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But he couldn't hide his smile, even as he sighed. The cheerful noise in the room contrasted so strongly with the earlier gloom that he couldn't help but feel secretly relieved.
Sayuri finally caught her breath, her cheeks slightly flushed from laughter, and turned toward Utahime.
"You're kind," she murmured shyly, her smile fragile but sincere.
"Thank you," Utahime replied softly. "It's all right now. Nothing will happen to you anymore."
Ryosuke raised a brow. "Ah, no need to try and play the heroine in front of her. She already admires me enough, thank you very much."
This time, it was Utahime and Sayuri who burst into laughter, leaving Ryosuke shaking his head, powerless against their budding bond.
After a brief silence, Utahime looked back at Ryosuke. "May I speak with you for a moment, Ryosuke?" she asked, her voice lowered so as not to disturb Sayuri.
Ryosuke looked at his sister. He placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "I'll be right back, Sayuri. I promise it won't take long."
But as soon as he started to rise, she clutched his arm tightly, her fingers trembling, her tearful eyes widening in panic. "No! Don't leave, please!"
Ryosuke hesitated. At last, he turned a resigned glance toward his academic supervisor and gave a slight shrug of apology.
Utahime watched the scene, a tender smile forming on her lips. "It's all right," she murmured. "The principal asked me to give you this message: take all the time you need. No one expects anything from you as long as your family needs you."
Ryosuke inclined his head slightly in gratitude as she added, "A school agent will also be available if you need anything at all. Don't feel pressured."
She then turned to Sayuri and gave a small bow. "I'll take my leave now. Goodbye, Sayuri."
Sayuri loosened her grip on Ryosuke just enough to whisper, her voice still trembling, "Goodbye, ma'am."
Utahime smiled more warmly, then quietly walked away.
Once she had left, Ryosuke turned his full attention back to Sayuri.
"Tell me," he said gently. "Do you remember that afternoon when we tried to make a kite? You absolutely wanted it to be shaped like a cat."
Sayuri sniffled, a faint spark of amusement shining in her eyes.
"You wasted all the paper…"
Ryosuke chuckled softly. "And yet, when it flew for just a few seconds, you were the happiest girl in the world."
Sayuri nodded timidly. "It was a good day," she whispered. "Before everything became… complicated."
Ryosuke laid his hand over his sister's. "We'll have more, Sayuri. I promise. I'll make sure we have days just as happy, maybe even better."
She looked at him with shining eyes. "Do you really think we can get that back? That… normal life?"
"Hey," he replied with a confident smile. "Who was it that made a cat-shaped kite when everyone said it was impossible?"
Sayuri let out a small laugh.
Suddenly, Ryosuke tapped her shoulder. "By the way, guess what. On the way here, I spotted a shop near the station selling kite kits. Crazy ones, too! Like dragons and exotic birds."
She looked at him, wide-eyed. "You're serious?!"
"Absolutely. But, well, we have to earn it first."
Sayuri narrowed her eyes, suspicious. "What do you mean, 'earn it'?"
Ryosuke folded his arms, mock-solemn. "Well, you know… you'll have to manage to smile sincerely for at least ten seconds straight."
Sayuri furrowed her brows and squirmed. "Ten seconds? That's… long."
"You just did five without noticing," he countered with a smirk.
She laughed again, brighter this time, and the sound filled the room.
Ryosuke glanced around suddenly and asked:
"By the way, where's Yuri?"
Sayuri blinked, surprised, and frowned. "Yuri? But… he was right here just a moment ago!"
She sat up in bed, scanning every corner of the room. Her voice turned sing-song.
"Yooouhoo, Yuri? Where are you?"
A faint meow broke the silence, drawing their attention to a shadowy corner. Slowly, a small white head appeared between two pieces of furniture. Yuri's wide, gleaming eyes almost seemed to beg forgiveness as he padded softly toward Sayuri.
"Yuri!" she cried with relief, gently scooping him into her arms. She hugged him close, her fingers stroking his soft fur.
"Why were you hiding, huh?" she asked with a tender smile. Narrowing her eyes with mock suspicion, she added, "Say, could it be you're scared of big brother?"
Ryosuke crossed his arms, smirking. "Me? Scare such a tiny kitten? Why don't you let me hold him and see?"
Sayuri hesitated a second, glancing at Yuri with concern, but Ryosuke extended his arms in a soothing gesture. "Come on, Sayuri, I promise I won't scare him."
Carefully, she placed Yuri in his hands. The kitten trembled slightly as he found himself in the boy's arms. Curious, Sayuri watched closely. "Why do you think he's shaking?"
Ryosuke shrugged, a mysterious smile tugging at his lips. "It's nothing, don't worry." He lifted the kitten closer to his face, blew gently by his ear, and whispered so softly only Yuri could hear:
"You did well. You protected them."