Ichiro stifled a sigh as he walked into the elevator alongside Hanami. He had brought his bag with him, heading for school. It was indeed a terrible surprise from Aunt Kaori, having Hanami show up unannounced.

A tense silence hung in the air, filled only by the hum of the elevator as they descended through the apartment floors.

For the sake of courtesy, Ichiro decided to break the ice.

“I didn’t know you’d be here,” he said.

"…Sorry Mother and I didn't tell you earlier."

After the long years apart, words seemed difficult not just for Ichiro but also for Hanami, judging by her hesitant tone.

She continued, "Mother told me she has informed you before, but…"

“Of course, she hasn't—but it's just her being her, isn't it?” Ichiro said jokingly. “At least I’m glad to see you again, Hanami—after so long.”

“It’s nice to see you well,” she said with a nervous chuckle.

Carefully observing Hanami, Ichiro sensed she had truly changed.

Hashiratani Hanami.

She was Takumi and Hashiratani Kaori's second child and their first daughter. Although she had her mother's famed beauty, her magical talent impressed people the most. She was a proficient wielder of the Light element, one of the rarest people in the world who could do so.

“Aunt Kaori said you were going to continue your education in Liberta,“ Ichiro said, mentioning the name of a country on the far side of the world, famous for its prestige in education.

Hanami’s mouth opened as if she did not expect that. “I was offered a scholarship.”

“...But?”

"I don't think I'm ready to go abroad. Liberta is wonderful, but I have a lot of friends here. Mom and Dad want me to stay here anyway.”

The mechanical ding interrupted their conversation, signaling their arrival at the ground level. The doors slid open. Hanami stepped out of the elevator first, then Ichiro followed from behind.

The elevator was located deep inside the apartment, so it would take a while for them to arrive at the entrance. It was a massive building with forty floors.

The lobby was bathed in chandelier light, casting golden hues on the marble floors. They walked side by side as Hanami continued their conversation.

"Ichiro, forgive me if I’m being inconsiderate to ask this.”

“What is it?”

Hanami paused for a moment. “Where have you been after all these years?”

Ichiro smiled. "I think Aunt Kaori already knows much about me, though?”

“I was told many things, but she also said you didn’t tell much.”

Ichiro smiled, his gaze lingering at his footsteps. “Indeed, most weren't pleasant memories, but I've decided to move on anyway."

He turned to face Hanami, but her eyes ran away. Before he could speak again, Hanami jumped in with her own words.

“When Mother knew Aunt Miyako had passed away, she wept and locked herself in her room for a few days, refusing to eat…"

Ichiro's eyes widened, his lips feeling heavy with the weight of her words.

Hanami continued, “For the entire month, she didn’t speak much and sometimes would wander off alone without telling others. Father had to vacate his governance duty to spend more time with her until she finally got back to herself.”

Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

"I'm sorry to hear that."

Hanami shook her head gently. "Everything is okay now. We all had our struggles. But we're here now, and maybe that's what matters."

Ichiro nodded, and a brief silence settled between them. The impact of his mother's passing on Aunt Kaori was unexpected to Ichiro, making him realize the far-reaching repercussions of his tragedies.

Hanami continued again with a softer voice, “I haven’t had the chance to tell you by myself, and I know it’s been a long time, but I’m sorry about what happened to Aunt Miyako. I look at her as if she was my second mother.”

Ichiro briefly smiled after the mention of his mother’s name. “Thanks. I appreciate it.”

“...How about you?”

"Me?"

Hanami nodded hesitantly. “...Yes.”

Ichiro understood what she meant. “You can sense my magical aura, can’t you? My body can’t handle as much mana as I could in the past. I’ve fully recovered since then, but now, I’m not at the level where I used to be—just your everyday average magician.”

She was quiet for a brief moment before hanging her head. “...Sorry to hear that.”

Ichiro shrugged, attempting to lighten her mood. “At least I’m still alive—although my mom wasn't as lucky… but it was all in the past.”

Hanami remained silent after that. Ichiro wondered whether his words soured the mood, so he thought of a way to change the topic.

