Regina Rodrigo stood there, beautiful, elegant, irritated, all at once.
One hand on her hip, eyebrow perfectly arched, expensive perfume announcing her presence before she even spoke.
The trip had been… complicated.
But now?
They had a mission:
Organize the banquet.
And Harumi's entire life.
— Harumi, dear. You've been in this house for ONE WEEK and you STILL haven't fixed this yard?
— Mom… relax—
— I AM RELAXED! — Regina said, clearly not relaxed.
Behind her, Makoto smiled so gently he looked like a dessert commercial grandpa. Finally someone sane.
— Gooood morning, kids! Sorry about the chaos from the girls!! They're always like this…
— Dad?! — Harumi blinked.
Then Regina noticed Mei.
A small, beautiful girl with hair that immediately demanded attention.
She froze.
— HARUMI. She's a redhead?
She didn't shout.
But her voice carried the weight of a legal document.
Then—
— And HIM?! — she pointed at Takeru. — How old? What school? Registration? Vaccines? Allergies? Family history?!
Meanwhile—
Inside the house: chaos.
Outside: Makoto and the kids trying to unstick a suitcase from the car like it was a trapped animal.
In the kitchen: Izumi organizing things like the only functioning brain cell in the household.
Harumi tried to explain.
— Mom… I… I couldn't leave them alone. I just wanted to help. That's all… I don't even know their full story.
Regina placed both hands on her hips.
She wasn't angry.
She was analyzing.
— Harumi Osawa. Helping is beautiful. But children need structure. You are disorganized, impulsive, irresponsible, and you attract cockroaches—
— It was ONE cockroach, Mom! And how do you even know that?!
— ONE cockroach that took away your ability to sleep!!
She stepped closer.
Her voice dropped.
More dangerous.
— You've always been the kind of girl who tries to do everything, Harumi. But do you really think you can play family with these children?
Pause.
— That is a serious responsibility.
Meanwhile…
Takeru stood by the window.
Listening.
Not just hearing.
Absorbing.
Regina's words weren't just criticism.
They were bullets.
Straight into his fears.
Irresponsible.Playing family.Doesn't understand responsibility."She'll abandon them."
His chest tightened.
To Takeru, family was something that left you behind.
Always.
And what if Harumi, the only person who had taken them in was really just… irresponsible?
What if she realized it was too much?
Too difficult?
What if she left them just like their mother? His hands clenched.
Then I'll protect Mei myself.
Like always.
Inside, Harumi lowered her gaze.
— I… don't know if I can do this, Mom.
Regina lifted her daughter's chin.
Firm.
Direct.
But gentle.
And outside Takeru heard that.
And left.
He wasn't ready to hear the rest.
Wasn't ready to hear something like
"I want to give up on them."
Or worse to see Harumi become someone like his mother.
— OF COURSE YOU CAN! — Regina snapped. — We learn while we love! YOU'RE NOT GIVING UP, ARE YOU?!
She clapped her hands together, full of determination.
— ALRIGHT! Let's organize this: documents, school, routine—write everything down!
Harumi scrambled for a pen.
— Y-YES!
Finally Regina smiled. Calm. Composed.
Dangerously efficient.
— BUT FIRST—WE FOCUS ON THE FOOD!!!
Makoto popped up at the window, waving excitedly.
— Let's go buy ice cream for dessert!!
Mei immediately raised her hand.
— I want to go!!!
Makoto opened his arms dramatically.
— THEN LET'S GOOOO!!!
But Takeru—
Wasn't listening anymore.
The seed had already been planted.
Not fear of Harumi.
But fear of what Harumi might decide.
He needed control.
He couldn't go through that again.
Being left behind.
So maybe the best way was to leave first. And Harumi… didn't suspect a thing.