Part 13 — Balanced Again
Kaito's shoulders trembled slightly.
"…You… didn't replace mine?"
"No."
"…You didn't give mine away?"
"No."
"…I'm still… yours?"
Ayame smiled softly and placed her hand on his head.
"You always were."
Kaito's lips shook.
Then suddenly he hugged her tightly — almost knocking her backward.
"…Don't scare me like that…"
His voice was muffled against her shoulder.
"…Don't give my place to anyone…"
"I won't."
He stayed there a few seconds… breathing… calming…
Then slowly he turned his head and looked at Haruto.
Long stare.
Serious.
"…You can have a ring too," he said firmly.
"But Ayame is still mine."
Haruto blinked once… then nodded gently.
"…Okay."
Kaito narrowed his eyes slightly, still standing close after the hug loosened.
For a moment, no one moved.
Then Haruto shifted a little… looking down at the floor instead of at Kaito.
His fingers tightened slightly at his side.
"…Kaito."
Kaito looked at him, still guarded.
Haruto took a small breath.
"…I'm sorry."
Kaito blinked.
Haruto kept speaking, voice quiet but clear.
"…For what I said during lunch."
Silence settled again.
Haruto swallowed once.
"…I shouldn't have said you can't protect me… or that you should just stay quiet."
His eyes lowered more.
"…That was wrong."
Kaito stared at him… surprised… unsure what to do with that.
Then slowly… his shoulders dropped a little.
He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.
"…I'm sorry too."
Haruto looked up slightly.
Kaito avoided eye contact, staring somewhere near Haruto's shoulder.
"…I always tell Big Sister when you get hurt… even if it's small."
He shifted his weight.
"…I know it annoys you."
A pause.
"…But I get scared."
His voice became smaller.
"…So I complain… instead of talking to you."
Silence again.
This one softer.
Warmer.
Ayame watched both of them quietly… then stepped closer.
She placed one hand gently on Haruto's shoulder.
The other on Kaito's.
"You both apologized," she said calmly.
They looked at her.
She continued gently.
"Haruto… if you feel bothered, you should tell Kaito calmly. Not when you're angry."
Haruto nodded slowly.
Then she looked at Kaito.
"And you… if you're worried, you should tell Haruto directly. Not someone else first."
Kaito lowered his head slightly.
"…Okay."
Ayame's expression softened.
"You're brothers," she said quietly.
"You don't need to protect each other from feelings."
Her voice became warmer.
"You protect each other by sharing them."
Neither of them spoke.
But both nodded.
Slowly.
Naturally.
Then Kaito stepped forward first this time… hugging Haruto properly.
Not tight.
Not desperate.
Just… steady.
Haruto hugged back the same way.
Ayame rested her hand gently over both their heads.
And this time—
The warmth in the room felt settled.
Not fragile.
Not temporary.
Just… real.
Near the door, the grocery bags rustled slightly from the air moving through the house.
Colorful birthday decorations peeked out quietly.
Waiting.
And the triplets stood together.
Balanced again.