"Gin…? Wake up."

  It took a few calls to wake up Gin seeing that he was sealed tight on the comforter, but Yukihime persevered and managed to get her cousin out of the sloth.

  "H-Huh… Where am I…"

  "You're at your house."

  "Who are you…"

  Yukihime sighed, "So this is how he is in the morning…"

  "We've only been on the same lodging place with our group but that totally tracks."

  Also, Shiro is there with Yukihime.

  As to why the two women were able to wake him up so easily, it is because his living room is still his domain.

  Without a care in the world, he slowly got up still with the comforter on his shoulder after looking at the time on his phone with slit eyes. Then, he headed towards the bathroom realizing that the comforter is still on him, thus removing it and putting it back after a cursory hand wash.

  "Was that detail really important?"

  "Oh, right. You're fairly new in the story. You'll get used to it soon enough, Yuki."

  After pouring himself a cup of coffee, a part of Gin had slowly woken up.

  "Mm… I have a day off…?"

  "Go check your schedule?"

  "Gin, please don't make Yuki the new tsukkomi (straight man)."

  "Oh, finally awake?" hearing the commotion, Nagi descended the stairs with a suitcase.

  "Leaving this early on the day?"

  "Yeah. I planned on the afternoon but Shiro said she would pick me up. Anyway, I think I've pretty much emptied the guest room on the second floor, so it's all yours again."

  "Mm, sure…"

  Effective the last day of October, Nagi Kajima had ceased all streaming activities with Taiyou Digital. He had surrendered the usage of Michelo Azuria as the company's intellectual property and returned the computer that the college funded for him, only to be sponsored with a new and equally powerful unit courtesy of a company that partners with Taiyou as a parting gift from providing new insight in the companies' production endeavors.

  Essentially, Nagi is now unemployed.

  As it neared the end of November, he had decided that he will move out of the (formerly) Sakato Household #2, which is now the #1 house as the new family house will be the secondary house.

  Essentially, Gin has less income now that Nagi has stopped renting a room.

  "You didn't have to add that, Narrator.

  But what's got you guys on a rush?"

  "Call it initial house hunting, I guess."

  "Right… you did say you two would live together soon."

  "As if we could," Shiro chortled. "Dad wouldn't let that happen so long as Nagi doesn't have a job right now. He says he wouldn't trust me to someone who doesn't have a source of income or something like that."

  "You know, I think your boyfriend is already quite loaded as it is."

  "Don't say it like that as if that's true, you dingo. I just have enough savings that can probably last me and Shiro for a while. Thankfully I didn't have to buy a new PC.

  Seeing Uncle Junpei have a moment of weakness though… hoho…"

  "You really have a complicated relationship with my dad, huh…"

  "If you guys are comfortable enough to talk about that in my house then at least let me in on the gossip."

  "See this, Gin. I unknowingly hit a nerve when unstable income was mentioned. Apparently he was jumping between jobs, getting rejected because of his attitude, and risked her relationship with Aunt Winona when he was on the red for a while."

  "You sure talking smack at him won't bite you back, Nagi?"

  "I guess in brainrot terms, he was a boyfailure."

  "Wait, who's side are you on again, Shiro?"

  The topic has been greatly derailed.

  "Ahem, anyway… We're just going to look around apartment units that we could consider in the future. Nothing big for now."

  "Yuuga's complex is always an option, isn't it?"

  "I think their rooms are too small for us, and we probably couldn't wait for the construction of their new building.

  And I don't think it's in me to move there for, well, you know why."

  "Something wrong with Yuuga's apartments?" asked Shiro.

  "Ah- no. Just that one of the tenants can get really loud."

  In her morning stream, Eia was bombed with TSKRs in chat when they heard her sneeze.

  "That said… Shiro and I really should get going…"

  "Uh-huh… I'm gonna miss the mess that you make out of my kitchen."

  "Yeah, yeah… Let's go bouldering when we have the time."

  And so, Nagi and Gin exchanged embraces and tapped each other's backs a few times… but the former didn't seem to want to let go.

  "Dude…?"

