The room was silent.
Heavy.
The kind of silence that presses against your ears.
Across the room, Hana remained frozen beside Hina.
Her hand still rested gently on the little girl's chest.
Her eyes were wide.
"…No."
Toru frowned.
"What?"
Hana didn't answer.
Her gaze was locked on Hina's small body.
"…That's impossible."
The wind outside the estate had gone still.
Completely still.
Kaito noticed it.
And that made the pit in his stomach twist even tighter.
He stepped forward.
"What's going on?"
No one answered.
Kaito's voice sharpened.
"Mom."
Still nothing.
Toru stepped closer to Hana, his brows drawn together.
"Hana."
His voice was calm, but firm.
"What did you feel?"
Hana finally looked up.
But her expression was strange.
Not fear.
Not panic.
Something closer to disbelief.
"…I felt something inside her."
Toru crossed his arms.
"…Meaning?"
Hana hesitated.
Then she spoke slowly.
"…The same thing that happened to Kaito."
The words hung in the air.
For a moment—
No one spoke.
Toru blinked.
Then his eyes widened slightly.
"…Wait."
He looked down at Hina.
Then back at Hana.
"So what you're saying is…"
He paused.
"…she's like Kaito?"
Hana nodded slowly.
"…Yes."
Her eyes softened slightly as she looked at Hina.
"She's a Guardian."
The room froze.
Kaede gasped quietly.
Kaito blinked.
Once.
Twice.
Toru stared at Hana.
His face filled with disbelief.
"…Another one?"
But then—
Relief washed across his face like a wave.
He exhaled deeply.
"Ah…"
He rubbed the back of his neck.
"So that's what it is."
A grin slowly appeared on his face.
"Well, that explains it."
He turned toward Kaito.
"See?"
He nudged Kaito's shoulder.
"Not your fault."
But then Toru froze.
Because Kaito wasn't reacting.
He was just standing there.
Staring.
His face completely blank.
His eyebrows slightly raised.
His lips parted slightly.
The expression on his face was the universal look of someone hearing something that made absolutely no sense.
An expression that clearly said:
What the hell am I hearing.
Toru blinked.
"…Kaito?"
No response.
"…Kaito?"
Still nothing.
Toru snapped his fingers in front of his face.
"Oi."
Kaito suddenly blinked.
Then he looked at Toru.
"…Huh?"
Toru crouched slightly.
"You okay?"
Kaito stared at him for a moment.
Then slowly nodded.
"…Yeah."
He looked toward Hina.
"…Guardian."
He sniffed once.
Then suddenly laughed weakly.
"…I see."
His shoulders sagged.
Then tears spilled from his eyes.
Not heavy sobbing.
Just quiet tears of relief.
"I thought it was something worse…"
He wiped his eyes.
Toru watched him for a moment.
Then smiled softly.
He placed a hand on Kaito's head.
Ruffling his hair.
"Relax."
Kaito sniffed again.
Then they both looked toward Hina.
Toru exhaled.
"…But we still need to deal with her condition right now."
Hana nodded.
"Yes."
Her voice returned to calm professionalism.
"For now she needs rest."
She stood up.
"We'll go get Daigo."
Kaito blinked.
"Great grandfather?"
Hana nodded.
"He'll understand this better."
She looked at Kaede.
"Watch over her."
Then she looked at Kaito.
"…Stay with your sister."
Kaito nodded immediately.
"I will."
Toru and Hana left.
The door slid shut.
And the room became quiet again.
The room had grown quiet again.
Outside the estate, snow continued falling softly.
Inside—
Kaito sat beside Hina.
Her small hand rested in his.
Warm.
Alive.
He hadn't realized how tightly he had been gripping her fingers until now.
Slowly… he loosened his hold.
But he didn't let go.
His eyes stayed fixed on her sleeping face.
Her breathing was steady now.
Peaceful.
But the image from earlier still lingered in his mind—
Hina collapsing.
Her small hand clutching her chest.
The fear in her voice.
"Kaito…?"
Kaito swallowed quietly.
"…You scared me."
