She narrowed her eyes, trying to read him. “Really…? That’s all?”

“Really. That’s all,” he nodded firmly. “Nothing else.”

She released a slow breath and wrapped her arms around him. “Thank you, Nii. I really thought I’d never get to see her again.”

“I’m relieved too,” he said as he patted her head. “You no longer need to carry this burden.”

She pulled back, still deep in thought and her eyes still squinting.

“Wait… I’ve heard her name somewhere and… I’ve seen her too…” She murmured as she rubbed her temples. “Where was it again?”

“Diya? Diya… huh? Wait!”

Her eyes widened as she blurted, “She’s Tanvika-sama’s daughter… right?!”

“You mean that family…?” She turned sharply back at Ren.

He gave a small nod. “Yes… Kazuma is her second son. My mother was different, but we all lived in the same house.”

She froze, her expression blank and lips parted as if in shock. “Wh—”

Before she could finish, he hurriedly covered her mouth with his hand.

“I understand.”

Swatting his hand away, she frowned. “What?! Kazuma-san is Tanvika-sama’s son?! And you lived in that house?!”

“When you said you were from this kingdom,” she muttered, “I never thought it’d be this much…”

Her eyes narrowed in recall. “Wait! I heard Tanvika’s son’s name was Kazuma. But I didn't imagine he is her son, and I haven’t heard anything about you in recent years...”

“Um… after we left, not many people might have remembered us.” Ren leaned against the wall, arms folded, his voice calm. “Maybe after a few years… people just stopped talking about us.”

She stepped closer, puffing her cheeks with frustration. “You, Nii, then… why?”

She threw soft, rapid punches into his stomach, not to hurt, just to vent. “Why didn’t you…?”

“Okay, okay! Stop hitting me…” Ren gently caught her wrists mid-air.

“We had our own problems.” He smiled awkwardly. “Honestly, I just decided to live in that village because of you.”

She stared at him like a dumb fellow. “What?”

“Are you joking?! Because of me?!” Then her face twisted in disbelief. “You didn’t even know me at that time!”

She raised an eyebrow and gave a sarcastic glare. “If you’re going to lie, at least make it believable.”

“Fine, fine, not because of you.” He chuckled, looking away like a boy caught stealing sweets. “Well… nothing serious, really.”

“You both are idiots.” She glared again, this time more playful. “Having a family like that—”

But then she paused. Her gaze softened, catching the shift in his expression, the brief flicker of old pain in his eyes.

His smile dimmed. “I just wanted to live normally… after that.”

“…Okay, okay. I won’t ask anymore.” Her voice lowered as she glanced away, then back again. “You talked to them, right? Then… there’s no problem for you now.”

“So you too come with me,” she said, her voice softer, “I’ll feel comfortable there… if you’re around.”

“Nope.” He shook his head. “If you stay there, they can say Yuna is your daughter. But our situation is… different. Don’t worry, Rina-yenge will take care of everything you’ll need.”

“…Still, if you and Kazuma-san are there…” Her shoulders drooped a little. “…it’d feel different. Better.”

“Hey… I told you, right?” Ren moved in closer, placing his palm gently on her head. “You’re not an outsider. Don’t let yourself feel that way.”

“Now rest for a while,” he added cheerfully, as he often did. “I’ll take you when you’re ready, okay?”

Sakuragi gave a small nod. “…Okay.”

****

Around 5 PM, Kazuma looked up from the bed where Hisagi was sprawled like a lazy fox.

“Hey,” Kazuma said while looking at Ren. “are you sure you’re okay taking her? Or should she just go alone?”

“It’s not a big deal.” Ren leaned back on the edge of the bed, expression flat. “Just dropping her off, right?”

“Master, what’s gonna happen even if they both go?” Hisagi chimed in cheerfully. “They said it themselves, ‘don’t need to worry.’”

Kazuma narrowed his eyes. ‘This idiot’s in the middle of everything and still doesn’t know a thing… Even if I wanted to tell him the truth, he will spill it like a cracked pot if someone asks him.’

On the other side, Sakuragi was finger drumming on her palm, eyes moving sideways.

“Ren-nii… do I really have to go?”

“Don’t you want to at least see your daughter?” He raised an eyebrow. “Even if you don’t talk?”

“Hmph! You’re just an idiot. That’s Tanvika-sama and Shinrai-sama’s house, not some random noodle stall! You’re saying it like it’s a stroll to park!”

“That is also valid, Aunty.” Hisagi nodded sagely. “Even if they said ‘come,’ you might feel uncomfortable…”

“See, Nii?” She cried dramatically. “Even he agrees!”

“First come.” He pinched his nose. “If you think too much, you’ll always be scared.”

“Please,” she begged, backing up a step like a scared kitten.

But Ren wasn’t having it. He pulled her closer, hand held in a resolute grip.

“You, Come. Now. Just take the step.”

****

Inside the house, Hisagi scratched his head, said to Kazuma, “I said it casually before but… now I feel nervous too…”

“I Understand it. But if she goes now, she’ll at least see her daughter every day. Maybe slowly… they’ll become close.”

