The rain finally thins to a drizzle, leaving the street coated in silver reflections from the streetlamps. The car pulls up in front of Maki's house, the tires crunching against the wet gravel. Steam rises faintly from the hood.
Maki is the first one out. He swings the door open with practiced ease, shoulders hunched, one hand already pulling a cigarette from the crumpled pack in his pocket. He flicks the lighter—click, click—and the flame catches. The tiny burst of fire lights up his face, shadows dancing across his cheekbones. He exhales slowly, smoke curling upward into the damp night air.
Without looking back, he lifts his hand lazily, signaling the others.
Maki (muffled, cigarette between lips):
"Let's go. Don't just sit there."
Takami practically bounces out after him, sneakers slapping against the wet pavement. His face is lit with boyish excitement, like he's finally home after months away. He races Maki up the steps, almost slipping on the slick wood.
Inside the car, the engine ticks softly as it cools. Toru has his hand on the door handle, ready to step out—but then he notices Shion. She hasn't moved. She stares out the window, her reflection caught in the streaks of rain, lips pressed together like she's holding her breath.
Toru's fingers tighten on the handle... then slowly let go. He leans back into the seat, the leather squeaking beneath him. Silence stretches between them. He doesn't rush her. He doesn't even look away. He just... waits.
⸻
Maki and Takami stride into the house without a second thought, sneakers still dripping. The smell of cigarettes, rain, and boyish recklessness drags in with them.
Naoko doesn't miss a beat. Standing in the doorway with a dish towel in hand, she narrows her eyes. Without warning—whack!—she slaps the towel across the back of both their heads.
Naoko (snapping):
"You idiots! Shoes! Are you high?! Tracking dirt all over my floors—what is this, America?"
Maki stumbles forward, grimacing, hand flying up to his head.
Maki (groaning, half laughing):
"Ow, ow! Shit, Mom—stop! Okay, okay, I'm sorry!"
He kicks off his shoes hurriedly, sending them skidding across the hallway. Takami chuckles, rubbing the back of his neck, trying to look innocent.
Tokami (grinning, teasing, leaning in flirty):
"Don't be so mad, Ma. You look good tonight. Did you cut your hair?"
Naoko's glare falters into the tiniest smirk, though she hides it behind her sternness. Before she can respond, tiny footsteps echo down the hallway.
Minato bursts out, toy clutched in his little hand. He sprints straight toward Maki, colliding with his uncle's legs and wrapping him in a tight hug.
Tokami freezes, jaw dropping.
Tokami (shouting, betrayed):
"HEY! What about me?!"
Maki crouches, chuckling low in his chest as he hugs Minato back. The cigarette dangles between his fingers, forgotten for a moment.
Maki (gentle, voice softer now):
"Careful, bud. Uncle's dirty. Don't mess up your clean clothes."
Naoko sighs, exhaustion lacing her tone.
Naoko (rubbing her temples):
"Since you're here, you're babysitting. Your sister dropped him off and ran."
Maki ruffles Minato's hair.
Maki (absently):
"Yeah, she said interview, right? ...Where's Hana and Toru?"
Tokami only shrugs. With zero shame, he pulls off his shirt and tosses it aside.
Naoko gasps dramatically.
Naoko (teasing, proud):
"Oh, wow. Look at you—have you been working out, my dear son?!"
Tokami grins wide, standing taller, flexing just enough to milk the praise. Maki rolls his eyes and exhales smoke, muttering under his breath as he picks Minato up.
Maki (baby voice, swaying him):
"Say it. Uncle Maki."
Minato (weak, soft):
"Ah... ma ma..."
Maki laughs, head tipped back, eyelids low.
⸻
BACK IN THE CAR
The world outside the car is quiet now, but the windows are streaked with water, distorting the view. Inside, tension lingers in the air, thick as smoke.
Toru finally speaks, breaking the silence. His voice is low, teasing, but careful.
Toru:
"You're just gonna sit there all night? You should dry off. You... kinda stink."
Shion gasps, snapping her head toward him.
Shion (dramatic, pouting):
"I do not!"
She sniffs her shirt quickly, then laughs awkwardly, cheeks flushed. Her hands fidget with the hem of her skirt, tugging it nervously. The movement reveals the smooth curve of her legs under the dim glow of the dashboard light.
Toru notices. His eyes linger, heartbeat quickening before he jerks his gaze away, cheeks burning. He bolts upright, flustered.
Toru (blurting, stammering):
"You... you have pretty legs."
Shion's jaw drops, her whole face going red.
Shion (snapping, flustered):
"TORU!"
He lets out a laugh—deep, warm, almost surprised at himself—before going quiet again. A smirk plays at the corner of his lips.
Shion turns away, whispering so softly it's almost swallowed by the silence.