His voice barely reached above a whisper.
The door slid open softly behind him.
He didn't turn immediately.
Light footsteps approached.
Kaede entered the room carrying a wooden tray.
Steam rose gently from several cups of tea.
The warm scent filled the room.
She set the tray down on a small table beside them.
Then she sat quietly next to Kaito.
For a moment—
Neither of them spoke.
Kaede looked at Hina.
Then she looked at Kaito.
"You were frightened."
It wasn't a question.
Kaito didn't answer right away.
His eyes stayed on Hina.
"…Yeah."
He finally admitted.
His voice was calm.
But honest.
Kaede watched him for a moment.
Then she poured tea slowly into a cup.
The quiet sound of liquid filling porcelain broke the silence.
"You handled it well."
Kaito gave a small huff.
"I panicked."
"You ran."
Kaede corrected gently.
"You brought her here immediately."
She slid the tea toward him.
"That's what mattered."
Kaito glanced at the cup but didn't touch it yet.
"…For a moment…"
He hesitated.
Then continued quietly.
"…I thought something worse had happened."
Kaede understood what he meant.
Something permanent.
Something you couldn't fix.
Her voice softened.
"You know what this is."
Kaito nodded slightly.
"…Yeah."
His fingers gently brushed Hina's hand.
"I remember when mine happened."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"…Mom looked like she was ready to tear the world apart."
Kaede chuckled softly.
"That's accurate."
"And dad tried acting calm."
Kaito added.
Kaede nodded.
"Yes."
Then she smiled a little more.
"He failed."
Kaito smirked.
"Of course he did."
The room relaxed slightly.
But Kaito's gaze returned to Hina again.
"…Still."
He sighed quietly.
"…It's different when it's not you."
Kaede tilted her head slightly.
"How so?"
Kaito answered without hesitation.
"When it happened to me…"
He shrugged slightly.
"…I didn't really understand what was going on."
"But today…"
His fingers tightened slightly around Hina's.
"…I understood everything."
Kaede didn't interrupt.
Kaito looked down at their hands.
"…And that made it worse."
The room fell quiet again.
Kaede finally placed a gentle hand on his shoulder.
"She'll be fine."
Kaito didn't respond immediately.
He simply looked at Hina's peaceful face.
Then he exhaled slowly.
"…Yeah."
This time—
He believed it.
Kaede gave his shoulder a small squeeze.
"You're a good brother."
Kaito glanced at her.
"…I'm trying."
Kaede smiled warmly.
"That's enough."
She stood up quietly.
"I'll be in the kitchen if you need anything."
Kaito nodded.
"…Okay."
She left the room silently.
The door slid shut.
And once again—
Kaito sat beside Hina in the quiet.
Still holding her hand.
Still watching over her.
Kaito Alone
The room was peaceful again.
Kaito looked down at Hina.
"…Guardian of something, huh."
He leaned back slightly.
"…What could it be?"
Freedom.
That's what his was.
He chuckled quietly.
"…You always did like taking care of people."
He looked at her bracelet.
"…Maybe something soft."
He sighed.
"…Just wake up already."
He squeezed her hand again.
"…You still owe me another snow fight."
The door slid open.
Kaito turned.
"Mom—"
Hana entered.
Toru beside her.
And behind them—
Daigo.
The old man walked slowly but confidently into the room.
His presence alone changed the atmosphere.
He looked at Kaito.
Then nodded.
Kaito immediately stood and moved beside his parents.
Hana wrapped an arm around his shoulders.
Daigo stepped toward Hina.
He placed a hand gently on her head.
Everyone waited.
Silence.
Seconds passed.
Then—
Hina's fingers twitched.
Her breathing changed.
Her eyelids trembled.
Then—
Her eyes snapped open.
"…!"
She gasped sharply.
Her head jerked up.
Her eyes darted wildly around the room.
"Kaito?!"
Her voice trembled with panic.
Kaito rushed forward instantly.
"I'm here!"
Hina grabbed him and pulled him into a tight hug.
"Kaito!"
She clung to him desperately.
