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Ryosuke and Sayuri, still in the living room watching her, slowly stepped forward. Sayuri couldn't help but grin widely at the sight of her aunt after all this time, while Ryosuke kept a more reserved expression, his mind still tangled with everything he knew about her.
Yuki leaned forward slightly and, without hesitation, playfully ruffled both kids' hair with affectionate mischief.
"Well, would you look at you two! You've grown so much, I barely recognize you!" she said with a laugh, her eyes sparkling with joy. "I still remember you running around everywhere with endless energy. Now look at you—almost grown-ups!"
She rummaged through her handbag and pulled out two small packages wrapped in colorful paper. She handed them to Ryosuke and Sayuri with a mysterious smile.
"I thought of you during my travels. It's nothing big, but I wanted to bring you a little souvenir from my adventures. Go on, open them."
Sayuri, impatient as always, quickly tore open the wrapping and discovered a small wooden music box. The lid was finely carved with designs that looked straight out of a fairy tale. She turned the tiny crank, and a soft, enchanting melody filled the room.
"It's beautiful, thank you, Aunt Yuki!" she exclaimed, her eyes glowing with gratitude.
Ryosuke, on the other hand, unwrapped his gift more slowly. He found an old leather notebook, its pages slightly yellowed with age. He opened it gently and saw that some pages were filled with nearly indecipherable handwritten notes. He ran his fingers over the lines, curious.
Yuki, watching him closely, winked. "That notebook holds some incredible stories, Ryosuke. It belonged to someone very special. I'm sure it'll inspire you."
Ryosuke nodded.
Their mother interrupted with a smile. "Alright, everyone to the table now. And Yuki, I swear, you really haven't changed... still always late."
Yuki raised her hands in mock surrender, her smile widening. "I know, I know! Sorry. But you know me—time and I have never really gotten along."
Everyone moved toward the dining room, where the table was already set. Ryosuke took a seat across from Yuki.
Laughter and light conversation continued throughout the meal. Sayuri was overjoyed, asking Yuki a thousand questions about her travels and the exotic places she had visited.
Dinner had just ended, and the family was now enjoying dessert—homemade apple pie, its sweet scent still lingering in the air.
The lively laughter and chatter that had filled the evening gradually faded, replaced by a calm and cozy atmosphere. The soft clinking of cutlery against plates was now the only sound echoing through the house.
Sayuri still wore a look of excitement, but sleepiness was beginning to show. She was clearly worn out from the evening's surprises and, without protest—a rare thing—she finally went upstairs to bed.
Ryosuke, however, felt more nervous than he cared to admit. He remained at the table, watching his aunt closely.
When the meal came to an end, Yuki let out a satisfied sigh, stretched like a lazy cat, and slowly stood up from the table. She ran a hand through her slightly tousled hair and turned to Ryosuke and his mother with a mischievous smile.
"Well, I guess I could be useful and help clear the table, to make up for being late…" she said, casually grabbing a stack of plates.
Ryosuke stood as well, picking up some cutlery to join her in the kitchen.
For a while, they cleaned up in silence, the sound of running water in the sink the only thing breaking the stillness. But Yuki, true to herself, couldn't stay quiet for long.
She glanced at Ryosuke, a sly smile tugging at her lips. "Well, well, you've really changed since the last time I saw you," she said with playful mischief in her voice. "You're not the silly little boy you used to be, huh?"
Ryosuke shrugged, placing the dishes in the sink. "I've grown up," he replied simply, not offering more than that.
Yuki set down the cutlery she was holding and looked at him with a knowing smile. "So, since you're so mature now, maybe you can finally answer me—what's your type of girl? Last time I asked, you dodged the question."
Ryosuke let out a soft laugh, shaking his head. "Last time, I was ten," he replied, rinsing a plate under the warm water.
Yuki burst into laughter, that kind of bright, genuine laugh that lit up her face. But almost instantly, her amusement faded.
The shift in atmosphere was immediate. Yuki's expression turned serious, almost cold.
She pointed to his shoulder.
"You can see it, can't you?" she asked calmly.
Ryosuke pretended to be surprised, widening his eyes. "You can see it too?"
Yuki raised a hand to calm him. "Easy, Ryosuke. I'll explain everything. Since when has it been like this?"
Ryosuke looked away, uneasy. "It's been almost a month…" he murmured. "I thought I was going crazy, but now I see you can see it too." He pointed at the reptilian spirit slithering silently around his aunt. "Why is that... that snake stuck to you?"
Yuki scratched the back of her head, almost sheepishly. "Ah, that. Well, you see, a jujutsu sorcerer usually awakens between four and six years old… but you, you're really an exception."
Ryosuke frowned, feigning confusion. "Jujutsu sorcerer? What are you talking about, Auntie?"