Memories are like an old photograph, yellowed, blurry, and even damaged in places, hazy and indistinct.
However, in certain special environments, a part of the photograph will suddenly become vivid and clear, as if it just happened yesterday. Currently, Shiki Tohno is in such a state.
Although seven years have passed, the Tohno family mansion hasn't changed much, which alleviates Shiki's sense of estrangement, even stirring up feelings of nostalgia. Just a moment ago, he found it hard to accept returning to the Tohno family, but now it doesn't seem so bad.
This is the home where Shiki lived until he was nine.
After seven long years, most memories of that time have faded.
Even so, certain scenes remain deeply imprinted in his heart, becoming more vivid with his return.
He wasn't the only child living in the Tohno household. The clearest memory is naturally of his sister, Akiha.
As a child, Akiha was always quiet, often showing a nervous expression as if afraid of doing something wrong.
When playing with others, she would always take small steps, following closely behind him.
With her long black hair and cute dress, she looked like the most delicate doll.
He remembers that when he first moved to the Arima household, Akiha visited a few times. However, since he frequently ended up in the hospital, it was hard to meet her. Later, after Akiha was sent to a full-boarding school by their father, the chances of meeting naturally became even rarer.
Besides Akiha, there were also twin girls.
One was very spirited, a girl whose mere presence could lift everyone's spirits. Her cheerful personality made everyone in the mansion find her adorable. Being close in age, he got along well with her, and they would run around the courtyard every day.
"Shiki, come play with us."
With a bright smile, she would find him locked in his room, dragging along the shy Akiha. As long as she was there, even the strictest elders would cast kind looks.
In contrast to her, there was another girl.
Identical in appearance but expressionless, she never left the second floor of the mansion, only observing the children playing in the courtyard with a cold gaze.
In the end, he only exchanged a few words with that girl.
"I wonder if those children are still in the mansion..."
Shiki, waking from his memories, reached into his bag and quietly grasped a white ribbon.
The ribbon was very old.
It was something he received from her at the last moment. On the day he was sent from the Tohno mansion to the Arima household after that incident seven years ago.
Just before leaving the mansion, the girl, for some reason, handed over this ribbon.
"This is a loan, so you must return it to me."
With those words, the girl quickly ran off.
This ribbon had lifted Shiki's spirits more than once after being abandoned by his father. The thought of that girl waiting for him to return the ribbon always warmed a part of his heart.
It was because he longed for them and his desire to see them again that he was willing to return to this house.
"It's surprisingly quiet."
Mikiya stood at the exaggeratedly large iron gate, peering inside.
"Is anyone there?"
"No need to waste your breath, Mikiya. There's no one nearby, and the gate isn't locked. We should just go in."
Shiki pushed the gate open with both hands and walked in first.
"Shiki..."
Mikiya was about to stop her, but seeing Tohno Shiki also entering, he could only follow reluctantly.
Just as Shiki said, the front yard was empty, giving a sense of discord with the vast mansion.
Fortunately, at the end of the stone path, near the heavy front door, they finally saw a familiar figure.
"Shiki, long time no see. And Kariya, Shiki, you guys came too? Couldn't wait to greet Shiki's family?"
The one waiting outside the front door was, of course, the instigator of the current scene, Shinji Matou.
"Long time no see, Shinji."
Tohno Shiki and Mikiya greeted him with smiles, but only Shiki spoke with a hint of displeasure.
"We're afraid you and Touko have some scheme prepared for Shiki."
"Oh my, oh my, Shiki, your sharp intuition is troubling."
"So there is a scheme. Spill it."
Hearing Shinji's words, Shiki's face immediately darkened.
Shinji didn't mind: "Haha, since it's a scheme, revealing it would make it ineffective. Shiki, remember my words: don't just rely on your eyes, observe with your heart, empathize with others, and you will find peace."
"Hmph, stop being so mysterious."
"Yes, I understand."
The same words, but with different attitudes.
The mansion's door opened again, and Touko stepped out.
"If you want to chat, come inside. Don't linger at the door... Shiki, Mikiya, you're here too. No need to rush the greetings."
"Why do you all say that," Mikiya said helplessly.
"Well, since you're here, come in. The new head of the Tohno family has been waiting in the living room for quite a while."
A smirk curled at Touko's lips, hinting at mischief.
"The arrival of the heir of the Ryougi family will certainly surprise her."
"Um... who is the new head of the Tohno family?"
Tohno Shiki asked nervously.
"Someone you know well. Your dear sister, Akiha Tohno. She has missed you, her big brother."
Touko and Shinji spoke simultaneously, while Mikiya and Shiki exchanged a glance, the latter grumbling, "What a twisted sense of humor."
However, Tohno Shiki could no longer hear what they were saying.
"Akiha is the head?"
Regarding his fostering at the Arima household, Tohno Shiki had no complaints. The only exception was leaving Akiha behind, leaving his one-year-younger sister alone in that cold mansion.
His father, Makihisa, was a stubborn man with very strict expectations for his children, especially the heir. Recalling his childhood education still made Shiki's scalp tingle.
When he was abandoned by his father after the "car accident" left him with a weak body, a heavy burden fell on Akiha's shoulders—Akiha, who was only eight years old.
"—Akiha must resent me."
Because of his escape.
With such chaotic feelings, he arrived outside the living room, staring blankly as Touko knocked on the door and announced his return.
Then, the door opened.
Shiki saw her, the elegant young lady with black hair, and the two maids on either side, one cheerful, the other indifferent.
"Welcome home, brother/Shiki-sama."
Though they had grown up and were no longer the children they once were, in Shiki's eyes, they still seemed the same as in his childhood.
His chaotic emotions suddenly calmed, and all his worries vanished.
"Ah, I'm home."
It was as if they were meeting for the first time.
PS: I made a mistake. The sister whom Shiki Tohno introduced during the group date was Miyako, not Akiha.