  "Honestly, Gin… I…"

  Seeing such a scene of strong bonds, Yukihime couldn't help but feel moved as the two friends exchange their reluctant farewells after what would look like an even stronger establishment of friendship in the past year.

  "I…

  I don't want to let go of this duvet, man. Why is this comfy…?"

  Take back the emotions that Yukihime let out, dang it.

  "Where did you buy this? This would be great this winter."

  "In Aikiya. Do me a solid and also buy one for Shiro before she gets completely ticked off of this skit."

  "Alright, alright… See you later, then. Thanks for the great year."

  "Yup. Remember that you guys can stay here as long as I'm not married."

  "I know that already so don't brag about it!"

  Thus, Nagi has officially departed from the household and the two cousins are left looking at each other.

  "Come to think of it, your house is awfully quiet today, Gin."

  "Oh. Dad won a trip to a hot spring inn in Payns so he went with Mom and Anna. They'll be home tomorrow."

  "That sounds nice… You didn't go with them?"

  "I really don't do well with group trips. Following a strict itinerary is exhausting for me.

  At least I have the house for me today… but I'm probably going to clean the now vacant guest room spotless."

  "Want me to help? I don't have anything to do anyway," Yukihime says, as she has Kyupi, who has grown quite a bit, on her hands.

  "Please don't use my little baby as a duster.

  Also, while we have the time, maybe we can finalize the design and the materials for my new porch."

  "Sounds good."

  Because of a bet on how fast they can get the cleaning done, the cousins sped through the cleaning of the house, only for Sumi to have brought lunch into Gin's house, and the three of them had a meal together on a spotless dining table.

  But come the afternoon and the doorbell of the house abruptly sounded.

  "I feel like it was a gag in the prequel that no one rings my doorbell…?"

  "Uh, why are you asking me, Gin…?"

  His own question unanswered, Gin opened the door to see familiar faces that he had not seen since the wedding of his brother.

  "Mochi?"

  "Heya! I heard from Uncle that you're off from work today."

  "Yeah, I am."

  "Can I ask you a little favor, then…? We actually have a short business trip right now and-"

  It was as if a bolt of lightning struck Gin's mind.

  "Until when?"

  "We'll be back early morning tomorrow…?"

  "And you want me to have Ichi over until then?"

  "Yeah- Wait, how did you know?"

  "Can you believe the last time you asked me the same thing was seven years ago? Deja vu, I tell you."

  "Uh, but, yeah. We'll pick our son up early at 6 tomorrow if that's okay."

  "Then you better spam my phone with phone calls because you'll probably have a hard time getting me up that early."

  "Sure, hahaha. Anyway, of course we got you a little present as thanks…"

  In Mitsuka's hands were a paper bag that Gin received, but her eyes wandered around inside the house in the midst of handing it over and saw an unfamiliar face at the porch door holding a measuring tape.

  "Uh, Gin? Who is… she?"

  The question then prompted her husband to look at the same direction and…

  "Goodness gracious, you're openly cheating on Ringo now, Gin?!"

  And jumped right into a conclusion.

  "She's a cousin from Mom's side, you goober. Don't make assumptions that will get me killed, okay?" Gin said as he lifted his left hand with a ring adorned on it.

  "Anyway, thanks for the present."

  "Oh my… congratulations."

  "It will still probably be in a few years, but I'll make sure to send you guys an invitation."

  "We'll look forward to that.

  Then, please take care of our son."

  "I got you."

  Thus, Ichi's parents drove off.

  "First off, you should get in. It's quite cold today," said Gin as he raised his palm and closed his fist with Ichi respectively reciprocating a high five a fist bump.

  "Hello, Uncle."

  "Man, it really feels weird being called that. Anyway, do you know a kotatsu, Ichi?"

  "No…?"

  "Then have a go at the table in the living room. Sit inside the blanket, okay?"

  The child then ran to the living room and took a gander at the seemingly ordinary table. A touch on the futon nonetheless gave him a surprise as the warmth touched back on his hand. With his curiosity piqued, he opened the blanket and put his legs under the table, and became enlightened with the comfort of such furniture.