****

On the other side, Ren stood at a corner of the wide compound wall. He pointed ahead. “That’s the house.”

She stopped in mid-step. “Huh? You’re not coming?”

“I already told you. No.”

She clung to his sleeve, voice dropped. “Please… at least till the gate?”

“I said ‘no.’” He looked away. “Understand?”

“Please, please, please… just to the gate.” She clasped her hands, eyes wide with that classic puppy-dog-begging look. “Then I swear I’ll go in.”

He sighed heavily, defeated. “...Fine.”

They walked together beside the boundary wall, sunlight filtering through tall coconut trees. The compound was quiet, peaceful.

A wide stone wall ran across the front of the property with a single gate in the middle. Beyond the gate a spacious garden with trimmed bushes, flowering plants, tall trees, and a narrow path winding through the greenery. A large wooden house with a sloped tiled roof and broad front steps awaited. It was big enough to house multiple families, with guest rooms, a wide kitchen, washing space, and a large backyard…

She glanced sideways at him, murmuring, “If you come inside—”

“Oi. Again?” He cut in sharply.

“Hmph… you’re not even worried about me…” She pouted, lower lip jutting out as if he’d just stolen her favorite snack.

“You can try emotional blackmail all you want,” he muttered, “but I’m not falling for it.”

They reached the gate. Ren stopped. His foot froze mid-turn.

Tanvika was in the garden, watering the flowers, her soft voice humming to herself. She looked up, eyes locking straight on the gate.

Behind her, Diya and Rina, who had been peeking through the window, instantly ducked, sliding the curtain over their faces like kids caught mid-mischief.

Ren turned to leave, his steps already angled away from the gate.

But Tanvika’s warm voice rang out, calm and curious.

“Hey… stop. You’re Ken, right? The one who played this morning?”

He froze on the spot, the back of his neck stiffening.

Sakuragi clutched her sleeve, heart suddenly racing.

Her eyes darted nervously around as a few citizens passed along the path, glancing curiously. She looked at Ren, then quickly away. ‘So many eyes…’

At that moment, Tanvika stepped forward from the garden, holding her watering can.

“You said you’d cook halwa, right?” She stopped at the gate and called out casually, yet firmly. “You owe me that recipe.”

‘What? Halwa?!’ He didn’t turn around. His voice stiffened. “Aa… Tanvika-sama, I-I… actually have something important. They must’ve told you Sakuragi would come, I just brought her. T-that’s all.”

He closed his eyes—

“Stop right there.” Tanvika narrowed her eyes and took a step forward. “Just come inside the house. Today’s your birthday, isn’t it? At least let me make a cake.”

He waved his hands quickly. “I already ate in the morning, right? No need, Tanvika-sama! No need!”

“Ken, please… just come.” Sakuragi, who had been watching like a cat waiting for the right moment, spoke sharply. “Even Tanvika-sama’s asking herself, see? That means it’s okay!”

Ren glared at her. Sharp. Dangerous.

But she only looked away with the most innocent face she could fake, her fingers behind her back like a mischievous schoolgirl.

Tanvika noticed the silent battle and allowed a small, knowing smirk to curl on her lips.

‘Now’s the chance.’

She suddenly grabbed Ren’s wrist. “Come. You’re a good cook, aren’t you? I’ll teach you something better than halwa. Let’s go!”

Ren’s heart dropped. ‘Why did Maa have to be in the garden today of all days?!’

Just then, a passerby paused and pointed cheerfully. “Tanvika-sama! I saw this boy on the big screen when you were tasting! Right after that, I asked my wife to cook halwa too!”

“That’s sweet, na?” She waved to him with a soft smile. “You eat well, right?”

Meanwhile, she still had Ren’s hand gripped tight.

And as if fate had planned the perfect betrayal, Sakuragi gently slid her hand onto Ren’s other wrist. Not looking at him, just softly saying, “Ken… let’s go.”

He grumbled under his breath, his glare bouncing between the two women like a silent accusation.

But he walked.

Reluctantly.

Caught between Maa’s authority and mischief’s pull.

From the first-floor window, Rina and Diya peeked through the curtain. “Yenge…” Diya whispered with a smile, “he’s coming inside.”

Rina giggled, watching Tanvika tug Ren along with full mom-force, as if reeling in a stubborn fish.

Sakuragi smirked, her lips curling mischievously, though her eyes shimmered with warmth. She walked beside Ren, a new lightness in her steps.

He shot her one of those long, brotherly stares. The kind that says, ‘Hmph… your turn will come, just wait.’

But Sakuragi? She didn’t even flinch. In her mind she thought, ‘Phew. Now I don’t have to feel nervous at all.’

His thoughts, though, weren’t as relaxed. ‘Did Maa know us now? If Diya told her everything, she must’ve known… or was what Maa said in the Mind-space the truth?’

As they stepped inside, Tanvika gently closed the door behind them. The sound echoed softly, like the hush of old memories being welcomed home. She stared at Ren, not coldly, not even sternly, but with something deeper.

