The room fell silent again, accompanied only by the slowly fading light of the evening. From the window, Raku could see the world outside moving as usual—children running down the streets, adults chatting and laughing, and the aroma of life that felt so far away from him.
He turned to the small table, picking up a book lying there. Its pages were filled with study notes and pencil scribbles. "Is this… my book? But why do all these letters feel so foreign… even though I can read them?" he murmured.
Curiosity led Raku to slowly stand up, then open the wooden wardrobe in the corner of the room. Inside were clothes, a few personal items… and a small object that immediately caught his attention.
A yellow pendant, old yet softly gleaming under the evening light. The pendant had a tiny keyhole in the center, as if waiting for something to unlock it.
Raku stared at it for a long time, his heartbeat quickening. He picked it up with trembling hands. The moment he held it, a strange feeling crept into his chest. "Why… does this feel so important…?"
Tears fell without him realizing it. He quickly wiped his face, confused by his own emotions. "Is this… a lost memory? Or just an empty feeling…?"
Carefully, he put the pendant around his neck. The cold metal touched his skin, yet it felt comforting.
Raku looked back at the sky from the window, a sense of peace mixed with emptiness. He slowly opened the window, the cold winter air immediately brushing against his face.
His hand reached for a handful of snow by the window. The cold pierced his palm, making his body shiver slightly. But just then—
A faint flash crossed his mind.
A small boy, his body tiny, wearing no clothes, stood in the middle of a vast stretch of white snow. The boy was shivering violently, yet still trying to do something—perhaps stand tall, perhaps hold his breath, perhaps just endure despite his body fighting against the cold.
The vision was gone in an instant, like a dream almost erased.
Raku jolted, returning to the present. The snow in his hand had melted, dripping cold water onto the floor. He stared at his own palm, his breath heavy.
"…Who is that boy? Is that… me? Or… someone else?"
His gaze was empty, yet the pendant on his neck reflected the orange glow of dusk. Something was locked tightly behind his memories, and that strange feeling pressed harder.
However, even with his heart in turmoil, he kept looking at the evening sky. It was the only thing that could calm him right now.
Raku's stomach growled softly, pulling him out of his thoughts. He looked at the window briefly before slowly standing up from the futon. His body felt lighter now, though still a bit unsteady. Carefully, he opened the door and stepped into the corridor of the house that felt foreign.
'Why does this house feel so vast… when it should be mine?' he thought as he walked slowly.
In the main room, he saw Issei talking with Claude, while Ryunosuke checked the wall clock. Chitoge sat a little farther away, playing with the ends of her hair while occasionally glancing at them.
Raku approached quietly. "Father… I'm hungry. I want to eat. Maybe… later I can try cooking. I don't want to just sit around at home."
Everyone turned to him at once. The atmosphere suddenly grew silent.
Issei walked over, patting Raku's head gently. "Don't rush, Raku. You just came back from the hospital. Rest first, don't do anything heavy."
Ryunosuke immediately smiled, his tone firm. "Don't worry, Bocchan. Usually you're the one who cooks for us… but this time it's our turn. Let us take care of you."
Issei then turned to Claude and Chitoge. "In that case… how about we eat together? It may be a little early for dinner, but it's rare for us to sit down like this."
Claude narrowed his eyes behind his glasses, then sighed. "Very well. Thank you for offering dinner. I'll accept. Perhaps… I can also lend a hand."
Chitoge, who had been quiet, lowered her head slightly before answering softly, "Thank you… for the offer."
"In that case, I'll head to the kitchen!" Ryunosuke quickly strode to the kitchen. Claude immediately rose to prepare the dining table, while Issei helped Raku sit on a tatami cushion by the long table.
Chitoge could only watch quietly. Her eyes lingered on the yellow pendant hanging around Raku's neck. 'That pendant… since when did he start wearing it? Did he already remember something? Or is it just a vague feeling…?'
Soon the aroma of cooking filled the room. Ryunosuke came out carrying a large tray of hot soup, rice, a few simple side dishes, and warm tea. Claude helped arrange the plates and chopsticks neatly, while Issei made sure everyone's seating was comfortable.
Finally, they all sat around the table. Raku, Issei, Claude, Ryunosuke, and Chitoge.
Issei smiled, turning to Raku. "Raku, before eating there's a tradition in this house. We close our eyes briefly and say the word: 'Itadakimasu'. It's how we give thanks for the meal."
Raku looked at him for a moment, then nodded. He closed his eyes reverently, then softly said, "Itadakimasu."