  "I hope this kid doesn't get converted to a lazy bum like me, though."

  While Gin was bringing in the present given to him in the kitchen, Yukihime closed the porch door and asked if she could talk to Ichi, to which he said of course.

  "Ichi, right?" she then asked, as she joined the child in the kotatsu.

  "Mhm."

  "Then I'm Yukihime. But well, you can call me Yuki. I'm your Uncle Gin's cousin."

  "Nice to meet you."

  "How old are you, Ichi?"

  "I'm nine."

  "Ooohhh, so you're at school now? That age… are you at 3rd grade?"

  "Nuh. I'm at year four now," he said proudly.

  "Oh, that's great, isn't it?

  …"

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

  One glance at Yukihime and Gin could already tell from the cold sweat that they are indeed kindred spirits, for they could not communicate well with children. In Yukihime's case, however, she just doesn't know how to talk with non-Exile children despite presenting herself.

  As though she was read like a book, Haku promptly lied down on her lap enjoying the residual warmth and giving Ichi a glance.

  Ichi's face then brightened up seeing the cat and waved his hand with an enthusiastic greeting.

  "Hi, Haku!"

  "Meow. (Greetings, old friend. It's been a while.)"

  "Did you always talk like that? I don't think so!" Ichi laughed.

  "You can hear Haku, Ichi?"

  "Mhm."

  "Oh, wow. So it's not only Gin and Ringo, huh."

  "Meow? (Wanna play the stare game again?)"

  "Sure."

  "Oh, I should tell you, Yukihime. Those two have known each other since Ichi was only two years old."

  "Seriously? How long have you had Haku?"

  "Not long before they met."

  "Wow… look who's getting old now."

  At such a rare moment, Haku hissed and jump shipped to Ichi's lap.

  "I'm sorry."

  Meanwhile, a smaller cat was caught descending the stairs and came running to Yukihime on sight.

  "Uncle, there's another cat?"

  "Sure is. Say hi to Kyupi."

  After a big yawn, Kyupi exchanged looks with Ichi who then blinked slowly at him.

  "Mew," was all Kyupi let out and turned over with his belly up for Yukihime to pet.

  Ichi however gasped and immediately looked at Gin with utter shock in his eyes.

  "Yup, I can't hear him too. I don't know why but-

  Pek*ra umeshu?!?!"

  The cats including the other two jumped at the rare exclamation coming from Gin of all people when all they heard was what seemed like a jargon.

  Gin's eyes however sparkled in excitement as he brings out two bottles from the paper bag with a branding that seems to be a girl from some anime with very light blue, braided hair and bunny ears.

  Yet, Yukihime could only look at him with a tinge of disappointment after giving his bright face and the bottle a back and forth look.

  "Does Ringo know that you're into that kind of stuff…?"

  "I feel like you're severely misunderstanding something here. Just give me a sec, okay?"

  Apart from the two bottles also came with what seems to look like a box of cookies that Gin could not identify.

  "Silvanas…?"

  "Oh, I like that a lot, Uncle! But Mom always says that it tastes better when it's cold."

  "Sure… I guess we'll have that later after dinner. Anyway… before you tell on Rin by mistake that I'm somehow into some strange hobby…"

  Gin walked into the kotatsu clutching one of the liquor bottles and asked, "Do you play M*necraft, Ichi?"

  "Mhm."

  With that affirmative response, Gin put the TV in its YouCube app while he searches from his phone to mirror a video into the larger screen. And after finding a clip, he played it into the TV…

  "AH↓HA↑HA↑HA↓HA↑-"

  …Only to pause it immediately.

  "Now that I think about it, I don't think someone that can commit crimes in M*necraft is considered kid-friendly."

  Instead, he played a stream replay of the same game but played by a koi-living, deep-voiced ronin. (Let's pretend this certain person isn't "passionately interested" with ghosts and monsters.)

  Thus, Gin retreated to his phone and explained to Yukihime that he is not the degenerate that she thinks he is.

  "Pretty much, I keep forgetting to buy this specific umeshu when I go to Japan, so I really gotta thank Ichi's parents for giving this to me. I just don't know how they found out I watch vtubers, though."

