The five pairs of feet made a rhythmic, shuffling sound down the hallway as they all walked toward the kitchen. Hori stepped closer to Kento, her long hair swaying slightly as she leaned in, her pink eyes bright with curiosity.
"So, Kento..." Hori murmured, a soft smile tugging at her lips. "What exactly are you planning to make for me today?"
Kento didn't look back right away. He kept his eyes on the kitchen door ahead, a mischievous, goofy grin spreading across his face. "You'll have to be patient, Hori. A real chef never reveals his secrets until the plates are on the table."
Hori immediately pouted, crossing her arms over her chest with a tiny huff. "That's not fair! You're just making me more hungry on purpose."
Kento let out a bright, hearty laugh that bounced off the hallway walls. Behind them, the mood was much quieter. Mr. Kamitani slowed his long steps, his eyes drifting down to the quiet blonde boy walking silently beside him.
"Kashima..." Mr. Kamitani spoke up, his deep voice smooth and gentle. "Would you like to stay at our house for the night? It's been a while since we had a full house, and there's plenty of rooms."
Kashima stopped mid-step. His body went entirely rigid, his feet clicking sharply against the wooden floor. Shido turned around at the sound, his brow furrowing as he looked back.
"Hey, Ice Prince, what's wrong?" Shido asked, spinning on his heel. "You look like you just ran into a brick wall."
Kashima's blue eyes flickered with a sudden, hidden panic, but he quickly forced his face back into a cool, polite mask. He looked up at Mr. Kamitani. "I'll have to ask my father about it first."
Mr. Kamitani didn't answer right away. He stood in the quiet hallway, his sharp, experienced eyes studying Kashima's stiff posture for a long, heavy moment.
Then, the tension broke as Mr. Kamitani reached out, placing a heavy, warm hand directly onto Kashima's blonde hair. He ruffled it thoroughly, letting out a soft, reassuring laugh. "Don't worry so much, kiddo. Everything is going to be alright."
"Hey! Enough with the serious talk! Step aside!" Shido yelled, suddenly running past them towards the kitchen door. He threw his arms wide, his face twisting into an exaggerated expression of absolute greatness.
"I am about to enter the kitchen and create the world's largest pizza! It's going to be so massive we'll have to eat our way through the walls just to see the sun again!"
Kento let out a long, dramatic sigh, rolling his eyes as he pushed the kitchen door open.
"Shido, if you want pizza that badly, just pack your bags and move to Italy."
"Maybe I will!" Shido answered back. He quickly struck a wierd, dramatic pose, tucking one hand behind his back and blowing a fake kiss toward the ceiling. "In my past life, I was definitely an Italian prince. From now on, you will all address me as Signor Shidoliini!"
Hori burst into a sudden giggle, covering her mouth as her shoulders shook. "Shidoliini? That is officially the most ridiculous name you've ever come up with!"
The kitchen was pitch black when Shido stepped inside. He slammed his hand against the plastic switch, and the above fluorescent light flickered twice before buzzing to life, bathing the room in a bright, yellow glow.
Shido immediately spun around, nagging loudly as he pointed an accusing finger at Kashima and Hori.
"Wait a minute! Why were the lights off?" Shido huffed, crossing his arms. "I thought you two were already in here raiding the fridge! There isn't even a single crumb on the counter. What have you been doing this whole time?"
Kashima walked in, sliding his hands smoothly into his uniform pockets as he leaned his tall frame against the wall. He shot a cold, sideways glance at Hori.
"I don't even know how to use a stove. And besides, Hori's cooking is absolutely horrible. I actually value my life too much to touch anything she makes."
Shido let out a loud, mocking laugh, slapping his knee. "Oh, he's totally right! Hori, remember last month when you tried to fry a single egg? The edges were so black and rubbery it looked like a piece of an old car tire!"
"You—both of you are terrible!" Hori snapped, her face turning bright, angry red. She stomped her foot against the floor, turning her back to them with a furious pout. "I am officially never talking to either of you again! Enjoy starving!"
Kento immediately stepped closer to her, his voice dropping into a soft, incredibly soothing tone.
He reached out, his green eyes warm as he looked down at her. "Don't listen to those two idiots, Hori. I'll eat every single thing you ever make. Even if it's completely burnt to a charcoal brick, I'd love it because you made it."
