After their trip to Asakusa, the siblings returned to the apartment. As they stepped inside, they found the place empty—clearly, their mother hadn't come back yet.
"Does Mom know someone in Tokyo?" Mitsuha asked, glancing around the room. "She's never mentioned anything like that before."
"Isn't it possible she didn't tell you because she knew you'd bug her nonstop to come along and meet that person?"
Hearing that, Haruto casually tossed the souvenir bags onto the side table and turned around to look at his sister standing in the middle of the living room. He stepped forward, reached out—and pinched her cheeks.
"Ow! What the heck!" Mitsuha yelped, grinning through the pain as she swatted at him in retaliation.
Haruto released his grip just in time, dodging her slap with ease. Watching her rub her sore cheek with both hands, he couldn't help but chuckle as he walked toward the fridge.
"What are you doing?" Mitsuha asked, suspicious.
"I think normal people can already guess what should be done at this time."
"But Mom's not back yet, right? How about the three of us head out again and try some Western food this time?"
"If you're paying, I might be convinced," Haruto replied with a raised brow.
Mitsuha had already experienced a high-end traditional Japanese meal earlier that afternoon—by her standards, it was fancy enough to be unforgettable. Now, she was full of curiosity about Western cuisine, something she'd never tried in an actual restaurant.
"So… how expensive is it? It's probably not that pricey per person, right?"
She asked cautiously. If it wasn't too outrageous, she figured it might be worth giving it a shot.
Haruto, who was already preparing ingredients in the kitchen, didn't quite know how to answer her. He glanced at Mitsuha, sighed, and instead of responding, quietly continued washing the vegetables.
When he didn't answer, Mitsuha's curiosity still lingered, but she gave up pushing. She walked over to his side and began helping him prep the food.
It wasn't that Mitsuha wanted to be helpful—she simply didn't know what else to do. Haruto's place was far too minimalist. No TV, no game consoles—just a desk piled high with books. That was it.
This was a rare trip to Tokyo, and who knew when she'd be back again? There was no way she could just sit still and read like it was any ordinary day. She figured, if she showed her mom how helpful and obedient she was, maybe—just maybe—her dream of attending high school in Tokyo could become reality.
Haruto had no clue what thoughts were swirling around his sister's head. But when Mitsuha suddenly cozied up beside him and offered to help prepare dinner, he gave her a subtle look and said nothing, quietly going back to cooking.
Meanwhile, back near the subway station, Miyamizu Futaba had finally returned to the neighborhood after getting directions from station staff. She stood at Korakuen Station, glancing around with a bewildered look.
"Now… which way was it again?"
She pressed a hand to her face, frowning in thought. It wasn't that she couldn't just call her son and have him come fetch her—but the idea of making her own kid drop everything to play escort made her feel slightly ashamed. After a pause, she sighed softly.
Just as she was about to retrace her steps, a gentle voice called out from beside her.
"Um, excuse me—do you need help?"
"Hm?"
Surprised by the voice of a girl behind her, Futaba turned slowly and found herself looking at someone unexpected...
_ _ _ _ _
"Still not back, huh? Are you sure you don't wanna just call Mom?" Mitsuha asked, seated cross-legged in the room after being kicked out of the kitchen by her brother.
Haruto glanced at the clock on the desk.
"If she's not back in a few more—"
Ding-dong.
The doorbell rang, cutting him off. Mitsuha sprang up excitedly.
"I'll get it! Maybe it's Mom!"
Her footsteps thudded across the floor. Haruto briefly glanced at her—barefoot, running in just her white socks—before silently returning to the kitchen.
Mitsuha opened the door… and blinked in surprise. Standing there was a petite girl who, despite being older than Mitsuha, looked like a middle schooler—well, not that young, but definitely younger than expected. Maybe even younger than their sister Yotsuha.
"Big bro, your girlfriend's here!" Mitsuha called back playfully.
She swung the door open and stepped aside, letting the girl enter.