  "Uh-huh…"

  "I'm telling you, when Rin gets home from work later, she's going to go 'squeeeee' when she sees this."

  "Uh-huh…"

  "With that out of the way… Any games you want to play, Ichi?

  Oh, huh. I thought I already uninstalled M*rio Kart after getting so tilted at it one time."

  "I play M*rio Party and Clubhouse 52 with Mom and Dad."

  "Aight. I'll go get my other controllers from my room; one sec."

  From the couch, Haku's paw suddenly tapped on Ichi's shoulder ultimately catching his attention.

  "Mrooowwww. (I have a surprise for you, but can you promise me that you won't cry or be shocked when you see it?)"

  With his anticipation heightened, Ichi profusely nodded, prompting Haku to jump off the couch and sat on the empty side of the kotatsu.

  Kyupi on the other hand, who was still snugly on Yukihime's lap, suddenly let out a barrage of sneezes together with lightspeed bobbing of his head.

  Once more, Ichi who has then turned his head to the smaller cat, felt a tap on his shoulder. His eyes then caught a look on a young man's gray hair and blue eyes sitting with them in the table, while in his periphery, Gin had climbed down the stairs, stopping for a moment to open the door of the guest room that Anna uses.

  From there, a tabby cat with a ribboned collar gracefully exited the room and walked around Gin inspecting the things on his hands.

  "I found the extra cont…"

  What he came down to was Haku assuming his other form and two shocked faces with eyes peeled open and mouths agape.

  "It never gets old every time I see this…" Yukihime composed herself.

  "Uh, Aruji? Do kids really stop working like this?"

  "Don't say it like he just got a blue screen."

  "Uncle…? What just happened?!"

  "Oh, he rebooted."

  "Again, Haku…"

  A glass of water was all it took for the child to get back his composure, yet still confused whether what was in front of him was real and believable.

  "You know what, just don't think about it too much, Ichi. Just know that we have four people to play the game now.

  Anyway, here's Ui. She's Anna's cat."

  "H-Hi…"

  "Also, just so you know, Ui, Ichi can hear you too."

  "Mrow? (Not another one invading my privacy?)"

  "And for the nth, please stop scratching my door."

  "Meow. (But you always hear anywhere from the house. It's convenient when I want to leave.)"

  "She may have an attitude, but she's a tsundere, Ichi."

  "Tsundere?"

  "Let's just say that she has a rough personality, but she gets affectionate when you pamper her. That said, she's not as articulate as Haku here.

  Alright, should we game?"

  ~ ~ ~

  Several voices from inside the house were heard right as Rin parked the car for the day, leading her to instead go to Gin's house first to see the happenings inside as she recalls that the cousins have their day off today.

  She then rushed to the unlocked porch door to take refuge from the cold only for the muffled voices to be even louder inside upon seeing four people duking it out in a party game.

  "Oh, welcome home. Wait, it's already past 5?

  Go say hello to Rin, Ichi."

  "Helloooo, Ane Ringo."

  "Ichiii…! I didn't know you're visiting today."

  "I'm watching over him again since Mochi and Ane are out until tomorrow."

  "Ain't that a blast from the past."

  But despite being a party of four in the living room, Rin felt that someone was missing in the house.

  "Has Nacchi left already?"

  "Shiro kidnapped him this morning. Said they'll look around for apartments open for viewing just because."

  "Huh… Man, I wish I could have seen them off.

  What are you guys playing, though?"

  "M*rio Party… but I think we lost track of time quite a bit.

  We'll stop here okay, Ichi? Don't tell your mom that we played for hours today."

  "Okay."

  "What are you making, Gin?" Yukihime followed as Gin stood up to make his way into the kitchen, where she looked at the aprons wondering which she could use.

  "Hotpot and gyoza. You want to help?"

  "Sorry, Ringo. Please tell Auntie I'll be eating here today."

  "I got you. Just save some for us~"

  As Rin returns home, Gin caught Yukihime remaining at a standstill.

  "What are you pondering about?"

  "I'm just trying to figure which apron I can use since surely one of this is Ringo's."