The air in the kitchen instantly shifted, turning incredibly sweet and lovey-dovey as Hori's anger melted, her pink eyes looking up at Kento with a shy smile.
Shido watched them, a soft, sad look crossing his eyes. Seeing how effortlessly close Kento and Hori were made a sudden, quiet longing in his heart.
He didn't want to interrupt their peace, but looking at them made him think of a certain girl who never got to have moments like this.
Sighing softly, he pulled his phone out of his pocket, his thumb rapidly tapping against the glass screen until the name Tamiko popped up. He pressed the call button and held the phone to his ear, hoping just to hear her voice.
"Who are you calling now?" Kashima asked from the corner, his voice flat.
"Tamiko," Shido muttered, his usual arrogant energy draining away as the phone began to ring.
The call connected with a soft beep. Shido's posture instantly changed, his shoulders dropping as he closed his eyes tightly. "Hey, Tamiko... are you free right now?" He listened to the rushed, muffled voice coming through the speaker for a few seconds, and a wave of pure guilt washed over his face.
"Ah... actually, you know what? Never mind. It's nothing important. I'll call you later tonight. I'm really sorry for troubling you while you're busy, okay? Bye."
He cut the call before she could even answer, letting out a long, heavy sigh that seemed to drag from the bottom of his lungs.
"Did she scold you?" Kashima asked directly, not moving from his spot against the wall.
Shido's eyes snapped open, his head jerking up in pure shock. "Who? Me? Scolded? By Tamiko?" He stammered, his sentences breaking apart as he waved his hand frantically in the air.
"Are you insane? Tamiko is literally an angel disguised as a human being! She has never scolded me for a single thing in her entire life!"
"Then why are you making that pathetic face?" Kashima countered, narrowing his eyes.
Shido's hand dropped, and his broad shoulders slumped completely. He stared down at his feet, his voice falling into a sad, quiet whisper.
"She's working her shifts at the convenience store right now. She was so busy that her manager started screaming at her in the background the second she picked up my call. Because of me, she got scolded. I feel like a total idiot."
"Oh," Kashima said softly, his blue eyes drifting away.
As he stared blankly at the kitchen floor, a sudden image of a completely different girl flashed through his mind. An angel who never scolds... A slight, unwanted warmth crept up Kashima's neck as he pictured Shiyi.
She was definitely no quiet angel. He could almost hear her sharp, impatient voice echoing in his ears, remembering the way her pink eyes flashed whenever she was scolding him for being too distant or rolling his eyes at her.
She was stubborn, loud, and constantly snapping at him, yet... the thought of her anger didn't make him feel guilty or heavy like Shido did.
It made his chest tighten in a completely different, fluttering way.
Kashima quickly cleared his throat, pushing the image of Shiyi out of his head before his face could turn red. He shifted his weight, forcing his attention back to his best friend.
Shido, entirely unaware of Kashima's inner panic, glanced across the kitchen, his eyes landing on Kento and Hori.
The two of them had moved to the sink and were currently tangled up over a sponge. Kento was gently trying to take it from her fingers, his voice low and nagging.
"Hori, stop it. Give it to me. The soap is going to make your hands all rough."
Hori giggled, her pink eyes sparkling as she suddenly scooped a handful of soapy tap water and splashed it directly into Kento's face. Splash! "So would yours!" Hori laughed, leaning back against the counter. "What, are you too 'princely' to handle a little dish soap, Master Kamitani?"
Kento blinked, water dripping from his eyelashes and chin. Instead of wiping it away, he suddenly threw his head back, extending one arm outward in an incredibly dramatic, poetic pose. "A true prince could never splash his princess back." he declared, his voice echoing with fake royalty. Hori let out a helpless laughter, leaning against his shoulder.
Shido watched them, a deep, heavy sigh escaping his lips as he saw how carefree Hori looked. He leaned his head back against the wall, whispering quietly so only Kashima could hear.
"God really shouldn't make anyone as innocent and kind as Tamiko. She worries about everyone else, she cares so much, she's never mean to a single soul... so why did God give her a life like that? It's just full of endless hardships."