The girl—Setsuna—nodded politely to Mitsuha, then walked in and spotted Haruto working in the kitchen.
"Is your mother… not home?" Setsuna asked, surprised to see only the siblings inside.
"She had something to do this afternoon. Went to meet someone she knows. Not sure when she'll be back," Mitsuha answered with a curious glance. "Did you need something from my brother?"
Setsuna nodded slightly.
"Mom's already prepared dinner. She's ready to meet with your mother."
Mitsuha looked stunned. She studied Setsuna more closely, then shifted her gaze to her brother.
Haruto raised an eyebrow, a little surprised himself.
"I see. Then let's bring the food I just finished prepping over to your place. I'll contact Mom too."
It was about time anyway—and if Futaba still hadn't returned, Haruto had to consider the possibility she'd gotten lost. And if she was lost in this massive city, it definitely wouldn't be a quick fix.
He washed and dried his hands, then took out his phone, just as—
Ding-dong.
The doorbell rang again.
Before Haruto could move, Mitsuha had already dashed to the door.
She opened it—and there stood Miyamizu Futaba.
Seeing her mother safe and sound, Mitsuha breathed a silent sigh of relief and swung the door wide open.
With Futaba's arrival, the apartment suddenly felt a lot smaller. Four people in a room that usually only had two made it feel cramped. Mitsuha quietly slipped over to sit on Haruto's bed. Futaba, surprised to see Setsuna there, hadn't expected to meet her son's girlfriend this soon.
"Good evening, Auntie," Setsuna greeted warmly.
"Good evening," Futaba replied politely. She'd planned to speak privately with her son about something, but now didn't feel like the right time.
Seeing that everyone was finally here, Haruto spoke up.
"Setsuna's mom has already made dinner. She's waiting for us."
"Right now?" Futaba blinked. She glanced at the clock—yes, it was about dinnertime. Still, she hadn't been prepared to meet her son's girlfriend's family so suddenly. It all felt a little rushed.
"Mai-san is very easygoing—you don't need to worry about formalities. Setsuna, go ahead and head back first. We'll come right after."
"Okay."
With that, Setsuna nodded and slipped out, planning to give her mom a heads-up to be ready.
As soon as she left, he turned to Mitsuha and gestured for her to come over.
"..."
Unsure what he wanted, Mitsuha cautiously approached. Haruto instructed her to plate the freshly cooked food, cover it with plastic wrap, and hold it ready for transport.
"Anything I can help with?" she asked.
Futaba, glanced at her daughter, then turned to the busy figure of Haruto. After a moment of contemplation, she asked if there was anything she could help with.
"We're pretty much done here," Haruto replied with a small smile. "Everything's ready—let's head over to Setsuna's place."
With one last glance at her son, Futaba quietly set aside whatever thoughts had been lingering in her heart and followed Haruto and Mitsuha out of the apartment.
As the door clicked shut behind them, the three of them made their way toward the Kiyora residence.
"We were just about to call you," Haruto said as they walked. "You were gone so long that Mitsuha and I got worried. Just as we were dialing, the doorbell rang."
"Everything went smoothly up until that station by the amusement park," Futaba explained. "But once I got out, I got completely turned around and didn't know which way to go. Luckily, I ran into a kind girl who knew the area and helped guide me nearby before heading off."
"A girl?" Haruto raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah. A blonde girl—pretty rare to see," Futaba added.
"…"
Futaba noticed the sudden silence from her son. He looked unusually thoughtful, and a flicker of unease passed over his face.
"What is it?" she asked. "Is something wrong?"
"No… not really," Haruto replied a little too quickly. "It's just that when you said 'blonde,' it made me think of someone I know. Was she wearing twin tails?"
"…Yeah, she was."
You couldn't really blame Haruto for the PTSD. A blonde girl who knew her way around the area near his apartment? There was only one person that fit the bill.
"Someone you know?" Futaba probed gently, clearly picking up on his reaction.