Tears spilled down her face.
Kaito hugged her just as tightly.
"It's okay!"
"It's okay!"
"I'm here!"
Hana rushed forward.
Toru beside her.
They wrapped their arms around both children.
A family hug.
Hina cried against Kaito's shoulder.
"I got scared…"
Kaito gently rubbed her back.
"I know."
"It's okay."
From the hallway—
Kaede appeared.
She saw them all hugging together.
Her hand covered her mouth.
Small tears formed in her eyes.
She quietly wiped them away.
The room had grown quiet again.
The panic from earlier had faded, replaced with a calmer but heavier atmosphere.
Soft steam curled upward from several cups of tea resting on the low wooden table in the center of the room.
Outside, snow continued falling silently across the estate gardens.
Inside—
Everyone sat together.
Daigo sat at the head of the table, his posture straight but relaxed, both hands folded.
Hana sat beside him, calm but attentive.
Toru leaned slightly forward with his elbows on his knees, watching Daigo closely.
Kaito sat on the opposite side of the table beside Hina, one hand still gently holding hers.
Hina sat quietly, her small fingers curled around Kaito's hand like a child afraid to let go.
Kaede finished pouring the last cup of tea and placed it in front of Daigo before quietly standing nearby.
For a few moments, no one spoke.
Only the soft crackle of the fireplace could be heard.
Then Toru broke the silence.
He leaned forward slightly.
"So…"
His tone was calm, but curious.
"What do you think about all this, grandfather?"
Daigo picked up the tea cup.
He didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he took a slow sip.
Steam brushed against his face as he lowered the cup again.
His eyes moved toward Hina.
Then toward Kaito.
Finally he spoke.
"What happened to Hina today…"
His voice was slow and steady.
"…is the same phenomenon that occurred when Kaito was younger."
Kaito blinked once.
He nodded quietly.
"We figured as much."
But Daigo continued.
"However…"
He paused.
His gaze returned to Hina.
"…her situation is slightly more dangerous."
The room tightened.
Hina instinctively squeezed Kaito's hand.
Kaito's grip tightened in response.
Toru's brows lowered slightly.
"…Dangerous how?"
Daigo rested both hands on the top of his cane.
"When it happened to Kaito…"
He looked toward the boy.
"…he already possessed a certain level of strength."
Kaito tilted his head slightly.
"Strength?"
"Yes."
Daigo nodded.
"You had already begun training seriously by then. Your body and spirit had already begun adapting to the power inside you."
He shifted his gaze toward Hina.
"But Hina…"
His voice softened slightly.
"…despite being older than Kaito was during his own incident."
Hina lowered her eyes slightly.
Not ashamed.
But aware.
Daigo continued.
"She is much weaker than her brother."
Daigo continued calmly.
"That makes her more vulnerable."
"If the power inside her had become more unstable…"
He paused.
"…the Guardian could have successfully taken control."
The room went still.
Kaito's eyes widened slightly.
Toru's jaw tightened.
Hina slowly looked up.
"…Control?"
Her voice was small.
Kaito immediately squeezed her hand.
"It won't."
He said it quickly.
Almost defensively.
Daigo raised a finger slightly.
"It won't."
Then he nodded once.
"As long as she learns to control it."
Toru exhaled slowly.
"…So we train her."
Daigo nodded.
"Yes."
Hana leaned back slightly.
"That much is obvious."
Then she crossed her arms.
"But what kind of training are we talking about?"
Daigo looked at Hina again.
"For now?"
He tapped the floor lightly with his cane.
"Physical training."
"Strengthening her body."
"Strengthening her spirit."
"Teaching her discipline."
He looked toward Toru and Hana.
"She needs someone who can train her regularly."
Toru nodded.
"That makes sense."
Daigo continued.
"I will personally guide her in matters concerning the Guardian itself."
His gaze sharpened slightly.
"But day-to-day training…"
He paused.
"…requires a dedicated teacher."
The room became thoughtful.
Toru rubbed his chin.
Hana looked toward the ceiling slightly.
