The journey home felt quieter than usual.
Arou walked in front, his steps steady, but his shoulders stiff.
He talked as usual to Lumina, Akari, Nora, and even Priscilla—
but every time Airi stepped closer, he moved away without realizing it.
Hikari noticed everything.
The way Arou slowed down when talking to her.
The way Airi stopped every time Arou avoided her.
And the thin yet obvious distance between the two of them.
When they arrived home, Arou opened the door first.
"Come in," he said briefly.
Hikari took off her shoes, then stopped in the living room.
She stared at Arou's back for quite a while.
"Father," she called.
Arou turned around.
"Yes?"
"Why don't you want to talk to Mother?" Hikari asked.
The room suddenly fell silent.
Lumina and Akari looked at each other, then chose to remain silent.
Nora lowered her head.
Priscilla leaned against the wall, watching without interfering.
Arou remained silent for quite a while.
"Mother…?" he repeated softly.
Hikari nodded.
"Are you angry with Mother, Father?"
Arou sighed.
"I'm not angry at her," he finally said.
"I just… don't know how I should act."
Hikari stepped closer.
"If Father keeps avoiding her," she said innocently but firmly,
"Mother looks like she's being punished."
Arou tensed.
"I didn't mean for that to happen."
"But it still happened," Hikari replied.
Arou closed his eyes for a moment.
In the corner of the room, Airi stood silently. She heard everything, but did not interrupt.
"Father," Hikari continued,
"I'm not angry. I'm not confused either."
Arou opened his eyes.
"I just want Father to know," Hikari looked directly at him,
"I'm not the reason Father has to avoid Mother."
Arou was speechless.
"I exist because of both of you," she continued softly.
"If one of you leaves, I'll still be here. But… I don't want to see Father pretending to be strong all alone."
Arou lowered his head.
For the first time, those words came not from a dream,
not from guilt—
but from the child he protected.
"Father…" Hikari's voice softened,
"I don't need Father to be perfect."
She held Arou's hand.
"I just want Father to be honest."
Arou let out a long breath.
"Thank you," he said quietly.
"You're… much more mature than I thought."
Hikari smiled faintly.
Behind them, Airi watched the scene with tears welling in her eyes—
yet she remained where she was, waiting.
Not forcing him.
Only hoping.
And Arou knew—
the day he had to stop running away
was getting closer.
Night slowly fell.
The living room lights glowed dimly. Hikari sat on the floor, leaning against the sofa, while Nora slept in her cat form on her lap. Lumina and Akari talked quietly in the kitchen, as if deliberately giving them space.
Arou stood near the window.
Behind him, Airi was still in the same place as before—neither approaching nor moving away.
Arou took a deep breath.
"Airi…"
He finally called her name.
Airi was slightly startled, then looked at him.
"Yes?"
Arou turned around. For the first time since their meeting at the park, he looked directly at Airi.
"I…"
His voice was caught.
"I didn't mean to avoid you."
Airi fell silent, waiting.
"I was just… afraid," Arou continued honestly.
"Afraid that if I spoke, everything I had been keeping inside would collapse."
Airi smiled faintly.
"I never asked you to be strong," she said gently.
"I just want you to stop leaving."
Arou opened his mouth to answer—
"Father."
Hikari stood up.
She walked toward Airi, then hesitantly held her hand, as if afraid of being rejected.
"Mother," she said softly.
"Can we… talk for a moment?"
Airi lowered her head, then nodded.
"Of course."
They walked to Hikari's room, leaving Arou alone in the living room.
Arou clenched his fist.
He had almost said everything.
But heavy footsteps came from the corridor.
Priscilla stood in the doorway, her face more serious than usual.
"You don't have much time," she said bluntly.
Arou turned sharply.
"What do you mean?"
Priscilla stepped inside.
"The world you created is collapsing," she said flatly.
"And something from there has already begun affecting this world."
Arou remembered the strange feeling he had felt since morning.
"The collapse?" he asked softly.
Priscilla did not deny it.
"If you keep delaying," she continued,
"you won't just lose the dream—you'll lose your choice."
Arou closed his eyes.
"So I have to choose?" he said quietly.
"Between facing the past… or protecting everything?"
Priscilla stared at him for a long time.
"No," she replied.
"You have to do both."
In another room, Hikari sat on the bed, looking at Airi with honest eyes.
"Mother," she said softly,
"Father doesn't hate you."
Airi smiled sadly.
"I know."
"He's just afraid," Hikari continued.
"But I… I don't want us to be separated again."
Airi hugged Hikari tightly.
"I'm here," she whispered.
"And I won't leave."
Back in the living room, Arou opened his eyes.
There was no longer any hesitation on his face—
only exhaustion, and determination slowly taking shape.
"I'll talk to her," he said to Priscilla.
"After this."
Priscilla nodded slightly.
"Make sure you're not too late."
Because this time,
what was at stake was not only the dream—
but the family he had finally found again.
That morning, Arou went to school with Akari.
