Normally, Hiroki is in the kitchen, preparing dinner. As an artist, his schedule is flexible, with no clear boundary between work and life. Yuna, on the other hand, often works overtime and never seems to rest.
Their little girl is helping her dad beat two raw eggs in a bowl when the sound of keys turning echoes from the front door. She scamers over and stands on tiptoe to unlock it.
Seeing Hikari waiting there, Yuna's lips curve into a soft smile. She gives her daughter a quick hug, steps inside, and hangs up her blazer and handbag. Hikari glances at her mother, noticing the fatigue in her face, and quietly swallows whatever she'd planned to say. She looks to her dad, who simply raises a finger to his lips with a gentle shhh.
Dinner begins with all three at the table. Yuna explains she was late because she got a haircut—her long, straight hair now trimmed neatly at her shoulders.
Sensing it's the right moment, Hikari speaks up, eyes lighting up.
"Mama, I met a strange man today!"
She chirps, then begins retelling the afternoon's events as Hiroki had coached her. Sitting beside Yuna, she imitates the stranger's posture with her hands on her hips, making Hiroki stifle a laugh.
Yuna listens closely, hiding any emotion, nodding calmly in understanding. Then she says gently, pulse quickening:
"Hikari, you were very brave today. But Mama needs to tell you something."
"Yes?"
Yuna pauses for a moment, carefully choosing her words.
"The man you saw today… he used to be someone very important to me. We were in love, and… we had you."
Hikari blinks in surprise.
"So… he's my dad?"
Yuna gives her a tender smile. It's a truth they knew they would eventually have to share.
"He is your biological father. But the one who raised you, who's been there every morning and night, is Daddy Hiroki."
The little girl turns to Hiroki.
"You, Daddy Hiroki?"
He nods and reaches out to take her tiny hand.
"That's right. I'm your dad."
Yuna looks at him—something stirring quietly in her eyes, as if a strange calm has returned to her heart. The dishes on the table still steam, but no one feels hungry.
"So… do I have two dads?" Hikari asks innocently, eyes wide.
Yuna pulls her close and says softly:
"Because that man and I… we don't love each other anymore. But then, Hiroki and I fell in love. You'll understand more when you grow up. What matters is—we both love you very much."
"Okay!" Hikari giggles, then buries her nose back into her unfinished rice, content with her perfectly round little world.
….
Late that night, the soft glow of the bedroom lamp cast a warm light on a framed photo above the bed—a picture from sports day. Hiroki carries Hikari on his back, while Yuna beams beside them, holding up a tiny trophy.
The couple lies side by side, whispering to each other in the stillness. The air feels close, heavy with unspoken weight.
"I never thought... he'd come back to Osaka," Yuna murmurs, tracing lazy circles on Hiroki's hand. "And if he did... it would probably be with Irumi."
Hiroki sighs, eyes fixed on the ceiling.
"If she were still with him, he wouldn't have come to the preschool today," he says, voice calm but firm.
Yuna nods, falling silent for a moment. "He could still do anything... but I think something happened between them."
She props herself up, resting on her elbow.
"What did you think, seeing Ryusei again?"
"He looked different. Worn out. Like the man I used to know is completely gone."
She nods again, acknowledging it, but clearly not wanting to say more about the past.
"Four years is a long time."
Then she looks at him, troubled.
"Should we... call the police?"
Hiroki hesitates, weighing the thought.
"I've considered it. But he hasn't crossed any lines yet. Maybe we just keep an eye on him... no need to escalate unless it becomes necessary."
In the silence, Hiroki's gaze drifts back to the photo above the bed. His expression softens, but his eyes burned with quiet resolve.
In that photo, sunlight shines brightly through the trees, wind lifting Hikari's ribbon as Hiroki holds their whole world in his arms.