Part 1 – Morning Light
The first rays of morning sunlight slipped through the bedroom window.
A gentle breeze stirred the curtains.
For the first time in what felt like forever...
The room was peaceful.
Three futons lay side by side across the floor.
Kaito was still asleep, his blanket kicked halfway off.
Ayame had already opened her eyes.
She slowly sat up, taking a quiet look around the room.
Her gaze eventually settled on Haruto.
He was awake.
Lying on his back.
Staring silently at the ceiling.
"...Good morning."
Haruto turned his head.
A small smile appeared on his face.
"...Morning."
It was small...
But it was genuine.
Ayame smiled back.
"...Did you sleep?"
Haruto nodded.
"...Better than yesterday."
"...That's good."
For a moment...
Neither of them spoke.
The silence no longer felt awkward.
It felt comfortable.
Haruto slowly pushed himself up.
As he adjusted the sleeve of his night clothes...
It slipped back slightly.
A faint reddish bruise circled part of his wrist.
He paused.
Quietly pulling the sleeve back down.
Just then...
"...Haruto."
He looked up.
Kaito had finally woken up.
He rubbed his eyes before sitting upright.
His gaze drifted toward Haruto.
Then...
It stopped.
The sleeve had slipped back again.
Kaito noticed the mark.
His expression quietly changed.
"...Your wrist..."
Haruto instinctively pulled his hand back.
"...It's nothing."
Kaito remained silent for a second.
Then, in a much softer voice than usual...
"...Does it still hurt?"
Haruto looked down at the faint bruise.
He gently moved his wrist once.
"...Not really."
Kaito gave a small nod.
"...Good."
That was all.
No apology.
No explanation.
None was needed.
The three quietly began folding their futons together.
For the first time in a long while...
The room felt like home again.