"Blonde?" Mitsuha, overhearing the exchange, leaned in close to her brother with narrowed eyes.
"Was she a foreigner?"
"No. Just a classmate," he replied with a sigh. "She's not foreign."
"Hmm…" Mitsuha's tone stretched, suspicious. Her eyes lingered on her brother, clearly thinking there was more to the story than he was letting on.
Haruto ignored her and led the way up the stairs. Reaching the door to the Kiyora household, he rang the bell.
Setsuna had been waiting inside and opened the door almost immediately, greeting Haruto and his family with a warm smile. Behind her, her mother Kiyoura Mai appeared, wearing a gentle expression as she joined her daughter in welcoming their guests.
The previously chatty Mitsuha fell completely silent the moment she saw Setsuna and her mother. She stood still, her demeanor instantly switching to that of a demure young lady.
Futaba, meanwhile, stood just behind Haruto. As the door opened, her eyes naturally went to the woman beside Setsuna. The two mothers exchanged a brief, cordial smile and a polite nod before letting their gazes drift elsewhere.
"Please, come in," Setsuna said, pulling the door open further.
Mai stood just inside, gesturing kindly for them to enter. Her eyes lingered briefly on Haruto. Their gazes met for a fraction of a second—then drifted apart, as if nothing had happened.
Once everyone was inside, Setsuna quietly closed the door. Haruto began placing the dishes he'd brought on the dining table, with Mitsuha helping him arrange them.
"You must be Haruto's mother, Mrs. Miyamizu?" Mai began.
"Yes, that's me."
"I've heard so much about you. Thank you for raising such a wonderful son. Haruto has taught Setsuna so much during their time together. I'm very grateful."
"And thank you for taking care of my son while he's been here in Tokyo," Futaba replied politely.
As the two mothers exchanged niceties, Haruto stood off to the side, feeling a wave of déjà vu. Mai, usually so easygoing, had suddenly become very formal. His own mother, however, seemed just like her usual self.
Haruto and Setsuna shared a quick glance—then, as if on cue, stepped in to break up the awkward atmosphere.
"Well, now that everyone's here, shall we get dinner started?" Haruto suggested.
"I'm sorry I didn't prepare a proper gift," Futaba said apologetically.
"But you did," Mai replied with a soft smile, her gaze drifting to the table laden with food.
The two women looked at each other again, exchanging a knowing look and a subtle smile.
Perhaps it was secrets… or maybe just normal human interactions. Whatever the reason, the dinner that followed was quietly stifling.
Setsuna remained her usual calm self, eating quietly at the table, but Mitsuha clearly struggled. She kept glancing at Haruto, wanting to say something but holding herself back due to the heavy silence hanging in the air. Haruto, for his part, didn't pay her much attention.
After the quietly uncomfortable dinner, Haruto and Setsuna began clearing the table. Their mothers moved to the sofa, chatting leisurely about parenting experiences. Unable to stand the tense atmosphere, Mitsuha gravitated toward her brother to help with the cleanup.
"Aren't you going to sit with them in the living room?" Haruto asked, raising a brow at her unexpected helpfulness.
"I'm not their age group," Mitsuha said flatly. "We wouldn't even have anything to talk about. It's way too awkward just sitting there. It's better over here. Need help with anything?"
"I've got this side covered. Go help Setsuna instead."
He waved her off with a subtle smirk—there was no way Mitsuha would be any help here, not without getting in the way.
Shrugging off the rejection, Mitsuha drifted over to Setsuna and immediately began piling on the charm. "Sis~," she said sweetly, "Sister-in-law~."
From the way Setsuna's lips curled into a small smile, it was clear the effort was paying off.
With nothing to do back at his apartment, Haruto didn't feel any rush to leave. Noticing how well his mother and Mai were getting along, he led Mitsuha into Setsuna's room so the adults could have their space.
Once the door shut behind them, Mitsuha's demeanor instantly relaxed.
"Looking out this window… the view is opposite your apartment, isn't it?" she asked, peering out at the city lights.