  "Um, hello, the owner of the house is here? Just ask me. You can use the green one, anyway."

  After all the ingredients have been brought out, Gin glanced at Ichi who was surrounded by three cats, and gestured him to come to kitchen when their eyes met, to which he obediently walked to.

  "Does you mom make you help with cooking?"

  "Sometimes."

  "Awesome. Since you haven't really seen me in the kitchen much, you go watch me until I ask you for help."

  In Gin's mind, it goes without saying that making food at the daily at home eventually becomes mundane especially now that in the near future he would be the only resident of his house anew. But a few moments arrive where motivation pays him a visit and channel the cook in him on what is simply a home cooked meal.

  And in such cases where he wants to put on a show for someone else, as he would say, his knife feels lighter as one chore felt as if it isn't.

  In no time, the kitchen was filled with the swift, repetitive sound of tapping on wood as Gin sweeps through preparation of ingredients in front of an audience.

  In amazement, Ichi exclaimed, "It's like the thing we watch on TV…"

  "How does it feel seeing it in person?"

  "It's cool…"

  "Isn't it? Haha.

  Alright, I think it's time for you to lend me some help."

  On the other side of the counter, Gin split a stack of dumpling wrappers towards Ichi and moved the bowl of filling where it is at reach for both of them.

  "Alright, here's what we're going to do—so watch carefully. Put some filling in the middle of the wrapper, but not so much because we're folding it in half. Then we dab water around the wrapper and we fold. But don't close it shut and just hold it on the middle because we're going to design it with pleats.

  Do you want me to slow down?"

  "I wanna see it one more time!"

  "I got you, but pay closer attention.

  …

  Got that now?"

  "Mhm."

  "Alright, soldier. Now it's your turn. But I'm just telling you this now, you'll not be able to make it perfect on the first try. Maybe you'll get upset but try to go next."

  And so, Ichi grabbed himself a sheet of the wrapper and put an adequate amount of pork filling which all seems simple enough. From folding the wrapper is when Ichi found difficulties in the steps and finding out that making the decorative pleats was harder than he thought.

  "Huh… not bad for a first try. It takes a lot of practice and good dexterity but I think you'll get the hang of it fast. This time I'll have you follow along."

  "I've finished cutting the stuff for the hotpot. That looks fun so I'll also help."

  "The more hands, the faster, I guess. Ready to restart, Ichi?"

  Fresh in his mind the very first dumpling he made, Ichi looked at it intently while comparing it to the ones made by his uncle.

  With a wrapper on one hand and a spoon of filling on the other, he then declared, "I'll do my best."

  ~ ~ ~

  Apart from the wrapping of dumplings and getting to see his uncle at full vigor in the kitchen, Ichi also witnessed a pouring of hot oil bubbling into a blend of pure spice and capsaicin putting the three of them into a coughing fit from the spicy fumes for a few minutes as Gin forgot to turn on the vents.

  The pot over the kotatsu then continuously steamed for a while as the three of them enjoyed the dinner with blankets over their shoulders as the night grew colder and with a show running in the television.

  "Say Ichi… would you like to learn how to cook?"

  "…?"

  "Thing is, I was actually hopeless in the kitchen. But one thing I learned from making my own food is that you don't have to rely too much on others to make it for you, and you can say you made it yourself.

  How about I help you try making it for your mom and dad?"

  "I want them to taste how good this is."

  "That's the spirit. Then, quiz time: Why do you think it's important to learn how to cook?"

  After a long pause and a tilted head, Ichi answered, "Because we have to eat…?"

  "Well, that's one thing. But it's also an awesome skill that you can use when you grow up."

  "Then… if you're going to teach me…"

  "No, no. You'll have to learn not just from me but also from your mom. You see her everyday so it will be great if you ask her to teach you."

  Chopsticks still on his hand, Gin closed his fist and looked at Ichi, "I'm going to look forward on what you can make in the future, okay?"

  His nephew thus nodded, and also gave a fist to him.

  Finding out that Ichi has a bigger appetite than Gin thought upon running out of toppings on the still plentiful soup, he brought out a pack of egg noodles being the last of his noodle supply and let it cook in the boiling broth to close out the lively dinner.

