Diya seized his collar, her hands trembling. “Why didn’t you… why didn’t you come for all of these years? What happened to you!?”

“Mom… she even argued with Dad every single time your name came up!” Her body shook with quiet sobs. “You’re just telling a lie…”

And then she just couldn’t hold it in any longer. And just like that, the dam that was inside her shattered.

She hugged him, tight, arms curling around him.

“You’re not… not my brother…” her voice softened in denial, sounding like a younger sister who was clinging to hope, even when the truth caused pain.

Miko instinctively stepped forward, concern evident in her expression.

“No, Miko-san… don’t come,” Diya wheezed, fingers trembling as her hand reached forward, blocking Miko like anyone near them would cause pain.

She pleaded as her grip tightened. “He’s not him… right, yenge? Say he’s not…”

Even as she denied his existence as her brother, her hold did not loosen. She hugged him as if he was the last piece of memory she had.

Kazuma remained frozen in place and quiet, and that quiet spoke volumes. Even though he did not extend his arms to embrace her, they had grown weary.

“Where have you been all of these years?” Diya asked, her voice a low whisper. “Why are you looking young?”

“Diya…” Rina came closer, her voice calm but firm. “Don’t ask any question. Just accept it.”

Diya stepped back, shocked.

Her gaze flitted elsewhere and then widened as it settled on someone. He was sitting and looking away, back hunched as if burdened by unseen guilt.

Her finger twitched and rose sluggishly, shaking. “H-he is…?” she directed her question towards Kazuma, her voice faint and splintering as her reality shattered.

Kazuma nodded without speaking.

That was enough.

Diya was now rushing towards where Ren was.

From behind, she hugged him, her face pressing into his back.

“Ren-nii…” she sobbed, “you are Ren-nii, right? That idiot didn’t want to see me and you… you also left me abandoned…?”

Kazuma’s lips twitched. “Idiot… he’s the main culp—”

He faltered.

Because finally… it was Ren who spoke.

He chose to remain unturned.

“I want to ask one thing… will you agree?” His voice was heavy, as if it had been bearing the weight of time.

Diya’s breath was shallower than usual. “W-what?”

“Please... she is her daughter,” Ren said, the last words curdled by emotion. “I’ve already talked with Sakuragi. You don’t know her, but would… would you let her live in your house?”

“What are you saying…? That’s your house, nii…”

A beat later. “And she wants to live in our house?!’” Her voice lowered, uncertain if she heard correctly.

“Her husband died… she doesn’t even know where her daughter is…” Ren’s voice came like it hurt to even say the words.

“Sh-she attempted suicide…”

“P-Please… y-you have to say it, Diya. You have to tell Yuna…”

“Huh?!” Miko’s hand flew to her mouth, eyes wide. “When… when did he die? And—”

“It’s been long, Senpai. Don’t worry… she’s here now,” Kazuma replied gently. “I’ll go bring her.”

He was casting a soft smile to Rina.

But she turned her head, face blank, eyes distant… then let out a soft sigh.

“Well… do whatever you want. You both didn’t say anything when we met. So I won’t talk either.”

Her gaze fell on Ren, sluggish and heavy. “Do you even know how I’ve been holding this family all these years?”

“I’m going.” She turned on her heel, voice distant. There was a fake steely resolve to the way she held her head high.

Ren finally turned to face her. Eyes had already turned wet. “S-sorry…”

No pause, tears streamed without a shred of hesitation.

“Hey.” Rina paused mid-step, turned. “I was just joking!”

And then she started to scoff, playfully. “Still the same silly idiot. You even cried like this when I first came into your house.” With that, she walked to him and gave his hair a rough ruffle.

“Time changed, but you didn’t change, huh?”

“I’ve told him so many times…” Kazuma smirked. “He never listens. Whining like a small child. At his real age—”

Rina cut him off saying, “Idiot! Stop it.”

A warm smile graced her lips, “You have a mother.” Then softening her voice to a calm whisper, “He doesn’t.”

“You’re the same age as my son,” She bent down a little and lightly pulled Ren’s hair back from his face to look at him. “Do you wish to be my son?”

“You always said it, didn’t you?” She said, her tone cracking and filled with emotion. “That you feel like I’m your mother?”

He nodded while holding back his tears.

She smiled with her glimmering eyes. “Of course, Tanvi maa is also there for you…”

“So?” She stood upright, still looking at him. “When are you coming home?”

Kazuma responded first as always. “We don’t.”

“Wait, what?” Diya blinked. “...Answer my question first.”

“You’re participating in the tournament…” She pointed at him like a mother scolding her son. “That means this is the sixth day, right? Why didn’t you come home?”

“You don’t need to know.” Kazuma said flatly. “We’re not coming. Sakuragi will come. First, decide what you want to say to Yuna.”

Diya walked up to Kazuma and nudged his arm. “Hey… is this the way you talk to your sister? After all these years?”

