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"... That covers the important points. During the break, be careful not to cause any trouble, especially you! Satoru Gojo! Don't be so slack!"
In the classroom, Yaga Masamichi was giving the four of them—Genji and his friends—instructions for the summer break, acting just like a worried mother hen.
"That's all. Don't be late on the first day of school. As for missions during the summer break, handle them as you see fit; if you don't want to take them, just refuse."
After saying this, Yaga Masamichi shot Satoru Gojo a warning glare before leaving the classroom.
"What are your plans for the summer break?"
As soon as Yaga Masamichi left the classroom, Satoru Gojo immediately perked up, leaning back in his chair as he asked the other three about their summer plans.
"I'll probably just stay at home and take on some missions," Geto Suguru replied after thinking for a moment.
"You're really diligent, Geto. Are you actually going to take missions during the summer break?"
"curses don't care if it's summer break. Besides, the summer heat makes people irritable, which further increases the occurrence of curses."
Geto Suguru lectured Satoru Gojo with a serious expression, while Satoru Gojo wore an 'I'm not listening, blah, blah, blah...' look on his face.
"Shoko, what about you?"
Satoru Gojo turned his gaze toward Shoko.
"I'm going to head home for a while. My brother called me during the exchange event a few days ago saying Grandma misses me. I'll stay home for a bit, then decide what to do after that."
As she spoke, Shoko looked at Genji.
"Genji, what about you?"
"Eh? As for me..."
Genji hesitated for a moment when asked, then slowly said, "I want to go home."
Upon hearing this, Shoko didn't know what to say, and Satoru Gojo and Geto Suguru, who had been messing around, also quieted down. The three of them knew that there was no one left in Genji home, and that Genji only meant one thing by "going home."
"Hey, hey, what's with those looks? I'm fine, I just feel like it's about time I went back to take a look."
Genji said, feeling a mix of amusement and annoyance as he looked at their worried expressions.
"Do you need us to accompany you?"
Shoko asked Genji, looking a bit worried.
"Yeah, my place is in Tokyo too, and Shoko's place isn't far either."
Geto Suguru chimed in, agreeing with Shoko. Having grown up in an ordinary family just like Genji, he couldn't even imagine what his reaction would be if his own parents were killed right in front of him.
Satoru Gojo nodded as well. Looking at the three of them, Genji sincerely felt their concern for him.
"Really, it's fine. I'll be fine on my own."
Seeing that Genji insisted, the three of them didn't say anything more. The next day, the four of them set off on their respective journeys home.
...
Walking on the familiar yet somewhat strange path, Genji walked silently toward the location of his home as he remembered it.
Although he had spoken confidently when parting ways with the three of them, the reality was completely different. The closer he got to his former "home," the stronger the nameless emotions in his heart became.
Finally, Genji arrived at the entrance of his former "home." Silently looking at the gate that had become somewhat unfamiliar, he inexplicably felt a bit afraid to move forward.
"You are Xiao Genji, Xuelin's son, right?"
Just then, someone suddenly spoke from behind him.
!
Hearing this somewhat excited voice, Genji snapped back to reality. He realized that he had been too immersed in his own emotions, even relaxing his awareness of his surroundings, and hadn't noticed someone approaching from behind.
He turned around to see a woman standing behind him, dressed in a sharp, professional outfit, with a hint of heroic spirit on her face. For some reason, her appearance made Genji feel a sense of familiarity.
"Who are you?"
Genji asked the woman.
"You don't remember me? I suppose that's fair, you were only seven back then."
The woman was a bit surprised at first that Genji didn't recognize her, but then she thought about how it had been ten years since they last saw each other. Besides, hadn't she almost failed to recognize Genji just now?
"I'm So Yuki, your mother's friend. I used to visit your house often when you were a child. Don't you remember?"
Searching through his memories, Genji finally recalled the identity of the woman in front of him.
"Oh, Aunt Su. I'm sorry, it's been too long, and I didn't recognize you for a moment."
Genji said to the woman.
It wasn't really Genji fault for not recognizing her. Although So Yuki was his mother's close friend and confidante, in Genji memory, she had been someone with the same style as his mother—gentle and refined, yet with a somewhat quirky personality. She was a completely different person from the sharp, professional woman in front of him, so Genji hadn't connected the person before him with the Aunt Su in his memory.
"It's alright, we haven't seen each other in a long time."
Looking at the tall, handsome young man in front of her, So Yuki couldn't help but feel her eyes grow moist, but she forced herself to suppress her emotions.
