The company trip had ended wonderfully—at least for Keiko and me. Now, we were both back to the daily grind. The humdrum of routine returned fast, like a slap to the face.

“You’re lucky tomorrow is your day off, Ryuko!” Aki pouted dramatically as she rolled up her apron.

I gave her a crooked smile. Lucky? Sure, if you call working at the old man’s bar lucky. Internally, I was screaming. My day off just meant more back pain and shouting from an old man with a mustache sharper than his knives.

I sighed so loud I think even the miso soup on the stove heard me.

---

September came in like a blink—and with it, Ruka’s maternity leave. I was officially stepping into her shoes.

Honestly? I was nervous. But at least there was one silver lining—yesterday, the old man finally approved my signature dish. Four months of sweat, burns, and yelling finally paid off. He still didn’t declare me his successor, but hey, I’ll take less scolding as a win. Small steps, right?

That night, after a long shift, Keiko and I got home together. She turned to me and asked, “How was it? Are you okay shifting for Ruka?”

I smiled. “Yeah, still awkward with some stuff… but I think I can manage.”

Keiko chuckled, brushing back a strand of her bangs. “You’re doing great, Ryusei. It’s your first day—don’t stress too much.”

Her praise warmed me up more than a bowl of ramen. I nodded again and returned her smile.

But then we saw someone waiting in front of our apartment door.

“Chiyori?” Keiko blinked. The petite girl standing by our door looked like a startled deer caught in headlights. She fidgeted with the sleeves of her cardigan and gave us a nervous little bow.

“Uhmm… hello, Rin’s mom and sister…”

Keiko and I exchanged glances.

“You wanna come in?” Keiko asked kindly.

“Uhmmm… I…” Chiyori glanced down, clearly hesitating.

Yep. I knew what was going on.

Before Keiko could say anything else, I walked up and took Chiyori’s arm, gently pulling her toward the door. “Let’s go.”

Keiko gave me a what-are-you-doing look as I unlocked the door.

Once we were inside, I led Chiyori to the couch. “Just sit here. I’ll get you some water.”

She nodded stiffly like a robot who just got low on battery.

As I poured the water in the kitchen, Keiko leaned in beside me and whispered, “What are you doing?”

I whispered back, “They’re fighting.”

Keiko’s eyes widened. “H-how do you know?”

I gave her a sly smile. “Secret.”

Chiyori was still sitting there like a statue, her hands clenched tightly on her lap. I handed her the glass, and she bowed slightly, murmuring a soft, “Thank you…”

“You want me to call for Rin?” I asked.

She shook her head quickly, whispering, “N-no…”

Alright, then. I nodded and stepped away. “Take your time. Let me know if you need anything.”

Just as I was about to retreat to my room, she suddenly called out, “W-wait…”

I turned.

“Sorry… can I… can I see Rin?”

I smiled. “Of course.”

I led her quietly to the hallway and stopped in front of Rin’s room. Then I turned and walked away, leaving them to it.

Back in my room, Keiko was waiting for the scoop. “Well?”

I shrugged. “I hope our daughter’s doing okay.”

---

Meanwhile, Chiyori stood in front of Rin’s door, her knuckles hovering just shy of it. She hesitated. Then finally, tap-tap.

“What? Who is it?” Rin yelled, her voice slightly annoyed.

Chiyori didn’t respond. Her lips trembled.

A moment later, the door opened—Rin’s expression grumpy, ready to scold—until she froze.

“…Chiyori?”

Chiyori looked up, teary-eyed. “Rin… I-I’m sorry…”

Rin’s eyes narrowed and her brows furrowed. “What do you want?”

Before she could slam the door shut, she realized her parents were likely watching—and the embarrassment of them knowing about the fight was worse than death. She groaned and quickly yanked Chiyori inside.

Unfortunately, in her panic, she pulled a little too hard, and Chiyori stumbled… and fell right on top of Rin.

THUD!

Keiko and I flinched at the sound.

“Oh no,” Keiko muttered. “You don’t think… they’re fighting?”

I swallowed nervously. “Or wrestling.”

Keiko rolled her eyes. “That’s worse.” She started walking. “I’m going to check.”

I followed her slowly, peeking behind her.

Keiko stopped near Rin’s door. “Rin?” she called out gently. “Are you okay?”

Inside, Rin’s face turned red as a tomato. She scrambled to get up, pushing Chiyori off her lap.

Keiko opened the door just a bit and gasped, seeing the scene: Chiyori sprawled on the floor like she tripped over a ghost.

“Mom—!” Rin practically launched herself from the bed to the door and slammed it shut.

“I’m fine!!”

Keiko blinked, stunned. “O…kay…”

She turned back to me and sighed as we retreated. “Teenagers.”

Behind the closed door, Rin and Chiyori sat awkwardly on the bed.

“…You’re clumsy,” Rin muttered, her cheeks still flushed.

“S-sorry…” Chiyori whispered. “I didn’t mean to fall on you…”

A pause.

“…Why’d you come?”

“…Because I didn’t want to go to sleep angry…” Chiyori whispered. “I missed you.”

Rin looked away. “You said my jokes weren’t funny.”

Chiyori tilted her head. “Because you said my dad looks like a rejected anime villain.”

“He does! I was being honest!”

They both glared for a moment… then burst into soft laughter.

“…I’m still mad, though,” Rin mumbled.

“…Me too.”

But they were sitting side by side again.

--

Back in our room, Keiko and I lay down for the night, trying not to laugh at what just happened.

“Rin’s growing up too fast…” Keiko murmured.

Keiko turned toward me and smiled. “You handled it well, Ryusei.”

I shrugged. “I just gave her space. That’s what teenagers want, right?”

Keiko leaned closer, resting her head on my chest. “Still… you’re a good dad.”

I smirked. “Tell that to the old man when he yells at me tomorrow.”

Keiko giggled.

Outside, the city lights shimmered. In our quiet little apartment, despite the chaos and crashing and awkward moments, everything felt… right.

Even if we still had to deal with teenagers, noisy kitchens, and flying water glasses.