As Keiko stepped inside and slipped off her shoes, she glanced around the familiar entrance hall, a gentle smile on her face.
"Where's Father?" she asked Hanako softly.
Before Hanako could answer, a booming voice echoed from the living room.
"I'm here!"
Keiko giggled, already knowing that tone.
"Of course you are~," she muttered under her breath with a warm smile, then quickly made her way toward the living room.
Kazuma followed behind, quiet and composed, the gift bag still in his hand.
Inside, Kitayama glanced up from his newspaper just in time to see Keiko step through the doorway.
"Hmph. You're late."
Keiko teased as she knelt beside the low table, her expression playful.
"We didn't even say we'd arrive today, Father~."
Kitayama gave a short grunt, folding his paper and setting it aside.
"Still late," he repeated simply, his tone calm but carrying the weight of someone used to authority.
Hanako entered behind them, shaking her head with a soft, amused laugh.
