Part 1 — Homebound Evening & Parcel Discovery
The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the village streets as the triplets made their way home.
Kaito let out a dramatic groan and stretched both arms above his head.
"I'm starving."
Haruto glanced at him.
"You've been saying that since we left the academy."
"Because I've been starving since we left the academy."
"That's not how starving works."
"It is for me."
Ayame walked between them, listening to the familiar argument continue without interruption.
The corners of her mouth lifted slightly.
Despite everything that had happened recently, some things never changed.
The three eventually reached their house.
Just as Ayame stepped toward the door, Kaito suddenly stopped.
"Huh?"
A large wrapped parcel sat neatly beside the entrance.
Haruto blinked.
"What's that?"
Kaito was already kneeling beside it.
"Food."
"You haven't even opened it."
"I can tell."
"No, you can't."
"I can."
"No, you can't."
Ayame crouched beside the parcel and noticed a small note attached to it.
"It's from Yuji."
Kaito immediately pointed at Haruto.
"See? I told you it was food."
"That doesn't prove anything."
"It proves everything."
Before the argument could continue any further, Ayame picked up the parcel and stood.