"Grandma, you figured it out?"
Tsuzuki Chihiro scratched her cheek awkwardly, looking helplessly at Tsuzuki Shifune, who had a teasing expression on her face.
"You little brat, you've really picked up some strange skills out there. And... you've been living alone all this time—why didn't you come home to find us?
"Do you have any idea... how much your sister and I have suffered?"
At this point, Shifune's voice trembled slightly. Of course, she thought her granddaughter was as stubborn as a mule—so much had happened, yet Chihiro had actually spent over two years muddling through life in England.
"I... I had no idea you all thought I was dead."
Chihiro felt a pang of guilt. She genuinely hadn't expected that, in all these years, she hadn't done a single thing right. That made her words sound uncertain, lacking confidence.
"At the time, all I could think was that I had killed Mom and Dad. If I hadn't begged them to pick me up from the airport that day, the accident wouldn't have happened."
"So you thought we'd blame you? That we'd say you shouldn't have recklessly dropped out of school, shouldn't have abandoned your sister to run off to England, and that when you came home, we'd pin all the blame on you?"
"Or were you afraid your sister would be disappointed in you? That I would be disappointed in you?"
"You really are... just as stubborn as an old classmate of mine. This won't do—Chihiro, come here right now!"
Though her tone was stern, Shifune couldn't help but recall that old classmate she had just mentioned—none other than the current head of the Toyokawa family.
A highly capable person who managed a massive corporation yet had a personality that could be both infuriating and amusing.
It had been a while since they last kept in touch. If she remembered correctly, that old geezer had a granddaughter in high school—probably around the same age as Chihiro.
But none of that mattered now. The important thing was that she finally had her granddaughter standing right in front of her, looking guilty, bracing herself for punishment.
Shifune raised her hand in the air but then, instead of delivering a smack, she smiled at her granddaughter, who had already shut her eyes in anticipation.
Then, in one swift motion, she pulled her into a warm embrace.
"Chihiro, you've been through so much..."
"...Grandma, maybe you should just hit me. My butt's kind of itchy."
"You little brat, you're still so infuriating. Even Raana has picked up your bad habits." Shifune couldn't hold back a laugh. "Speaking of which, what's with you running around with someone else's face?"
"Well..."
Chihiro scratched her head, looking a bit embarrassed. "I promised someone I wouldn't say. A person has to keep their word."
"...That's something you got from your father."
"And Raana...?"
"Don't worry. That kid doesn't care about anything except 'Big Sis coming back to play guitar together.'"
"The moment she found out you weren't dead, she was probably over the moon. Just find a chance to take off that disguise and reunite with her properly."
Shifune paused for a moment before continuing.
"As for that thing you can't talk about—as long as it's not illegal and doesn't hurt anyone, just go ahead and do it."
"Then, when it's all over, come back and focus on your studies."
"Your parents may be gone, and their company may have disappeared... but I'll take care of you."
"...Thank you, Grandma."
Chihiro nodded, then got up and made her way to Raana's room.
Standing beside the bed, she looked at her little sister curled up and fast asleep, a gentle smile forming on her lips.
Her sister had always been like a little cat—whether awake or asleep, whether snuggled in her arms having her belly rubbed or sitting in her lap playing guitar.
But tonight, something was different. Even in her sleep, Raana's lips were curled into a smile.
"Big Sis... parfait..."
"..."
Chihiro stifled a laugh. Well, since Raana had already decided to join the band, they'd see each other tomorrow anyway. No need to wake the kid from her sweet dreams tonight.
Before leaving the Tsuzuki house, Chihiro got a taste of her grandma's boundless generosity.
She left carrying two big bags full of food—both ingredients and ready-to-eat dishes—because Grandma had outright said that if she didn't take them, she might as well stop calling her 'Grandma.'
What else could Chihiro do? She had no choice but to accept it all.
It wasn't until she was walking back to the Soyo household that she finally checked her phone, which had been on silent the whole time.
To her surprise, she had several missed calls.
But they were all from just two people—one, of course, was Soyo. The other…
"Anon?"
Chihiro raised an eyebrow, surprised that Anon had called her right after practice should've ended.
Don't tell me this little crybaby needs me to console her again?
Setting the two large bags down on a park bench, Chihiro sat down and called Anon back.
The phone rang for only a few seconds before it was answered. On the other end, Anon immediately launched into a pouty complaint:
"Chihiro, why did you take so long to answer? I was worried sick..."
"What's wrong, Anon?"
"Taki's gone crazy! Oh, wait... you probably don't know who Taki is." Anon's voice was all flustered, like she had just stepped on a landmine. "Chihiro, remember when I told you about my time in England?"
"The truth is... that day, someone hit a nerve, and I just couldn't hold back anymore—that's why I called you."
"Oh? So the person who dared to bully my dear Anon is causing trouble again?"
"Not exactly... We formed a band and are supposed to perform this weekend. This weekend! That's less than five days away!"
"But Taki said we should prepare two songs."
"And the second song—hasn't even been written yet!"
"Tell me she's not insane!"
"Huh?" Chihiro blinked, suddenly realizing that this was probably Soyo's doing. She found it funny but couldn't resist teasing Anon a little. "Doesn't sound so bad to me. Writing a song in one night isn't a big deal, right? And it's just playing guitar—should be easy enough to prepare and get on stage."
"...I'm hanging up. Bye."
Beep.
Anon hung up immediately.
But Chihiro wasn't worried. She just waited patiently for about thirty seconds until her phone rang again. Smirking, she answered.
"Chihiro, you're the worst! Why didn't you call me back first?"
"Because I knew you'd call me again."
"...Anyway, can you help me with training? You're the only one I can ask. Please~"
"Hmm... I guess it's not impossible. But where should I teach you?"
"Come to my place! It's big enough, and we can share a bed. That is, if you're not too busy."
"Busy? I wouldn't say I'm that busy."
Even though solving one problem had just led to a pile of new ones, the mess caused by that deceitful scammer—who clearly had even fewer scruples than she did—was beyond anything she could figure out how to fix right now.
That was why, even after reuniting with her grandmother, she hadn't shed a single tear.
Tsuzuki Chihiro would only cry when everything was finally over.
And since Soyo had already kicked her off their account, she had some time to spare for Anon's guitar training.
Besides... if it hadn't been for Anon occasionally shining like a little sun back in England, Chihiro wouldn't have made it through.
Now that this little sun was about to set, she had to pull her back up and make her shine again.
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T/N: yay!