Ryuzhen POV
We're now sitting at a beautifully set table inside the restaurant owned by my older sister Rinlei. Though to be more accurate, she already gifted this place to our mother years ago. I still remember the look on mom's face the day she handed over the golden key, engraved with her initials. It was more than just a restaurant it was a recognition of all the sacrifices mom made for us.
The place reflected Rinlei's refined yet passionate personality: minimalist interiors with hints of Japanese-French fusion, carefully arranged ikebana flowers, warm lights that made everything feel like a page out of an art book. I looked around and smiled. There was a strange kind of peace here.
Mom sat beside me, flipping gently through the leather menu, while Arika our youngest sister excitedly tapped at the tablet-like screen displaying the desserts.
"I want that one!" she exclaimed, her eyes wide. "The sakura cheesecake!"
I chuckled and placed a hand on her head. "You and your sweet tooth."
Arika puffed her cheeks. "Onii-sama, I deserve a treat! I studied really hard this week!"
"You did?" I raised an eyebrow playfully. "Then tell me, what's the largest organ in the human body?"
"The skin!" she answered proudly, raising both hands in victory.
Mom and I laughed. "Very good," I said, smiling. "But if you really want to become a doctor, you have to keep going deeper. The human body is like a world of its own every cell has a purpose, every system a rhythm."
Arika leaned closer to me. "Teach me more, Onii-sama."
I softened at her eagerness. She reminded me of myself when I was her age hungry to learn, eyes sparkling with dreams too big for my small frame. I reached for a napkin and started sketching a simple diagram of the circulatory system as we waited.
"Blood moves like this," I explained, "from the heart to the lungs, then to the rest of the body. It's like a dance oxygen comes in, waste goes out. Without it, nothing works."
Arika watched with fascination, her elbows on the table, her cheeks resting in her palms.
Just as I finished, a familiar voice sliced through the soft chatter of the restaurant.
"Yokatta! Minna, ogenki ne?"
I turned my head and saw her Rinlei. Tall, elegant, and commanding the room like she belonged to a higher realm. Her black coat was folded over her arm, and she wore a crisp cream blouse tucked into high-waisted slacks, her signature red lipstick glowing under the golden light.
"Rin-oneechan!" Arika squealed, running up to hug her.
Rinlei dropped her bag gently on the side table and embraced our little sister. "Arika-chan, shukudai wa owatta?"
"Un! Subete no mondai toka tokemashita!" Arika beamed.
Rinlei grinned and patted her head. "Yokatta. Jaa, kyou wa tabemashou. Watashi no ichiban sukina hito-tachi to."
She walked toward us, her eyes meeting mine for a second longer than necessary. There was a knowing glint in them.
"Okaeri," I said to her in a soft voice.
She took the seat beside mom, laying her watch gently on the table, and stretched her arms slightly. "Mou, bengoshi no shigoto wa taihen deshou?"
"Sou ne," she replied with a smirk. "But I'm used to it. Criminals, lawsuits, international policies—none of it scares me. But mom's cooking still does."
We all laughed at that, including mom, who playfully flicked Rinlei's wrist.
"Don't tease your mother," she said with a wink.
Dinner was served moments later. Steaming bowls of miso clam soup, wagyu steak with creamy foie gras butter, truffle sushi rolls with hints of wasabi, and the delicate sakura cheesecake Arika begged for.
As we ate, we talked about everything and nothing. Rinlei and I exchanged quiet glances that only siblings could understand. There was a story beneath each smile, a memory beneath each dish.
For the first time in a long time, I wasn't a doctor, and she wasn't a lawyer. I was just Ryuzhen. She was just Rinlei.
And we were simply a family.
A little broken, a little bruised by the past but this day, we are whole.
The soft golden lights of the restaurant, paired with the quiet hum of instrumental jazz, wrapped our table in a cozy cocoon. My older sister Rinlei sat across from me, graceful as always in her sleek black turtleneck and gold-rimmed glasses. Mom was beside her, sipping her favorite ginger tea with elegance, while our youngest, Arika, happily munched on her omurice, her legs swinging under the chair.
Between bites of wagyu steak, I turned to Rinlei, carefully wiping my lips with a napkin.
"How's work?" I asked, my voice calm but curious. "Handling global cases must be wearing you down."
She chuckled, setting down her chopsticks.