  By 9 in the evening, the child has started showing signs of nodding off to sleep after a warm bath.

  "Oh, can't have you falling asleep like that. Come on, soldier. You still have to brush your teeth before you go to bed."

  By the time Gin returned downstairs is when he saw Yukihime getting out of the kotatsu and prompting to leave for the night.

  "Did Ichi fall asleep already?"

  "Yup, he's a fast one. Going back next door?"

  "Yeah, I'm thinking it's time to wind down with work and all tomorrow."

  "Then… can you tell Rin if she's up for a drink, she has to go through the door and tell her we have the 'peko drink.'"

  "Alright, alright. I'll make sure to pass on the sacred texts to her. Goodnight, then."

  Now alone in the first floor of the house, the only sounds that could be heard are the sprays and the quiet wiping of the kotatsu before it was all disrupted by the loud opening of the front door followed by a shout.

  "You didn't tell me you have the good stuff?!" Rin enters as though she ran a 200-meter sprint.

  "W-Woah… catch your breath. The wine can wait for you."

  Similarly with blankets over their shoulder in the heated table, a clink of glasses was heard .

  "How on earth did you get the umeshu? Are they even selling it around here?"

  "That's also what I'm wondering. Mochi and Ane Mitsuka gave me this as a gift earlier and it turns out there were two bottles. I don't even know how they came to know I watch vtubers.

  How is it, though?"

  "Maybe it's a bit sweet for me. I don't want to do it but I'll get us some ice."

  "Ah! I forgot to bring out at dinner earlier, but they also brought sweets called Silvanas. It's in the fridge too if you will."

  The disc-shaped pastry on their hands had a rough exterior but an overall form that was toughened by the chilling, but a bite into it introduced a crumbly texture and a sweet cream inside that blends into a new, mellow flavor that goes down easily.

  "What the heck… This is really good."

  Meanwhile, the first thought of Rin was to do a quick search about the confectionery and learning that it also has a cake variant that is apparently named sans rival.

  "Potato… I think I know what we're going to learn making next."

  "You really liked it that much, huh…"

  "Should we pitch in the idea in our bosses for the menu?"

  "You know that Hiro is on leave, right?"

  "I honestly can't trust you to make the decisions since you still have a long way to go on handling finances on introducing a new menu item, but that's just my opinion as an outsider."

  "You're right… In reality, that's probably going to take months with training, rollout, and all. There's also the WT students I'm thinking about."

  "Is it hard without Hiro-nii around?"

  "Not exactly. It's just that Sean is now handling most of the admin stuff, then I come second to him while I'm still being trained with desk work in full."

  "I guess sous chefs really have more work than a line cook like me."

  "You bet… If not for Yuzuri-san I would be stressed to the bones in the kitchen when I'm also juggling with the house construction. Sometimes I forget she's a more experienced chef than I am."

  "Do you need a recharge then?" said Rin as she scooted herself closer to her significant other.

  "Should've brought out a bigger blanket, huh. But it's literally my day off today. You're probably the one who needs it more anyway," and yet, he drew even closer that the two of them have reached a comfortable warmth.

  "How's Ichi?"

  "Hm, I think he's doing just fine. I didn't ask him about school but he seems to be lively. I asked him to help make dinner together and he wasn't fussy about it. Sounds like his parents are doing great at raising him.

  He was really surprised seeing Haku changed, though. If they arrived earlier, I probably would have brought him out somewhere."

  "Ahhhhh, I sure missed out on things while at work, huuhhhh…"

  Whether it was frustration or disappointment, Rin came out of the kotatsu and brought her glass into the kitchen.

  "And before you even ask about something vague again…" she suddenly started, "I'm not worried or thinking about anything. After Mahiru was born, my mind just became clear."

  "I'd say honestly you were overthinking it for quite a while."

  "I just won't bring it up, okay?

  Think fast! Bang!"

  After drying her hand, Rin all of sudden made a finger gun before Gin could gesture the same way. Recoil and all, an imaginary bullet has been fired at Gin and collapsed onto the floor.

