Once we got home, just like he said we would, Big Brother and I played for the next couple of hours until it was 8:00 pm. We couldn't be as loud as the kids in the park—Mom's head hurt if we were—but we still had a lot of fun.
Back then, we lived in a small house—a kitchen, a living room, and two bedrooms upstairs.
We were watching videos in our parents' room—where the PC was—on how to make an origami plane that could fly forever, when the house shook with a loud thud.
My hand froze mid-fold on the paper.
The video continued playing in the background, but I couldn't hear it over a muffled "Welcome home, dear" from downstairs.
Dad had arrived home.
Before I could even react, Big Brother shut off the PC and monitor, grabbed my hand, and pulled me out of the room and into ours.
Once we arrived, Big Brother closed the door behind us, but left a crack open. It was easier to hear what was happening outside that way.
Shortly after, the sound of heavy footsteps filled the hallway just outside our door. Big Brother stared at it intently, while my entire body tensed.
It was only when we heard the soft click of a lock that we relaxed.
"That was close, wasn't it?" Big Brother said with his usual bright smile.
I gave him a relieved nod, letting out a breath I didn't even know I'd been holding.
"Yeah, it was…" My voice trailed off as what he'd just done replayed in my head.
"But you were amazing, Big Brother!" I exclaimed.
He tilted his head, confused. "What do you mean?"
"I mean, how did you move so fast?! I didn't even know what to do, but you did everything so fast!"
Big Brother scratched his head with an embarrassed chuckle. "It's not that big a deal, lil sis."
He leaned in closer and gently patted my head. "I'm sure you will be able to do it one day, too!"
I giggled, basking in the warmth of his hand. "Hihi! I hope I can be as cool as you one day, too!"
This moment didn't last long, however. Mom called for us from downstairs a few seconds later.
"Dinner is ready!"
Big Brother pulled his hand away and walked to the door. I lowered my head, trying to hide the frown forming on my lips.
I wanted to play with him just a little longer…
I knew I shouldn't be greedy—we had already played so much. But I couldn't help it, I was just a kid.
"Are you coming, lil sis?"
I looked up. Big Brother was holding the door open, a hand stretched my way.
"C'mon! The food will get cold if we wait too long!"
I paused, staring at his hand, before giving him a firm nod.
"Yeah!"
I ran up to him and grabbed his hand. He held it tight as the two of us descended the stairs and reached the dining table.
The table already had four bowls of rice along with a dish of meat, vegetables, and soup.
Mom was already seated, her back to us. When she heard us coming, she turned around. Her face was slightly paler than usual, with multiple beads of sweat on her brow, but she still greeted us with her angelic smile. This time, though, it looked almost... strained.
"Hello, you two. Dinner is ready, so please, help yourselves," she said softly, gesturing to the table.
Big Brother and I gave her a small nod and sat in our usual seats.
The table had one end against the wall—one seat at the head, two on each side.
Mom had taken one of the side seats, so Big Brother and I sat in the other two across from her.
We grabbed the chopsticks that had been set out for us and began to eat, just like Mom said.
Mom, however, kept her hands resting in her lap, unmoving. Even when her stomach rumbled, she didn't touch her food.
It was only when the sound of footsteps descended the stairs that she moved.
She turned around and greeted the figure the same way she had us. "Welcome, dear. Dinner is ready, so please, help yourself."
The figure stood in the shadows of the stairs. Then it stepped down, the shadows peeling away to reveal—Dad.
Messy, dishevelled hair. Uneven facial hair that seemed like it had grown for weeks. And worst of all, the dark circles under his eyes that looked ready to sink into his skull.
Dad slowly opened his mouth and spoke in a deep, scratchy voice. "Thank you for dinner, dear. Now, if you'll excuse me."
Dad pulled out the chair next to Mom and sat. It was only when he picked up his chopsticks and began to eat that Mom did the same.
Nothing but the sound of muffled chewing filled the room. I kept my gaze fixed on the bowl in front of me the whole time.
This was what a normal family dinner always looked like. Dad was too tired to speak, Mom's head hurt, so Big Brother and I stayed quiet.
But it wasn't always silent. On a rare occasion, one of them would start a conversation. Today was one such day.
"So, I got an email telling me you guys got your report cards back," Dad said, breaking the silence. "How did you do?"
I stopped chewing, the sweet taste of chicken going cold in my mouth.
I slowly lifted my head from the bowl towards the voice.
Dad stared absent-mindedly at the table as he ate, but I was sure he was waiting for an answer.
Mom immediately let out a giggle, breaking the tension before it could even set in.
"I have it in my purse. I was waiting until you arrived home so we could look at it together."
Dad stopped chewing, a flicker of focus sharpening in his eyes.
"Is that so? Then we'll check it together after dinner."
Big Brother flinched, his chopsticks hovering a beat too long before he took the bite.
I swallowed down the food sitting in my mouth. It should've gone tasteless by then, but it went down like a thick lump anyway.
Big Brother and I ate the rest of dinner in tense silence until everyone finished.
Dad stacked the empty bowls and plates and brought them to the sink in one go. Mom, on the other hand, walked over and grabbed two envelopes from her purse.
Big Brother and I sat frozen in our seats, our hands firmly placed on our laps.
Mom and Dad sat back down and stared directly at us. I kept my head down, the top of my hair hiding my parents from my view.
"Well then," Mom said as she took one of the envelopes and placed it on the table. "Let's start with this one, shall we?"
Dad took the envelope and ripped it open. He pulled the pages out and spread them across the table for everyone to see.
"This one belongs to… Lily."
His voice landed like a cold knife in my chest.
Why did it have to be me first?
Did I do badly?
What's going to happen to me?
I'm scared!
Suddenly, a warmth spread up my arm. My eyes refocused, the world coming clear again.
That was when I saw it.
A hand was holding mine.
I glanced to the side.
Big Brother kept his gaze fixed forward. I thought that was impressive enough, but that wasn't what shocked me. It was his face. On it was that same unwavering, radiant smile.
His hand tightened around mine.
Before I even realized it, my breathing steadied on its own.
It's… going to be okay.
I slowly lifted my gaze to my parents. They weren't looking at either one of us, their eyes skimming each page in front of them.
That was when Dad's eyes stopped, and he turned to me.
I clenched Big Brother's hand tighter, but I didn't look away.
His lips parted, and he spoke in a low tone that carried a hint of… pride.
"Math, 95%. Science, 90%. Language, 97%."
Mom continued for him.
"Physical education, 82%. Geography, 88%. Social studies, 92%."
Dad gathered the papers into a neat pile, while Mom leaned over the table and gently brushed my shoulder.
"Good job, Lily," she whispered, her voice a lullaby, draining the tension out of me. "Keep up the good work. We are proud of you."
I craned my neck to Dad, struggling to process what was happening. He met my gaze and gave me a soft smile, one that made me forget how frightening he'd looked moments ago.
I-I did it!
I–
But before I could even celebrate, Mom pulled away from me and brought another envelope to the table.
"Now, it's Hoshino's turn."