"Wow, isn't the sun amazing? It's shining, red and so beautiful. I love this moment… it's even better than going to the maiden club every time," Akari said as she stretched out on the grass, arms tucked beneath her head. The picnic basket lay open beside them, fruits and snacks half-finished, the blanket spread neatly under their legs. The glow of sunset spilled over the horizon, washing the entire garden in warm light. Akari's voice carried that cheerful tone she always had, like she was determined to pull everyone into her happiness.
She tilted her head toward Rin, expecting her cousin to smile back, but Rin wasn't even looking at the sun. Her gaze was far away, her expression unreadable, as though she was somewhere else entirely.
Akari frowned. "Cousin Rin, is everything okay?" she asked softly, nudging Rin's arm.
"Huh?" Rin blinked quickly, like she'd been shaken out of a dream. She sat upright, almost too fast. "What… what happened?"
"I said the sun looks shining and beautiful," Akari repeated, half teasing, half concerned.
Rin's lips curved faintly, but her eyes lowered to the grass. "Yes… it's beautiful and shining… even when it's so far away, and you can't reach it."
The way she said it made Akari's chest tighten. That wasn't the normal Rin answer. Her cousin wasn't one for poetic lines unless something heavy was weighing on her.
"What's wrong?" Akari asked again, this time with a bit more firmness. She pushed herself up to sit properly, facing Rin. "You look sad. You were the one who suggested this picnic here as an apology for leaving you alone at the club. Is the environment not good? Or… do you not like my apology picnic—"
"No," Rin interrupted quickly, shaking her head. "This garden is perfect. Your apology picnic is perfect. It's just that…" She trailed off, her voice fading like smoke. Her hands fidgeted in her lap, her shoulders tense.
Akari leaned forward, her smile soft but her eyes serious. "I'm all ears, cousin. I promise I won't say anything hurtful. I'll just listen."
For a long moment, Rin said nothing. Then, slowly, she drew her knees up and hugged them to her chest, her chin resting on top. Her voice was quiet, almost trembling. "Every weekend, my grandmother stops by my apartment. She always brings food and fills my fridge for the week. I keep wondering how she'll feel when she comes over and doesn't find me there."
Akari blinked. She didn't fully understand what Rin meant, but the way her cousin's voice cracked made her stay silent.
"I don't know why… but I'm feeling homesick," Rin whispered. Her eyes glistened as she forced the words out. "After my parents died, my grandparents were the only ones who took care of me. No matter how much I tried to push them away, they never stopped loving me. I never got the chance to really tell them how much I love them… how much I appreciate everything they did."
Her breath hitched, and tears began to roll freely down her cheeks. "They still loved me, even after I… killed their only daughter. And now she'll never see me again."
Akari's heart ached. She didn't know all the details behind Rin's words—her cousin had always carried a strange shadow of mystery—but pain was pain, and this was real. Without hesitating, Akari reached over and pulled Rin into her arms.
"I don't know what you're talking about, cousin," Akari whispered honestly. "But I'll stay here. I'll stay with you until you're calm."
Rin pressed her face into Akari's shoulder, her body trembling as sobs escaped her. The sound cut through the quiet garden, but Akari only held her tighter, rubbing small circles on her back like one might comfort a child. The sun dipped lower, the red light wrapping around them as though it wanted to keep them safe for just a little longer.
Time passed. Eventually, Rin's sobs slowed, her breathing evening out. Akari pulled back just a little, tilting her head. "Are you done crying, cousin?" she asked softly.
Rin sniffed, nodded, and quickly wiped her face with her sleeve. "Thank you for listening, cousin Akari."
"No worries." Akari gave her a bright smile, as if to remind Rin that things could always be lighter. "What are cousins for? We always have each other's backs, right?"
"Yeah," Rin said quietly, though a tiny smile tugged at her lips.
Akari's eyes lit up with sudden mischief. "So… does this mean you've forgiven me for what happened the other day? And you'll still be escorting me out?"
Rin crossed her arms, trying to regain her cool composure. "I don't know. An apology picnic isn't enough. Rie still owes me an apology too—because both of you went off and left me alone with my brothers. We ended up kidnapped by ants! So no, this picnic isn't the only apology I want."
Akari gasped dramatically. "Hey, I let you cry on my shoulder! That should count as part of the apology too!"
But Rin only shook her head slowly, her smirk returning.
Akari groaned in defeat. "Alright then, cousin. What do you want?"
Rin hesitated, twisting the hem of her skirt between her fingers. Finally, she spoke. "Well… today I have a date with the villainess queen. So, I need you to help me pick a dress."
Akari's jaw dropped, eyes going wide. "Wow! How many dates do you even have?"
Rin lifted her chin proudly. "Hmm… I have about six more. And after that, I get to decide whether I'll get married or not."
Akari let out a low whistle. "Wow, me and Rei have been on more than ten dates, and we're still in love—still looking forward to more." She nudged Rin with her elbow, grinning playfully.
Rin muttered under her breath as she stood, brushing grass from her clothes. "Yeah, read the dates wrong and you'll end up getting killed on the eleventh."
Akari blinked at her, half laughing, half horrified. "What kind of romance advice is that?" She scrambled to her feet as Rin started gathering the picnic things. "Okay, cousin, let me take you to the best dress shop in Kaida. Let's see if we can get the dress today."
"Okay," Rin replied, her voice calm but her cheeks slightly pink.
"And by the way, cousin," Akari added as they packed up the last of the basket, "I think I deserve a thank-you gift or something."
Rin glanced at her. "For what, cousin?"
"Well, I almost got choked to death twice in a week because of you," Akari said, dramatically clutching her neck as though reenacting the memory. She rolled her eyes but the seriousness in her voice lingered.
Rin looked away, her voice dropping. "Oh… sorry about that."
The two of them walked side by side, leaving the garden together.