Sachiko let out a small breath, the white puff drifting in front of her face as she stared forward.
"Amazing…"
The sound left her softly, her chest lifting with a slow inhale as she watched Tetsuo move.
Haruko stood just beside her, her hands tightening around the edge of her scarf.
Her eyes stayed fixed on Tetsuo without blinking.
Each bounce of the basketball sent a dull thud across the empty yard, the sound carrying through the cold morning air.
She watched the ball move between his hands—his fingers stiff and red from the cold, the skin around his knuckles looking sore.
His bare feet pressed against the icy pavement, the skin flushed pink from the temperature.
Haruko's breath slipped out in a small cloud as she focused on the quiet rhythm of his movements and the steady concentration on his face.
Her shoulders rose slightly with each breath, unable to look away.
Tetsuo's eyes shifted toward them, and his hands paused mid-motion.
The ball slipped from his palm, hit the ground with a soft thud, and rolled until it settled against his toes.
A faint cloud of breath escaped him as he lowered his shoulders.
He leaned down slowly, his fingers closing around the worn surface of the ball.
His face held no clear emotion, his gaze steady and quiet as he straightened again.
Haruko stepped a little closer, her fingers brushing the edge of her scarf as she tilted her head.
Her voice came out small, her breath forming a faint cloud in front of her lips.
"Why did you stop? We weren't… bothering you, right?"
Tetsuo gave a slow shake of his head, his shoulders relaxing as he tightened his grip on the ball.
"No… nothing like that."
His voice dropped slightly, the sound quiet and unsure.
"It has been a long time since I played while someone was watching. My chest felt a little tight."
He drew in a breath, the cold stinging his nose, and a sudden sneeze burst out of him.
His hands jerked once from the force, the ball shifting in his arms as he blinked against the cold air.
Sachiko's eyebrows pulled together the moment she stepped closer.
A small puff of white breath left her lips as she planted her hands on her hips, her tone sharper than before.
"You idiot… why did you come out here in this cold? And barefoot too."
Her foot tapped lightly against the frozen ground, the sound quick and irritated.
"At least wear the scarf and jacket I gave you. Honestly…"
She let out another breath, shoulders rising and falling once as she looked him over again.
The cold stung her cheeks, but her voice steadied.
"Anyway… since we're already here, let's hurry and get you and your sister cleaned up."
The bathroom filled with steam, the warm air curling against the mirror until it softened his reflection into a blurry shape.
Water ran down his shoulders and back, washing away the dirt, dried sweat, and crushed bits of grass stuck to him from earlier.
He stayed under the water longer than he meant to—almost an hour—letting the heat soak into him.
When he finally stepped out, he dragged the edge of his towel across the fogged mirror, clearing a small, uneven patch.
His reflection looked back at him, clearer now.
His face was clean, his jaw small and smooth, his eyes steady but quiet.
He wrapped the towel around his shoulders and pushed open the bathroom door.
As he walked into the hallway, the brighter light touched his face, showing the calm expression he always wore.
Sachiko blinked when she saw him step into the hallway.
Her chest gave a small, quick tightness, the kind she felt when something caught her off guard.
Seeing his face clean and clear made her pause for a second.
She didn't know if it was surprise or just that she wasn't used to seeing him without dirt smudged across his cheeks, but the feeling lingered as she watched him.
"I'm done now. You can help my sister next."
Tetsuo shifted his weight a little, the towel slipping slightly as he held it tighter around his shoulders.
"Right. Haruko, can you grab some clothes for him? You can join us after."
Sachiko stepped forward, her hand resting briefly on her hip as she looked between them.
"Okay…"
Haruko's eyes dropped to the floor, her fingers brushing the hem of her sleeve as she turned to go.
"Alright. Usagi, come here. Let me wash your hair."
Sachiko lifted her hand slightly, giving a small, steady motion toward the tub.
Usagi peeked around the corner with her towel pulled tight around her body, her fingers gripping the edge.
"But the shampoo will burn my eyes…"
Her voice thinned as she shifted her feet against the tiles.
"Just close your eyes until I'm finished. It won't hurt. You can trust me."
Sachiko lowered herself beside the tub, her knees touching the bathmat as she checked the water with her fingertips, adjusting the temperature with short, careful turns of the faucet.
"Right… I'll close my eyes."
Usagi's voice lowered to a small mumble as she stepped closer, her toes curling slightly against the warm tiles.
She squeezed her eyes shut, her eyebrows pulling together from the effort.