The sky was still slightly cloudy, the streets quieter than usual. Akari walked beside Arou with her hands behind her head, her steps relaxed.
"You look better today," Akari suddenly said.
"Really?" Arou glanced at her.
"Yeah," Akari replied. "Not as gloomy as yesterday."
Arou did not deny it.
They continued walking without saying much until they finally arrived at school.
In class, Arou and Akari sat as usual. Not long after, the teacher entered and stood in front of the class.
"Good morning," he said.
"Good morning, Sir," the students answered together.
"Today, we're going to work on a group assignment," the teacher continued. "One group consists of four people."
The names began to be called.
"Arou, Akari, Haru, and Duri. One group."
Arou turned toward Akari. Akari shrugged with a small smile.
After the groups were assigned, the teacher explained the task they had to complete. The classroom became slightly noisy again.
Haru immediately approached Arou.
"Hey, Arou."
"What is it?" Arou replied.
"Let's do the group assignment at your house later, okay?" Haru said casually.
Arou looked hesitant for a moment.
"Uh…"
Duri also came closer.
"Come on, it sounds fun."
Arou thought for a moment, then slowly nodded.
"Hmm, alright."
Haru smiled widely.
"Great. Then after school, we'll go straight to your house."
Akari looked at Arou.
"Looks like your house is going to be crowded again."
Arou smiled faintly.
For some reason, this time the crowd did not feel frightening.
After school, Arou immediately walked home with Akari, Haru, and Duri.
On the way, they casually talked about the assignment they had just received—dividing the parts, who would do what, and the deadline.
"Is your house far?" Haru asked.
"No," Arou answered briefly. "Less than ten minutes from here."
Not long after, they arrived in front of Arou's house.
Arou opened the door and invited them inside.
"Come in."
They entered the living room and immediately sat around a small table. Their bags were opened, and books and papers were taken out.
"Alright, let's start," Akari said.
They had just opened their books when small footsteps could be heard from the kitchen.
Hikari appeared with a smile.
"Father is home."
The room suddenly fell silent.
Haru quickly turned around.
"Uh… Father?"
Duri raised an eyebrow.
"Arou, you already have a child?"
Arou immediately panicked.
"N-No! It's not like that!"
He quickly looked at Hikari.
"Right, Hikari?"
Hikari obediently nodded.
"She's my little sister," Arou quickly said.
"She called me Father because we were playing house earlier."
"Oh…" Duri nodded.
"I see."
Haru nodded slightly.
"Alright. Come on, let's just continue the assignment."
"Yeah," Akari added. "Let's finish it quickly."
From the kitchen, Lumina appeared carrying drinks.
"Arou, aren't you going to change clothes first?"
"Later," Arou answered.
Suddenly, Nora, who had been sleeping on the sofa in her cat form, transformed into a glowing human.
"Geez," she said casually. "Arou brought friends over."
Haru stared at her closely.
"Uh… aren't you the cat Arou brought to school earlier?"
Arou snorted.
"Yeah. She's very annoying."
Duri observed Nora.
"What a strange cat."
"Strange?" Arou repeated.
Haru frowned.
"Are there really cats that can turn into humans?"
Arou fell silent for a moment.
"Yeah… you have a point."
"Then where did you get that cat?" Haru asked.
Before Arou could answer—
"Enough, enough," Akari interrupted.
"Work on the assignment first. Otherwise, we won't finish."
"Oh, right," Duri said.
From upstairs, Airi's voice could be heard.
"Hey, Arou."
Arou looked up.
"What?"
"What are you doing?" Airi asked.
"We're working on a group assignment," Arou answered.
Haru whispered to Duri.
"Wow, turns out Arou has a harem."
Arou immediately turned around.
"What are you talking about?"
Airi smiled faintly.
"Then, may I help?"
Haru shrugged.
"Sure."
"Alright," Airi said, then looked toward the stairs.
"Shi, come down. I need your help."
Shi immediately came downstairs.
"What is it, Airi?"
Haru's eyes widened.
"Uh—Arou, how many people are there in your harem?"
"I don't have a harem!" Arou shouted.
"Then who are they?" Duri asked.
Nora smiled innocently.
"Arou's harem has seven people."
"That's a lot," Duri muttered.
"I wonder when it'll be my turn," Haru joked.
"Enough," Arou interrupted.
"Let's work on the assignment."
Arou looked at Airi.
"Hey, Airi."
"Yes?" Airi replied.
"If you want to help, go ahead. If not, go back to your room," Arou said.
"I'll help," Airi answered calmly.
"B-But…" Arou hesitated.
"Looks like you don't need to help us."
"Why?" Airi asked.
"I don't want to cheat."
Airi fell silent for a moment, then nodded.
"I understand."
She turned toward Shi.
"Let's go back to the room."
"Hmm, alright," Shi replied.
Arou let out a quiet sigh.
Why did they have to appear at a time like this…
In the middle of the crowd he had never planned for,
the house was filled with voices once again—
and for the first time, Arou did not know
whether he should feel tired
or perhaps grateful.