The bus came to a slow stop in front of the studio. They all stood and stretched, groaning as they grabbed their bags. The driver opened the doors, letting in the crisp morning air. The manager was first to hop off and head towards his car, waving goodbye at the band as they exit one by one.

Kid followed second, hopping down with his guitar case slung over his back. As soon as his boots hit the pavement, he pulled out a cigarette, lighting it with practiced ease. He exhaled a puff of smoke, leaning casually against the side of the building.

“You couldn’t wait, could you?” Reyn asked, stepping down behind him with a raised eyebrow.

Kid smirked, taking another drag. “What can I say? Gotta keep the lungs seasoned.”

Urara groaned as she climbed down the steps, balancing her bass case and a duffle bag. “Disgusting. You’re gonna stink up your car.”

“Lucky for me, I like the smell,” Kid shot back, blowing the smoke away from her direction with exaggerated flair.

“Lucky for you, I’m too tired to argue,” Urara muttered, trudging toward her car.

Miura and Sona were the last to step off, Sona’s small hand clutching Miura’s coat as she clutched her stuffed animal with the other. She stared curiously at the plume of smoke trailing from Kid’s cigarette.

“What’s that?” she asked, her voice small but curious.

Kid crouched slightly, his grin softening. “This?” He held up the cigarette. “Bad habit. Don’t start, yeah?”

Sona tilted her head, frowning. “Then why do you do it?”

Kid chuckled, scratching the back of his head. “Fair question, kiddo. Guess I just like it too much to stop.”

Miura gave him a flat look. “Great role model.”

“Oi, don’t worry. I’m not about t’ hand her one,” Kid retorted, standing and flicking the ash away.

After unloading their gear and packing up their cars, the band gathered one last time near the bus. The morning sunlight bathed the lot in a soft glow, the quiet hum of traffic in the distance.

Kid shifted his bag on his shoulder, cigarette still in hand. “Right, I’ve got a flight to catch. Long haul home—Ma, Pa, and Gramps are expectin’ me.”

“Gramps?” Sona piped up, her curiosity piqued.

Kid nodded, crouching slightly to her level. “Aye, me mum’s dad. He’s a proper old geezer, but he’s sharp. Always tells the best stories.”

Sona’s eyes lit up as realization dawned on her. “Ohhh…” she said softly, her voice carrying the wonder of someone piecing together something new. She glanced up at Miura, her curiosity bubbling.

Kid chuckled, standing back up. “Yeah, proper legend, that one.”

Reyn clapped Kid on the back. “Have a good trip, man. We’ll see you soon.”

“Don’t miss me too much,” Kid said with a grin, taking a final drag before flicking the cigarette away and tossing his bag into his car. He gave a two-finger salute before hopping into the driver’s seat. “Catch y’all in a few weeks.”

Urara yawned dramatically. “Yeah, yeah. Don’t crash on your way to the airport.”

Kid rolled his eyes but couldn’t help grinning. “Later, love.”

Urara, who had been leaning against her car, stretched lazily before turning to Sona with a playful grin. “Alright, kiddo, come here,” she said, crouching slightly and holding out her arms.

Sona hesitated for only a second before stepping forward and wrapping her small arms around Urara.

“Good girl,” Urara said warmly, ruffling Sona’s hair. “Now, don’t miss me too much, okay? I’ll bring you back some good snacks from home.”

“Really?” Sona asked, her red eyes wide with excitement.

“Of course!” Urara replied with a wink. “Gotta make sure you get spoiled a little while I’m gone.”

Sona giggled, and Miura watched the exchange with a small, rare smile.

As the cars began to pull away one by one, Reyn crouched down to Sona’s level, his tone gentle. “Hey, kiddo. It’s just a few weeks, okay? We’ll all be back before you know it.”

Sona nodded, her grip tightening on her stuffed animal. “Promise?”

“Promise,” Reyn said with a warm smile. “And when we’re back, I’ll show you how to write music. Sound good?”

Sona’s eyes lit up, her voice filled with awe. “You can write music?”

Reyn chuckled. “Yep. And I bet you’ll be great at it.”

Sona beamed, the weight of the goodbyes seeming to lift slightly. She waved as Reyn climbed into his car, and Miura rested a hand lightly on her shoulder.

“We’ll see them all soon,” Miura said, her tone steady and reassuring.

Sona nodded, her eyes lingering on the road as the last car disappeared into the distance. “Okay.”

As the last of the cars pulled away from the studio lot, Miura opened the back door of her car. Sona climbed into the seat, clutching her stuffed animal tightly. Miura leaned over to buckle her in, her fingers deftly securing the strap.

“Teddy too?” Sona asked, holding up the well-loved stuffed bear with wide eyes.

Miura paused, then gave a small nod. “Alright, Teddy too,” she said, taking the seatbelt from the other side and buckling the bear into the spot next to Sona.

Satisfied, Sona settled back into her seat with a content smile, her fingers brushing over Teddy’s fur. Miura closed the door gently, walking around to the driver’s side.

She slipped into the seat, pulling her phone from her pocket before starting the engine. With a quick scroll through her contacts, she tapped her father’s name.

The line rang once before his familiar voice answered, steady and warm. “Hello?”

“Hey,” she said, her tone calm but softer than usual. “The tour’s over, and I’m planning to stay with you for a while.”

There was a pause, and she could almost hear his surprise. “Staying with me? What’s the occasion?”

Miura glanced at the rearview mirror. Sona had already begun to doze off, her head resting lightly against Teddy. A faint smile touched Miura’s lips as she replied, “I’ve got a surprise for you.”

“A surprise?” he echoed, his tone shifting to curiosity.

“You’ll see soon enough,” Miura said, her voice carrying a rare hint of warmth. “I’ll be there in a few hours.”

“Alright,” he said after a brief pause. “I’ll be waiting.”

Ending the call, Miura slipped the phone back into her pocket and started the car. The engine purred softly as she pulled onto the open road, the morning light painting the city in hues of gold.

As the miles stretched ahead, Miura glanced at Sona through the mirror. The little girl was fast asleep, her tiny hand resting on Teddy’s paw. For a fleeting moment, Miura allowed herself to feel… content.