The others followed. "Itadakimasu."
The meal went on quietly. Only the sounds of spoons, chopsticks, and the faint ticking of the wall clock filled the room. Raku ate slowly, trying to savor every bite, as if searching for his memories through taste.
After a while, everyone finished eating. Ryunosuke swiftly cleared the plates, carrying them to the kitchen. Claude straightened his posture and said formally, "We'll be taking our leave. It's already late, and thank you for the dinner."
Chitoge stood up, bowing politely. "Thank you… for the dinner."
Raku also stood. He looked at Chitoge for a moment, then slowly approached. His right hand lifted, and with a gentle motion, he patted Chitoge's head.
"Take care on your way home," Raku said sincerely.
Chitoge froze in place. Her heart raced wildly, her face burning red. "N-n-n-nngh?! W-why did you do that?! I-idiot! You don't have to worry about me! Worry about yourself!!"
Flustered, she quickly turned away, almost tripping on the carpet, then hurried toward the door.
Issei, Claude, and Ryunosuke, who witnessed it, couldn't hide their surprise. They fell silent for a moment, then exchanged glances.
Claude adjusted his glasses, his voice flat but tinged with curiosity. "Hmmm. So… even without his memories, he can still make Ojou-sama react like that. Interesting."
Issei only chuckled softly, then turned to Raku. "Well then, we'll be going." Claude bowed politely before following Chitoge out of the house.
Raku stood still, turning to his father. "Father… why did Chitoge act like that? Did I say something wrong?"
Issei held back a smile, then patted Raku's shoulder. "No. On the contrary… it looked interesting. But Raku, don't think too much about it. Focus on yourself first. Oh, and don't forget to take your evening medicine. After that, go straight to bed."
Raku looked at the pendant around his neck, then nodded slowly. "Alright, Father."
That night, the house felt warmer—yet also carried a great mystery.
Inside the car slowly making its way down the snowy road, the atmosphere was quiet. Only the hum of the engine echoed faintly, as if accompanying thoughts filled with questions. Chitoge leaned against the window, her arms folded, her face still slightly flushed as she recalled the moment earlier.
'Why is he like that…? Raku is usually noisy, easily flustered, even always arguing with me… but tonight… he was calm, innocent… and even patted my head like… like something different,' she thought.
She bit her lower lip, trying to calm her racing heartbeat. Her eyes glanced briefly at Claude, who was driving seriously.
"...Claude." Chitoge finally spoke.
Claude glanced briefly through the rearview mirror before answering flatly, "What is it, Ojou-sama?"
Chitoge fell silent for a moment, then spoke in a soft voice, almost like a whisper, "Raku… no, Ichijou… he looks different. Not just because of his illness or memory loss, but… as if he's not the same person. Not the loud personality I knew all this time."
Claude took a deep breath, as if he had already anticipated that. "I noticed the same thing. Usually Bocchan… talks a lot, often looking nervous over trivial things. But tonight… his eyes were calm, his words sincere, and his movements… pure. As if he… was newly reborn."
Chitoge lowered her head, clutching the hem of her skirt tightly. "...And that pendant. He wore it as if it was very important. I don't know why, but when he put it on, it felt like something… bound him. It made me curious and scared at the same time."
Claude glanced briefly at Chitoge. The girl's face looked complicated—between embarrassment, anxiety, and confusion.
"That pendant is indeed a symbol of his past, Ojou-sama. But… perhaps Bocchan himself is searching for an answer greater than just an old promise."
Chitoge widened her eyes briefly, then bit her lip again. "I… I don't even know what to do if he really forgets everything. Our relationship would have to start again from zero. And tonight… for some reason, I felt like I was seeing another side of Raku… one that makes me nervous in a different way."
Claude gave a faint smile, something he rarely did. "Perhaps that's a good sign, Ojou-sama. Sometimes, a relationship isn't only tied to the past, but can also begin anew… with a new heart."
Chitoge quickly turned, her face blushing once again. "A-a new heart? Claude, don't say weird things! I'm just… just confused, that's all!" she stammered, turning her face back to the window.
Claude only let out a small sigh, returning his focus to the road. In his heart, he whispered softly, 'Bocchan… it seems you've truly changed. And that change… is starting to reach Ojou-sama as well.'
The car continued moving through the cold night, leaving the Ichijou household behind, while Chitoge's heart was filled with a confusion she couldn't explain—between worry, curiosity… and something warm.