The school day had already ended.
Juson stood at the counter office, signing a few papers before handing them back. Once the formalities were complete, he left the building and stepped into the open air.
As he walked towards the parking area, a thought crossed his mind.
Yokina had not called him.
It was unusual.
Juson took out his car keys and continued walking. A few moments later he reached the vehicle, unlocked the door, and stepped inside.
The engine started with a low hum.
Instead of heading directly home, Juson turned the car towards the clinic.
Several minutes later he arrived and parked outside.
While waiting inside the car, he took out his phone and dialed Yokina's number.
The call rang for a few seconds.
Then it suddenly ended.
Juson frowned slightly.
He looked through the clinic entrance and noticed that the waiting seats were empty. There was no sign of Yokina.
After a brief pause, he put away his phone and drove off.
A few minutes later, the car slowed down in front of the house.
As Juson approached, he noticed the maid opening the gate and walking inside.
Seeing her there reassured him.
If the maid had returned, Yokina was most likely at home as well.
Juson parked the car and stepped out.
The maid had already reached the front door.
A moment later the door opened.
Yokina stood there.
She looked slightly tired.
"I was sleeping," she explained before Juson could ask anything.
Juson looked at her carefully.
"Didn't you go to the clinic?"
Yokina told him everything that had happened and explained that she had fallen asleep.
Juson listened quietly.
He did not argue.
Without saying much more, he walked towards his room.
Time passed slowly inside the house.
Neither Yokina nor the maid noticed how many hours had gone by.
Eventually both of them entered the kitchen and began preparing dinner.
Meanwhile, Juson changed his clothes before walking into Herik's room.
Herik was still asleep.
His sleeping position was awkward.
As Juson looked at him, he became certain about what had caused the mark he had noticed earlier.
Without waking him immediately, he observed him for a moment.
Then he gently woke Herik and brought him into the kitchen.
An hour later dinner was ready.
By then darkness had already settled outside.
The family gathered together for the meal.
While they ate, Yokina mentioned Wanna and her invitation for lunch.
Juson listened.
He did not refuse.
Instead, he agreed to go.
The conversation continued for a while before gradually fading away.
Another half hour passed.
Then everyone returned to their rooms.
One by one, the lights inside the house went out.
The day quietly came to an end.