The airport was crowded that morning, but Hina hardly noticed. Her hands were cold despite the spring warmth creeping into Tokyo's air. She stood at the arrival gate with Emi by her side, her heart beating so loudly she was sure someone could hear it.
It had been three years since she last saw Yuto in person.
Back then, in Paris, he'd already looked different. Taller, more composed, eyes deeper than she remembered. But he had still felt familiar.
Now he was finally coming home.
Ren had offered to come, but Emi insisted this moment belonged to her and Hina.
"I've waited long enough to see that boy's face again," she said with a smirk, adjusting her coat collar. "So have you."
When the automatic doors slid open and passengers began to emerge, Hina froze.
And then he appeared.
Yuto stepped through the crowd, wheeling a black suitcase with one hand, a messenger bag slung across his shoulder. He had grown even taller since the last time. His lean frame now sharpened by age and confidence. His hair was slightly tousled from travel, his jaw more defined, and his dark eyes scanned the crowd with calm precision… until they landed on her.
Hina's breath hitched.
He was so unfairly good-looking. She hadn't noticed it during their video calls. Somehow, the screen had softened everything. Made him seem less real.
Yuto's face softened into a slow, familiar smile as he met her gaze. He raised a hand in a small wave.
And Hina?
She panicked.
She looked away so fast it felt like whiplash, her cheeks flaring red. She clenched the strap of her bag, pretending to be fascinated by the floor tiles.
"Hina," he said, voice just as low and warm as she remembered. "Hey."
She turned back slowly, eyes barely lifting to meet his. "Hi."
That was all she could manage.
Emi, standing beside her, covered a laugh with a cough.
"Oh, come here," she said, walking forward and pulling Yuto into a tight hug. "Look at you. Taller than your father now, I swear."
"Almost," Yuto chuckled, returning the embrace.
"You look like a proper heartbreaker," she teased, giving his cheek a motherly pat. "Did you charm all the French girls?"
Yuto's eyes flicked toward Hina for a second, then back. "Not really. I was too busy thinking about someone else."
Hina stiffened. Her heart skipped. But she kept her gaze fixed on his suitcase instead of his face.
When Emi stepped back, there was a moment of silence between the two of them.
Hina finally looked up just a little.
"You've… changed," she murmured.
Yuto tilted his head slightly. "You haven't. Still the same Hina who can't look me in the eye when she's nervous."
"I'm not nervous," she lied.
He smiled gently. "Okay."
That smile. It was soft. Familiar. Dangerous.
They walked out of the airport together, side by side. Their hands didn't touch. Their shoulders didn't brush. Something hung quietly in the space between them.
Back at the Kazama estate, Ren waited at the gates. He said nothing as Yuto approached, only gave a small nod of approval and a single pat on the shoulder. Yuto nodded back, both silent in their mutual respect.
That evening, Emi prepared the dinner together and the table was full of chatter, laughter, stories from Paris and memories of Tokyo. But for Hina, everything felt like a blur because every time she dared to look up, she caught Yuto already looking at her.
And when she finally met his eyes, just once, for longer than a heartbeat—
Her heart whispered, He came back.
The warmth of the home buzzed softly with background conversation, but when Ren spoke, the room naturally quieted.
"So," he said, "where are you planning to stay?"
Yuto looked up respectfully. "I've found an apartment near Todai. It's small, but it's enough for me. I signed the lease before flying back, and the keys are ready for pickup tomorrow."
Ren gave a slow nod, measuring him. "And you're moving in alone?"
"Yes, sir. I want to learn to live independently."
Ren nodded and said, "Stay here tonight. It's already late. Tomorrow, I'll have someone help move your things and make sure you settle in properly."
Yuto blinked, momentarily surprised. "I—thank you, sir. That means a lot."
Ren gave him a firm nod. "You've always been responsible. But Tokyo can be overwhelming when you've been away. It's not weakness to accept help."
Yuto bowed his head slightly in gratitude. "I understand. I appreciate it."
From across the room, Hina sat very still. Her heart fluttered. One night. Just one. With Yuto under the same roof again.
That evening, Hina stepped out of her room, wearing her usual oversized T-shirt and shorts, padding softly toward the kitchen for water.
She paused.when seeing Yuto was in the kitchen. .
Leaning against the counter in a black T-shirt, hair slightly messy from bath, sipping from a glass of water like he'd never left. The moonlight from the open window pooled around him like something from a dream.
He looked up. "Can't sleep?"
Hina shook her head. "You?"
"Still jet-lagged, I think." He offered a small smile. "Or maybe just… excited to be back."
She looked away quickly, her fingers twisting the hem of her shirt. "It feels strange… having you here again."
"Strange good or strange bad?" he asked quietly.
She glanced at him, then looked away again. "Strange… overwhelming."
They stood in silence for a moment, the air thick with everything unspoken.
Yuto set his glass down and took a step closer. Not enough to touch but enough that she could feel the warmth from his body.
"You've grown up," he said softly.
Hina blushed, hard. "You already said that."
"I know," he murmured. "But it's still true."
Her eyes flickered up to meet his and for the first time, she didn't look away. Not immediately.
"You've changed too," she said. "A lot."
"Is that good?"
Hina nodded. "It's… really good."
There was a long pause. His gaze dropped briefly to the ribbon bracelet still around her wrist.
"You kept it," he whispered.
"Of course I did," she replied. "You gave it to me. I wasn't going to let go just because you were far away."
Yuto's voice was low, tender. "You have no idea how many times that thought kept me going."
They stood there, under the soft glow of moonlight and silence, until Hina finally said, "You should rest."
"Yeah," Yuto agreed, but didn't move.
Neither of them did.
Then, quietly, he added, "It's good to be back, Hina."
She smiled, cheeks flushed. "It's good to have you home."