A few days slipped by in silence, and soon Sunday arrived. The house buzzed with the soft sound of footsteps, the creak of doors, and the clinking of dishes being put away. It was the day Eren's family would visit his grandparents.
His mother, already dressed neatly, stood in the hallway with her bag slung over her shoulder. She glanced around.
"Alright," she said, her voice carrying through the house, "is everyone ready? We need to leave on time."
Eren adjusted the cuff of his shirt but didn't answer. His younger sister, still tying her hair into a messy ponytail, suddenly looked up with a puzzled frown.
"Mom… what about Dad . And isn't Big Brother coming with us? It looks like it's only you, me, and Second Brother."
Her words seemed to echo in the room. She looked from her mother to Eren, expecting someone to explain.
Their mom let out a quiet sigh, soft enough to show her disappointment but calm enough to keep things steady.
"Your dad is busy today," she replied, tugging at her bag strap. "I tried calling Ryker earlier, but he didn't answer the phone. So, it's just the three of us this time."
The girl frowned again but didn't argue. She simply picked up her scarf and muttered, "It feels strange without them."
Eren stayed still, his gaze fixed on the floor. He neither agreed nor disagreed, his silence saying more than words could.
"Come on," their mom said more firmly now, breaking the heavy pause. "We shouldn't keep your grandparents waiting."
The three of them stepped outside. The morning air was crisp, the faint scent of wet earth still lingering from the rain the night before. Their small car was parked in the driveway, its windows reflecting the bright sunlight.
Eren slid into the back seat, his sister beside him, while their mom started the engine. The gentle hum filled the silence.
For a while, no one spoke. The car moved steadily down the familiar road lined with tall trees, their shadows stretching across the sidewalk. Eren leaned his head against the window, watching the world blur by. Houses, shops, and people drifted past, but his mind was elsewhere—locked in its own quiet maze.
His sister, restless as always, broke the silence.
"Do you think Grandma will make that sweet rice pudding again?" she asked, her eyes lighting up.
Their mom smiled faintly. "Maybe. You know how much he likes cooking for you all."
"That's good!" she chirped, swinging her legs. "Last time, he made extra just because I finished two bowls. I bet he'll make even more this time."
Her chatter filled the car, easing the silence a little. Eren listened quietly but didn't join in. He pressed his forehead lightly against the cool glass of the window, the sound of her voice mixing with the rhythm of the moving car.
At one point, his mom glanced at him through the rear-view mirror. She noticed his distant expression, the way he seemed lost in his thoughts. But she didn't say anything. Instead, she tightened her grip on the steering wheel and focused on the road.
The car rolled on, carrying them closer to their grandparents' house. Yet for Eren, the journey felt longer, stretched by the weight of things unsaid.