He began nervously, “That ta—”

Whack! She tugged his ear sharply, the quick pinch making him wince.

“What is this ‘ta’? Call me Maa, like you used to.” She scolded him, half fierce, half laughing. “Don’t act smart in front of me.”

From the corner of the hallway, Diya and Rina peeked in like mischievous kids watching a play.

“Maa, please don’t.” Ren winced and shoulders dropped down instinctively. “We wanted to come. But due to some situations, we… we stopped. Please, you won’t hit me… right?”

Sakuragi is smiling like a little devil, enjoying every second.

Ren turned and hissed under his breath, “You! Laugh now. Just wait, my chance will come—”

But Tanvika pulled him into a tight hug, cutting him off mid-word. “Idiot boy. I don’t want any explanations. I just need two answers: what did your mother say? And... when is that other idiot coming? Why didn’t you both come together, huh?”

“I didn’t even plan to come.” Ren mumbled, trying to twist away. “This idiot next to me dragged me to the gate and then you caught me. Besides—”

“Exactly why I came to the garden myself.” Tanvika gently cuts in while chuckling. “I knew I had to snatch you fast. Today you’re not escaping. Nobody’s here to stop me. If you don’t go, then he might come too.”

At that moment, Diya leapt onto Ren’s back like an overgrown cat, arms locking around his shoulders.

“Nii! We told Maa you’d bring her! She’s been waiting since then.” She grinned, hanging on him like she was still a child.

“Hey! You’re heavy!” Ren groaned. “And at your age, don’t you think—”

She cut him off, slapping a hand over his mouth, “Shhh. Don’t say it! You’re younger than me now, remember? Then you’re my little brother.”

She smooshed his cheeks from behind, making his words come out muffled.

“Aw thome on! Thtop that, idiot!”

(*Gibberish)

Sakuragi giggled silently, standing beside Rina, who tried not to laugh but gave up halfway.

Rina whispered, “Looks like he’s gotten used to behaving with that look.”

“Of course I have to behave like this.” He shot her a tired look. “Everyone sees me as in this body only.”

Rina went towards the kitchen.

Ren’s eyes scanning around. “Maa… Pa isn’t at home?”

She shook her head. “Hm… only we three, Rezu and Yuna are there, she’s playing with her.”

“I wanted to ask a few things.” Ren stepped closer. “Kazuma told me it’s obviously true, but… if I ask him, I’ll know for sure.”

“Huh? Questions later,” Tanvika raised an eyebrow, wiping her hands. “First, come to the kitchen.”

From the kitchen, Rina chimed in, already cutting slices, “I made the cake for you.”

“Yenge, I don’t want to! Wait, wait…” Ren grimaced slightly. “Maa, if you say to eat, I’ll eat. But I don’t need celebration. I said that in the morning too, right?”

“Nii, wait. You celebrated already?!” Sakuragi leaned on the doorframe and was surprised. “Tanvika-sama made you cut the cake in the morning?”

Ren nodded slowly. “Haa… Sakura made one but—”

Tanvika suddenly stopped him, a look of suspicion flickering in her eyes.

“Since this morning, I’ve been curious to ask something. I got a feeling, but I didn’t assume anything before confirmation.” She crossed her arms. “Who was that girl with you both? She even glared at Kazuma. I think I know who she is… but tell me.”

He scratched his head, trying not to meet her gaze. “Maa… she’s my daughter.”

For a moment, the kitchen went still, the air thick with surprise.

Diya and Rina gasped in unison. “Huh?!”

Sakuragi, calm as a breeze, added playfully, “Also… she loves Kazuma-san.”

Tanvika blinked. “What?!”

He turned sharply toward Sakuragi, panicked. “Why did you tell them now?!”

Diya swatted Ren’s shoulder. “Nii! Why didn’t you bring her then? Where is she? How does she look? I haven’t even seen her!”

“I saw her in Room 2.” Rina folded her arms, smirking.

“She… she looks like your mother. But something about her confused me.” Tanvika slowly leaned against the wall, taking a moment. “So she is your daughter? Now it’s confirmed.”

“Eh?! You both saw her? Wait! Where’s that aunty photo? I want to see it again. And… why does she love that idiot?”

Ren asked, “Maa, is that okay?”

But Tanvika didn’t answer him immediately. Instead, she turned toward Ren, hands calmly folded, voice patient but piercing.

“First, say what your mom told you.”

“Huh? Before also… you asked Tanvika-sama.” Sakuragi tilted her head, confused. “Where is Ren-nii’s mom right now?”

Rina furrowed her brows. “Maa, even I didn’t get it. How will she tell him anything if she’s not here?”

“Um…” Diya echoed softly.

“I don’t know where she is exactly.” Tanvika turned toward Sakuragi gently, almost apologetically.

Then she looked at the others and pointed slowly to Ren. “Her soul… is in his Mind-space. I don’t know if she’s watching now or not.”

The three froze, the weight of the revelation pressing down like a sudden chill.

His voice dropped. “Maa… that’s what I wanted to ask before. So, you knew it…?”

She nodded, slow and deliberate.