One evening, after a quiet dinner, Mr. and Mrs. Katagiri were sitting on the couch in their cozy living room, enjoying slices of fresh fruit and chatting about their day. Suddenly, the front door swung open, breaking the calm.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Katagiri turned their heads, their eyes widening in disbelief as they saw their eldest son, Hayato, standing in the doorway, a suitcase in hand and a familiar, lopsided grin on his face. "Hayato! You're back!" Mrs. Katagiri exclaimed, her voice filled with joy and surprise as she immediately stood up and rushed over to him, pulling him into a tight embrace. Mr. Katagiri followed, his face breaking into a wide smile as he approached his son. "Mom, Dad," Hayato greeted them warmly, his voice carrying a sense of comfort and familiarity that instantly filled the room. "You should have told us in advance! We could have picked you up from the airport," Mr. Katagiri said, though his tone was more relieved than scolding. Hayato chuckled, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "I wanted to surprise you," he replied, his voice light and teasing.
At that moment, Sohei walked into the house, having just returned from work. The moment he saw his beloved older brother standing in the living room, his face lit up with excitement.
"Hayato! You're finally back!" Sohei exclaimed, rushing over to hug his brother tightly. Hayato laughed, returning the embrace with equal enthusiasm. "Yes, I'm home. For real this time," he said, his voice filled with a sense of finality and warmth.
The family spent the next few minutes catching up in the living room, the air filled with laughter and the sound of overlapping voices as they shared stories and updates. Mrs. Katagiri fussed over Hayato, asking if he was hungry or tired, while Mr. Katagiri and Sohei bombarded him with questions about his time abroad and his plans now that he was back. Hayato answered them patiently, his smile never wavering, though there was a hint of something deeper in his eyes—a quiet longing that only he seemed to notice.
After a while, Hayato excused himself to take his luggage upstairs to his room. As he pushed open the door, he was met with a familiar sight that brought a wave of nostalgia crashing over him. Everything was exactly as he had left it ten years ago. His books still lined the shelves, their spines worn from years of use, and his desk was neatly arranged, as if waiting for him to return. His eyes wandered around the room, taking in every detail, until they landed on a framed photo hanging on the wall.
It was a picture of him and Chiaki from years ago, taken during one of their countless afternoons playing in the garden. In the photo, they were both laughing, their faces glowing with the carefree joy of childhood. Hayato stepped closer, his fingers brushing over the frame as memories flooded his mind—Chiaki's laughter as she ran through the garden, the warmth of her hand in his when they were children, the way she had looked at him the last time they spoke before he left.
His grip on the frame tightened, his chest aching with a mix of emotions he couldn't quite name. How had she been all these years? Had she moved on, as he had tried to do? The questions swirled in his mind, but he quickly shook them off, placing the frame back on the wall with a quiet sigh. He couldn't afford to dwell on the past, not now.
Opening his suitcase, he began unpacking, his mind already shifting to the tasks ahead. He needed to prepare for his new role at the company, to focus on the future. But as he worked, the image of Chiaki's smile lingered in the back of his mind, a quiet reminder of the life he had left behind.
Later that evening, Hayato sat in the living room with his parents, the soft hum of conversation filling the space as they sipped tea together. The conversation had shifted to Hayato's life in the U.S., a topic that brought a mix of pride and curiosity to his parents' faces. "So, how was life in the U.S.?" Mr. Katagiri asked, his tone casual but his eyes sharp as he watched his eldest son closely, searching for any hint of what his son had experienced during his years away. Hayato exhaled deeply, running a hand through his hair as he leaned back in his chair. "Busy," he admitted, his voice tinged with a hint of weariness. "Work was demanding, and the competition was tough. But I learned a lot." His words were measured, but there was a quiet pride in his tone, a sense of accomplishment that he carried with him.
Mr. Katagiri nodded, a proud smile spreading across his face. "You certainly made a name for yourself. We heard about your success through your company's reports," he said, his voice filled with admiration. "You've done well, Hayato."
Mrs. Katagiri, sitting beside her husband, smiled warmly and leaned forward, her hands clasped around her teacup. "And how's Karina?" she asked, her tone gentle but probing.
"Her family entrusted you to be her guardian when she moved there. She must have relied on you a lot." Hayato paused briefly, his expression thoughtful as he nodded. "She's doing well," he replied. "She's independent now and pursuing her own career."
Mrs. Katagiri sighed and gave him a knowing look. "And you?" she asked gently. "Have you met someone special?"
Hayato picked up his tea and took a slow sip, eyes fixed on the cup. "I was too busy with work," he said simply, his tone making it clear he didn't want to say more.
Mrs. Katagiri shook her head, half amused, half exasperated. "You're not getting any younger, you know," she teased, though there was a hint of seriousness in her voice.
Hayato chuckled and shook his head. "I just got back, Mom. Give me a break."
She laughed, warm and familiar. "Alright, alright," she said with a grin. "But now that you're home, you won't escape my questions forever."
Hayato smiled but didn't reply. His thoughts drifted to the photo in his room, to the memories it held. He wanted to ask about Chiaki, but the words never came—only the quiet ache of wondering.
After the conversation settled down, Hayato turned to his father, his tone more serious. "Dad, I want to start working at the company tomorrow," he said firmly but respectfully.
Mr. Katagiri shook his head with a gentle look. "Don't rush. You just got back. Take some time to rest."
Hayato's expression tightened with determination. "I appreciate it, but I'd rather begin right away."
His father studied him for a moment, then gave a small nod, a proud smile forming. "Actually, I planned to appoint you as General Manager once you returned," he said calmly, but with pride. "The position's been waiting for you."
Hayato's eyes widened a little but he quickly nodded. "Thank you, Dad. I'll do my best."
Mr. Katagiri's gaze softened. "Just don't push yourself too hard," he said warmly. "You've already proven yourself. Now, learn to find balance."
After the talk, Hayato returned to his room, feeling the weight of his new role settle on his shoulders. He sat at his desk, flipping through company reports and charts, trying to get familiar with key people and recent projects. He was determined to prove himself, to make his father proud and uphold the Katagiri name.
But as he read, his eyes kept drifting to the framed photos nearby—snapshots of a past that felt both far away and painfully close. No matter how much time had passed, some memories didn't fade. Thoughts of Chiaki, their childhood, and the words left unspoken stayed with him, a quiet reminder of what he had walked away from—and what still lingered, unanswered.