"They walked home...
"Come with me to buy ingredients for dinner...
Eh!? Didn't you buy them last night?
"I only have two hands, you know. How could I carry so many things? That's why you have to help me carry them...
"Whatever you say...
There it is, let's go inside, Rin pulled his hand into the shop...
"A few minutes later...
"Hmm, isn't this unfair? Why do I have to carry all these things while you walk empty-handed...
"All this time, I was the one who had to carry them. Now it's your turn, and besides, you're a guy. It's only right that you do this, right...
"Haah...
"The two of them walked home as the day began to darken...
"We're home... Kazuki opened the front door to find an adult woman standing in front of them...
"Wow, you guys are back!
"Rin looked surprised...
"Mom, when did you arrive!?
"Hmm, two hours ago...
"You should have called me when you got here...
It's okay, I wanted to surprise you...
No one would be surprised by that...
"By the way, who's this girl...
Oh, this is Rin Chiharu; she's the one living with Grandpa Fujita now...
"I see, nice to meet you, Rin-chan.
Nice to meet you too...
I'm going upstairs for a bit...
"After responding to Kazuki's mom, she immediately went upstairs...
"Wow, she's pretty cold, huh...
"Yeah, that's how she is; she's a cold girl...
But she resembles you quite a bit...
The way she talks is just like you...
Don't compare me to her...
"But that's the fact... Kazuki remained silent...
Whatever, it's up to Mom...
Kazuki entered the living room...
"As Kazuki entered the living room, he was immediately hugged by a girl...
Yep, there's no mistake, this is his younger sister...
"Kashikoi Akira, aged 15...
On the sofa, his father was sitting, reading the newspaper, so can you tell me what happened to you...
"Hey Akira, can you let go of me?
I just got home...
I don't want to...
"Haah...
"Kazuki placed the items he bought earlier on the dining table...
"Alright, let me explain everything, Kazuki...
After that, Kazuki explained everything that had happened...
"So you were attacked from behind with a strange weapon, and that weapon turned your body into what it is now...
"Your current body is very different from your old one... His father looked at his body with a serious expression...
"So does Dad know about those people in red cloaks!?
I've never heard of them anywhere...
"This is the first time I've heard of them...
They seem to be very dangerous people... For now, I think it's best if you don't look into them...
"A small smile appeared on Kazuki's face...
Unfortunately, I am your son; there's no way I can just let them be...
"I will find out about them myself...
"Seeing his son's face reminded his father of himself in high school...
Is that so? But you have to remember that you have a family; don't make your family worry...
"Don't worry; I won't make the same mistake twice...
His younger sister was now sleeping on his lap...
"You know your sister is very worried about you, so don't do something like that for the second time...
"Yeah, you're right...
"Grandpa Fujita was next to his father...
Rin was still upstairs...
His mother was cooking in the kitchen...
"A few minutes later...
"Hey, everyone, dinner is ready...
After hearing Kazuki's mom's voice, they all who were sitting started to stand up, we're coming...
"Hey Akira, wake up... Hmm...
His younger sister slowly opened her eyes, what's up, big brother...
"Let's eat...
Hmm, alright, his sister got up from Kazuki's lap and began to walk forward to eat with still sleepy eyes...
"Hey Kazu-kun, please call Rin-chan down for dinner...
"Why do I have to do it...? Alright, Kazuki replied lazily...
"Kazuki went upstairs; Rin's room was on the right of his room...
Kazuki knocked on her door,
Hey Rin, come down for dinner...
"There was no reply... Is she asleep?...
Kazuki opened her door... The door wasn't locked...
"Rin was lying on her bed...
Kazuki approached her bed and sat on it... Hey Rin, wake up...
"Hmm... No, don't...
"What's wrong with her? Is she having a nightmare!?...
"No, Mom... Mom... Tears streamed from Rin's eyes... Rin held Kazuki's left hand that was on the bed...
"I don't know what happened to her family... Kazuki wiped Rin's tears with his right hand...
"But it seems like she lost many loved ones...
"A little while later... finally, Rin opened her eyes, you're awake...
"What are you doing in my room...
I was trying to wake you up, but you wouldn't budge...
"When Rin saw her hand holding Kazuki's hand, she hurriedly released it...
"Now let's go down and eat...
"I don't want to eat; I'm still full...
"Haah... You... Kazuki pulled Rin's right hand and brought her out of her room...
My mom came all the way here and cooked for all of us; don't lie about not wanting to eat...
"Rin was silent, seemingly not knowing what to say. Kazuki continued to hold her hand while going down the stairs. When they reached the first floor, all eyes were on them.
"What's wrong with you two?" Kazuki asked, confused.
"Wow, you guys look like a married couple!" they teased.
"Huh?!" Kazuki just realized he was still holding Rin's hand. "This is a misunderstanding! I'm holding her hand because she wouldn't wake up from bed!"
"Hmm... feeling shy, huh?" his mom teased, covering her mouth with her right hand.
"Mom, it's a misunderstanding!" Kazuki tried to defend himself.
"Hmph, you're really stupid, huh!" Rin said while releasing her hand from Kazuki's grip. She immediately sat next to Akira.
"What did you say?!" Kazuki felt annoyed...
"Alright, alright, let's eat," said his mom. Kazuki sat next to Fujita with a sulky face. After dinner, they all prepared to sleep. On the second floor, his parents' room faced Kazuki's room, while Fujita's room faced Rin's room.
In Kazuki's room... I can't sleep," Kazuki mumbled while lying on his bed. Akira was sleeping in the same room with Rin tonight. Bored, Kazuki left his room. When he went downstairs, he saw Rin standing in front of the window, gazing at the stars scattered across the night sky.
*Hah... her hair blowing in the wind made her look very beautiful...
"Can't you sleep?" Kazuki asked...
Rin turned around. "What are you doing here?" Kazuki stood next to Rin, also gazing at the starry sky.
"I can't sleep."
"Hmm..." Rin was silent for a moment. "Hey Kazuki, do you believe in supernatural beings?"
"What does she mean by that?* "What's with that question?"
"Just answer it."
"Hmm... until I see it myself, I won't believe."
"I see..." Rin looked contemplative, her eyes fixed on the stars as if searching for an answer. "If I said supernatural beings exist, would you believe?"
"I already told you, if I haven't seen it myself, I won't believe!" Kazuki felt frustrated. *Why does she keep pressing me with this question?*
"You're really... It seems you don't play far enough," Rin muttered while passing by him, leaving Kazuki confused. *What does that mean?
He could only stand there, watching Rin's shadow disappear.
"I don't care about supernatural beings or whatever...
but if they really exist, that would be interesting..."