The sky had turned a calm shade of purple by the time Ren made it home. The breeze had softened, cicadas buzzing faintly in the distance.
He stood for a moment outside the gate of his house. It was exactly like he remembered — the little mailbox shaped like a birdhouse, the chipped corner of the wall his dad always said he'd fix but never did.
He pushed the gate open, stepped in, and took a slow breath.
Ren (in his head):
It's real. All of it. Even this…
The front door creaked as he opened it.
Ren: "I'm home."
???: "Welcome back, Ren~!"
A cheerful voice called from the kitchen. His mother peeked out, still wearing her apron, her short hair tied back as usual.
Mom: (smiling) "How was school? You look tired."
Ren: (rubbing the back of his neck) "Yeah. Long day."
She came over, ruffling his hair gently.
Mom: "You haven't even been back a full day and you already look like finals are tomorrow."
Ren: (small smile) "Feels like I'm studying for life this time."
Mom: "Huh?"
Ren: "Nothing."
He kicked off his shoes and stepped in. The warmth of home wrapped around him. That same faint scent of fabric softener, the hum of the refrigerator, the sound of sizzling from the kitchen.
Mom: "Dinner'll be ready soon. Go wash up, okay?"
Ren: "Got it."
---
A little while later, just as Ren settled at the table, the door opened again with a loud:
???: "I'M HOOOME~!"
Mom: "Lower your voice, you'll scare the neighbors again!"
Ren's dad walked in, his tie half-loosened, a grin stretched across his face like a kid who just got out of detention.
Dad: "Smells like something's burning—wait, no, that's your cooking!"
Mom: (throwing a towel at him) "You wanna starve tonight?"
Dad: (winking) "As long as I'm fed love, I'm full."
Ren just groaned quietly as his mom turned red and shooed him toward the table with mock annoyance.
They all sat down, and for a few peaceful minutes, it was just the sounds of chopsticks clinking and light banter.
Dad: "Ren, how's school? Fall in love yet?"
Ren: (nearly choking on rice) "W-What?!"
Dad: "I'm just sayin'—I met your mom when I was your age."
Mom: "And I regret it every day."
Dad: "She's joking. She's just shy about how much she still loves me."
Mom: (laughs quietly but hides her smile behind her bowl) "Eat your food, idiot."
Ren smiled faintly, watching them.
Even after everything… this felt good. Safe. Whole.