Sachiko worked carefully, her fingers moving gently as she massaged the shampoo into Usagi's scalp.
The soft scent of cherry blossom drifted up with the steam, and a few lines of foam slid toward the edge of the tub.
"There, all done. Now let's take a bath together."
Sachiko gave a small smile, her hand brushing lightly against Usagi's shoulder as she reached for the faucet.
"Yes, big sister."
Usagi's face brightened, her hands tightening on the rim of the tub as she lifted herself a little in excitement.
Meanwhile, Tetsuo sat quietly on the living room floor, the towel wrapped firmly around his waist and another draped across his shoulders.
The air still carried the leftover warmth from his shower, and a light flush lingered on his cheeks and arms.
Haruko paused at the doorway, holding a neatly folded set of clothes against her chest with both hands.
"Here… these are for you."
Her voice barely rose above a small breath, her fingers tightening slightly around the clothes before she stepped forward.
Tetsuo lifted his head, the corners of his mouth softening into a gentle smile.
"Thank you… really."
He adjusted the towel and reached out to take the clothes from her.
Haruko's face warmed with color.
She gave a short nod, her eyes dropping to the floor as she turned on her heel a little faster than usual.
"I'm all done with her. Thank you for waiting."
Sachiko stepped into the living room, brushing a few drops of water from her wrist.
Usagi followed closely behind in clean clothes, her damp hair combed straight and clinging lightly to her cheeks.
"Big brother, look! I'm wearing clean clothes, and my hair smells really good!"
Usagi lifted her arms a little and spun in a small circle, her steps light against the floor.
"Yeah… it really does."
Tetsuo let out a short, warm breath of laughter as he reached over and patted her head, his palm settling for a moment on her soft, freshly brushed hair.
"She's really cute when she's like this."
Sachiko leaned closer and ruffled Usagi's hair with gentle, playful strokes, her fingers brushing through the still-damp strands as Usagi let out a small giggle.
The four of them spent a while playing around the living room, taking turns with toys scattered across the carpet and chasing each other in small bursts of laughter.
Usagi kept pulling Haruko into little games, and Sachiko tried to keep things from getting too loud while Tetsuo joined in here and there.
After the energy finally settled, they all gathered on the couch and floor, the room quieting as they watched the TV together.
Sachiko's heart gave a quick, tight jump.
Oh no… Mom is home early.
"Oh, I didn't know you had friends over today."
Her mother stepped fully inside, slipping off her shoes with a soft tap against the floor.
"Yes… they stopped by to play with us for the day."
Sachiko kept her hands together in front of her, trying to steady her voice as she glanced briefly toward the others.
Her mother smiled kindly, her eyes widening a little as she noticed the siblings' uneven hair.
"Oh my… your hair is very messy, young man. Please come here, okay? I will cut it for you."
Before Tetsuo could react, she placed her hands on their backs and guided all three of them toward the kitchen.
The snipping of the scissors tapped softly through the room as she worked.
Damp strands fell quietly onto the floor.
"There… much better."
She brushed loose pieces from Usagi's shoulders and pressed a light kiss onto her forehead.
"You are such a sweet girl."
She moved to Tetsuo next, lifting his bangs with steady fingers while trimming away the extra length.
Her hands moved with practiced precision.
"Your parents should try to keep your hair neat, you know?"
A slight crease formed between her brows as she focused on the last few cuts.
Tetsuo lowered his gaze.
A small heaviness tightened the corners of his mouth, but he remained silent.
"Alright, finished."
She stepped back and looked him over with warm approval.
"You are very handsome. I hope you do not make my daughter fall for you," her voice rising into a gentle laugh.
Tetsuo's cheeks warmed, and he pulled his hands in closer to his chest.
Sachiko's eyes widened, her shoulders jumping a little as she hurried closer.
"Mom… that wasn't nice…"
Her voice wavered, and her face turned red all the way to her ears.
That evening, Sachiko's mother moved calmly around the kitchen, the gentle clatter of bowls and chopsticks mixing with the scent of simmering miso soup.
Steam drifted from the pot, carrying the warm smell of grilled fish through the house.
When everyone gathered at the table, the soft glow from the overhead light settled on their faces.
Usagi ate in small, quiet bites, glancing up every so often with a shy smile.
Tetsuo kept his posture straight, but the tightness in his shoulders loosened a little as he tasted the warm food.
Nobody brought up where the siblings were staying.
Sachiko and Haruko exchanged small glances now and then, each one steady but careful.
Their father would never allow it.
After school, their days moved in a gentle pattern.