“Yeah, I saw how you talked before…” He muttered.

“Now you’re just talking nicely…” He averted his eyes. “Because now I’m your brother?”

“I’m sorry…” She looked down, her gaze focused on the hem of her coat. “I didn’t talk because you are an outside person. I talked like that because it’s Yuna’s matter.”

“You know…” She looked up, a bittersweet smile on her face, “Before Rezu… she was the only one who made me feel like a mother.”

Kazuma moved closer and gently placed his hand on her shoulder.

“By the way…” He asked smoothly, “Why’d you name her Rezu?”

Diya let out a soft chuckle and wiped her eyes. “Because I never wanted to forget either of you… ”

Kazuma flicked her forehead. “Idiot,” he said in a teasing tone.

“Okay, bring Yuna. Don’t worry… If Sakuragi’s going to live in our house, that means you don’t have to leave Yuna.”

Diya was staring at him in deep thought, her gaze now softened.

“What?” He tilted his head. “I don’t have any anger towards you now.”

“That’s not it…” Diya whispered. “It’s just… our hair color.”

“And our eye color… both are the same.” She touched her hair, smiling shyly. “I dyed my hair. See? What a coincidence.”

He groaned. “Why are you bringing that nonsense now?”

With giggling, Diya crept up on Ren, her hands clasped behind as if relishing a tiny secret.

“Ren-nii…” She smiled. “Still, I doubt it. Just one question, and it’ll confirm everything.”

“What?”

“Say… What’s his nickname?” Diya’s grin widened as she leaned closer.

Kazuma’s eyes twitched in annoyance. “With that, you’re going to confirm it? Don’t get on my nerves… you already confirmed it, right?”

Diya bounced slightly. “Ren-nii, say it~!”

Stifling a smile, Ren turned his gaze to the side. Then, so softly that it seemed to scarcely stir the air, he whispered, “...Upma.”

“You!!”

Kazuma’s snap was far more furious than his expression. “Even you joined now?”

Diya dissolved into giggles as Ren failed to maintain his serious expression. Kazuma turned his face away, muttering not-so-menacing threats.

In the corner, Miko smiled softly with a hint of tears. ‘They finally said it.’ She thought, her heart eased, sighing in peace.

On one side of Ren, Rina sat quietly, and on the other side was Diya, nestled next to him.

“Okay…” Rina leaned slightly closer with her voice soft, “We’ll talk to Yuna and bring her. You too, talk with her mother and bring her. But one thing…”

She exhaled slowly. “We can’t be sure how Yuna will react.”

Ren gave a nod.

“Go ahead and open it,” Kazuma said while stretching his arms. “I will take her.”

To his surprise, Ren smiled. “No, I’ll bring her.”

Kazuma let out an exaggerated sigh. “Well, Okay, okay.”

Ren drew his katana, and a portal quietly unfurled to the outside. With a soft slice, a curtain of light opened.

Ting!

A small stone fell on Diya’s head.

“Huh?! Again?” she exclaimed. Diya rubbed the spot on her head, looking ahead. “This room looks clean too! But…”

“Don’t worry about that. In this place… that’s common,” Ren smiled faintly.

“Yeah,” Kazuma softly chuckled, barely containing his laughter.

Diya narrowed her gaze suspiciously. “Hmm?”

****

“Drink this carrot juice. And bananas,” Inori said while gently placing the tray in front of Sakuragi. “If you leave anything…”

She raised an eyebrow, “You know, right?”

“Okay, Inori-sama,” Sakuragi offered a faint, grateful smile. “But I’m really fine now.”

At that moment, Mei peeked into the room and tiptoed inside.

“Mom, who’s this lady?” she asked curiously, glancing at Sakuragi.

Inori waved her off. “An important person. And an idiot who was—”

Sakuragi shyly looked down under Inori's gaze, her fingers brushing the hem of her sleeve.

A knock echoed on the door.

Mei said, “It’s already unlocked. Come in~”

The door eased open.

“Huh? Ken-san?” Mei blinked as Ren entered calmly.

With determination, Ren walked over to Sakuragi, crouching down next to her. “I want to show you something. Come,” he said gently.

Sakuragi greeted Ren with a curious look, then tilted her head. “What is it?”

“What’s this all of a sudden?” Inori narrowed her eyes. “She has to eat everything first. What are you—?”

Ren turned a bit towards Inori and smiled a bit. “A surprise.”

“A gift? Wait… don’t say it’s Sakura. I’m still not ready!” Sakuragi voiced but seemed hesitant towards him.

“If it’s Sakura, how’s that a surprise? It’s totally different.”

Then he added gently, “I told you earlier this morning, remember?”

“Um… What you said…?” Her gaze relaxed and then her eyes widened. “You mean…?”

“Right. And there’s another big gift too… but not sure that gift will like you.”