"Sekai no ironna kuni no jiken o ou no wa, tashika ni taihen yo"(It's exhausting chasing legal fires across countries, but I love the rush.)
Mom glanced at her proudly. "You've always been brave enough to fight for justice, even when you were just a child yelling at news anchors on TV."
Rinlei laughed, eyes sparkling. "True. But what about you, Ryuzhen? You look… thinner. You've been working yourself into the grave again, haven't you?"
I sighed and leaned back slightly, letting the chair hold me.
"Well, it's been a long week. Just today, I performed a high-risk surgery on a patient diagnosed with a disease I've second encountered before."
Her brows furrowed. "What disease?"
I set my fork down and looked her in the eye.
"It's called The Black Death of the Brain. Or more clinically, Neural Cataclysm Syndrome."
Silence descended like a curtain. Even Arika froze, her spoon halfway to her lips. Mom gently placed her tea back on its saucer, her face suddenly solemn.
"Ne...Nyuraru Katakurizumu Shoukougun?" Rinlei echoed, her voice barely above a whisper.
I nodded slowly. "Yes. It's unlike anything I've seen. The patient presented with rapid neural degradation his cerebral cortex was literally collapsing in on itself, almost like it was... imploding. I've only read about similar theoretical conditions in ancient research papers from obscure European journals."
Rinlei's face was pale now, the lawyer mask replaced by that of a concerned sister.
"Sore wa... dorekurai kiken na no?)"
(How dangerous is it?)
"Extremely," I replied gravely. "It mimics symptoms of multiple brain disorders ALS, Parkinson's, and even Mad Cow Disease but it acts twenty times faster. If I hadn't operated, the patient would've died in hours. The disease eats away at neural pathways like acid, leaving behind nothing but blackened tissues."
"Ten…" Mom whispered, placing her hand on her chest.
Arika, ever the curious one, blinked. "Does that mean... the brain turns into mush?"
I turned to her with a faint smile and nodded. "In a way, yes. That's why I told you if you want to become a doctor, you must study the human body deeply. Diseases don't wait. They strike when we least expect."
"Ganbarimasu!" Arika declared with a determined fist.
Rinlei finally let out a slow breath and leaned back, her eyes still fixed on me.
"You always bring terrifying things to the table, Ryuzhen." She tried to smile.
"But I'm glad you saved that person. You always do things I could never do."
I shrugged. "And you save innocent people through law, Rinlei. We just fight different battles."
There was silence again, but this time, it was soft. Respectful.
Then mom raised her cup, smiling gently.
"To my daughters and son, one saves minds, one defends justice, and one dreams of healing."
We all smiled and raised our glasses tea, juice, wine. A quiet toast, surrounded by the warmth of family, even in the presence of the dark truths we faced each day.
"Kanpai," we said in unison.
And just for a moment, the world outside didn't matter.
After we finished eating, we headed straight to Disneyland here in Japan. Well yes—this is our home. We're Japanese, born and raised, and I wanted to make the most of my rare free time with my family. As a surgeon, my days are often swallowed by the hospital walls, my hands covered in gloves, and my heart constantly tethered to the thin line between life and death. But not today. Today was for us.
The drive to Disneyland was filled with laughter. Arika kept talking non-stop about the rides she wanted to go on, while Mom and Rinlei discussed what snacks to try. I leaned my head back against the seat, smiling softly. It felt… peaceful. Like I was allowed to breathe for the first time in a long while.
When we arrived at the gates of Disneyland, a beautiful woman was already waiting for us, standing with perfect poise and a radiant smile. She wore a fitted cream blazer over a sleek black turtleneck, and her long brunette hair was tied back into a neat ponytail. Her presence was commanding—elegant, refined… and honestly, she looked like she just stepped out of a Vogue magazine.
"Suhari!" Rinlei called with warmth in her voice, her usual composed self softening in an instant.
The woman turned and her eyes lit up as she walked toward us. "Rin-chan!" she greeted, and then her gaze turned to the rest of us. "And you must be Ryuzhen, Arika, and Mrs. Akimoto."
"Good evening," Mom said with a gentle smile, clearly fond of her already. "You look lovely, Suhari."
"Thank you, Ma'am," Suhari replied, giving a respectful bow. "I've been excited to meet all of you. Rinlei always talks about her family with so much pride."
