The afternoon wind smelled like burning firewood, winter cold, and that kind of quiet you only find in small towns. The sky, painted in shades of orange and lilac, looked like it was announcing something important was about to happen — though Harumi was just struggling to balance six grocery bags and open the door with her shoulder.
"Izumiii!" she shouted, her voice trembling. "Open up! My hands are freezing! I think I lost my fingerprints!"
The door creaked open slowly, with all the dramatic flair of a suspense movie. Izumi appeared — hair a mess, hoodie worn to threads, wearing the exact expression someone makes when they discover a cockroach in the fridge.
"Haru…" she said, pointing behind Harumi, mouth agape. "Did you… happen to… adopt two kids at the supermarket?"
Harumi pushed the bags in with her foot, trying to keep some dignity.
"I didn't adopt them!" she protested. "I just… brought them in to warm up a bit. It's freezing out there."
Izumi crossed her arms."And next time, are you going to bring… what? The whole neighborhood? The entire market? The train station?"
"Only if it fits in the shower," Harumi replied, dropping the bags with a thump.
Mei tiptoed in, clutching Harumi's coat like it was an anchor. Her huge eyes sparkled like she was stepping into a magical castle. Her red hair, tangled from tears, looked like strands of sunset.
Izumi blinked."Wow… what a beautiful little girl. She's like a doll."
Takeru entered after, the complete opposite: serious face, tense shoulders, defensive stance. The only thing giving away that he was still a kid was the careful way he observed everything.
He was winter.Mei was summer.And Harumi was… a hurricane.
"What a pretty house…" Mei murmured, enchanted.
Harumi laughed."Pretty? Nothing. It's a mess. But we can pretend it's cozy, right?"
Izumi snorted."Pretend well, because I nearly tripped over a loose tatami back there."
Harumi clapped her hands."Okay! First mission of the day: bath time!"
Takeru's eyes went wide, like she had just announced the end of the world."Bath?! No need! We… we're clean!"
Izumi, from the corner, commented:"Kid, your hair's practically got a mind of its own. If it talks to me, I'm calling a priest."
"We don't need it!" Takeru crossed his arms, dead serious.
But then Mei tugged on Harumi's shirt.
"Warm water… for real?"
Her voice was so soft, so hopeful, that Harumi melted on the spot.
"For real. Warm. Straight from heaven. Want to see?"
Mei nodded eagerly, and Harumi led her to the bathroom.
Izumi leaned against the wall, watching Takeru."So… you just standing there?"
"I'll go in when she comes out," he replied stiffly. "I don't trust strangers."
"Hm." Izumi raised an eyebrow. "And I don't trust preteens who dodge baths. We're even."
He looked away, said nothing, but his cheek flushed slightly. Not from embarrassment — irritation.
Inside, the hot water started running. Mei giggled in delight.
"It feels like a cloud!" she said, touching the foam.
"Smells nice, right?" Harumi smiled. "We're going to wash all the tiredness out of those little hairs."
As she lathered the red strands, Harumi felt a tiny pang in her chest. How could a child so small carry so much weight in her eyes?
"My mom said baths cleanse the soul," Harumi remarked, trying to keep her voice light.
"Does it work?" Mei asked.
"If not…" Harumi winked, "we'll take another one."
The girl laughed. So sweetly that even Izumi, standing outside, couldn't help smiling.
When Takeru stepped into the bath, he froze for a full five seconds. Staring at the warm water flowing, the rising steam, the fogged-up mirror… he whispered:
"You… do this every day?"
Harumi, from the hallway, answered:"Every day. And now, so can you."
He didn't reply immediately, but his shoulders relaxed. Just a little. Enough for Harumi to notice — even if he tried to hide it.
Soon, Mei emerged wrapped in a fluffy towel almost bigger than her. Harumi dried her hair carefully, brushed it, and made a crooked braid the girl declared "the lucky braid."
"Do I look pretty?" Mei asked.
"You look gorgeous!" Harumi replied, proud of her wonky creation.
Takeru came out next, still dripping. Harumi tossed a towel over his head.
"Dry off properly, or I'll shove you back in the shower."
He huffed."You're annoying."
"Thanks, I try," Harumi smiled.