The four of them played in the yard, their footsteps tapping lightly across the ground, or wandered along the quiet streets with the afternoon breeze brushing past them.
In the mornings, Tetsuo walked Haruko and Sachiko toward the bus stop, keeping a few steps behind them as he watched the road.
In the afternoons, he stood waiting at the same spot, hands tucked in his pockets, ready to walk them home again.
One day, the two siblings walked hand-in-hand along the sidewalk.
The air felt cold against their cheeks, and the sky above held soft streaks of lavender and gold.
Tetsuo dribbled his basketball beside them, each bounce tapping against the concrete in a steady beat.
When they reached the school gates, they noticed Sachiko standing with a small group of girls.
Her shoulders were relaxed, and gentle laughter rose from the cluster.
Usagi tugged lightly on her brother's sleeve, her eyes bright as she pointed.
"Big brother… there she is."
Tetsuo gave a tiny nod and stepped forward, keeping the ball still at his side.
His breath formed a faint cloud in the cold air as he started toward her.
Before he could call out, one of the girls turned to Sachiko.
"Sachiko… the boy who walks with you to the bus stop. Is he your boyfriend?"
Tetsuo's foot halted mid-step.
His fingers tightened around the basketball, and his whole body went still.
One girl leaned closer, her brows lifting.
"Yeah… and why does he not go to school?"
Another girl covered her mouth for a moment, then let out a sharp laugh.
"I heard he is homeless. She lets him stay in her dollhouse. Maybe she even plays with him like a toy," her voice rising with mean excitement as the other girls shifted uncomfortably around her.
Sachiko's smile broke completely, her lips tightening as her eyes moved in quick, anxious jumps between the girls.
Her breathing turned shallow, and her fingers pressed into the fabric of her skirt.
"He's… he's just some stray kid."
The words came out too fast, pushed by panic.
"Yeah… when I met him he was dirty, and he smelled bad. It was kind of… gross—"
Her voice thinned until it barely reached the group.
Her face dropped, and color spread across her cheeks in a hot rush.
A sharp pull of guilt tightened her stomach.
"I… I didn't mean…"
Her hand lifted halfway, then fell back to her side.
"I mean… I don't really know him well."
The last part slipped out in a small, unsteady breath, her eyes lowering toward the ground.
Tetsuo stopped moving, his whole body tightening in place.
The warmth that had stayed with him through the walk home slipped away in an instant.
His fingers lost their grip, and the basketball fell from his hand, hitting the ground with a low, heavy sound.
A faint change passed through his eyes—soft at first, almost too small to catch—then everything inside them grew still and dark.
His shoulders lowered a little, and his breath came out in a quiet, uneven puff in the cold air.
"Big brother… big brother…"
Usagi tugged at his arm with both hands, her grip unsteady and small.
"Are you okay…? You're… scaring me…"
Her voice trembled, and her eyes filled fast.
Her chin wobbled as she pressed closer to him, holding his sleeve like she was afraid to let go.
"It's okay, Usagi. Don't worry."
Tetsuo placed his hand on her head and gave a slow, careful pat.
His smile pulled up only a little, tight at the edges as he tried to make it look real.
"Come on… let's go."
Usagi tugged gently on his sleeve, her voice small.
"B-but… what about Sachiko?"
Tetsuo lowered his eyes.
A faint breath slipped out of him, barely warm in the cold air.
"She will go home fine. She always takes the bus."
His tone dropped flat, as if the words were sliding away from him.
He forced a thin smile and straightened.
"How about we take a little trip? I saved money. It's enough."
Usagi's shoulders tensed, and she pulled her hands close to her chest.
"But… I don't want to leave Haru and Sachi…"
Her voice wavered, the sound quiet against the empty sidewalk.
Tetsuo reached over and brushed her head gently, his touch steady.
"It's okay. We will come back. I promise."
He leaned down and lifted the basketball properly into his hand, the rubber surface pressing firmly against his palm as he held it close to his side.
Sachiko stood near the school gate, her fingers tightening around her bag strap as a faint tug pulled at her chest.
She turned her head toward the sidewalk.
Her eyes met Tetsuo's from only a short distance away.
His face stayed still, almost blank, but a quiet ache sat behind his eyes, faint and heavy.
Sachiko's breath caught, her throat tightening.
She stepped forward a little, shoes brushing the ground.
A bus rolled up beside the curb, its engine rumbling through the air.
When it passed in front of her view for a moment, Tetsuo and Usagi were no longer there.
Only the cold evening air remained.