Akutsu Yuki suddenly seemed to remember something. She let go of Shirakawa Yui's hand, then pulled over the boy who had been standing nearby watching the scene unfold—her son, Akutsu Jin. Bringing him to Yui's side, she said warmly:
"Yui, from now on he'll be your older brother, alright? His name is Akutsu Jin. Little Yui, you must remember—if he ever bullies you, just come tell me. I'll beat him up for you!"
"Hello, big brother!" Yui greeted politely, her smile bright and obedient.
"Uh… y-yeah…" Jin's face flushed red instantly.
"Oh, come on, don't just stand in the doorway! Hurry inside. Auntie made strawberry pudding for you!"
Once inside the house, Yui sat on the sofa, watching Aunt Yuki bustle back and forth, fetching this and that for her. Yui tried hard to hold back the sour ache rising in her chest, not letting the tears spill out.
Mom used to be the same… so carefree, so cheerful…
She lowered her eyes and sniffled softly. When she raised her head again, her face was once more lit with a sunny smile. But none of this escaped Akutsu Jin's eyes—though Yui didn't realize it.
Because it was already so late, Aunt Yuki brought Yui to a bedroom door. She crouched down, her voice earnest and gentle:
"Yui, from now on this is your home. Don't keep all your feelings locked inside—come talk to Auntie, alright? Look, this will be your room. I always wished I had a daughter, so I kept this one ready all along."
With that, she opened the door. Inside, everything was pink, an entirely girlish room.
"Now that you're here, I don't need to have another child—I can just give this room to you!" Aunt Yuki joked again, laughing.
"Jin's room is right next door, so if you need anything, just call for him!"
Overwhelmed, Yui threw her arms around Aunt Yuki's waist and began to cry. She didn't know how long the tears lasted. The next time she opened her eyes, it was already noon the following day.
Yui went downstairs, only to find the house empty. Suddenly, fear gripped her—terrifying, suffocating fear that no one was there.
Curling up, hugging herself tightly in the corner of the staircase, she trembled nonstop.
Dad… Mom… where are you?
Her vision began to blur, and sounds around her turned faint. Yui felt like she was slipping away, about to follow her parents… She slowly let her eyes close.
"Hey! What's wrong with you?!"
A panicked voice rang out, dragging her back from the brink of death.
Forcing her mind to clear, she opened her eyes. The first thing she saw was Akutsu Jin's face, his expression full of alarm.
"Hey! What's wrong? Don't scare me like that!"
Half-supporting, half-carrying her, Jin hoisted Yui onto his back and carried her back to her room.
"Big brother… I'm so glad you're here…"
Just before she fainted completely, Yui felt the warmth of family. For the first time since losing her parents, she realized—she wasn't alone anymore.