Tokyo at night—glimmering skyscrapers, neon reflections. Mitsuha stood still, mesmerized. She'd never seen a view like this back in Itomori.
Sure, she'd seen similar scenes on TV. But this was different. Seeing it with her own eyes—the vibrant city, the soft night breeze—was a whole other world.
"Yeah. My apartment faces south. This one faces west. But if you step out onto the balcony, you can see mine from there."
Haruto walked up behind her and placed his hands gently on her slim shoulders, giving them a slight squeeze.
Mitsuha flinched, pulling her neck in like a turtle. "What are you doing?" she said, shooting him a glare.
"Just checking to see if you've gained weight during this time."
"I walk to and from school every day. No chance of gaining anything. If anything, you should be the one gaining weight—living all cushy in Tokyo."
She squinted at his neck, then poked at his stomach with her fingers.
"Huh. You didn't put on any weight," she muttered, a bit disappointed.
Setsuna watched their sibling banter with a quiet smile, a flicker of envy crossing her face.
Haruto let go and walked back to her side, reaching out to gently ruffle her hair. Setsuna closed her eyes, visibly content under his touch.
Watching the scene unfold, Mitsuha's expression twisted into a sour grimace.
She was itching to throw some barbed words at her brother—but with Setsuna there, she held her tongue. She swallowed the bitterness for now.
But later—when it was just her and her no-good brother?
He'd be getting it.
Mitsuha stared at him for a while. She thought to herself—it was rare for her to come all the way to Tokyo, and yet she was spending so much of her time focused on her big brother. Wasn't that kind of a waste?
While Haruto was distracted, she quietly made her way over to Setsuna, stepped behind her, and gently wrapped her arms around her in a hug. Setsuna blinked in surprise, turning to look at the girl suddenly clinging to her. Her gaze then flicked over to Haruto, uncertain and a little lost. What was Mitsuha trying to do?
"What are you doing?" Setsuna asked.
"You two are dating. Since you're my brother's girlfriend, that makes you kind of like my future sister, right? A little sister hugging her big sister—isn't that totally normal?" Mitsuha said with a smile.
"..."
It sounded logical enough. But as he watched Mitsuha, Haruto couldn't shake the feeling that she had something else in mind.
"Shouldn't you go check on Mom and the others?" he asked. "See how they're doing?"
"And leave you here alone with Setsuna?"
"There are things girls talk about that guys shouldn't be listening to. Even if your my brother—or Setsuna's boyfriend—we're allowed to have some secrets, don't you think?"
Mitsuha glanced over at Setsuna, and somehow, perhaps caught in her pace, Setsuna gave a small nod when Haruto looked at her.
She hadn't really planned on anything like this, but Mitsuha's words stirred up a bit of curiosity in her heart. What kind of person had Haruto been, in Mitsuha's eyes? What stories could she tell? That curiosity was enough to convince her.
"Alright," he said, finally giving in. "You two talk. I'll go check on them."
He was a little concerned too—mainly about how Mai was doing. But seeing the two girls genuinely wanting to chat, he didn't linger. Quietly, he left the room, gently closing the door behind him.
Just as he stepped out, he caught the sound of conversation from the living room.
"My friend recommended a different brand. It works way better than what I was using before. My skin doesn't feel nearly as dry lately..."
Wait, what?
He had expected a serious discussion—maybe something about Setsuna, their relationship, or even the future. But no... it was skincare?
Haruto blinked, walking slowly toward the voices. When he reached them, he stopped and listened for a while, silently standing nearby.
His mother and Mai were exchanging beauty tips—comparing products, discussing routines, trading stories about struggling with dry skin. Their conversation was surprisingly lively.
At first, Mai had felt a bit tense. She wasn't sure how to talk to Haruto's mother. But once she opened up, she quickly realized that the older woman was far more easygoing than she'd imagined. Not strict at all—kind, even. Their conversation had flowed naturally from talking about children, to motherhood, and now to taking care of their own skin.