Shido looked back at Kento and Hori's shared laughter, his heart aching for that same kind of easy happiness with the girl he loved. "Sometimes... I really wish Tamiko's life could be as carefree as Hori's."
Kashima stayed quiet, his gaze dropping back to the floor as Shido's words echoed in his ears. Full of endless hardships. A quiet, familiar ache bloomed in his chest as his thoughts dragged right back to Shiyi.
It wasn't just Tamiko. Shiyi carried that exact same crushing weight, burying her own exhaustion under a sharp tongue and endless hard work.
He knew how long her hours were, how raw her hands got from her part-time job, and how she never complained about any of it. Seeing Kento treat Hori like a princess made Kashima's stomach twist with a complicated emotion.
He didn't just want Tamiko to be carefree—he secretly, deeply wished he could lift the heavy burdens off Shiyi's shoulders too. He wanted her to have a life where she didn't have to be so tough all the time.
"If she keeps taking all those extra shifts, she's going to exhaust herself completely." Kashima advised, his voice carrying a weight that was meant for more than just Tamiko. "She won't have the time or energy to actually do what she wants with her life."
"I know!" Shido grumbled, rubbing his temples. "I've been trying to tell her that exact same thing for the past five months! But she just smiles and never listens to me."
"Her art is really good." Kashima noted, his voice calm and serious. "She has real talent. She could easily be a manga artist if she actually followed her passion."
"She's actually working on one lately." Shido admitted, his eyes suddenly brightening up with a spark of excitement. "But she keeps getting stuck. She says her story planning and scriptwriting are totally bad. She keeps insisting she's only good as an artist, not a creator."
Kashima shifted his weight, his blue eyes locking onto Shido. "I actually know someone who is excellent at scriptwriting and story structure. I can talk to them and see if they can help her out."
Shido's entire face lit up in a split second, his previous sadness completely vanishing. 'If Kashima says he knows someone, he's definitely telling the truth,'
Shido thought, his heart leaping with absolute joy. 'Tamiko might finally get the help she needs!'
"Really? Are you serious, Kashima?" Shido asked, a massive, genuine grin breaking across his face. "Man, you really are the best! Seriously, thank you!"
The heavy wooden door swung open again, and Mr. Kamitani walked back into the kitchen, his suit jacket completely gone.
"Where were you this whole time, Dad?"
Shido asked, his loud energy fully returning.
"Just outside in the hall, taking a quick professional call." Mr. Kamitani answered smoothly.
"Dad, perfect timing, come help me out." Kento called out from the counter, holding up a bag of potatoes. "There is no way I can cook this entire meal all by myself before we all starve to death."
Mr. Kamitani smiled warmly, walking over as he began rolling his shirt sleeves up past his forearms.
He reached for a light fabric apron hanging on the wall, tying it around his waist. "Alright, alright. I'm coming. Let the real master chef show you how it's done."
He turned on the silver handle of the sink, the water whooshing loudly as he thoroughly washed his hands before reaching into the bags to pull out the fresh vegetables.
Hori turned around, resting her hands on her hips as she looked at Shido. "Are you just going to stand there, Shido? Aren't you going to help them out?"
Shido immediately puffed out his chest, slapping his own chest proudly. "Are you blind, Hori? I am the Mighty Judge of this kitchen! And Kashima over here is my loyal assistant."
Kashima didn't say a word. Instead, his head tilted slightly, his blue eyes narrowing into a mask of pure, complete, silent judgment that could freeze water.
Kento caught the look and immediately burst out laughing, pointing a finger. "Everyone look! Look at Kashima's face right now! He looks like he wants to delete Shido from existence!"
"Shido, you could have just said you don't know how to cook." Hori complained, shaking her head with a sigh. "Why do you always have to make yourself sound so ridiculously mighty?"
"Hey! I know how to cook!" Shido snapped back playfully, sticking his tongue out.
Mr. Kamitani let out a deep, hearty chuckle as his knife began to rhythmically slice through a bright red tomato on the wooden board.
Chop, Chop, Chop.
"Just sit down and relax, Shido. Every time you try to 'help' in the kitchen, you end up making a massive disaster. I really don't feel like wiping flour off the ceiling for a second time this month."
