The night had long since fallen, wrapping the house in a quiet calm.
In the living room, Ryosuke sat on the couch, glancing repeatedly at the wall clock. His sister, Sayuri, sat on the opposite side of the room. Unlike him, she was bursting with energy, sitting cross-legged on the floor, her eyes glued to the front door as if it could swing open any moment.
"Mama, are you sure Aunt Yuki is really coming tonight?" she asked, a hint of anxiety in her voice.
Their mother, seated in an armchair near the window, cast a distracted glance at the clock before smiling softly.
"I've told you, Sayuri, Aunt Yuki has always been unpredictable. She never really followed schedules, even when we were young. But don't worry, she'll come, I'm sure of it."
Sayuri pouted. "She could at least try to be on time for once…"
Ryosuke, on the other hand, smiled silently.
The peaceful silence of the house was suddenly interrupted by the doorbell.
Sayuri practically jumped to her feet, eyes shining with excitement. "It's her! It's Aunt Yuki!"
Their mother rose with an amused smile and made her way to the front door. "Let's see if it's really our dear latecomer…" she murmured as she opened the door.
Yuki's figure appeared in the doorway, a tall shadow in the soft glow of the night. She wore a long, elegant coat, her hair slightly tousled by the wind, but her bright smile instantly lit up the house.
"Yuki!" Ryosuke's mother exclaimed, embracing her warmly. They hugged, their laughter echoing gently.
Yuki Tsukumo. Tall and graceful. She gave her sister one last squeeze before letting go, her sparkling eyes sweeping the room.
"So, where are my darling nieces and nephews?" she asked, her voice slightly hoarse but cheerful.
Ryosuke and Sayuri, who had been watching from the living room, slowly approached. Sayuri couldn't help but grin broadly at seeing her aunt after all this time, while Ryosuke kept a more reserved expression, his mind still swirling with everything he knew about her.
Yuki leaned forward slightly and, without missing a beat, ruffled both of their hair with playful affection.
"Well, look at you two! You've grown so much, I barely recognize you!" she laughed, her eyes twinkling with joy. "I still remember you running around with endless energy. Now, you're practically grown-ups!"
She rummaged in her handbag and pulled out two small packages, neatly wrapped in colorful paper. She handed them to Ryosuke and Sayuri with a mischievous smile.
"I thought of you both during my travels. It's not much, but I wanted to bring you a little something from my adventures. Go ahead, open them."
Sayuri, as impatient as ever, quickly tore into her gift and found a small wooden music box. The lid was intricately carved, depicting patterns that looked like they came straight out of a fairy tale. She turned the tiny crank, and a soft, enchanting melody filled the room.
"It's beautiful, thank you, Aunt Yuki!" she exclaimed, her eyes glowing with gratitude.
Ryosuke, on the other hand, unwrapped his gift more calmly. He uncovered a leather-bound journal, visibly old, its pages slightly yellowed with time. He opened it gently and saw that some of the pages were filled with handwritten notes, nearly impossible to decipher. He ran his fingers over the lines, intrigued.
Yuki, watching him, gave a knowing wink. "That journal holds incredible stories, Ryosuke. It belonged to someone very special. I'm sure it will inspire you."
Ryosuke nodded, thoughtful.
Their mother interrupted with a smile.
"Alright, everyone to the table now. And Yuki, I swear, you really haven't changed… Still always late."
Yuki raised her hands in mock surrender, her smile widening. "I know, I know! I'm sorry. But you know me, time and I have never been the best of friends."
Everyone headed to the dining room, where the table was already set. Ryosuke took a seat across from Yuki.
Laughter and light conversation continued throughout the meal. Sayuri was ecstatic, asking Yuki a thousand questions about her travels and the exotic places she had visited.
Dinner had recently ended, and the family was quietly enjoying dessert, a homemade apple pie, the sweet scent still lingering in the air. The lively chatter and laughter that had accompanied the meal gradually quieted, giving way to a soft, comfortable atmosphere. The faint clinking of cutlery against plates was now the only sound resonating through the house.
Sayuri still wore a look of excitement, but fatigue was beginning to show. She was visibly exhausted after an evening full of surprises and eventually went to bed without protest—a rarity for her.
Ryosuke, however, felt more nervous than he would have admitted. He remained seated at the table, watching his aunt with particular focus.
TO BE CONTINUED!
Next Chapter: Can You see It?