Taro, now freshly showered and wearing comfortable clothes, sat down, feeling much better after washing off the exhaustion of work.

Elian smirked as he took a seat beside him. “Good. At least you don’t smell like a long workday anymore.”

Taro scowled. “Why do you always have to say things like that?”

Elian shrugged. “I just appreciate cleanliness.”

Ignoring him, Taro picked up his chopsticks. “So, where are you staying while you’re here?”

Elian set down his tea cup. “At my uncle’s house.”

Taro blinked. “Oh. You mean the one near our old neighborhood?”

Elian nodded. “Yes, but they moved to a different area now.”

Taro hummed. “Makes sense. We moved, too.”

Taro’s mother smiled warmly. “Oh, you must bring your uncle over for dinner sometime. It’s been ages since we last saw him.”

Elian returned the smile. “I will.”

Taro took another bite before glancing at him. “Still, you’re always here anyway. Why don’t you just stay with us?”

Elian raised an eyebrow. “Are you inviting me?”

Taro hesitated. “I mean… it’s not like we don’t have space.”

Before Elian could reply, Yumi clapped her hands together. “Oh, that’s a wonderful idea!”

Taro’s sister nodded excitedly. “Yes! You should stay here! It’ll be fun!”

Elian looked at Taro, amused. “You’re the only one hesitating.”

Taro sighed. “I just meant—if you’re gonna be around all the time anyway, it makes sense.”

Elian leaned slightly forward, his emerald-green eyes twinkling. “If I stayed at my uncle’s place, your mom and sister would be sad. And since you’ll be at work all day, I’d be lonely.”

Taro paused mid-chew.

Elian smirked. “Besides, this is my vacation for a whole month. I have to enjoy it properly, don’t I?”

Taro narrowed his eyes. “Enjoy, huh?”

Elian grinned. “Of course.”

Yumi beamed. “It’s settled, then! Elian, you’re always welcome here.”

Taro sighed in defeat. There was no winning against this family.