The ringtone cut through the quiet of the room. Kyouko turned, spotting her phone resting where she had left it beside the apron.
When she saw the name flashing on the screen, her heart skipped.
Kitayama. Her father.
For a moment, she hesitated, fingers hovering above the phone before finally answering.
"Hello… Father?" Her voice was soft, respectful, almost nervous.
"Kyouko!" His deep voice came, steady and commanding as always.
"I'm with Haruki now. I'm going to bring my grandson to my house."
Her eyes widened. "Eh? But…"
"No buts." Kitayama's tone left no room for argument. "You've promised that you sent him to my house once a month. And your mother is here with me too. She wants to see him."
Kyouko pressed her lips together, torn between obedience and hesitation. Her father's word was absolute.
Yet, as a mother, her heart still tugged anxiously at the thought of being separated, even for a short while.
