"Kyouko?" Hanako called as her daughter returned to the kitchen.
"Hmm?"
"Where's your daughter?"
Kyouko paused slightly.
"…Ah…" she murmured, her voice calm but uncertain.
Hanako narrowed her eyes at the hesitation.
Without another word, she wiped her hands on her apron and stepped out of the kitchen, her slippers gently tapping against the floor as she made her way down the hallway.
She stopped outside the second guest room.
And before her hand could touch the sliding door.
She heard it.
Satomi's voice. Frustrated. Sharp.
"…You just don't think about me, do you? You always act like it's fine because you feel good."
Inside the room, Haruki's voice was lower.
Just Quiet.
Maybe apologetic.
Maybe resigned.
Hanako didn't open the door.
She simply stood there,
Listening.
Wondering.
Then slowly, she turned and walked away,
Back to the kitchen.
Her face was calm,
But inside her mind.
A faint worry began to bloom.
Not even a full day…
