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The biting cold of winter lingered as Kaoru leaned against the windowpane, gazing at the frost-covered streets below. The city was alive with its usual hum of energy, but for once, Kaoru felt a pang of homesickness. Memories of his family's sprawling Japanese-style mansion nestled in a serene countryside untouched by the chaos of the city began to flood his mind.
After Kaede's persistent texts about their parents missing him, Kaoru finally made a decision. He spun in his chair to face Aya, who was reviewing notes on his second manga chapter.
"Hey, Aya," Kaoru began, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly.
Without looking up, Aya replied in her usual cold tone, "What is it now? Another grand idea about a chuunibyo knight battling eldritch horrors?"
Kaoru snorted. "Not this time. I was thinking… you wanna come with me to visit my family?"
Aya froze, her pen hovering mid-air. Slowly, she turned to face him, her sharp eyes narrowing. "Visit… your family?"
"Yeah," Kaoru said casually, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "It's been a while, and, y'know, my parents would probably like to meet someone I work with."
Aya's mind began to spin. Was this… an introduction? Did Kaoru actually mean to bring her as a guest to meet his family? Was this some kind of unspoken first step? She quickly shook her head, her cheeks threatening to betray her cool exterior.
"Well, I suppose I could spare some time," she said, feigning indifference. "Just don't make it weird.."
Kaoru raised an eyebrow. "Weird? It's just a visit, Aya. Relax."
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Scene 1 Action!: The Journey to Serenity!
The next day, Kaoru and Aya boarded a train heading to the countryside. The journey was peaceful, with snow-covered fields rushing past the windows. Aya, who rarely ventured out of the city, found herself captivated by the pristine beauty of the landscape.
Kaoru, on the other hand, spent most of the trip reminiscing about his chuunibyo days, much to Aya's chagrin.
"So, when I was in high school," Kaoru began, leaning back in his seat, "I used to stand on the roof of the school building, pointing at the horizon and shouting, 'The Crimson Abyss calls for me!'"
Aya buried her face in her hands. "Why am I not surprised…"
Kaoru grinned. "Come on, Aya. Don't act like you weren't secretly hoping for a chuunibyo phase of your own."
Aya shot him a glare. "I'd rather jump off the school roof than stand on it shouting nonsense."
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Scene 2 Action!: The Kagami Estate
As the train pulled into the station, Aya noticed the air was different clean, crisp, and free of the usual city smog. Kaoru led the way to a waiting car, which drove them through winding roads lined with towering pine trees. Eventually, they arrived at the Kagami estate.
Aya's breath hitched at the sight. The house wasn't just a house it was a small mansion, a blend of traditional Japanese architecture with sliding shoji doors, wooden verandas, and a meticulously kept garden complete with koi ponds and stone lanterns.
"You live here?" Aya asked, her voice tinged with disbelief.
Kaoru scratched his head sheepishly. "Yeah, well… used to. Haven't been back in a while."
Aya narrowed her eyes. "You conveniently forgot to mention you grew up in this."
Before Kaoru could respond, the front doors slid open, and his parents stepped out. His mother, a graceful woman in a kimono, smiled warmly, while his father, a tall and imposing man with a stern face, immediately burst into tears upon seeing Kaoru.
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Scene 3 Action!: The Golden Family Drama Comedy.
"KAORU!!!!" his father wailed, running toward him with open arms. "My boy! You abandoned us for so long! I thought you'd forgotten your family!"
Kaoru stepped back, startled. "Dad, I didn't abandon anyone! I was—"
"You were chasing your dreams!" his father sobbed dramatically, clinging to Kaoru's shoulders. "Dreams of becoming a mangaka instead of inheriting the family legacy! Do you know how much it hurt us?!"
Kaoru sighed, glancing at Aya. "This is what I have to deal with."
Aya, trying to suppress a laugh, simply shook her head.
Kaede suddenly appeared from behind their parents, smirking. "See, Aya? This is why Onii-chan's so weird. He's always been dramatic, just like Dad."
Aya's lips twitched. "It's all starting to make sense now."
Their mother stepped forward, offering a warm smile to Aya. "You must be Kaoru's editor. Thank you for taking care of our son."
Aya bowed politely. "It's a pleasure to work with him."
Kaede leaned closer to Aya, whispering, "Don't let her fool you. She's already planning to set you two up."
Aya stiffened, her composure faltering for a brief moment.
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Scene 4 Action!: The Heir Debate.
That evening, the family gathered in the living room around the kotatsu. As the conversation turned to Kaoru's career, his father brought up the heirship.
"We always thought Kaoru would take over the family business," his father said with a sigh. "But it seems Kaede is the better fit."
Kaede puffed out her chest proudly. "Of course I am! I've got the brains and the charisma."
Kaoru smirked. "Don't forget the ego."
Kaede stuck out her tongue. "At least I'm not a weirdo chuunibyo who yells about abyssal flames."
Aya couldn't help but laugh, earning a glare from Kaoru. "Traitor," he muttered.
---
Scene 5 Action!: A Moment of Peace..
As the night wore on, Aya found herself alone on the veranda, gazing at the garden illuminated by the soft glow of lanterns. The peacefulness of the estate was unlike anything she'd experienced in the city.
Kaoru joined her, holding two cups of tea. "Here," he said, handing her one.
Aya accepted it with a nod. "Your family is… interesting."
Kaoru chuckled. "Yeah, they're a handful, but they mean well. Even Dad, with his dramatic sobbing."
Aya glanced at him. "Why did you really leave? Was it just to chase your dreams?"
Kaoru's expression grew serious. "Partly. But also… I wanted to prove I could make something of myself without relying on the family name. I didn't want to be just another heir."
Aya studied him for a moment before speaking. "You've done well, Kaoru. But don't forget they're proud of you no matter what."
Kaoru smiled faintly. "Thanks, Aya."
Unbeknownst to them, Kaede was watching from the doorway, smirking. "Looks like someone's getting closer," she whispered to herself.
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Scene 6 Action!: The Text.
As they prepared to leave the next morning, Kaoru's phone buzzed with a text from Kaede.
"The whole family's still waiting for you to come back, Big Bro. Don't forget us, okay..?"
Kaoru sighed, pocketing his phone. He didn't need the reminder. No matter how far he went, his family and their chaos would always be waiting.
Aya, noticing his somber expression, nudged him lightly. "Ready to go?"
Kaoru nodded, smiling. "Yeah. Let's go."
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End Of Chapter Ten.