As he thought about it, his eyes caught the sight of the apartment’s entrance. He quickly recognized the black sedan parked right outside of it.

As he walked closer, he could hear a hip-hop song trickling from the half-open window. A familiar figure sat behind it, and her eyes caught his stare. She then slid down the window further.

"Come in!” Aunt Kaori exclaimed in the driving seat, wearing casual clothes. Her purple eyes sparkled with surprise and joy.

“Alright, alright,” Ichiro replied.

Her appearance was polished as always. Her long silver hair was held loosely by a barrette. Her beauty was time-defying.

Ichiro and Hanami went to the car together, but he halted his steps when Hanami opened the rear door and slid into the backseat instead of taking her customary place in the front beside her mother. He stared at Aunt Kaori, unsure what to do.

Kaori caught his puzzled expression. “Oh, sorry! The front seat is already occupied with Hanami’s school bag and my documents. It’s quite a mess there.”

Ichiro glanced at Hanami, looking for some reaction, but she looked away to the other side. Without thinking much, he went to the backseat and stared at the car’s luxurious interior, with soft leather seats and polished wood panels. Hanami’s sweet perfume lingered for a moment. He stole a glance at her. Her face was almost stuck to the window, looking outside.

Ichiro noticed Aunt Kaori putting her palm on the center of the steering wheel, sensing mana flowing through it. Soon after, the sedan’s engine whined up and running.

“Here we go! We still have plenty of time before school!”

Ichiro then looked at the dashboard clock.

It was 07:06 A.M.—one hour before the opening ceremony.

“Please don’t crash us all while you race against the traffic. Thank you,” Ichiro said.

“We’re not that late, Ichiro! So, rest easy!” Veins popped out from Aunt Kaori’s face through the rearview mirror. Her magic aura was erratic for a brief moment. Ichiro could also hear Hanami trying to stifle her laugh.

After all of them fastened their seatbelt, Aunt Kaori shifted the gear, moving the sedan out of the curb and into the stream of traffic.

“So, Ichiro. Do you like my surprise?” Aunt Kaori said with a playful voice.

“Well… it’s nice to see Hanami after such a long time, but you didn’t have to do this.”

“But you don’t hate it, right? After all, you guys haven’t seen each other for a long time! Two rascals reunited together. I can’t forget the ruckus you caused back then.”

"I hate it."

She just laughed. “So, what do you think of Hanami?”

“What?”

“I’m talking about your opinion about her! Tell me! Has she changed a lot?”

Ichiro reluctantly took a glance at her. Hanami diverted her gaze outside, avoiding Aunt Kaori's chatter.

“Yeah… I guess?” He said softly.

"I hear some hesitation there."

Ichiro felt awkward. “We’ve grown up already, but why are you asking me this?”

“Humm♪~ Humm♪~”

Ichiro put on a weary face. “You make us… uncomfortable. You know?”

“I'm just curious, Ichiro! It's just your imagination.” Aunt Kaori made a victorious smile.

This woman, with her knack for unsettling him, he mused. Despite the irritation curling at the edge of his thoughts, Ichiro eased reluctantly. He peeked at Hanami and realized her face was reddened. He couldn't do anything except let out a long breath.

As the car halted at a traffic light, Kaori settled back, tapping rhythmic patterns on the steering wheel. Her playful tone shifted to something more serious.

“Ichiro, how’s your kanji now?”

“Improving, but still far away,” Ichiro admitted.

“Well, at least your speech is still fluent, but you need more than just that for your studies.”

“As long as there are no kanji, there's no problem. Other than that, I can only say sorry.”

Aunt Kaori laughed. “I’m not trying to push you that hard, but at the very least, try not to put a ‘D’ on any of your grades, okay? Even I can’t help you if that happens.”

“I’ll try my best.”

“Don't forget to thank the principal if you meet him. He has helped you more than you know.” Aunt Kaori cleared her throat before she continued, “So that you know, I wouldn't have met your mother without him. So, don’t forget to be nice.”

Ichiro paused. “I will.”

A momentary silence filled the air. Ichiro’s gaze turned to the passing cityscape outside the window as his thoughts drifted amidst the changing scenery.