“Let’s go,” she said barely above a whisper. Excitement was visible as she swung her legs off the bed. Her cheeks were flushed, and a smile hinted at nervous anticipation. Looking at Inori, she continued, “Inori-sama, I’ll eat later…or I’m fine now.”

Inori still refused to budge and placed a hand on Ren’s shoulder.

“Who do you think you are? Coming in the middle and stealing my patient?” she questioned, her tone cool but warm.

“It’s important,” Ren replied. “Inori sama, please.”

****

The air shimmered as Ren gently held Sakuragi and teleported her to his room.

Kazuma was already waiting, leaning casually to the wall. Hisagi lay sprawled on the bed, legs dangling lazily, eyes half-closed but not asleep.

“Nii... you said it is a surprise, but no one is here.”

“You said… about—” She stopped mid-sentence while she was looking at Ren.

He slowly shook his head, his expression a complete mask.

Her eyes wandered, landing on Hisagi. Their gazes met for the briefest second, but no words passed.

He blinked. She averted her eyes and quietly walked to the bed, sitting down with her back turned toward him.

“Okay,” she said softly. “I will wait… until you are ready to show me.”

“Master…” Hisagi leaned over, tilting his head. “Tell me too… by the way, Aunty’s here?” he whispered, eyebrows scrunching.

Kazuma sighed with frustration, soft but palpable. “Be quiet.”

“Master, do you even know… how many times have you said that?” Hisagi grieved as he thrust his head down, pouting with his cheeks swollen.

He got down from the bed and walked to Ren’s side. He looked at Sakuragi. “What’s that wrapped around your hand? Aunty?”

“H-huh? N-Nothing… just a cloth.”

Without waiting, Hisagi carefully lifted her hand. “Aunty, show me.”

“Hisagi,” Kazuma’s voice had a sharp, unforgiving edge that shattered the mulling silence of the room.

But Hisagi squinted his eyes and his voice dripped with defiance. “Then… can I take it off?”

“Yeah… it’s not a problem,” Kazuma answered, sounding more relaxed this time. “It’s just a cloth.”

Yet Hisagi made no move to take it off. The defiance in his voice disappeared. “Aunty… what happened? Won’t you want to say that to me too?”

“That’s not…” She glanced at him. “First, sit here.” Her voice wobbled while she patted the space next to her on the bed.

“It’s been more than thirty days since I saw you. How are you here? Are you playing well?”

“Aunty… don’t change the topic.”

“First answer her question, idiot,” Kazuma said, smirking with arms crossed.

“Well,” Kazuma continued to Sakuragi, “he just rested in bed and still somehow qualified, because of us.”

She blinked. “Huh? You didn’t play?”

“T-that’s…” Hisagi scratched his head, looking embarrassed. “I lost in the first match. But Master came and uh… made me qualified. Miko aunty’s daughter played in my place and passed me.”

Kazuma rolled his eyes. “So he didn’t do anything.”

“Master! Don’t say it like that… I want to play too! You’ll see in the third round!”

“You’re really just a kid,” she said softly as she ran her fingers through Hisagi’s soft hair and kissed his forehead gently as if in spring.

“Nii… he’s so innocent, at least… guide him.”

Hisagi, still cheerful, looked up to his aunt saying, “Aunty, you didn’t know, right? Master accepted me as his disciple!”

She looked at Ren in a way only family members do.

In one smooth movement, she turned Hisagi’s head softly to the side. “Then you don’t need to worry at all.”

Knock knock.

Ren's attention shifted to the door, his expression softening and serious at the same time. “They’ve come.”

As Sakuragi approached, he glanced at her. “But listen… I’m telling you now… don’t call my name Ren, okay?”

"Hm… okay.” She replied, only to tilt her head, now looking Ren puzzled as he reached forward and his hands came to her face, his palm gently shutting her eyes.

“Eh? Nii? Why are you closing—”

“Didn’t I say… there’s a gift too?”

Kazuma was already unlocking the door. Diya came in leading Yuna. She was covering Yuna’s eyes with one hand while the other was holding her hand, walking in Rina with Miko beside her.

Hisagi’s eyes were alert, wandering around the room. His brows were knit together in concentration as he stared at every face, looking completely lost, like a child in the middle of a guessing game with no hints.

“Are you ready?” Diya’s voice came with a nervous smile, the soft giddiness of hope lacing through her words.

Yuna smiled under the warmth of her mother's palm. “Maa, say na... what is it? Ramen? Or chicken? Or—”

“All food only?” Diya gently tapped her head. “Think differently, idiot.”

“Is it... them?” Sakuragi whispered, quaking as she clutched onto the fabric of Ren’s shirt. “Are they here?”

“Yup,” Ren whispered close. “I’m going to move my hands now.”

Diya and Ren lifted their hands as if an invisible force was guiding them together in unison.