Rinlei stood beside her and gently placed a hand on her girlfriend's back, a silent but tender gesture. "Mom, Ryuzhen, Arika… this is Suhari Kamazaki—my partner."
"And also a respected international judge," I added, recognizing her name. "I've read your work on cross-border arbitration and human rights law. You're incredible."
She laughed softly, a graceful sound. "You flatter me. But I could say the same about you, Dr. Liuzhaki. You've been saving lives while I've just been handing out verdicts."
"We both hold life in our hands," I replied with a grin. "Just in different ways."
Mom chuckled and looped her arm with Suhari's. "I'm just happy my daughter chose someone who can keep up with her. And to be honest, I'm relieved she likes women."
Suhari blinked, surprised. "Relieved, Ma'am?"
Mom nodded with a bright, teasing smile. "Of course. Women are more loyal, nurturing, and less likely to break my daughter's heart. If she had dated a man, I'd have to interrogate him first before approving anything."
We all laughed—including Suhari, who looked touched. "Thank you, Mrs. Akimoto. That means the world to me."
Arika tugged at my sleeve and whispered, "Onii-chan… Suhari is so pretty. She looks like a Disney princess!"
"She kind of is," I whispered back, winking.
As we entered the gates of Disneyland together, the lights around us lit up like stars descending from the heavens. Music played in the background, the scent of caramel popcorn and cotton candy filled the air, and families all around us bustled with joy. But I was only focused on the family beside me—their smiles, their laughter, the warmth of having them whole and happy.
For once, I wasn't Ryuzhen the miracle doctor.
I was just Ryuzhen, the son, the brother.
And I was finally home.
As we stepped further into the magic of Disneyland, I felt a strange flutter in my chest. It wasn't anxiety or exhaustion—two feelings I was far too familiar with in the OR. No… this was something lighter. Something I hadn't felt in so long, I'd nearly forgotten how comforting it was.
It was joy.
"Where should we go first?" Arika asked excitedly, practically bouncing on her heels. "Can we go to the Haunted Mansion, Onii-chan? Or the Star Wars ride? Oh wait, wait—can we get churros first? I heard they're legendary!"
I smirked. "One thing at a time, Arika. But sure, let's start with churros. Fuel before thrills."
"I second that," Rinlei said, stretching her arms with a yawn. "Let's grab snacks and enjoy the lights before the fireworks start."
Suhari glanced at her, tilting her head with a soft smile. "Are you sure you're not just trying to avoid the rollercoasters again?"
Rinlei scoffed. "Excuse me, I argue against governments for a living. I just prefer to keep my heart rate steady."
I chuckled. "Says the same person who jumped off a cliff into the ocean during a case in Italy."
"That was for evidence collection," she said with a dramatic flick of her hair. "Not for fun."
Suhari leaned closer, her tone teasing, "It was also because you refused to admit you were lost and took the wrong path down the cliff."
"Details, details," Rinlei muttered, trying not to laugh.
We approached a churro cart, the sweet scent wafting through the evening air. Mom handed over a few yen bills with a big grin and said, "One churro for each of us. Plus one extra for me."
"Mom," I laughed, "you just had dessert twenty minutes ago."
"I'm still a mother. That means I'm entitled to a second dessert—especially when it's fried and coated in sugar."
Suhari laughed beside her. "She's got a point. If I had a mother like you growing up, I'd have been spoiled rotten."
"You still are," Rinlei said with a smile, sliding her arm around Suhari's waist.
As we stood there munching churros under the glowing lanterns and colorful signs, Arika pointed excitedly at a nearby costumed performer. "Look! It's Elsa! Onii-chan, can we take a picture with her?"
I followed her gaze and saw the actress, perfectly dressed, posing with kids. "Of course. Go ahead—I'll take the photo."
While Arika ran up eagerly, I stayed back with Mom, Rinlei, and Suhari. Mom leaned a little closer to me, her voice soft.
"You've grown into a fine man, Ryuzhen. I wish your father could see the person you've become."
I exhaled slowly. "If he cared to look… maybe. But he chose his path. And we chose ours."
"You're right," she said. "And I'm proud of all of you. You, with your healing hands. Rinlei with her voice for justice. And Arika… she's still young, but she'll be something incredible too. You all made this family whole."
Rinlei turned toward me, her expression gentler now. "Onii-san…"
"Hm?" I looked at her.
