Kiyotaka took another sip of tea until his wife nudged him gently with her elbow.
"Don’t act all grumbly now. Remember the last time Keiko stayed over?"
"When she and Kazuma were in the guest room, and you had to wear earplugs just to sleep."
Her tone was teasing, eyes narrowing with amusement.
Kiyotaka groaned, covering his mouth with his teacup.
"Tch... that girl. I thought she was trying to tear down the walls with how loud she got."
"Wait—what!?" Kyouko’s eyes widened in pure disbelief.
Kiyotaka clicked his tongue.
"Disgraceful. Acting like rabbits in their own parents’ house."
"They are married, you know." his wife said, not hiding her grin.
"Besides, it’s not like we didn’t do that once or twice when we were younger."
Kyouko nearly choked on her tea.
Even Kiyotaka’s ears turned slightly red, but he didn’t argue.
"Still... Kazuma may be soft-spoken, but Keiko got him completely wrapped around her finger."
The sound of a car pulling up echoed softly through the countryside air.
Kiyotaka set down his cup.
"That’s probably them."
They all stood and made their way toward the front door.
The wooden floors creaked beneath their steps. The sliding door was already half open.
Kenji trailed a few steps behind his parents and sister.
Kyouko glanced back at him.
"What, neesan?" he replied casually, hands in his pockets.
She tilted her head slightly, raising a brow.
"Ah—Hitomi? She’s working. She’ll be back in the evening."
"Still working hard, huh?" Kyouko smiled.
Kenji nodded, a bit proud.
"She’s the manager now. Honestly, she could run the whole chain if they let her."
"So you married a strong one too." Kyouko teased.
"Better than being alone, right?" he said with a grin.
Then he paused, glancing at her.
"...Though I kinda wish you’d come home more often, Nee-san. Things are always more lively when you’re around."
Kyouko gave a small smile but didn’t respond right away.
Outside, the car door opened, and a cheerful voice rang out.
"Kyaaaaa!! Nee-san!!"
The high-pitched, energetic voice rang out before Keiko even came into view.
Moments later, the front gate clattered open and Keiko burst through like a whirlwind of pure joy, rushing straight at Kyouko with arms wide.
Before Kyouko could brace herself, Keiko had already thrown herself into her.
"Mou!!" Keiko pulled back just enough to pout dramatically, hands still on Kyouko’s shoulders.
"I was supposed to be the youngest!!"
Kyouko let out a soft laugh, lightly patting her sister’s head.
"Don’t tease me like that, Keiko..."
"I’m serious!! Look at you! That skin, those curves,and that dress!! If we stand next to each other, people are going to think I’m the older one!"
Kyouko laughed again, more gently this time, her expression warm.
"It’s just good lighting."
"Liar!" Keiko puffed her cheeks.
"You’re glowing like some idol mom! Do you bathe in collagen or something!?"
"Face it, Keiko. You lost. Nee-san still holds the family beauty title."
"hhmph...!!" Keiko puffed her cheeks, then groaned theatrically and leaned her head on Kyouko’s shoulder.
Kiyotaka cleared his throat loudly.
"Enough screaming at the door."
While the sisters walked off arm in arm, voices light with laughter, Kenji approached the small car where Kazuma was unloading the trunk.
He crossed his arms and gave a half-smile.
"Kazuma... let me help you carry that bag."
Kazuma, still the same soft-spoken man from years ago, shook his head politely.
"Ah... no need, brother-in-law. I can take this."
He lifted the larger bag carefully.
"Besides, it’s Keiko’s things. "
"Still as obedient as ever, huh? You haven’t changed a bit."
Kazuma scratched his cheek, eyes drifting toward the house.
"Well... Keiko hasn’t either."
"You mean the shouting or the love?"
Kazuma chuckled quietly.
Once inside, Keiko dropped her bag by the entryway and immediately turned to wrap her arms around their mother.
"Ahh~ Mama! I missed you!"
She squeezed tightly before pulling back to look at her face.
Then, with a cheeky grin.
"Good thing we inherited your genes, huh?"
She gently poked her mother’s cheek.
"You still look like you’re in your forties. How is that even fair?"
Their mother clicked her tongue but smiled.
"Flattery doesn’t work on me, Keiko."
"I’m not flattering you—it’s fact!"
Keiko spun toward Kyouko and pointed.
"Look at neesan! She looks like she just finished college!"
Her eyes briefly scanned her mother’s face, still smooth, still radiant, with the same calm presence she remembered from her childhood.
No wonder we turned out , she thought.
Mom stayed beautiful, even without skincare or luxury creams. Just love, hard work, and stubbornness.
Behind them, Kiyotaka gave a small grunt.
"Enough about beauty. A woman’s strength is not just in her face."
Their mother turned toward him and smirked.
"Then why did you chase after me back in high school, hmm?"
Kiyotaka coughed and looked away.
Kenji and Kazuma exchanged quiet chuckles near the shoe rack.
Once everyone had settled in the living room, Kiyotaka sat with his usual calm, stoic expression, while their mother moved gracefully around him—pouring a small glass of sake for her husband and setting out tea for everyone else.
Kyouko sat beside her mother, sipping from her cup, when she glanced toward the bottle and raised a brow.
"Father... isn’t it a bit early for sake?"
Kiyotaka took a sip without flinching.
"No such thing as too early when all my children are finally home."
Their mother smiled as she sat down next to him.
"Let him drink, Kyouko. It’s rare for him to have the house full ."
Kiyotaka placed his cup down and looked toward Kenji.
"Kenji. Where are my grandchildren?"
Kenji scratched his head, a bit sheepishly.
"Probably upstairs playing games. I’ll call them down later."
Then Kiyotaka turned his sharp eyes toward the other couple.
"And you two—Keiko, Kazuma..."
"Y-yes, Father?" Keiko answered quickly, sitting up straight.
His gaze didn’t soften.
"When will I be getting grandchildren from the two of you?"
Kazuma opened his mouth, hesitated for a beat, then cleared his throat.
"Err... actually, Father... Keiko has something to announce."
All eyes turned to her.
Keiko grinned shyly, resting both hands on her belly.
"I’m three months pregnant."
There was a beat of silence—then their mother gasped, hands flying to her mouth.
"Really!? Oh, Keiko!"
Kyouko’s eyes widened, then softened with genuine joy.
"Keiko... that’s wonderful."
Kiyotaka remained still for a second, then gave a firm nod.
His expression unreadable—but the corner of his mouth lifted, just slightly.
"Good. Finally. About time."
Kazuma let out a relieved breath.