The girls returned home from school and university.4:28 p.m.
Yukino stared at her phone, thumb hovering over the screen longer than it needed to.Then she finally pressed send.
Ken-san, we'll be on the 5 p.m. train. Our usual stop.
Her heart skipped when his reply came almost immediately.
I'll be there.
She exhaled, placing the phone down. Honoka sat nearby, humming softly while fixing Panda-san's ribbon.There was a faint flush on her cheeks — warm, unusual — but Yukino let it go for now.
By the time they boarded the train, the evening light had softened into a warm amber.The familiar hum of the tracks steadied beneath them.Momo and Ren were already in their seats across the aisle, both pretending very hard not to care about this reunion.
Honoka held Yukino's sleeve tightly, legs swinging, eyes glued to the doors. She hummed that same little tune — the one she always used when waiting for him, like it might call him to her.
5:00 p.m.
The doors slid open.
And he stepped in.
Ken entered quietly, in the same dark shirt and light jacket from that morning. Hair brushed back, soft light catching his calm blue eyes. Even with a bandage still visible, even a little tired, he looked composed — the kind of calm that slowed the world down around him.
"Good evening," he said, voice low and warm.
Momo waved with a grin, Ren nodded once, and Honoka lit up like she had swallowed the sun.
Ken walked toward them and sat beside the sisters.Honoka immediately wriggled between him and Yukino, leaning into his arm like she belonged there. Her humming returned — soft, content.
Yukino turned her face toward the window, trying not to smile."You're not getting away this time, Ken-san," she said quietly, voice a little shaky despite her playful tone.
Ken glanced at her, a small glimmer of amusement in his eyes."I don't want you to let me go, Yukino-san."
Her breath caught. Heat flushed her cheeks and she quickly looked down, fussing with Honoka's ribbon even though it was perfectly tied.
For a moment, everything felt right — the gentle rhythm of the train, the evening light against the glass, Honoka's soft humming, the quiet closeness between them.
Then—
"Ken-nii-san…" Honoka's voice was faint. "My head hurts…"
Ken turned immediately. His expression shifted — calm to concerned in an instant.He placed his palm softly on her forehead.
Warm. Too warm.
His brows tightened."Yukino-san," he said quietly, "she's burning up."
Yukino's eyes widened. "W-what? She was fine just a second ago—"
Honoka leaned against him, weak and sleepy, Panda-san drooping in her hand.
Ken didn't waste even a second.He gently slid one arm under her legs and another behind her back, lifting her in one smooth motion. Honoka curled into him instinctively.
"Ken-san—" Yukino started, voice shaking.
He met her eyes, steady and firm."We get off at the next stop. There's a clinic nearby. We shouldn't wait."
There was no doubt in his voice — only calm urgency.
Yukino nodded immediately, already gathering their things. She didn't even realize how naturally she followed his lead — how safe she felt in letting him take charge. It wasn't just trust.
It was something deeper.
Momo and Ren stood halfway, eyes worried.Momo whispered, "Go. We'll cover here. Text us later."
Yukino nodded gratefully.
The train slowed.
Ken stood at the doors, holding Honoka securely against his chest. Her tiny fingers curled weakly around his collar.
The doors opened; cool evening air brushed across their faces.Ken stepped off first, Yukino right behind him. She stayed close, matching his pace without thinking, eyes fixed on Honoka, but always aware of him beside her.
In the quiet rush of the Tokyo dusk — Ken carrying her little sister like she was precious, Yukino at his side — it hit her.
She wasn't just relying on him out of fear.
She needed him.Not as the quiet stranger on the morning train.But as someone her heart had already chosen, quietly and completely.