It had been nearly six years since Daiki and Sora last stepped foot in Japan, and now, finally, they were home but only for a visit.
They didn't come alone. Sora carried a carefully packed garment bag filled with her newest dress designs. Daiki brought no luggage beyond a leather briefcase.
Emi and Ren were already waiting at their estate entrance
The moment Sora stepped out of the car, she beamed. "Emi!"
Emi didn't wait, she immediately crossed the distance and pulled her best friend into a warm, familiar hug.
"You haven't aged a day," Sora teased, pulling back slightly.
"You've just been in Paris too long," Emi shot back, laughing. "You forgot what good skincare looks like in Tokyo air."
Daiki stepped forward next, exchanging a brief but firm handshake with Ren and followed by a clasp of shoulders.
"Always my brother," Ren murmured.
"You still haven't gotten any cooler," Daiki replied.
"Come inside," Emi said, beaming. "There's so much to catch up on."
Later that afternoon, Hina joined them after her class, her hair pinned up and cheeks still rosy from the walk home.
Sora's eyes lit up the moment she saw her.
"Oh, Hina," she said, crossing the room. "Look at you! You've grown into such a beautiful young lady."
Hina blushed instantly, bowing slightly. "Thank you, Auntie Sora."
Sora took her hand gently, giving it a squeeze. "And I heard what happened recently… You were very brave. And Yuto, he did exactly what I raised him to do."
Then Sora turned toward Emi with a familiar glint in her eye. "I brought something for the two of you."
She pulled open the sleek garment bag she'd brought along and carefully unzipped it to reveal two exquisite dresses, both elegant, flowing, and uniquely tailored. One was an ivory-toned modern cheongsam with delicate sakura embroidery. The other, an off shoulder soft sky-blue wrap dress with hand-sewn beadwork along the waist.
"This one's for you," Sora said, handing the sky-blue one to Hina. "And Emi—this is yours. I had you both in mind when I designed them."
Hina's eyes sparkled. "It's gorgeous… Thank you so much."
"You're welcome," Sora said with a wink. "Now you just need somewhere special to wear it."
That evening, as the two families enjoyed dinner around the long dining table, the conversation turned as it always did toward the children.
"I heard from Emi," Sora said, resting her chin on her palm with a teasing grin, "that you and Yuto are officially together now?"
Yuto, who had just taken a sip of tea, nearly choked. "Mom—!"
Hina nearly dropped her chopsticks. "Auntie!"
Emi just laughed, clearly enjoying herself.
"Oh, don't look so scandalized," Sora continued, waving a hand. "I've known it would happen since the day he gave you that ribbon bracelet."
Daiki, watching silently until now, gave a small smirk. "Took long enough."
Sora turned to Hina with a mischievous twinkle in her eye. "Well, since it's official… should I start sketching wedding dress designs?"
"Ma, we just started dating. Don't scare Hina please," Yuto said.
Sora chuckled. "Alright alright"
From the other end of the table, Ren raised an eyebrow and said without looking up, "Just don't elope."
That earned a round of laughter except from Yuto and Hina, who were both red-faced and looking everywhere but at each other.
But despite the teasing, the warmth in the room was undeniable. two families bounded by friendship and love, sitting together and treasuring the reunion.
Later that night, after the dishes were cleared and the soft clinking of teacups faded into the quiet hum of the estate, Hina slipped out to the veranda just outside her room, the night breeze brushing against her bare arms. The stars shimmered above, the garden lights glowing dimly in the distance.
Yuto joined her a moment later, sliding the door shut behind him. He was dressed in simple T-shirt and dark pants. Hina still felt her heart flutter at the sight of him.
They sat side by side on the wooden steps, feet bare, knees brushing softly.
"It's been a while since our families sat down like that," Hina murmured, eyes on the stars. "I almost forgot how close everyone used to be."
Yuto smiled, fingers loosely linked over his lap. "Our families have always been close. Including us."
She turned to him, eyes warm. "I really… feel happy tonight."
He looked at her gently. "Because of the dress?"
"No," she said with a small laugh. "Because of everything. You. Them. This."
She paused, voice softening. "I think I'm really lucky. That the person who's liked me since we were kids… is the same person I get to like back."
Yuto's smile shifted into something deeper.
"You don't know how many nights I thought about what it would feel like to hear you say that," he said. "To hear you call me yours."
Hina turned toward him, her heart thudding softly. "And now?"
He didn't answer right away. Instead, he reached up, cupping her cheek with one hand, his thumb brushing gently across the softness of her skin. "Now I just want to keep proving you right."
And then he kissed her.
Her hands slid up to his shoulders, gripping lightly. His other arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her a little closer until there was nothing left between them but heat and heartbeat.
When they finally pulled apart, foreheads still resting together, Hina whispered, "I think I'm falling for you more each day."
Yuto's voice was low, rougher than usual. "Then I'll spend every day making you fall even deeper."
They sat there in silence, her fingers tracing soft patterns against his chest, his lips brushing her temple, again and again.
And in that moment, Hina knew that she had always been his.
And now… he was hers too.