They all arrived at the large vacation house Haruki had rented, nestled in a quiet part of Okinawa, not far from the coast. The sound of cicadas filled the air, and the salty breeze from the ocean flowed gently through the open gates.
The children spilled out of the shuttle van with wide eyes and excited laughter, racing toward the house with their backpacks swinging behind them.
"Whoa!! Look how big it is!!"
"Is this really for us?!"
"There's a garden! Look!!"
Haruki stood by the gate, hands in his pockets, watching them with a soft smile.
The caretaker, Mrs. Himari, was trying to calm them down, her husband already following the staff toward the guesthouse entrance to meet with the property manager.
Haruki chuckled quietly.
It was loud. Messy. A little chaotic.
But it felt right.
He glanced at the house again.
