The day before her father's birthday was already busy.
The house bustled with chatter, chopping boards, and the faint scent of simmering broth in the kitchen.
"Kyouko," her mother called out from the hallway. "Use my car. Go buy more sake."
Kyouko looked up from peeling vegetables. "Yes, yes…"
"Keiko! Go with your sister!"
"Ehh?" her younger sister's voice piped up from the kitchen. "I'm busy here—she can go alone."
Their mother clicked her tongue. "Kenji!"
A pause. Then Kenji's voice floated in from the other room. "Ah, Mother… I'm also busy. I need to prepare the seating."
"Haaah… fine!" her mother huffed. "Well, Kyouko—it looks like you'll have to go alone."
She handed her daughter a small shopping list and a cloth bag.
"Buy some more meat, and sake bottles—big ones. Five or six."
Kyouko's eyes widened slightly. "Eh? But that'll be heavy~"
"Don't become spoiled, Kyouko!"