"Would you like to come to Auntie's house for a cup of tea first?"
The woman extended an invitation to Genji, and after a moment's hesitation, he agreed.
...
To Genji surprise, So Yuki's house was not far from his own; it was only a ten-minute walk. His neighborhood had been a highly sought-after villa area back in the day, but it had slowly become desolate after the incident at his home.
Setting the tea in front of Genji, So Yuki sat down as well.
"Where on earth have you been these past few years? When I heard about your mother back then, I rushed back as soon as I could, but the police wouldn't say anything. I wanted to adopt you, but I didn't even know where you were."
So Yuki said, choking up a bit.
"I'm sorry, Auntie. I... I've been doing quite well these past few years."
Facing So Yuki's questioning, Genji didn't know how to answer, so he could only vaguely say that he had been doing well.
Back then, after the incident, he had left the area, and he had entrusted Yaga to handle the rest of the trivial matters, so he had no idea that So Yuki had actually spent a considerable amount of time looking for him.
For a moment, the atmosphere cooled.
"Um, Auntie, is your family not home?"
To break the awkward atmosphere, Genji asked.
"My daughter went out to play with some classmates today. As for my husband..."
So Yuki was silent for a moment before continuing, "My husband passed away a few years ago."
'My mouth!'
Genji couldn't help but feel despair at his own conversational skills. He had originally wanted to make the atmosphere less heavy, but it had backfired, making it even heavier.
"I'm sorry, I didn't know..."
"Haha, it's okay, it's been several years."
Looking at the uncomfortable young man in front of her, So Yuki smiled and comforted him.
"Are you still in school now?"
"Uh, yes. Usually, I attend classes with my teacher. When I'm not in class, I exercise. In my spare time, I do some part-time work. It's quite fulfilling."
"Is that so? As long as you're doing well, Xuelin will be able to rest in peace."
Hearing that Genji life hadn't gone off track, So Yuki was relieved.
"What exactly happened back then? Even after I conducted my own investigation, I couldn't find anything. The police were the same; whether it was the officers handling the case or the police records, everything was just formulaic information. After a while, even the files couldn't be found, as if nothing had happened at all."
She hesitated, worried that asking about this might trigger Genji, but So Yuki could never accept her best friend dying so inexplicably, so she finally asked.
"I know, but I'm sorry, Auntie, I can't explain this to you. However, I am aware of everything—from the police side to the information online."
Genji hesitated, but looking at So Yuki's expression, he ultimately chose not to lie or brush it off.
"I see. It seems you have a handle on things, then that's fine."
Seeing Genji attitude, So Yuki didn't press further.
"But Auntie, rest assured, I will never let the bastard who hurt Mom and the others get away with it!"
Genji added, accidentally letting slip a trace of killing intent.
"Is that so? But please, don't push yourself too hard. You are the only child your mother has left, you know? If you need help, come to me. Don't look at me like that; I still have some influence in this part of Tokyo."
So Yuki advised him again, then changed the subject, her face taking on a teasing, gossipy expression.
"So, has Xiao Genji found a girlfriend yet?"
Pfft!
So Yuki changed the subject so quickly that Genji nearly spat out the tea in his mouth.
"Not... not yet."
Thinking of that kiss from Shoko earlier, Genji answered feeling a bit guilty.
"Is that so? Xiao Ai used to always say she wanted to marry brother Xiao Genji when she grew up."
"Please, stop teasing me. By the way, you have so many cosmetics of this brand in your house."
Genji changed the subject awkwardly, pointing at a cosmetic bottle on the table.
"Do you and Xiao Ai like this brand?"
"Oh, no. This is a brand managed by my company."
A casual sentence, but it surprised Genji quite a bit.
He knew that although this brand didn't have a huge market reach, it was quite expensive and very popular among the upper class.
"This is a brand your mother and I created together. After she passed away, I kept holding the shares for her. Now that you're back, I'll return them to you."
Genji:?
Just by coming home, he had suddenly become a millionaire?
"Hehe."
Seeing Genji surprised expression, So Yuki couldn't help but laugh.
'Sure enough, although he looks like his father on the outside, his personality is just like Xuelin's.'
After promising So Yuki that he would visit often and come to her if he had any trouble, Genji left So Yuki's house and stood at his own door once again. After hesitating, he finally inserted the key into the lock.
"Click."
With a soft sound, the door opened.
"I'm home."
Genji said softly to the house, but no one inside answered him like they used to when he was a child.
"Welcome home."
After whispering to himself once more, Genji finally stepped into his home again after ten years.
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