  "I win~ Alright, I'll go home now, Potato! Let's not empty the bottle but let's drink again sometime."

  "Lock the door on your way out. See you tomorrow and goodnight."

  As the front door locked and shut, Gin stood up to turn off the kotatsu and headed to the sink to wash his own glass. With the aisle having a full view from the living room to the other side of the house leading to the porch, he savored the moment of silence and observed the interior of his house before prompting to climb upstairs with a mutter.

  "It's been several years but I'm really fortunate to say 'see you tomorrow' everyday. Hooray for still being alive."

  ? ? ?

  The doorbell had rang at intervals for the past fifteen minutes, and yet no one has opened the door for Mochi and his wife.

  The mornings become very young in the winter even at past six in the morning, especially at times when the skies are covered with clouds. Snow hasn't yet fallen in the country but the days grow colder every passing time.

  By chance, the couple caught Rin and Yukihime walking into the vicinity of the house next door with the intent to warm up the former's vehicle.

  "Oh, Yuka Mochi!"

  Waving at them, Rin pulled out a key holder from her coat pocket.

  "Ringo, it's been a while. You look… a little different?"

  "It's the hair, isn't it? How does it look?"

  "I've never seen anyone rock hair that bright, but its low profile and looks good on you," Mitsuka instead answered.

  "We've been here for a bit, but we've seen no signs of Gin."

  "Geez, what are those two doing making you wait in the cold…"

  "We're fine. And congratulations on the engagement, by the way."

  "Ahaha… thank you…"

  At the sound of the car unlocking, Rin twisted the keys of the house and immediately turned on the heater while letting the guests in."

  "Are you two on a rush?"

  "Not really. We're free after our trip yesterday but we're a bit tired, I guess?"

  "I'll wake up the boys, then."

  At Rin's insistence, the couple took a seat on the heated table and enjoyed the warmth as they wait for their son to climb down while Yukihime prepares coffee for them.

  "I guess… you're our cousin from Aunt Senna's side?"

  "Yes. But we've been away so we really haven't met relatives much. Even now I'm staying here temporarily for work nearby.

  In Uncle Amano's side… were you from Japan?"

  "Not quite… Have you heard of our Grandpa Kinrou?"

  "Gin talks about him a lot."

  "It was by coincidence that my grandparents found out that he came here because they've been living here way before him. I was just as surprised when my parents told me I'm half-Orion.

  You said you were from far away, Yukihime?"

  "Ah, I came from the south…"

  And by south, she meant the z-axis south from the earth's surface.

  "I work at construction so I'm around building their new family home."

  "Oh, wow, I honestly didn't expect that."

  "Ahaha, I get that a lot."

  From upstairs, sounds of meows became more audible as two cats first climbed down the stairs following Gin and his nephew sharing a blanket on their shoulders as they clutch on each end with cold permeating to them.

  With eyes half open, they took refuge into the kotatsu together with Ichi's parents.

  "You also want coffee, Gin?"

  "Thank you… but I'll grab my own…

  Told you I don't function early… Mochi…"

  "Okay, I see that, but whatever happened to our son…?"

  As if two peas in a pod, the uncle and nephew attempt to fight off the sleepiness with low chances of success as the two of them repeatedly nod off.

  Rubbing his eyes and staring at empty space, Ichi started, "Uncle taught me… how to make gyoza… We played games… and… and… It's like Uncle is a master chef…"

  "Sounds like he had fun, Gin?"

  "I hope he did.

  As someone whose job is to make food, please encourage him to learn it. It's definitely going to be handy for him in the future. Maybe I'll go visit from time to time to see how he's doing?"

  "You're more than welcome to.

  You hear that, son? You'll have to work… hard…"

  Right then and there, Ichi's forehead slowly planted into the table as he drifted back into sleep.

  Usually—the parents recalled—their son is one to be up and lively around this time, and yet in front of them is their child who has failed to keep himself up just like his listless uncle beside him whose energy has been all but sapped.

  At once, Mochi and Mitsuka turned at Gin.

  "Whatever happened to our son?"

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