They brushed the dirt off their clothes and slowly stood up. A soft breeze rustled through the greenhouse door behind them.
Without a word, their fingers found each other, Venzel's hand enveloping Kana's, and they began to walk together down the gravel path.
Kana swung their joined hands gently. "Your mother gave me your number, by the way."
Venzel glanced at her, surprised, but said nothing.
Inside, though, he felt a quiet wave of gratitude. Thanks, Mom…
Kana smiled to herself as if she knew exactly what he was thinking. "Both your parents love me so much, you know. It's kind of sweet. Your dad even picked me up and brought me here when I said I wanted to see you."
Venzel stopped mid-step and turned to face her. "Wait—how?"
She tilted her head. "I was at your old apartment earlier waiting for you. And there I saw your dad, he was moving some of your stuff. We bumped into each other, had a nice little chat, and he offered me a ride."
His brow furrowed. "Kana… what if he wasn't my dad? What if it was just some random man pretending to be him and he kidnapped you?"
Kana looked up at him, completely unfazed. "Then that's your fault."
"My fault?!"
She nodded seriously. "I missed you so much I couldn't think straight. I got into a strangers car without even being certain he's your father. You should've known I'd be this reckless."
Venzel stared at her, caught between horror and disbelief. "…Unbelievable."
She grinned sweetly. "You missed me too. Admit it."
With a heavy sigh, he shook his head and, before she could react, scooped her up into his arms again.
Kana squeaked, her feet lifting off the ground.
"H-Hey! Again?!"
Venzel looked down at her, exasperated but smiling. "I can't take my eyes off you for one second, can I?"
She leaned her head against his chest, her expression softening. "Nope. Better just carry me everywhere now."
He chuckled and started walking again, her warmth nestled in his arms.
....
With the sun beginning to dip behind the hills, the two of them strolled up to the farmhouse, hands swinging, giggles shared between them like kids coming home after sneaking out on a playful adventure.
Kana skipped a step ahead, Venzel trailing behind her with a fond smile. It was the kind of smile he hadn't worn in a long time.
The smell of grilled meat wafted through the air.
Venzel looked toward the garden and there he was. His father, Aoki, standing by a charcoal grill with tongs in one hand and a plate of sizzling skewers beside him.
Aoki glanced up, then broke into a hearty laugh the moment he saw them. "Looks like you found your smile again, huh?"
Venzel's steps slowed. His chest felt tight, but in a good way.
His voice was quiet, but full. "Thanks, Dad… for not giving up on me."
Aoki's grin softened. He looked at his son for a beat longer than usual.
"Ah—it's nothing. That's just what fathers do."
Then he turned to Kana. "And Kana—thank you."
Kana beamed like a little girl being praised. "Hehe… Thanks, Father!"
Aoki blinked. "Huh? Father?"
Kana stood upright with mock seriousness. "Ah right.. I'm marrying Venzel, so I can call you Father now, right?"
"HAH?!" Aoki nearly dropped the tongs.
Even Venzel choked on air. "HUH?!"
Kana turned to look at him with a smug smile and a raised brow.
Venzel met her gaze for a second, then straightened his back awkwardly, clearing his throat like a man caught off guard in a marriage proposal he didn't propose.
"Ah… Y-Yes! Father!" he said, voice cracking. "Ahem—we are… going to get married!"
Aoki stared at them, slack-jawed.
Then, ever so slowly, a vein popped on his forehead.
"…Then how come you didn't contact her at all?!"
He suddenly raised the grill tongs like a weapon and charged at his son.
"YOU STUPID BOY!"
"Wah—Dad! I was emotionally unstable!" Venzel cried out, backpedaling wildly as Kana burst out laughing beside the grill.
"DOES EMOTIONAL DAMAGE ERASE A SIM CARD?!" Aoki shouted, chasing him around the yard as Venzel ducked and dodged like a child in trouble.
Kana watched them run in circles, laughing until she nearly cried, heart full.
Just as the chase between father and son turned into its third chaotic lap around the garden, the back door creaked open with a familiar voice floating out.
"Ah—Kana, there you are!" Tsuki stepped out, carrying a plate piled high with marinated beef slices, the sunlight glinting off the glaze. "Did you meet the boy yet?"
Kana's face lit up. She skipped over with light steps, her smile sweet and proud.
"I did, Mother." She reached out and carefully took the plate from Tsuki's hands.
Tsuki blinked. "Oh my, already?"
Her eyes crinkled as she smiled, and without hesitation, she reached out and gently pinched Kana's nose.
Kana laughed, nose scrunching, and nodded. "Yes, Mom. Venzel and I… we've decided to get married."
Tsuki's eyes widened. "What!? Really?"
Before another word could be said, she pulled Kana into a warm, tight hug, the kind only a mother can give, gentle but overflowing with joy.
Kana hugged her back, resting her head on the woman's shoulder.
Then, from the corner of her eye, Tsuki caught the sight of her husband still furiously chasing Venzel with tongs through the yard.
"Oi! You ungrateful brat, how dare you ghost her for weeks!"
"Dad, I have trauma!"
"Oh? Trauma? I'll give you trauma—!"
Tsuki blinked, then burst out laughing, holding her stomach.
"Oh my…" she giggled, "they're already back to normal, huh?"
She turned to Kana, her smile warm as spring. She gently brushed a strand of hair from the girl's face.
"You really are our lucky charm, you know," Tsuki murmured, brushing Kana's hair back with motherly care. "Not just for him. For all of us."
Kana looked up, eyes glassy with emotion. She nodded slowly, her grip on the beef plate tightening ever so slightly to stop her hands from trembling.