POV: Meguriya Rion
Saturday morning sunlight spilled through the curtains, soft and golden, like it was trying a little too hard to congratulate us.
I stood in the entryway of my own house, staring at the two suitcases lined neatly beside Risa's legs. She wore a simple white T-shirt and jeans, her hair tied in a loose ponytail—nothing flashy, nothing dramatic. And yet, somehow, it felt like the world had shifted a few degrees.
"Pardon my intrusion," she said, perking up just a little.
No. You're not intruding.
"Welcome home," I replied.
Her breath caught—a tiny, almost soundless hitch—and her fingers tightened around the handle of her smallest suitcase. Her lashes lowered as if she were letting the words settle in slowly, carefully, savoring each one.
"…Thank you," she whispered.
She stepped inside. Slowly. Cautiously. As if the house might crumble if she moved too fast.
Her eyes swept across the living room—the framed photos, Mom's books on the shelves, the little trinkets she'd collected over the years. I watched her take it all in, like the space was a fragile museum exhibit and she didn't want to disturb a single thing.
"You took care of the house yourself?" she asked, tilting her head.
"Well… yeah. Ever since Mom stayed at the hospital," I said, rubbing the back of my neck.
"Hmmm." She hummed, a small, approving sound. "You're pretty tidy, Rion."
"Uh-huh… yeah," I muttered, scratching my cheek.
Mom's voice echoed in my memory, a ghostly admonition. "Don't forget to clean the house," she'd said with that death stare. "I know how much of a slop my child is. I will rip you apart if Risa came home to a mess."
Thank god she didn't move in a day earlier.
Thank god I'd been given two full days to clean.
Thank god the house wasn't a disaster.
And yet, standing here now, watching her take it all in… It felt like none of that mattered. The house could be spotless or a complete wreck—but it wouldn't change the fact that she was finally here.
Finally.
"Let me show you around," I said, motioning toward the Kitchen.
I pointed out the drawers, the shelves, the utensils. Mom's knives—worn from years of use but still sharp—hung neatly on the magnetic strip.
"Oh," I pointed to a larger knife. "This one's my favorite."
Risa blinked. "You cook?" she asked, tilting her head.
A twitch.
"Well... I had my phase," I admitted, rubbing my cheek. "Bought this one with a set of stones…"
She smiled softly, gentle and warm, and I felt my chest tighten a little.
Next, we moved to the laundry room near the stairway, then the bath and shower.
"This is… quite big," she said, eyes on the tub.
"You think so?" I turned to her. "I think it's perfect." I gazed back to the tub. "It's like Mom already knew I'd grow tall when we moved here,"
Her gaze lingered on the tub. "This… could fit two people," she muttered.
Thunder.
My stomach did a quick flip. "Huh? What—?"
Risa's hands flew to her mouth. "N-No! I—I didn't mean—"
"U-uh… yeah—" I stammered, hands trembling slightly. "Anyway—" I said, grasping for a diversion, "let me show you the bedrooms."
She nodded, cheeks pink, and followed quietly.
Upstairs, I pointed to my room first, then Mom's. Finally, I stopped at the guest room. Boxes of her things were already stacked neatly along the walls.
"This is—was—the guest room. But it's yours now." I said, stepping aside. "I figured you'd want some personal space…"
Yes. Definitely.
Totally not because I'd combust if we shared a bed.
Her eyes softened, and she gave a small, genuine smile. "Thank you… you're very thoughtful."
I felt my chest tighten, heat creeping up my neck. "...Of course. Comfort is… important."
She glanced around the room, taking it all in. I caught her fingers brushing over the boxes, like she was already imagining this space as her own.
"Let me help you unpack."
I lifted the heavier boxes while she carefully arranged her clothes and personal things. The sun shifted higher in the sky, warming the room. And as it neared its peak, everything was in place.
I caught Risa pausing to admire her new room. Her eyes were soft, the corners crinkling slightly as she smiled.
"Thank you, Rion. This… feels like home."
A satisfied exhale. "Of course," I managed, my voice rougher than I intended.
We paused for a long moment, letting everything sink in.
Then my stomach betrayed me with a loud, insistent rumble.
I froze stiff.
Damn you!!
Why now?!
Risa giggled. "Should we make lunch?"
I hid my face behind a hand. "...Yes."
***
I swung open the fridge, bracing myself.
We both froze.
Empty. Completely empty. Well... aside from a few eggs and... a few eggs.
I balled my hand into a fist.
Curse you, past me!
Why didn't you go shopping?!
I was cleaning the house, you imbecile!!
Oh.
Right.
"Rion," Risa tugged gently at my sleeve, pink-faced but amused. "Let's go shopping."
I exhaled a shaky laugh. "…Yeah. Let's do that."