She stepped forward and looked me in the eye. "Thank you… for staying. For carrying us through all those years after Dad left. You had every reason to break down, but you didn't."
I swallowed hard. Emotions rose in my throat, but I kept them steady. "I didn't stay out of obligation. I stayed because I love all of you. That's it. That's all there ever was."
Suhari reached out and gave my shoulder a gentle squeeze. "You are the kind of man this world needs more of."
I looked down and smiled, brushing a strand of hair from my eyes. "If I had to do it all over again… I wouldn't change a thing."
Just then, Arika came running back, her cheeks flushed with excitement. "Onii-chan! She gave me a hug and said I looked like a real princess!"
"You are a real princess," I said, ruffling her hair. "Now let's go ride something before you convince Elsa to adopt you."
As the sky darkened, and the first flicker of fireworks exploded overhead, we stood there together—four people who had been broken once, but had found each other again. Rebuilt not with gold or reputation, but with time, love, and the quiet bond of family.
And right there, beneath the stars, I knew…
No matter how far I traveled, no matter how many lives I saved…
This. This was my reason.
The sky above Tokyo Disneyland shimmered with the first bursts of color, the fireworks blooming like celestial flowers. They danced across the dark canvas, lighting up the night in dazzling golds, blues, and reds.
We found a quiet spot near the edge of the garden walkway—less crowded, but with a perfect view of the castle. The lights of the park reflected in Arika's wide eyes as she sat between Mom and Rinlei, both of them holding warm cups of cocoa. Suhari stood beside me, her arms crossed, the wind catching the edges of her blazer as we watched in comfortable silence.
"It's breathtaking," Suhari whispered, more to herself than anyone.
"It is," I replied. But I wasn't looking at the sky.
I was looking at them—my family. The people who kept me grounded when the world tried to tear me apart. The ones who reminded me that no matter how far medicine pushed me into darkness, there was still warmth waiting at the end of the shift.
Arika tugged at my sleeve, cocoa mustache on her upper lip. "Onii-chan, do you remember when we used to watch fireworks from the hospital roof?"
I chuckled softly. "How could I forget? You were five and kept telling me the fireworks were trying to talk."
"They were!" she insisted, giggling. "I swear one of them said 'Arika!'"
Rinlei leaned back against Suhari, exhaling. "Back then, everything felt so uncertain… but now—" she glanced at Suhari and smiled, "—now, there's peace in the uncertainty."
Suhari turned to look at her, brushing a strand of wind-blown hair behind her ear. "I always admired how your family embraced everything that came their way. Most people fear change."
"We didn't have the luxury to fear it," I said quietly. "We just survived it."
Mom turned her eyes toward the sky and let out a gentle sigh. "But tonight, there's no surviving. Just living."
And she was right.
We weren't holding on by a thread anymore. We were laughing, breathing, leaning into the moment without worrying about the next one.
More fireworks exploded above—this time a symphony of gold that showered over the castle. The music changed, swelling with orchestral wonder, and I saw Suhari quietly wipe a tear from her eye. Not sadness. Something else.
"This is the first time I've ever been to Disneyland with people who truly feel like home," she said, her voice low. "Thank you… for letting me be part of this."
"You're family now," Mom said softly, reaching out and holding Suhari's hand. "And here, we don't let go of family."
Arika stood up suddenly, arms raised to the sky like she was trying to catch the lights. "Promise me we'll do this every year!" she declared. "Even when I'm a doctor and Onii-chan is old and gray!"
"I am not going gray," I laughed, nudging her gently.
"Yet," Rinlei teased, sipping her cocoa. "Give it another decade in surgery."
Suhari leaned toward me and whispered playfully, "If you ever need a legal document drawn up to sue time itself, Rinlei's your woman."
"Duly noted," I smirked.
As the finale began—an explosion of light and music that felt like it wrapped the whole park in stardust—I felt something inside me settle. A peace I hadn't known I was missing.
Not the kind of peace you get from silence… but the kind that comes when you're exactly where you're supposed to be.
I closed my eyes for a brief second, letting the warmth of my family's presence surround me.
This was home. This was healing.
And in that fleeting moment, under a thousand sparks of gold, I made a quiet vow to myself:
No matter how heavy the weight of the world became on my shoulders…
I would always come back to this.
To them.
To love.
To the quiet magic of being whole again.