Karaoke...?" Minoru echoed under his breath, a mixture of resignation and disbelief in his sigh.
"1 hour? At Water Bottle Avenue, on the 46th? Count me in," she continued, her voice brimming with eagerness, oblivious to the listener at her door.
With a shake of his head, Minoru retreated from Sakura's doorway, descending back downstairs. "Ahh... Dad's worrying too much. And here she is, all set for a night out..." he mumbled to himself, interpreting her plans as nothing more than the usual social gathering. "Thinks she's getting into trouble, but she's just living her life..."
"That was quick, Minoru. Is she alright?" the mother asked, noticing him descending the stairs much sooner than anticipated.
"Yeah, she's in a good mood, actually. No worries... Just like you mentioned, sir." Minoru replied, directing a glance towards his father as he made his way down, choosing to settle back on the couch.
The father remained silent, offering no response.
As time slipped by, 50 minutes to be exact, the family gathered around the table for dinner. Just as the father was on the verge of asking Minoru to call Sakura down for the meal, she appeared, dressed up with makeup on, a scent of perfume trailing after her.
"My, Sakura. Are you heading out?" the mother inquired, pausing in her dinner preparations to look at her.
"Yeah, got a call from friends for a karaoke night. Sorry, can't join you for dinner tonight. Please save me some!" Sakura announced, her voice quick with excitement as she darted out the door.
"Sis seemed in a hurry..." the little sister Shiori observed, taking her seat at the table.
"See? Told you, she's fine... Now, let's eat," Minoru commented, ready to enjoy the meal laid out before him.
"Minoru," the father commanded with authority, just as Minoru began to enjoy his meal, "Go after your sister. Ensure she's safe," he stated firmly, his gaze fixed on his plate.
The tension at the table was palpable; the mother looked notably distressed by the directive, while Minoru let out a resigned sigh.
"...Can't it wait till after dinner, at least? Sir?" Minoru responded, barely masking his reluctance with a quick roll of his eyes.
"Now," came the unwavering reply from the father.
With a frustrated grip on his fork, Minoru set it down with deliberate calmness, stood, and left the house without another word.
The door had barely clicked shut when the mother's frustration boiled over.
"Shiori, honey, head to your room for a bit. Your father and I need to discuss—"
"Shiemi, let's eat," the father interjected smoothly, his voice gentle yet firm, halting her mid-sentence.
"I'll help you make another batch later, for Minoru," he added quietly as his gaze was still fixed on his meal.
"No, dear," she retorted sharply, rising from her seat. In a swift motion, she gathered the dishes and discarded the meal in the trash, her actions swift and decisive.
"H-hey... Shiemi..?" the father started, concern lacing his voice as he witnessed the dinner being tossed away. "That's also Sakura's meal you're throwing away..."
Shiori, caught between confusion and alarm, could only watch the unfolding drama.
"Great news, Shiori! We're off to Burger's Royale for dinner," her mother announced with a forced cheerfulness. "And your daddy here will prepare a fresh meal for Sakura, Minoru, and himself. Isn't that nice of him?"
Shiori swallowed hard, the tension not lost on her. "Daddy is in trouble..." she whispered, an astute observation for someone her age, as she followed her mother out, leaving the father alone to ponder the evening.