Once the lock clicked, the warm scent of garlic and herbs drifted out, wrapping around them as they stepped into the hallway.
Izan bent, setting the bags down by the couch in a neat stack, exhaling softly through his nose.
Before he could straighten, a head peeked out from the kitchen doorway.
Komi.
Her gaze skipped past Olivia, lingered briefly on the mountain of shopping bags, and then locked squarely on Hori.
"You."
Her tone was sharp, somewhere between scolding and resigned, like she already knew exactly what had happened.
Hori froze mid-step, clutching her little shopping bag closer to her chest as if it could shield her.
Olivia bit her lip to hide a smile, while Izan just closed his eyes for a beat, already knowing trouble was about to brew.
Hori blinked, still clutching her bag like a shield. "...Me?"
"Yes, you," Komi shot back, striding forward, her expression sharpening into that familiar motherly scowl.
"Why didn't you go to school?"