"Wow. I didn't expect that level of betrayal from my own father!" Shido pouted dramatically, sliding into a wooden chair with a loud creak.
Suddenly, a sharp, buzzing vibration echoed through the room. Mr. Kamitani's phone was sliding slightly across the smooth granite counter.
Kashima glanced down at the glowing screen. "Mr. Kamitani, it's a phone call for you."
Mr. Kamitani didn't look up from the sink where he was rinsing another tomato. "Who is it?"
Kashima read the bright letters displaying across the glass. "It says... Assistant Secretary Minami."
The rushing water from the tap stopped instantly as Mr. Kamitani tightly twisted the silver handle, leaving the kitchen in a sudden, ringing silence.
His warm, fatherly expression vanished in an instant, his face going completely flat and serious. He wiped his wet hands quickly against the fabric of his apron, reaching out to grab the phone.
"Excuse me, everyone." Mr. Kamitani said, his voice dropping into a low, professional tone.
He didn't wait for a response, turning around and quickly exiting the kitchen, the heavy wooden door clicking shut behind him.
Shido immediately slided against the table, nagging loudly as he threw his hands into the air. "Oh, come on! Of all the days in the week, why do all the mysterious phone calls have to happen on this particular day?"
Hori let out a soft laugh, shaking her head as she sighed. She rolled her eyes playfully at Shido. "Oh, stop complaining, Shido. Just spare Mr. Kamitani for once. He's a busy man, you know."
With the room settling down, Kento quietly got back to his work at the counter, picking up the peeling knife. Shido relaxed back into his wooden chair, stretching his legs out. He blinked, looking around the warm room before his eyes landed on his brother.
"Hey, Kento," Shido called out, shifting his weight. "Is there any juice left in the fridge?"
Kento didn't stop chopping the fresh vegetables, but a slow, mischievous smirk spread across his face.
He glanced over his shoulder, locking his green eyes onto Shido with a teasing glint. "Juice? Wow. Is there something wrong with your body today, Shido? I thought you only drank soft drinks. Are you finally trying to be healthy?"
Shido's face snapped into an annoyed look, his brow furrowing as he popped up from his relaxed posture. "Hey! What is that supposed to mean? I can drink juice whenever I—"
"Alright, alright, stop it you two!" Hori interrupted quickly, stepping in between their bickering. She turned to Kento, scolding him with a playful pout. "Kento, don't trouble Shido so much. He just wanted a drink."
Kento immediately raised his hands in mock surrender, bowing his head with an exaggerated expression of absolute, utmost respect. "Ah, my deepest apologies, Mighty Judge Shido. Please forgive your lazy brother for failing to serve you instantly."
Shido nagged loudly, crossing his arms. "Yeah, yeah, you're totally lazy! If you won't get it, I'll just find it myself." He grumbled, getting up from his chair with a loud creak and walking over toward the big silver fridge to check the shelves himself.
Hori smiled warmly at their usual chaos. She walked over to the dining table situated just beside the kitchen area, sliding into one of the empty chairs. Rest on both of her hands, she looked over at Kento with bright, curious eyes.
"Hey, Kento..." Hori spoke up softly, a hopeful smile tugging at her lips. "Do you think I could stay over for the night? Tomorrow is Saturday anyway, and we were already planning to secretly skip the weekend classes."
From inside the open fridge, Shido let out a loud, mocking smirk. "Oh, look at you! Planning to bunk school already? What a rebel."
Hori's face flushed with anger, and she frowned deeply at him. "What is wrong with that? It's just one day!"
Kento let out a long, heavy sigh, placing his knife down on the board. He looked at Hori with a gentle but reminding expression.
"Hori, remember the last time we tried to bunk school? We got caught completely. Your father was so worried and panicked that he literally begged Tamiko to keep a constant eye on you so you wouldn't slip away again."
----
✦ 🔮 A GLIMPSE INTO THE NEXT CHAPTER 🔮 ✦
"What awaits beyond this page...?" 🌙
(灬･◡･灬)♡
"My parents... well, they take turns in solving my matters."
"Kashima! Watch out!"
----
🌙 The stars may fade, and memories may sleep...
But the Spiral continues to turn.
Until we meet again beneath the same forgotten sky.
(✧Д✧)
— SakuraShinomiya