Shion (whisper, aching):
"Would you believe me if I said I time-traveled... and you broke my heart in the future?"
Toru blinks, confused. He leans closer, his shoulder brushing hers, his breath warm against her cheek.
Toru (soft, teasing):
"Hm? What was that?"
Her laughter bursts out nervously as she pushes him away, cheeks flaming. Toru studies her, his smirk fading into something gentler, his eyes lingering on her face like he's searching for something he doesn't understand.
Toru (awkward, quiet):
"So... why were you out there alone? Why can't you just go home?"
Shion stiffens. Her lips press together, words caught in her throat. She doesn't answer. Instead, she throws the question back, her voice almost a challenge.
Shion (soft, careful):
"Why'd you stop for me? A girl like me. Glasses, drenched in rain... why bother?"
Toru shrugs, but his gaze doesn't waver.
Toru (honest, low):
"Don't know. Just... felt familiar. Like I've seen you before."
Her breath stutters, hope flickering in her eyes.
Shion (testing, hesitant):
"Do you believe in time travel?"
He scrunches his nose, shaking his head.
Toru (half-smile, amused):
"No. Why?"
Their shoulders press together, the contact electric. Shion panics, fumbling with the door handle, but Toru grabs her wrist and pulls her back.
Toru (hurried, raising his hands):
"Wait—don't panic. I'm not gonna hurt you. I just... I need to know who you are."
Her chest rises, trembling. Slowly, she threads her fingers through his, her eyes brimming with sadness she can't voice. His heart slams in his chest as he stares into her, like she's both a stranger and the missing piece he's been searching for.
For a long, silent beat, they just breathe together.
And then, as if terrified of himself, Toru jerks his hand away. He bursts out of the car, storming onto the porch. He turns once, his face twisted in confusion and anger, before disappearing inside.
Shion stares at the empty seat beside her, lips trembling.
Suddenly a taxi pulls up behind the car, a man in a well expensive suit jumping out but with a stumble and drunken look. He walks away from the taxi as it pulls off, about to walk inside when he suddenly stops making eye contact with Shion in the car. He looks at her confused and they stare at each other for a beat, he starts to walk off and go inside the house leaving Shion there wondering who that was.
Out of nowhere she suddenly hears screaming from inside the house, she jumps out the car before hesitating to open the door. She heard one last scream before busting inside.
INSIDE MAKI'S HOUSE –
The house feels alive with noise — the hum of the fridge, the soft buzz of a TV in the next room, Minato's little giggles as Maki rocks him gently. For a second, it feels almost normal.
Then it breaks.
A door slams somewhere down the hall. Heavy footsteps pound against the wooden floor. Koji storms in — his suit jacket half off, tie loosened, eyes bloodshot. His face is red, twisted with drunken fury.
Koji (shouting, slurring but sharp):
"WHAT the hell is this?! You're letting Tokami smoke in MY house?! BOTH OF YOU SMELL LIKE DRUGS!"
Everyone freezes. Minato's toy slips from his tiny hand and clatters to the ground. The sound is deafening in the silence, Shion just now walking in on the chaos.
3 minutes later..
Maki doesn't move, sitting cross-legged on the floor, cigarette still between his lips. A fresh bruise darkens his cheekbone. He spits blood into a tissue like it's nothing. His calm is terrifying.
Tokami is sprawled against the wall, chest heaving, a hand pressed to his swollen jaw. His eyes burn with shame but he doesn't rise.
Toru stands rigid in the center of the room, arms around Minato, shielding him with his whole body. His jaw hangs slightly open, disbelief carved across his face.
Naoko is already screaming, her voice breaking as she clutches the edge of the counter.
Naoko (desperate, shaking):
"STOP! DON'T HIT THEM! They're just kids, Koji!"
Koji's glare snaps toward her. In one violent motion, he shoves her back. She stumbles against the counter with a cry.
Maki's head jerks up, cigarette dropping from his lips. He lunges, shoving his father in return.
Maki (snarling, through clenched teeth):
"Don't touch her."
Koji reels back, fist lifting again.
Everything slows.
Toru's breath catches. His grip tightens on Minato, who's wailing, his cries piercing the heavy silence. Toru's heartbeat slams in his ears. His vision tunnels on Koji's raised hand — on Naoko's frightened face, on Maki bracing himself for another blow.
And then —
CRACK.
Toru moves. Faster than anyone expects. His fist collides with Koji's jaw in a single clean strike. The impact echoes through the room like a gunshot.
Koji crumples. One hit. Out cold.
Silence.
Everyone stares. The only sound is Minato's sobs and the faint creak of the floor as Naoko rushes forward.
Takami (shaking, voice cracking):
"TORU! What the hell did you just do?!"
_____________________________________
End of chapter 9