Even Kaito seemed to be thinking.
Then Kaito slowly raised his hand.
"…Wait."
Everyone looked at him.
Kaito leaned slightly forward.
"You still haven't said what kind of Guardian she is."
Daigo looked at Hina.
For a moment—
The old man simply observed her.
Then he answered.
"…Life."
The word landed softly.
But the reaction it caused was immediate.
Hana's eyes widened.
"…Life?"
Toru blinked twice.
"…Hold on."
He looked at Hina again.
"…You mean life life?"
Daigo nodded calmly.
"The embodiment of life itself."
The room fell silent.
Kaito slowly turned his head toward Hina.
"…That's…"
He struggled to finish the sentence.
Hana exhaled slowly.
"We already have Freedom in this family…"
She rubbed her forehead slightly.
"And now Life too?"
She looked toward Daigo.
"How does something like that even happen?"
Daigo smiled faintly.
"Guardians are not accidents."
He leaned back slightly.
"They are chosen long before birth."
Kaito frowned slightly.
"Chosen?"
Daigo nodded.
"Yes."
He looked directly at Kaito.
"You desire freedom more than anything."
"You believe in it."
"You fight for it."
He then looked at Hina.
"And she…"
His expression softened slightly.
"…loves life."
"She protects it."
"She cares for others naturally."
Everyone slowly turned their attention toward Hina.
She sat there quietly.
Her small hands still wrapped around Kaito's.
After some more discussion, Daigo slowly stood up.
"I should return for now."
Hana stood with him.
Toru also rose.
They escorted him toward the door.
Before stepping outside, Daigo looked back toward Kaito.
His gaze was serious.
"You must continue training seriously."
Kaito straightened slightly.
"Of course."
"Never underestimate what lives inside you."
Daigo spoke one last time.
For some reason—
The way he said it made Kaito feel a small chill run down his spine.
He simply nodded.
"…I won't."
Daigo left.
The door slid shut.
The room became quiet again.
Hina slowly squeezed Kaito's hand.
"…So…"
She looked up at him.
"…I'm like you now, big brother."
Kaito looked down at her.
"…Yeah."
She leaned against his shoulder slightly.
"…Does that mean I have to train a lot?"
Kaito sighed.
"…Probably."
Hina groaned dramatically.
"But I don't want to train."
Kaito laughed.
"That's unfortunate."
She pouted slightly.
"But all I want to do is play with you."
Kaito ruffled her hair gently.
"You still can."
She thought for a moment.
"…I know."
Then she frowned slightly.
"But if I train a lot… we'll play less."
Kaito looked at her seriously for a moment.
Then he placed a hand on top of her head.
"Hina."
She looked up.
"You want to keep playing with me, right?"
She nodded immediately.
"Of course."
Kaito smiled gently.
"Then you have to train."
She tilted her head.
He leaned slightly closer.
"Because if you don't learn to control what's inside you…"
His voice softened.
"…you might not be around to play anymore."
Hina froze.
The meaning slowly sank in.
Her expression softened.
"…Oh."
She nodded slowly.
"…Okay big brother."
Kaito smiled.
"Good."
Then he leaned back slightly and rubbed his chin.
"A teacher though…"
He closed one eye thoughtfully.
"You'd need someone really strong."
His eyes drifted toward the floor as he thought.
Akira…?
He shook his head slightly.
No.
He's already training me.
His brow furrowed.
Then who…?
Then—
The door suddenly slid open.
Toru stepped inside confidently.
He crossed his arms dramatically.
"I'll train her."
Kaito blinked.
"…You?"
Toru grinned proudly.
"Of course me."
He pointed at himself.
"Who else?"
He then pointed at Kaito.
"I'm going to train her so well…"
"…that even you Kaito won't be able to compete with her."
Kaito smirked.
"In your dreams."
Toru laughed loudly.
"Just watch!"
He pointed dramatically toward the ceiling.
"I'll prove once and for all that I'm the superior teacher compared to Akira!"
Hina giggled.
Kaito rolled his eyes.
And the room slowly filled with warmth again.