The villa was quiet now. Unnaturally quiet.
After a full evening of laughter, teasing, awkward glances, and passive-aggressive cheese passing, Raika's friends had finally gone home. Nanami, Hikari, and Riko had left in a whirlwind of chatter and shoes hastily jammed onto feet. Raika had stood at the door, waving them off with forced cheer.
Akemi, on the other hand, hadn't said a word.
She simply gave Raito a look—a small, unreadable smile tugging at her lips—and left without a goodbye. She didn't need one. She already knew they'd see each other again soon.
And Raito? He hadn't even looked up from washing the dishes.
Upstairs, Emi was still nestled in front of the TV, a small lump of child and blanket surrounded by colorful plastic wands and plushies. Kawai Kitty blared at a gentle volume, the cheerful theme song oddly hypnotic.
Raito crouched and scooped her up, one arm cradling her as she clung sleepily to his shirt.
"You're going to rot your brain," he said softly.
Emi mumbled in reply, completely unbothered.
He carried her to the nursery and tucked her in with practiced ease, turning off the TV and setting her favorite plush beside her.
When he came back downstairs, Raika was leaning against the doorframe to the hallway, arms crossed and clearly waiting.
"You really agreed to come on the trip?" she asked, tone light but eyes suspicious.
"I wasn't joking," Raito replied, walking past her and heading to the kitchen. "Free food. Free room. Nice mountain air. What's not to like?"
Raika followed him in, narrowing her eyes. "You don't even like nature."
He grabbed a glass and filled it with water. "I like free."
"That's it?"
"I have some errands to run while I'm there."
Raika stared. "What errands?"
"Mountain errands."
"You're the worst," she muttered.
"I've heard that."
She sighed, then reached into her hoodie pocket and produced a small envelope. "Well… here. The tickets. I was going to tell you about the trip, but…"
"You didn't."
"I was worried you'd say no," she admitted, glancing to the side. "I thought you'd tell me it wasn't safe."
He took the envelope and opened it, eyes scanning the contents.
"Four tickets?" he asked. "Why four?"
Raika shrugged like it didn't matter. "Maybe the school messed up. Maybe it's for karma. Use it or don't. I'm going to bed."
She left before he could press further.
Raito held the tickets between his fingers, eyeing the fourth one with curiosity. Then… slowly… a grin spread across his face.
He pulled out his phone.
It rang twice.
"Hello?" came a sleepy, suspicious voice.
"Yumi."
"…Raito? Do you know what time it is?"
"I have an extra ticket."
"…To what?"
"A three-day school trip to the mountains."
"…What?"
"Nature. Fresh air. Cabin food. Hot springs, probably. You're invited."
There was a long pause on the other end.
"…Did you just call me to ask me on a vacation?"
"If that's how you want to interpret it."
"You're serious?"
"I don't joke about free tickets."
Another pause.
"…Wait, who's going?"
"Me, Emi… and my teenage sister."
"…You have a teenage sister?!"
"She's… adopted."
There was a weird silence.
"Since when?" Yumi asked.
"Recently."
"That doesn't answer anything."
"Look," Raito said, rubbing his temple, "do you want the ticket or not?"
She still sounded off-balance. "Are you seriously inviting me to tag along with your family? Like… as a guest?"
He said nothing.
"Wait," she added suddenly, her voice shifting, "is this—? Is this your way of… spending time together?"
Raito blinked. "Sure."
She practically dropped her phone. "I… I mean… yeah! That sounds… great! I've been saying I need to take a break. And a trip with you—uh, with everyone—would be… fun! Probably! Maybe!"
She sounded like she was trying not to burst into nervous flames.
"I'll text you the details," Raito said plainly.
"You better," she mumbled, barely able to keep her voice steady. "Goodnight. Or… whatever."
Click.
Raito set the phone down and picked up the envelope again.
The fourth ticket was no longer a mystery.
It was a weapon.
He leaned against the counter and closed his eyes, letting the silence settle back in. Somewhere upstairs, the soft lull of Kawai Kitty's closing theme echoed in the night.
In three days, he'd be headed into the mountains—with a fake sister, a real baby, and a detective who thought this was a romantic retreat.
And deep beneath those peaks, something ancient stirred.
Raito opened one eye.
"This is going to be… complicated."